Mark P. Shea's Blog, page 1350

A reader writes...

As Deep Throat once said, "Follow the money", which is what Catholic blogger Thomas Peters of American Papist did to find out who is financing heretical Catholic groups sowing dissent to undermine the Church's teachings on human sexuality. The results aren't pretty: One huge foundation, the Arcus Foundation is the main culprit, as Mr. Peters reveals, contributing about half a million dollars to attacking the Church's teachings using dissident Catholic groups to do so.

A coordinated and well-financed attack on the Catholic Church by the Apostles of Tolerance? Say it ain't so!

Benedict XVI is urging the rediscovery...

...of lectio divina.

If you don't know anything about it, an excellent place to start is with Dr. Tim Gray's fine and accessible book Praying for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina.

Ouch

From our "Don't Stand So Close to Me" files, we find this encomium to the Son of Man:

"I'm glad he's out playing golf. I happen to be a golfer. I think presidents deserve down time." - Dan Quayle

As the world continues to be rocked by wars abroad, insurrection and brutality in the Islamosphere from our dear dear friends in Libya and Saudi Arabia, earthquake, tsunami, nuclear catastrophe, and financial disaster at home, it's good to know that this most emblematic of Generation Narcissus Presidents is doing what he needs to do for him and that brilliant men like Dan Quayle fully approve. How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity. Who says bipartisanship is dead?

William Doino writes:

Many thanks for posting my follow-up commentary (on the Church's rescue efforts during WW II-and what it did and did not officially authorize) on your blog—

--People are now catching up to the available evidence, though a few still continue to cite the Raul Wallenberg Foundation's testimony about Roncalli supposedly issuing false baptismal certificates—I like the Wallenberg Foundation a great deal, and often recommend it myself; but in this particular instance, they are simply citing the testimony of Ira Hirschmann's book, Caution to the Winds, which, for reasons I explain in my post, is well-intentioned but unreliable, and contradicted by the Vatican's own wartime archives.

One other note: In response to a query I received about the Vatican and the famous priest-rescuer Father Benoit, which was raised at Inside Catholic, on one of its threads (within which you cited my Public Discourse piece—many thanks), I replied, and my response can be read at the very end of this thread; here is the link (scroll all the way to the bottom):

Inside Catholic Thread

You're welcome!

If only women could be ordained!

And if only judges could dispense serious sentences.

Interesting prolife initiative

Ashley Ahlquist Johnson, my fellow cast member on Manalive and daughter of Dale Ahlquist, writes me:

I am working for an organization called HERO (Human Rights Education and Relief Organization) and we just launched a campaign called, "Until Abortion Ends" where people submit videos showing what they are going to sacrifice until abortion ends.

And there is the video of my boss explaining his conception of the idea.

Anyway, if you think it's cool, it may be something interesting to write about, and we'd love the publicity!

Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Hope you are well!

I am, thank you! Hope you and Eric are enjoying newlywedded bliss down there in Babylon. :) Joey tells me the movie is close to done! Next year in Jerusalem!

Prayer Request

A reader writes:

I would ask for prayers for the repose of my mother's soul, L., passed away suddenly from complications of pancreatitis, on Monday morning. This was certainly unexpected for our family. My mother was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother; a daily Mass-goer and communicant. We will miss her very much and hope that she is in heaven enjoying the beatific vision already. We have a large family, and many family and friends coming in from all over the country and outside America. Prayers would be appreciated for safe travels for all, and since our family is large and extended, prayers certainly for good familial relations. If any of your readers could offer Masses for the repose of my mother, my father certainly appreciates and knows the value of Mass being offered for intentions. Thank you and God bless.

Father, grant her eternal light and her family your grace and consolation through Christ our Lord. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Creed: One Baptism

In which we continue our look at the Creed.

Ah! What Joy!

A reader writes:

Something Significant Has Gone Down. My little girl Thérèse (7) likes the LOTR soundtrack. She heard it on CD a while ago (last year?), and wanted to know all about it. I told her this bit was about Frodo running away from the Bad Guys, and having to go on a lo-ong journey to destroy the Ring. That was when she asked, 'Is it on DVD yet?' and I said it was too scary for little people. But she investigated the CD sleeve in great detail, asking A LOT of questions.

Anyhow, Classic FM was on the radio in her and her sister's room, this weekend past, playing something from the soundtrack. She recognises the music, and seems to remember everything I've told her, and asks, 'Why did they have to destroy the Ring?', 'How did they do it?', 'Who made it?', 'Who was the Elf Queen who kissed Frodo on the head?'… All while I'm starting to get organised to go to ballet. Each answer required background in the story, and each explanation spawned a squillion questions. So, I said, 'You'll have to read the books yourself!'
'Can I read the Lord of the Rings?' - little eyes lighting up.
'It's way too difficult for little girls. And anyway, you have to read The Hobbit first.'
'Yes! I want to read The Hobbit!' – jumping up and down a little.
Fine, think I, and on your own head be it. I go and dig it out of the book-case. Thinks: I haven't read these books in a while…
I give it to her, and tell her to put some clothes on.
She starts pulling her ballet things on, and says, 'Can you read it for me?'
Patricia (6), tagging along, says, 'Yes! Read it for us, daddy!'
I've checked the clock, and we've got about 10 min to spare. So, in a mood of unspeakable fulfilment and joy, I sit down on Patricia's bed in bright sunshine. And begin… to read… The Hobbit… to my children!
We got about as far as the unexpected party. Thérèse insisted on reading the Dwarves' song ('We must away/ere break of day') herself. I found a suitable break-point and said, 'Now we have to get dressed.'
After returning from ballet, I came across her on her bed again, she'd got as far as taking off her dancing gear (but no further), and she'd started reading again! Much later, after lunch, I saw the book abandoned.
I said, 'Did you read any more of the Hobbit?'
Said she, 'Yes, but it was too difficult.'
'Yes, I thought so. But you can read it when you're older. I was 11 when I first read it.'

That's my girl! What joys await thee!

One of the most fun parts of being a dad was reading this and other stories to my guys. Lovely memories! When I read Helm's Deep to Peter and we reached the climax of the battle when the Huorns arrive to save the day, he leapt from the couch and ran around the house shouting for joy! Glorious!

Boorish, street-blocking Muslims...

...want our churches. Post-Christian Europe feel vague sense that those things used be used for something or other, and so is reluctant to let go of them, but can't really clearly articulate why.