Catholic Herald: How Catholics can reclaim Britain

Source: Catholic Herald

Non-believers long for a spiritual truth which only the Church can provide. But to win souls we must focus on God and charity, not political arguments

A visible faith: last Sunday’s Corpus Christi procession through central London (Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk)

British Catholicism is in an odd position. In terms of regular practice, it is a faith in decline. Mass attendance fell 30.7 per cent between 1993 and 2010, according to the Latin Mass Society. The number of Catholics peaked in 1993 and the number of priests in 1965.

British Catholicism is in an odd position. In terms of regular practice, it is a faith in decline. Mass attendance fell 30.7 per cent between 1993 and 2010, according to the Latin Mass Society. The number of Catholics peaked in 1993 and the number of priests in 1965.

Britain is and remains a country whose environment, institutions and modes of thought are still drawn in the main from the Christian tradition. This positions the Catholic Church well to win converts, yet this is something it does very badly. A recent analysis of data from the British Social Attitudes Survey found that for every one convert made by the Church in England and Wales, 10 cradle Catholics have been lost, while only 1.3 per cent of current Catholics have been converted either from no religion or a non-Christian faith.

The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, established in 2011 by Benedict XVI, has not seen the flood of converts from Anglicanism which many hoped for, and while the initiative responds to the decline of the Church of England, no similar initiative exists to draw home those in the Welsh Methodist churches or the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

HAPPY 89th BIRTHDAY DEAR POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI!

Today is the 89th Birthday of our beloved Pope Emeritus, Father Benedict XVI. From Catholic Defender 2000, happy birthday. I pray for your good health, joyful life and fruitful faith in the coming years! God bless you!

Photo Source: BelleNews

Full Text of Benedict XVI's Letter to Atheist

I doubt if Eduardo Manalo, grandson of the Iglesia ni Cristo's founder FELIX MANALO can comprehend this very intelligent response of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to an Atheist.  I will not be surprised if Eduardo wouldn't and couldn't write a letter to the Pope with his objection to Catholic doctrines, practices and teachings. Surely Eduardo Manalo or any of his paid and incompetent Bible preachers would be left begging for understanding for having such an unmatched knowledge in Christian history, theology, practices, tradition-- much with reason and faith! -CD2000

Piergiorgio Odifreddi and Benedict XVI.

[Source: National Catholic Register] Exclusive to the Register, we publish below the first English translation of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s letter to the militant Italian atheist, Piergiorgio Odifreddi.

In September, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica printed extracts of the letter whose full contents were published in Italian on Nov. 23 by the German-language agency Kath.net.

The Pope Emeritus sent the letter in response to a book Odifreddi wrote in 2011 entitled Dear Pope, I’m Writing to You. The work was a critique of certain arguments and lines of thought found in Benedict’s theological writings, beginning with his 1967 volume Introduction to Christianity, and including his book Jesus of Nazareth, which he wrote as pope.

---

Distinguished Professor Odifreddi,

First, I must apologize for the fact that I am only thanking you today for sending me your book, Caro Papa, ti scrivo, and for the kind words which you addressed to me at the time through Archbishop Gänswein. However I did not wish to write before having read your book, and since various tasks still weigh upon me, I have finished reading it only now.

Today, therefore, I would at last like to thank you for having sought in great detail to confront my book, and thus also my faith. This in large part was precisely what I intended in my address to the Roman Curia at Christmas 2009. I must also thank you for the faithful manner in which you dealt with my text, earnestly seeking to do it justice.

My opinion of your book as a whole, however, is rather mixed. I read some parts of it with enjoyment and profit. In other parts, however, I was surprised by a certain aggressiveness and rashness of argumentation.

I would like to respond chapter by chapter, but unfortunately I do not have sufficient strength for this. I shall therefore choose a few points that I think are particularly important.

WORLD CUP FEVER! Holy War: Catholic vs Catholic

JULY 13, 2014 will be a much anticipated clash between GERMANY and ARGENTINA in Brazil. Both teams are real match.  It will be a "holy" war (not literal loool)

GERMANY vs ARGENTINA

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (German) vs Pope Francis (Argentinian) 

And it will be a real clash between two Catholic Players: 

MIROSLAV KLOSE vs LIONEL MESSI

Protestants Need the Pope by Graham Glover

by Graham Glover

Article Source: The JAGGED WORD

We do. We really, really do. We Protestants need the papacy. We need it for our theology. We need it for our politics. We need it more than we want to admit.

And this is a good thing. (Yeah, I said it Rev. Hess, the papacy is a good thing!) For those Lutherans and other Protestants who think Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, and Saints John Paul II and John XXIII are the antichrist, you should probably stop reading this post right now, because I am a Lutheran pastor who is utterly captivated by the papacy.

Let’s take Saint John Paul II. Part of me gives credit to one of our nation’s great presidents, Ronald Reagan, for the fall of the Soviet Empire. I also give credit to Lady Thatcher of Great Britain and to the inherent failure of the communist system to sustain itself. But any student of theology, history, and politics, must give enormous credit to John Paul II in bringing down this evil regime. John Paul’s role in Poland’s solidarity movement offers a textbook case in how the Church ought to involve herself with politics. It is the Gospel that changes people’s hearts. Only the freedom of the Risen Christ offers people true hope when confronted with the perils of this world. John Paul the Great preached this and his message was instrumental in freeing millions throughout the world.

This same approach to politics is what draws many to Pope Francis. His way of dealing with and speaking to people is certainly different than his most of his predecessors, but the message remains the same. Francis’ language reminds me a lot of my own church’s bishop, Rev. Matthew Harrison. They both speak a lot about mercy – Christ’s mercy – and how this mercy is the foundation of the Christian faith. And both of these shepherds engage people in every station of their life, regardless of their situation or past transgressions. To the best of their sinful ability, they both model the love of Christ to others – with believers and unbelievers alike increasingly drawn to their message.

Then there is my favorite pope, Benedict XVI.

A Bavarian who understands Lutheranism more than any of those who preceded him as Bishop of Rome, I am absolutely convinced that history will regard this man as one of the foremost intellectual giants of Christendom.

I would put him on par with Thomas Aquinas. He’s that good. Probably better. His writings cover a great deal and never disappoint. I think he is most solid on the Liturgy. But we Protestants should also love him for his insight into the greatest evil today’s world knows, “The Dictatorship of Relativism”. Benedict understands how deceptively threatening relativism is to our world and challenges us all to confront it head on, with the Law of God to be sure, but even more with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

SAINTS POPE JOHN XXIII & POPE JOHN PAUL II - PRAY FOR US!

THANK YOU YOUR HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI!

Photo Source: Totustuusfamily.blogspot

THANK YOU AND GOOD BYE YOUR HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI.

Bolt from Heaven: Hours aftert BXVI announced his resignation

Photo Source: Mirror.co

Pope Benedict XVI Resignation: World Religious and Political Leaders React

Sources: Telegraph.co; BBC News

Pope Benedict XVI (Photo Source: Telegraph.co.uk)

Georg Ratzinger, Pope’s older brother::

His age is weighing on him.

Chancellor Angela Merkel:

If the Pope himself has now, after thorough consideration, come to the conclusion that he no longer has sufficient strength to exercise his office, that earns my very highest respect. He is and remains one of the most significant religious thinkers of our time.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor:

Who'd want to be Pope? It's not an easy task and it demands a great sacrifice. There's always been a bit of him that wanted to lead a quiet life of study and contemplation.

David Cameron:

He has worked tirelessly to strengthen Britain's relations with the Holy See and his visit to Britain in 2010 is remembered with great affection. Pope Benedict's message on that visit of working for the common good spoke to our whole country.

The Archbishop of Canterbury:

He has laid before us something of the meaning of the Petrine ministry of building up the people of God to full maturity. In his teaching and writing he has brought a remarkable theological mind to bear on the issues of the day.

Silvio Berlusconi:

I have admiration for this greatly responsible gesture, that demonstrates a noble and high purpose and regards the government of the Universal Church. Benedict XVI had said that if a Pope found that he was no longer adequate spiritually, intellectually and physically, he should have the right and the duty to resign. The Pope, who no longer feels capable physically, has resigned to ensure that the Church has a strong and sound government.

President Barack Obama:

The Church plays a critical role in the United States and the world, and I wish the best to those who will soon gather to choose His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's successor. I have appreciated our work together over these last four years.

"On behalf of Americans everywhere, Michelle and I wish to extend our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

"Michelle and I warmly remember our meeting with the Holy Father in 2009, and I have appreciated our work together over these last four years.

"The Church plays a critical role in the United States and the world, and I wish the best to those who will soon gather to choose His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's successor."

Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan:

Popes come and Popes go. It doesn't mean when a Pope comes the Church completely changes. It isn't like a politician who wins an election and begins to implement manifestos. It is a different ball game all together, and I hope people out there realise that.

Ed Miliband:

His decision is brave and we know he will not have reached it lightly. The choice of a successor is clearly important for the Church. Our thoughts are with those who must make such a critical decision on behalf of millions around the world.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols:

I am sure that many will recognise it to be a decision of great courage and characteristic clarity of mind and action. I salute his courage and his decision

Britain's Chief rabbi, Lord Sacks:

I saw him to be a man of gentleness, of quiet and of calm, a deeply thoughtful and compassionate individual who carried with him an aura of grace and wisdom. I wish him good health, blessings and best wishes for the future.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny

It reflects his profound sense of duty to the Church, and also his deep appreciation of the unique pressures of spiritual leadership in the modern world.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York:

He unified Catholics and reached out to schismatic groups in hopes of drawing them back to the Church. More unites us than divides us, he said by word and deed. That message is for eternity.

President François Hollande:

I have no particular comment on this decision, which is eminently respectable and which will lead to a new Pope being chosen. The French Republic salutes the Pope who took this decision.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard:

On his election, Joseph Ratzinger said he wished to be 'a simple humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord' and in his resignation that humility has been amply demonstrated.

The Archbishop of York:

The Christian world will miss a great theologian with great spiritual depth. He was unafraid to proclaim the Gospel and challenge a culture that is so self-referential, managing to lift our eyes to God's glory.

Philippines presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda

"Pope Benedict's decision, historic as it is, is in keeping with humility and pastoral approach he has placed at the core of his service as Pope.

"May he find respite from his physical challenges, and peace and contentment in the seclusion of retirement."

Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols

"Pope Benedict's announcement today has shocked and surprised everyone.

"Yet, on reflection, I am sure that many will recognise it to be a decision of great courage and characteristic clarity of mind and action.

"I salute his courage and his decision."

Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan (President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops)

"The Holy Father brought the tender heart of a pastor, the incisive mind of a scholar and the confidence of a soul united with His God in all he did.

"His resignation is but another sign of his great care for the Church. We are sad that he will be resigning but grateful for his eight years of selfless leadership as successor of St Peter."

Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana (being named as a possible successor)

"People are free to speculate and people are free to make their own judgements, and I suppose if it comes to looking for leadership then I think the thing we should be doing is rather pray to God, the leader and owner of this Church, to give a leader who is fit to lead this group at this point in time and in history. So for me I think this is time for a lot more prayer than speculation."

Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien

"Like many people throughout the world, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the decision by Pope Benedict XVI to resign.

"I know that his decision will have been considered most carefully and that it has come after much prayer and reflection."

Archbishop of Pretoria William Slattery (Spokesman of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference)

"This decision evokes in us a certain amount of sadness, but we accept that this decision, not taken lightly, is best for both Pope Benedict and the Church.

"We wish to express our deep admiration for both his ministry and for his courage in facing the limitations of his age.

"We wish to assure Pope Benedict of our prayers and will commit our prayers for the Church as we discern the will of the Holy Spirit for the continuity of leadership of the Church."

Austin Ivereigh from Catholic Voices media organisation

"He's set a precedent by what he's done today. I think it'll be very hard for future Popes ever to say, as John Paul II did: "I must remain until the very end."

"I think he's seen that modern medicine enables long papacies and I think he thinks it's in the interests of the Church that a Pope should not serve, should not be in office, when he is very frail. I think in itself that's quite a remarkable thing."

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

"It was with a heavy heart but complete understanding that we learned this morning of Pope Benedict's declaration of his decision to lay down the burden of ministry as Bishop of Rome, an office which he has held with great dignity, insight and courage.

"In his visit to the UK, Pope Benedict showed us all something of what the vocation of the See of Rome can mean in practice - a witness to the universal scope of the gospel and a messenger of hope at a time when Christian faith is being called into question.

Israeli Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger's spokesman

"I think he deserves a lot of credit for advancing inter-religious links the world over between Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

"During his period there were the best relations ever between the Church and the chief rabbinate and we hope that this trend will continue."

Russian Orthodox Church spokesman Dimitriy Sizonenko

"There are no grounds to expect that there will be any drastic changes in the Vatican's policies.

"In its relations with Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church has always ensured continuity between popes."

Minister-President of Bavaria Horst Seehofer

"With his charisma and his tireless work for the good of the Church, the Pope from Bavaria has inspired people all over the world."

Christine Boutin of France's Christian Democratic Party

"This is shocking, very shocking, unheard of for the Catholics and certainly for the entire world."

Ezio Mauro, editor-in-chief of Italian newspaper La Repubblica

"It is unprecedented in the modern era for a Pope to resign because of physical frailty, and for a new Pope to be chosen and take office while his predecessor remains alive."

Pope's Unprecidented Resignationa Shocked a 2,000 year old Church

Pope Benedict XVI in the consistory at the Vatican (Source: Reuters)

(Reuters) - Pope Benedict stunned the Roman Catholic Church including his closest advisers on Monday when he announced he would stand down in the first papal abdication in 700 years, saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to run the Church through a period of major crisis.

Church officials tried to relay a climate of calm confidence in the running of a 2,000-year-old institution but the decision could lead to one of the most uncertain and unstable periods in centuries for a Church besieged by scandal and defections.

Several popes in the past, including Benedict's predecessor John Paul, refrained from stepping down even when severely ill, precisely because of the confusion and division that could be caused by having an "ex-pope" and a reigning pope living at the same time.

BREAKING NEWS: Pope Benedict XVI to Resign on Feb. 28

VATICAN CITY, Rome News.va - Pope Benedict XVI on Monday said he plans on resigning the papal office on February 28th. Below please find his announcement.

Full text of Pope's declaration

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

How World Political and Religious Leaders Respect the See of Rome and the Pope

Where is the INC (Iglesia ni Cristo), the "true" Church of Christ and its leaders been recognized and respected?

Mexico: Security tight on eve of Pope's arrival

SILAO, GUANAJUATO (Khou.com) - Busloads of federal police swarmed Silao, Guanjuato, the first stop for Pope Benedict XVI who arrives in Mexico Friday.

The Pope is scheduled to touch down Friday afternoon (5:30 p.m. Central) for a four-day visit. Ahead of his visit Mexico has mobilized a massive security force that includes more than 13,000 federal, state and local police officers as well as soldiers.

“They’ll have automatic weapons, etc. and I don’t want to be around there at all, “ said Bill Kerchner, an American on vacation in San Miguel de Allende, about 75 miles from Leon and the two other cities the Pope will visit during a four-day trip to Mexico.

Americans sitting in front of San Miguel de Allende’s pink stone church were relieved they did not have to cope with tight security or crowds since this city is not on the Pope’s route.

Pope Benedict XVI chose the deeply Catholic, conservative state of Guanajuato for his first visit to Mexico.

The Catholic Church leading Christians to Unity

Thanks to Jimmy Akin's Secret Info Club

The effort to restore full unity among the different groups of Christians in the world is known as "ecumenism." There has been a great deal of work done toward this goal in recent years. Some of it has been good; some of it has been bad.

In a recent address to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith--the Vatican department he headed before his election to the papacy--Pope Benedict outlined his thoughts on ecumenism.

Let us learn from his wisdom by reframing his remarks in a Q & A or "interview" format.

Your Holiness, why is ecumenism important?

The division among Christians, "openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of the Gospel to every creature" (Vatican II, Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, n. 1).

Unity is therefore not only the fruit of faith but also a means and as it were a presupposition for proclaiming the faith ever more credibly to those who do not yet know the Savior. Jesus prayed: "that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (Jn 17:21).

Why is the search for Christian unity important today? How does this relate to the "Year of Faith" that you have called to begin in October 2012?

Today is World Mission Sunday

Pope's Message for World Mission Sunday 2011

"As the Father Has Sent Me, So I Send You"

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 25, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of Benedict XVI's message for World Mission Sunday, which will be observed Oct. 23. The message, titled "As the Father Has Sent Me, So I Send You" (John 20:21), was published today by the Vatican press office.

* * *

"As the Father Has Sent Me, So I Send You" (John 20:21). On the occasion of the Jubilee of 2000, the Venerable John Paul II, at the beginning of a new millennium of the Christian era, reaffirmed forcefully the need to renew the commitment to take to all the proclamation of the Gospel with "the same enthusiasm of the Christians of the early times" ("Novo Millennio Ineunte," No. 58). It is the most precious service that the Church can give to humanity and to each person who seeks the profound reasons to live his existence fully. Because of this, this same invitation resounds every year in the celebration of World Mission Sunday. In fact, the incessant proclamation of the Gospel also vivifies the Church, her fervor, her apostolic spirit, it renews her pastoral methods so that they are increasingly appropriate to the new situations -- also those that require a new evangelization -- and animated by the missionary drive: "the mission renews the Church, reinforces the faith and Christian identity, gives new enthusiasm and new motivations. The faith is strengthened by giving it! The new evangelization of Christian peoples will find inspiration and support in the commitment to the universal mission" (John Paul II, "Redemptoris Missio," No. 2).

The "true church" Iglesia ni Cristo donated to the Horn of Africa, but wait....

Claiming to be the "true church" the Iglesia ni Cristo of Manalo was voiceless. Eduardo Manalo, it's "little pope's" appeal to the world if he ever had done so, fell on deaf ears. No one is listening to the grandson of the "last messenger of God".  Manalo's church is busy spending its money on properties abroad and not for humanitarian aid. This is the "true" church.

BUT still the "fake" CHURCH has the loudest appeal for the suffering people of Africa. And when the Pope of this "fake" CHURCH speaks, the WORLD listens.  That is the "fake" CHURCH.  -CD2000

Caritas aids one million people in East Africa as Pope makes food crisis plea

Caritas International, Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday 5 October highlighted the plight of 13 million people at risk in East Africa’s ongoing food crisis. Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and other parts of the region face a severe food crisis caused by drought, conflict and social injustice. Somalia is the first famine of the 21st century, with hundreds of thousands of people in danger and one in three children suffering from malnutrition.

Pope Benedict urged the international community to tackle the humanitarian emergency. He invited everyone “to offer prayers and practical help for so many brothers and sisters so harshly tested, particularly the children in the region.”

Abuse victims seek investigation of pope, top Vatican officials

Pray for those poor victim of clergy abuse and pray for the Pope that he may be a true leader for the rest of us who are deeply humiliated by those "Judases" in our midst. But we should always hold our hopes in the Lord who promised that "the gates of hell will not prevail" against His own Church (Mt. 16). He has the words of Life and he is Life of the Church. As other "christians" may rejoice in this but they should aknowledge hell has been rejoicing with this latest attack on the Church and the Pope. Remember Mathew 16. Let the loner Judas be tried in court but let's also pray for the remaining 11 who are faithful to Jesus and the Church. -CD2000

Pope Benedict XVI, our humble humble servant

By Catholic News Service

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (CNS) -- Several victims of clerical sexual abuse, a U.S.-based organization for survivors and a U.S.-based human rights organization formally asked the International Criminal Court to investigate Pope Benedict XVI and other top Vatican officials on charges they bear a responsibility for the abuse of children by Catholic priests around the world.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and their attorneys from the Center for Constitutional Rights, a New York-based organization, presented their petition to the court Sept. 13, they announced in a press release.

The Vatican press office declined comment.

The petition alleges that "Vatican officials tolerate and enable the systematic and widespread concealing of rape and child sex crimes throughout the world."

9/11 Terrorist Attack 10th Year Celebration: Pope said NO VIOLENCE IN GOD'S NAME

By AP (The Philippine Star)

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has insisted that violence must never be carried out in God’s name as he marks the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Benedict sent a letter to Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York on the eve of the anniversary. He said Saturday he was praying for the thousands of innocent victims of the “brutal assault” and hoped that their families may find continued consolation.

He says the tragedy of the day was compounded by the attackers’ claim that they were acting in God’s name. He insists that “no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism.”

He calls for a greater commitment to justice and a “global culture of solidarity” to rid the world of the types of grievances that spark such acts of violence.

Pope Benedict XVI passing the streets of Madrid

World Youth Day Welcomes the Pope

International Youths for the World Youth Day are now eager to welcome the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI today in Madrid.  The World Youth Day is an unmatched world gathering of Catholic Youths around the world. The UN is counting on us!

Viva El Papa!