Thu Sep 02, 2010 3:04 pm (GMT -5)
Israel completes preparations for an attack against Iran

by Maurizio d’Orlando
9/2/10
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Israel-completes-preparations-for-an-attack-against-Iran-19349.html

In a note to Congress, US Defense Department reveals Israel bought huge amounts of fuel for jet planes and land forces. In Jerusalem, debate heats up over the suitability of an attack against Iran’s nuclear reactors. In Tehran meanwhile, leaders continue to favour nuclear energy because of US embargo on oil refining technology.

Milan (AsiaNews) – Many signs point to Israel preparing an attack against Iran or a new offensive in southern Lebanon against Hizbollah. This can be inferred from logistical and military procurements by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the last few weeks,

Israel in early August ordered 284 million gallons of JP8 aviation fuel, a special kerosene-based jet fuel suitable for military use only, plus 100 million gallons of diesel fuel and 60 million of unleaded gasoline, also for military use. The total bill is expected to reach US$ 2 billion.

News about the purchase came on 5 August when the US Defense Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)[1] issued a statement to that effect in accordance with US laws. In its request to Congress to approve the sale, the DSCA noted, “The proposed sale of the JP-B aviation fuel will enable Israel to maintain the operational capability of its aircraft inventory. The unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel will be used for ground forces' vehicles and other equipment used in keeping peace and security in the region. Israel will have no difficulty absorbing this additional fuel into its armed forces.”

By comparison, the last fuel order the State of Israel placed with the United States was on 15 July 2008, when it ordered 186 million gallons of JP-8 aviation jet fuel, 54 million gallons of diesel fuel and 28 million gallons of unleaded gasoline at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion.

Before that, on 24 August 2007, Israel had ordered 90 million gallons of JP-8 fuel and 42 million gallons of diesel fuel, for an estimated cost of US$ 308 million. Further back, on 14 July 2006, it had ordered an unspecified amount of JP-8 fuel, for an estimated cost of US$ 210 million.

The increase in US fuel supplies to Israel is plain for all to see, between 2006 and 2010 it went up tenfold.

Israel´s last two military operations were the Lebanon War in the summer of 2006, which lasted a little over a month, and Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza from 27 December 2008 to 21 January 2009.

Since early August, tensions in the Middle East have been rising after the Bushehr civilian nuclear power plant became operational with Russian technological assistance.

John Bolton, former US ambassador to the United Nations and a fervent supporter of Israeli policies, called for military action before the plant was up and running. He said that once fuel was loaded into the reactor, any attack would trigger widespread radiation among the civilian population.

However, President Barack Obama’s top adviser on nuclear issues, Gary Samore, said[2] that the US administration is trying to cool down tensions. He believes it would take Iran roughly a year to turn low-enriched uranium into weapons-grade material. [3]

In Israel, the debate over the issue is proceeding apace with some factions pushing for military action right away. For instance, Caroline B. Glick, an editorial writer for the Jerusalem Post, wrote, “From a military perspective, the longer Israel waits to attack Iran, the harder it will become to accomplish the mission.” [4] Pointing the finger at Israel’s Defence minister for the situation, she writes that Ehud “Barak’s strategic ineptitude is legendary.

The Jerusalem Post also reported that Frederick Hoff, [5] assistant to US Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell, told Lebanese Army chief of staff Jean Kahwaji that Israel was ready to implement a plan to destroy within four hours all Lebanese military infrastructures, including army bases and offices, should another border-fire incident occur between Lebanese military and the IDF.

For its part, Iran is not waiting to flex its muscles, not only in relation to the Bushehr plant, but also in weapons development. It recently test-fired a third generation Fateh 110 missile, and announced an unmanned bomber drone with a range of 620 miles.

Amid the beating of war drums and notwithstanding the posturing of the various parties, the situation calls for closer scrutiny. Iran’s intentions, which some Israeli factions believe to include nuclear weapons, are not so much at stake here since Israel’s military supremacy is overwhelming in terms of conventional and nuclear weapons. What is at stake is its potential. Indeed, the current Israeli (and US) hegemony in the region is threatened by the economic and demographic growth of nations that are culturally opposed to them and politically unshackled. That was the case a few years ago for Iraq under Saddam Hussein and is the case today for Iran under Ahmadinejad.

Iran’s programme to build nuclear reactors stems from real needs for energy. In order to develop the country, Iranian leaders know they need more energy. They also know that they must keep a lid on new generations that are frustrated by unemployment, full of curiosity for the West and gradually losing sight of the ideals that underpinned the Islamic Revolution that brought down the shah and led to Khomeini’s regime.

As much as Iran floats on huge oil reserves, its development is stifled by a lack of fuel. Upgrading its oil refining and thermoelectric generating capacity might seem the most logical solution, but it is not the chosen one.

In the end, what we have is a convergence of opposites. On the one hand, the United States does not want Iran to get new oil refining technology. On the other, Iranian leaders prefer nuclear power to thermoelectric power in order to rally the people and point the finger at the unjust foreign hostility towards their nation.

All these ingredients, which everyone liberally handed out, can lead to a big blast. Ultimately, elites on either side of the fence gain from the confrontation. No doubt, the same is not true for their respective populations.



[1] See DSCA News Release, Israel – Unleaded Gasoline, JP-8 Aviation Jet Fuel, and Diesel Fuel, retrieved on 2 September 2010.

[2] See Mark Mazzetti andDavid E. Sanger, “Iran’s nuclear threat not imminent, U.S. says”, in The Globe and Mail, 20 August 2010.

[3] Iran possesses uranium with 3 per cent fissile material, whilst power generating plants need higher concentrations, up to 20 per cent, which Russia is currently providing. Military-grade uranium requires 80 per cent concentrations that are normally achieved through special centrifuges.

[4] See Caroline B. Glick, “Our World: Accepting the unacceptable,” in the Jerusalem Post, 27 August 2010.

[5] See JP Staff, “Israel ready to destroy LAF in 4 hours,” in the Jerusalem Post, 27 August 2010.

Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:30 am (GMT -5)
[Archbishop backpedals on aide's statement]
Archbishop's aide calls Britain a 'hedonistic wasteland'
Edmund Adamus under fire from equality and secularists groups for criticising the UK's 'gay agenda'

Riazat Butt
religous affairs correspondent
www.guardian.co.uk
Wednesday 1 September 2010

The Roman Catholic archbishop of Westminster has distanced himself from an aide who said gay rights and the commercialisation of sex had turned Britain into a "selfish, hedonistic wasteland" and "the geopolitical epicentre of the culture of death".

The comments from Edmund Adamus, director of pastoral affairs at the diocese of Westminster and an adviser to the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, have angered gay rights and secularists groups and provoked embarrassment among the Catholic hierarchy weeks before the pope visits Britain.

Senior figures, including Lord Patten of Barnes, have been keen to stress that the UK, while secular, is not anti-Catholic and that the pope is not flying into hostile territory.

Adamus told the Catholic news agency Zenit there was an "aggressive anti-Catholic bias towards the church and the pontiff" in this country that exceeded even countries that violently persecuted Christians.

"Historically, and continuing right now, Britain, and in particular, London, has been and is the geopolitical epicentre of the culture of death.

"Our laws and lawmakers for over 50 years or more have been the most permissively anti-life and progressively anti-family and marriage, in essence one of the most anti-Catholic landscapes, culturally speaking, than even those places where Catholics suffer open persecution."

He also talked about marriage and the role of men and women, urging Catholics to "exhibit counter-cultural signals against the selfish, hedonistic wasteland that is the objectification of women for sexual gratification."

"Britain in particular, with its ever-increasing commercialisation of sex, not to mention its permissive laws advancing the 'gay' agenda, is such a wasteland."

A spokesman for Nichols said the views expressed by Adamus "did not reflect the archbishop's opinions".

Ben Summerskill, from the gay rights group Stonewall, said the comments were "gratuitously offensive".

He told the Independent: "The gratuitously offensive comments being made by the archbishop's adviser are hardly likely to promote sensitive debate about respect for religion in the 21st century. You would think that, given its present status, the Roman Catholic church in Britain would be slightly more sensitive about wagging its finger at other people".

Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:34 am (GMT -5)

Click Logo To Link Original

Changes in Mass will alter most prayers; bring words closer to original Latin
September 1st, 2010
By Valerie Schmalz

We will have to keep our eyes on our Missalettes ™ for the first few months once the new translation of the Roman Missal takes effect nationwide on the first Sunday of Advent 2011. However, we’ll have a year to learn about the changes.

Just about every prayer said during the Mass has undergone some tweaking in the just-approved English-language translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. The Gloria, the Nicene Creed, the Dialogues or exchanges between celebrant and people, the Eucharistic Prayers, even some of the words of the consecration, change with a new philosophy of translation that requires closer adherence to the Latin. The new translation is both more poetic and more formal than liturgies of the past 40 years.


One example is the use of chant is emphasized in the new version of the Mass, which should mean more singing throughout by priest and people.


“We’re planning to do a yearlong catechesis on liturgy and specifically in the Mass,” said Patrick Vallez-Kelly, director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, saying the changes will be introduced initially during the year in the parishes with bulletin announcements and inserts, and then more intensively in the weeks leading up to the changeover November 27, 2011.


The transition will be greatest for priests who will have to learn to say the Mass in a different cadence, because though the language will remain English it will often reflect the grammatical structure of the Latin prayers, said Msgr. Anthony F. Sherman, executive director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.


“It’s a challenge for any priest because they have–so many of us have–a grieving process to go through. The words we have been praying for the past 40 years have gotten into our bones,” said Vallez-Kelly.


While the new translation was set in motion by Pope John Paul II, who commissioned the Third Edition of the Missal in 1997, it also reflects very clearly the desire of Pope Benedict XVI to refine the manner in which we celebrate the Church’s liturgy, said Vallez-Kelly. The language of the Church is Latin and each Missal is originally written in Latin, based on the earlier official version, and then each national church translates it with final approval or the recognitio by the Holy See.


“You might call it a more vertical approach. Recall that the primary purpose of the liturgy is the worship of God and through that, the sanctification and unification of people,” Vallez-Kelly said. “In the liturgy we’ve had, it’s been a very familiar way of speaking but the new translation reflects the original Latin’s more humble stance before God.”


The American translation process began in 2002 when the Missal was published in Latin and continued with participation for numerous groups, including particularly the U.S. bishops, with the edited final text approved in March and received by the American bishops on August 20. In 2001, the Holy See issued guidelines for translation requiring “formal equivalency” rather than the “dynamic equivalency” used for translations in the years after Vatican II. “Dynamic equivalency allows for translations of ideas rather than word-for-word strict following of the text. It allows for more fluency and even at times for paraphrase,” Vallez-Kelly said.”The advantage is you get a text that at times seems familiar. But, in formal equivalency there is much more attention to word order and to strict word-for-word translation. It provides for a more precise, or literal translation.”


In the Nicene Creed, where for 40 years American Catholics have said “one in being with the Father,” we will now say “begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father.” We will also say, “I believe” rather than “We believe.” And in answering the priest when he says, “The Lord be with you,” the people will answer “And with your spirit,” rather than “And also with you.”


The new translation changes “cup” to “chalice” in the consecration and changes the words, “It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me,” to “which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin.”


The man charged by the bishops with explaining the changes in workshops around the country, Msgr. Sherman, said, “The challenge is not to lose sight that Christ suffered, died and rose for every person and the change in the translation is not meant to convey any difference in this.” He noted that only the Holy Father can change the words of the consecration and Pope Benedict XVI made the decision, largely because “for many” is closer to the Latin and also because while Christ died for all, only some accept him.


The Second Vatican Council spurred a reform of all the liturgical rites with the 1963 document Sacrosanctum Concilium, beginning a dramatic change in the Church’s liturgical life. In the Mass, some of the results were turning the altar around so the priest faced the people in most places, allowing Mass to be celebrated in the vernacular rather than only in Latin, adding more Scripture readings to each Mass, and more Scripture readings and more Mass options to the liturgical years. The first Missal reflecting those changes was promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969 with parts of it published in English in 1970 and the entire translation available in 1974. A second edition was published in 1975, with the English translation approved in 1985.

From September 3, 2010 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
_________________
IN CORDIBUS JESU ET MARIÆ

SECRETMAN

Sun Aug 29, 2010 1:49 pm (GMT -5)
La. Residents Rid Grief in Symbolic Katrina Burial
Published August 29, 2010| Associated Press
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/08/29/la-residents-rid-grief-symbolic-katrina-burial/


CHALMETTE, La. -- Hundreds of mourners dropped notes, cards and letters -- many of them stained with tears -- into a steel-gray casket on Saturday in a symbolic burial of Hurricane Katrina.

One letter written by a child in red crayon said: "Go away from us." Another note remembered one of the 1,800 victims of Katrina: "R.I.P. Gloria, I will always love you." The casket, along with some of the anger, grief and frustration, was later interred under an appropriately dark sky as rain pounded umbrellas.

"I asked for no more suffering, for everything to come back to where it was," Walter Gifford, 47, said of his note. He rebuilt his home and moved back to the area near New Orleans. "I ask for the sadness for so many to end."

The church that celebrated the Mass, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, was flooded five years ago just like all but two buildings in St. Bernard Parish.

"I cried a lot while I wrote my letter," said Nancy Volpe, 61, who moved back into her house in November. "But I'm finally home. I can't tell you how much better I know the meaning of that word -- home."

When the casket was finally closed, people applauded.

"I've been to many funerals," said Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond. "But I'm sure this is the first time I've heard applause when they closed the casket."

Funeral director Floyd W. Herty Jr. planned the service.

"I've been a funeral director all my adult life, and I know the power the service has to let people begin healing," Herty said.

The funeral was one of dozens of events planned to mark the fifth anniversary of the massive storm that wrecked New Orleans, south Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

On Sunday, President Barack Obama will speak at Xavier University -- which, like 80 percent of New Orleans, was flooded when the levees failed.

He will remember those who died and reassure the others who have returned that he is committed to completing the rebuilding that couldn't even start in New Orleans for a month after the Aug. 29, 2005 storm, because floodwaters were still being pumped out of the city.

A march and "healing ceremony" were also scheduled in the Lower 9th Ward, where many houses still stand vacant, with a circle painted on them indicating they had been searched and whether bodies were in them.

The city of New Orleans will mark the anniversary with a quite ceremony Sunday night, including a tolling of the bells of St. Louis Cathedral, the famed building overlooking Jackson Square, and a candlelight vigil for the dead.

"I'm tired of the anniversaries," said Barbara Washington, 77, who lost her home in New Orleans and is now living in a suburb. "I miss my home every day. I feel lost. But I also know we are getting back. We're survivors."

Archbishop Raymond,
There was plenty of applause at the funeral Mass of the apostate Ted Kennedy with Cardinal O'Malley's (the Barefoot Contessa) glowing approval. At least O'Malley had a Mass offered for a deceased human being.

Who will you offer a Catholic funeral Mass next week, Uncle Pookie's pit bull or will you be baptizing his pet turtles?
_________________
TRADIDI QUOD ET ACCEPI

Thu Aug 26, 2010 3:23 pm (GMT -5)

Click Logo To Link Original

Cardinal Newman’s feast day will be October 9
By Huw Twiston Davies
Thursday, 26 August 2010

Cardinal John Henry Newman’s feast will be celebrated on October 9, the date of his conversion in 1845, Pope Benedict XVI will declare next month.

The announcement of the feast day forms part of the Pope’s Declaration of Beatification, which has been published as part of the Magnificat booklet for the Papal visit.

The booklet also contains prayers of preparation for the visit, texts for daily Mass from September 12 to September 29, including the Masses of the papal visit.

The booklet also has forewords by Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Lord Patten of Barnes and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

The booklet also contains essays by leading Catholics such as Newman scholar Fr Ian Ker, Bishop Malcolm McMahon of Nottingham, and the current British Ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Campbell.

The booklet is being distributed by Gabriel Communications and the bishops’ conferences of England and Wales and Scotland. A million copies will be sent to parishes in Britain.

Mgr Andrew Summersgill, papal visit coordinator, has said that while this “isn’t enough for everybody who regularly attends mass”, there will “certainly” be enough copies “for each household”, as well as for those attending papal events.
_________________
IN CORDIBUS JESU ET MARIÆ

SECRETMAN

Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:07 am (GMT -5)
CCHD facing key test of support among US bishops [Exclusive]

Catholic World News
August 26, 2010
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=7353

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is facing a critical test of support among the US bishops this week, CWN has learned.

All members of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have been asked to respond by Friday, August 27, to a confidential report on the CCHD. The document—“The Review and Renewal of the Catholic Campaign for Human Deveopment”—was prepared in response to bishops’ concerns that the CCHD has strayed from its original and become too closely involved with radical political movements.

Although the “Review and Renewal” document has gone through 5 successive drafts, a number of bishops within the USCCB appear unsatisfied with the document, and supporters of the CHD are fearful that at their November meeting, the US bishops may call for sweeping changes in the program.

“CCHD is being closely examined and its mission questioned,” one ardent advocate for the program wrote in a letter to the heads of diocesan social agencies. Robert Gorman, the executive director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, urged allies to contact their bishops and urge them to express their satisfaction with the “Review and Renewal” document, thus giving their support to the current direction and leadership of the CCHD.

The urgency with which CCHD supporters are lobbying the American bishops suggests that they expect a showdown with the program’s critics in coming weeks. So Catholics who hope for a fundamental change in the CCHD approach might also be inclined contact their bishops this week, to express their own concerns before the Friday deadline for comments on the “Review and Renewal” document.

The CCHD was established by the US bishops in 1970 to attack the root causes of poverty in America. For years the program has been troubled by critics who have said the CCHD has become too closely aligned with radical activist groups. Last year that criticism reached a crescendo, as lay Catholic groups exposed CCHD funding for organizations that promote causes inimical to Catholic teaching, such as legal abortion and same-sex marriage. While the CCHD leadership said that such grants accounted for only a small percentage of the organization’s funding for self-help groups, several American bishops announced that they were withdrawing their dioceses from the nationwide campaign to support the CCHD.

The “Review and Renewal” document, which is currently available only to bishops and their staff members, is an effort to reassure the USSCB members that CCHD grants will go only to organizations whose purposes and activities are compatible with Catholic social teaching.

But critics of the current CCHD approach have called for more definitive reform of the organization’s activities. Rather than forming alliances with groups that promote radical social change, they say, the CCHD should recognize the underlying causes of poverty as seen through the eyes of Church social teaching: the breakdown of marriage and family life and the lack of access to quality education.

Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:34 pm (GMT -5)
Pope: St. Augustine for non-believers: Do not be afraid of the Truth
A general audience addressed to those who live as if God did not exist and who participate little in the life of the Church. The experience of the saint of Hippo contrasts with relativism today. Silence is important to let God speak, defeating illusions, the fleeting moment, superficiality. The saints as "fellow travelers". An appeal for Somalia.

8/25/10
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope-St.-Augustine-for-non-believers:-Do-not-be-afraid-of-the-Truth-19282.html

Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – Today’s general audience was a very special one. Perhaps for the first time Benedict XVI explicitly addressed his words to "people living 'as if God did not exist'", asking them "not to be afraid of the Truth", in the example of St. Augustine and St. Monica who are celebrated on the 28 and 29 of this month.

Before the faithful gathered in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, he addressed " those who are at a difficult moment in their faith journey, or those who do not participate much in the life of the Church, to those who live 'as if God did not exist', have no fear of the Truth, never stop your journey towards it, never cease to seek the profound truth about yourselves and things with the inner eye of the heart. God will not fail to gift the Light to see and Warmth to help the heart feel that He loves us and wants to be loved"

"Fear of the Truth" is typical of "our age when it seems that relativism is paradoxically the 'truth' that should guide thinking, choices and behaviour." Against relativism, the Pope presented some aspects of life of St. Augustine, "a man - he said - that has never lived with superficiality; his thirst, and constant restless search for Truth is one of the basic characteristics of his existence. He , however, never sought a “pseudo-truth incapable of giving lasting peace to the heart ", but "that truth which gives meaning to existence and it is' the house 'where the heart finds peace and joy".

"His - he added - was not an easy road: he thought he would encounter the Truth in a prestigious career, in the possession of things, the voices that promise instant happiness, he made mistakes, he experienced sadness and faced setbacks but - and this is important – he never stopped, he was never satisfied with what gave him only a glimmer of light, he was able to look deep within himself and he realized, as he writes in the Confessions, that that Truth, that God he was endeavouring to find, was more intimate to him than he himself was, He was always beside him, He had never abandoned him, He was waiting to enter permanently into his life,(see III, 6, 11, X, 27, 38). As I said in commenting on the recent movie about his life, Augustine felt, in his restless search, it was not he who had found the Truth, but Truth itself, which is God, pursued him and found him. "

Recalling the episode of the dialogue between Augustine and his mother Monica at Ostia, the pontiff stressed the "fundamental belief in the journey towards the Truth: creatures must be silent to allow for a silence in which God can speak. This is always true in our time: sometimes there is a sort of fear of silence, of meditation, of contemplation of our actions, the deeper meaning of life, people often prefer to live only the present moment, imagining that it will bring lasting happiness; we prefer to live, because it seems easier, with superficiality, without thinking, we are afraid to seek the truth or perhaps afraid that the truth will pursue us, grab us and change our life, as it did St. Augustine".

For Benedict XVI, Augustine – whom he encountered while studying - "has become a good 'companion'" in his life and ministry. 'It is important - he added – to also have some' fellow travellers' along the path of our Christian life: for example a spiritual director, confessor, people with whom one can share experiences of faith, but I think the Virgin Mary and the Saints”.

Precisely for this reason, he urged all Christians "to know the Saints better, starting with those after whom you are named, reading their life and writings. Be assured that they will become good guides to love the Lord even more and help for your human and Christian growth”.

After the audience and greetings, the Pope made an appeal to Mogadishu (Somalia), where guerrilla groups yesterday attacked a hotel killing 32 people and six parliamentarians gathered there. "I am close - said the pope - to the bereaved families and all those in Somalia who are suffering from hate and instability. I hope that with the help of the international community, there will be unstinting efforts to restore respect for life and human rights”.

Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:21 pm (GMT -5)
Bishop Fellay Denies Any Knowledge of New Motu Proprio

Dubs Bishop Williamson Rumor “Gossip” and “Unauthorized;” Doctrinal Talks Continue

by Brian Mershon
Wednesday Aug. 25., 2010
REMNANT COLUMNIST

August 24, 2010—Superior General Bishop Bernard Fellay of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), one of four bishops whose excommunications were lifted by Pope Benedict XVI in January 2009, today categorically denied any knowledge of an alleged special motu proprio being planned by the Holy See for the SSPX as stated recently by SSPX Bishop Richard Williamson.

“I’m very annoyed by the whole thing,” said Bishop Fellay. “Bishop Williamson’s statement is an unauthorized statement and is his own personal statement and not that of the Society.”

“It has never been the policy of the Society to base any kind of action or policy on gossip. I have absolutely no knowledge of any motu proprio.”

Earlier this week, Bishop Richard Williamson—who has allegedly been asked to refrain from publicly speaking on matters outside of faith and morals by the SSPX leadership—wrote a letter that was published initially on his website and then picked up by traditionalist internet Rorate Caeli blog.

In the letter, Bishop Williamson warns Catholics about the “danger” of a rumored motu proprio designed to lure the SSPX lay faithful into union with Rome and said, “…there is no way in which the neo-modernist teaching of Vatican II can be reconciled with the Catholic doctrine of the true Church.”

Doctrinal Discussions Continue

Bishop Williamson also said that according to both Holy See and SSPX sources, the ongoing doctrinal discussions have allegedly “run into a brick wall.”

However, in today’s interview Bishop Fellay categorically denied this assertion. He said that the doctrinal talks with the SSPX representatives and Holy See theologians are ongoing and proceeding as planned with the next meeting scheduled in September.

“There is nothing changed,” said Bishop Fellay. “All of this is gossiping and rumors and I’ll have nothing to do with rumors and gossiping. All of this is void—empty.”

“For the time being, everything is fine and everything is going smoothly according to plan,” he said.

Seminary Expansion Plans Revealed

In related SSPX news, RealCatholicTV’s Michael Voris today broke a story that Bishop Fellay had recently visited eastern Pennsylvania prospecting for a new potential seminary—a former Vincentian seminary in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that could hold up to 160 seminarians. The former seminary is now called Mary Immaculate Center.

Bishop Fellay would not confirm nor deny the specifics of the report, but did say, “It is true we are looking for a second place for our seminarians. That much is true.”

He also added that over the past two to three years, the SSPX has been prospecting for new seminary locations in the United States and that, to date, they have viewed about 150 different properties.

According to the Superior General, the SSPX is exploring different possibilities and sizes of potential seminaries and land holdings.

“We have many vocations, and, right now, our current place is too small,” Bishop Fellay said. “That is our starting point.”

Remnant readers will recall that the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) prospected many existing closed seminaries in the eastern United States years ago before settling on building a new one in the Lincoln, Neb. diocese. The reports were that more than one diocese and archdiocese refused outright to sell to the FSSP, presumably due to their adherence to the Traditional Mass and Sacraments and theology.

Bishop Fellay said, “It will be a good test to see how cordial it can be [ecclesial relationships and prospective negotiations with the dioceses and archdioceses possibly selling their seminaries and land to the SSPX].”

Confirmed: High-Ranking Vatican Prelate Predicted End of Novus Ordo Missae

And finally, shortly after Pope Benedict XVI issued his motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, thereby affirming the right of every Latin-rite priest to offer the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacraments without his bishop’s permission, while confirming the traditional Mass had never been abrogated, a few reports included a statement by Bishop Fellay regarding his conversation with a Vatican official on the MP’s potential effect on the future of the Novus Ordo Missae.

Despite news of a new translation of the Novus Ordo missal becoming available for use in Advent 2011, this new missal, as Remnant readers know, retained only 17 percent of the original orations from the 1962 missal.

Bishop Fellay today confirmed that after Summorum Pontificum was issued, “the high-ranking prelate thought we would have 20 to 25 years before the New Mass would disappear.”

Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:53 pm (GMT -5)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TrtbbrJqvQ

Amazing coptic priest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the link doesn't work he is at youtube Islam's no, 1 enemy

Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:38 pm (GMT -5)
Source: The Tennessean

Nashville priest apologizes for remarks
Breen challenged Catholic teachings
By Bob Smietana • THE TENNESSEAN • August 21, 2010

The Rev. Joseph Breen had a choice. Retract and apologize for his statements criticizing Roman Catholic teaching on birth control and married priests and claiming that Catholics can ignore the pope.

Or face being forced from his parish.

On Friday the Diocese of Nashville announced that Breen, longtime pastor of St. Edward Catholic Church on Thompson Lane, has withdrawn his statements and apologized. He also announced plans to retire at the end of 2011.

Breen, 75, wrote letters of apology to the pope and to members of his parish. He also agreed not to repeat his claims in public settings or media interviews. It's the second time since 1993 that Breen has been silenced for his views.

His apology and retraction come after several weeks of controversy.
In early July, a video of Breen's remarks was posted on the St. Edward website. A Catholic blog called the Creative Minority Report picked up the video and posted it on YouTube. Angry readers of that blog e-mailed Bishop David Choby of Nashville demanding that Breen be disciplined.

Breen said the video was meant to appeal to lapsed Catholics.

"Our spiritual life committee wanted to reach out to those Catholics and bring them home," he said in an interview after the controversy broke.
He wanted "them to know that their views are not radical, that they can believe the way they do and still be part of the church's community."

But his statements about the pope went too far, said the Rev. Richard Vega, president of the National Federation of Priests' Councils. Breen's statements challenged the teaching authority of the Catholic Church, known as the Magisterium, Vega said.

That's a point Choby made in announcing Breen's decision.

"It is simply wrong to state, as Father Breen has repeatedly, that one's conscience frees an individual from the truth revealed and instilled in Church teaching," the bishop said.

Power of the Internet

Vega suspects that Breen underestimated the power of the Internet. The video was removed from the St. Edward site at the bishop's request in early August. But by then it had gone viral.

"Some of the older priests don't realize that the Internet is such a big audience," Vega said.

Had Breen not apologized, he could have been removed from St. Edward within months.

The controversy also affected Breen's retirement date. At 75, Catholic priests are required to submit a letter of resignation to their bishop. The bishop and priest then negotiate the priest's retirement date, said Rick Musacchio, spokes man for the Diocese of Nashville.

His apology allows Breen to retire without being pushed out.

"In recognition of his many years of good work among the people of his parish, I want to give Father Breen every opportunity to correct the errors in his teaching, and gracefully enter retirement," Choby said in a statement, "but in any case, his recent public remarks could not stand."

Contact Bob Smietana
at 615-259-8228 or
bsmietana@tennessean.com.
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IN CORDIBUS JESU ET MARIÆ

SECRETMAN