Archbishop of Kirkuk appeals to the Church and Italy

by Msgr Louis Sako

Archbishop Louis Sako appeals for solidarity from brothers and sisters in the West. Since 2005, 900 Christians have been killed, among them five priests and the archbishop of Mosul, 52 churches have been attacked. A message for the Italian Church on the eve of a day of prayer and solidarity with the persecuted Christians of Iraq, wanted by the Italian Bishops' Conference.

Kirkuk (AsiaNews) - "Do not leave us alone in this time of tribulation" is the appeal that the archbishop of Kirkuk, Msgr. Louis Sako, has sent to AsiaNews for publication in Italy on the eve of a day of prayer and solidarity for Christians in Iraq, wanted by the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI). Tomorrow, in all the parishes in Italy there will be moments of prayer for persecuted Christians and especially for Christians in Iraq. The Day also aims to raise awareness in Italy and Europe, so they may double their efforts toward Iraq. Yesterday Cardinal. Angelo Bagnasco, president of CEI, spoke to AsiaNews, saying that “Italy and Europe cannot look away because what is at stake is religious freedom, which is the basis for all other forms of freedom".

In his appeal, supported by other Iraqi bishops, Msgr. Sako reveals that "since 2005, 900 Christians have been killed, among them five priests and the archbishop of Mosul, 52 churches attacked. Many families have been forced to leave their homes and flee to save their children and their Christian faith. " Here is the appeal sent by Msgr. Sako to AsiaNews:

Appeal to our brothers and sisters in Italy

Our people in Iraq today are persecuted, threatened and suffer martyrdom. Since 2005, 900 Christians have been killed, among them five priests and the archbishop of Mosul, 52 churches attacked. Many families have been forced to leave their homes and flee to save their children and their Christian faith.

We are ready to do everything to preserve our faith and our loyalty to Christ. We are conscious that martyrdom is the charism of our Church. This is what gives us the strength to stay and persevere.

Our ordeal is heavy and seems long. The carnage that took place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad on October 31 has profoundly shaken us.

We are losing patience, but not faith or hope. We need the prayers and moral support and fellowship of our Christian brothers and sisters of the West. Without their support and solidarity we feel alone and isolated. Do not leave us alone in this time of tribulation. Our journey can continue with your help and your prayers.

+Louis Sako

Chaldean archbishop of Kirkuk

Five Anglican Bishops will ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood before Lent

By Randy Sly
11/19/2010

"It is now just over one year since the Apostolic Constitution was published. The Pope's initiative provided for the establishment of personal Ordinariates as one of the ways in which members of the Anglican tradition may seek to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church." Now, it begins.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - On Tuesday the London Telegraph reported that the Catholic Church in England and Wales would be receiving 50 Anglican clergy including 5 bishops. At the time Catholic bishops were meeting in Leeds to discuss how this would take place and stated that an announcement would be forthcoming on Friday.

Anglican Bishop Keith Newton, one
of the five bishops coming into full
communion with the Catholic Church.

Below is the official statement of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales concerning this historic occasion:

***********************************

Statement on the Implementation of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus: The Establishment of a Personal Ordinariate in England and Wales

Much has been achieved over many years as a result of the dialogue and the fruitful ecumenical relations which have developed between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Obedient to the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ to His Heavenly Father, the unity of the Church remains a constant desire in the vision and life of Anglicans and Catholics. The prayer for Christian Unity is the prayer for the gift of full communion with each other. We must never tire of praying and working for this goal.

Plaridel an INC member caught Cheating!

Bigots and anti-Catholics such as the Iglesia ni Cristo will do everything in their power to DEMONIZE the Catholic Church which is the "TRUE CHURCH of  CHRIST" (TUNAY na IGLESIA ni CRISTO - according to Pasugo April 1966, p. 46).

In his blog at arefenos.blogspot.com and arephenostagalog.blogspot.com Mr. Plaridel, an INC member (who usually visits this blog and leaves ranting comments) intentionally DISTORTS Cardinal Gibbon's book by posting a translated article which is obviously NOT HIS but was taken somewhere and translated it to TAGALOG using http://translate.google.com/ to (see below copied articles). He didn't provide us his source anyway.

Why I said so?

It's because the Tagalog grammar was terrible. Words were rumbled; phrases tumbled.  Some English words that have no exact Tagalog translations were mixed up which eventually confused the whole sentences and the whole paragraph totally distorting the whole message if there was any message at all.  No Tagalog language speaker (reader) can understand what the article really wants to point out.

That's PLAIN and SIMPLE act of CHEATING but it won't work at this time.

His game? Gross DISHONESTY!

Here's an e-copy of this book by Cardinal James Gibbons THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.

Maybe this is the same BOOK that a certain commentor by the name allan was reffering to at SAGOT KAY G. ALLAN, KAANIB NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO. And I suspect this Mr. allan is no other than Plaridel himself?

Below is a translated Tagalog article that goes against Cardinal Gibbon's work, read it for yourself.

An excerpt from CATHOLICISM

Steady Growth of the Catholic Church by Anura Guruge

Mr. readme (INC member) delighted with his own illusions.

Anti-Catholics and bigots belonging to cults are circulating lies that the "Catholic Church begins in its near end" (daw).

Their illusions came from series of sexual scandals rocking the Church which involved some Catholic priests. Although these scandals were no doubt had tremendous effect to many Catholics which caused some to leave however, there is no clear indication that the Catholic Church will be "coming to its end". The Catholic Church is the CHURCH of CHRIST, the lies of Hell can NEVER prevail against it (Mt. 16:18-19). That a promise by the FOUNDER Jesus Christ himself!

To the delight of some members of the cult which originated in the Philippines which DO NOT have even their  own statistics of ADHERENTS, he re-posted an article by a certain blogger who introduced himself as  Anthony J who in my opinion is an anti-Christian, anti-Catholic blogger.  This blogger posted what he believes "The Catholic Church on the brink of collapse".  Here is a big help to them to realize the truth that the Catholic Church is in NO WAY "coming to an end." Thanks to Anura Guruge for these statistics and graphs.

CONCLUSIONS OF INTER-RELIGIOUS MEETING IN TEHRAN

(Photo Source: hurriyetdailynews.com)

VATICAN CITY, 16 NOV 2010 (VIS) - The Centre for Inter-Religious Dialogue of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organisation (Tehran, Iran) and the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue held their seventh colloquium in Tehran from 9 to 11 November under the joint presidency of Mohammad Baqer Khorramshad, president of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organisation, and of Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

At the end of the meeting the participants (seven in the delegation led by Mohammad Baqer Khorramshad and six in the delegation led by Cardinal Tauran), agreed upon the following:

(1) Believers and religious communities, based on their faith in God, have a specific role to play in society, on an equal footing with other citizens.

Did Felix Manalo "RAPE" Rosita Trillanes or not?

Raped is a serious offense and a serious accusations. That is why when accusing someone of being a "rapist" one has to have evidences and proofs which can be considered beyond any doubt. and should prove the allegations. Yes, the FOUNDER and Iglesia ni Cristo's 'LAST MESSENGER' whom they considered "an ANGEL" FELIX Y. MANALO was accused by Ms. Rosita Trillanes, a member of his cult of raping her.

Is it true? Was there any rape happened? Did the court believed Ms. Trillanes' statements? Was Trillanes' retractions nullify her earlier statements? FIND OUT in this article.

In my desire to be balance in my views, I will post here two opposing sides. Of course, on the side of the INC, they would use all their might in defense of Felix Manalo's innocence. Proof of evidences leading to Felix Manalo's conviction as the founder, and INC's "Last Messenger-Angel" would be destructively damaging to the already damaged image of the INC exposed by it's rival cult Ang Dating Daan founded by former members of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

On the other side are the opinion of those who know much about the legality of the accusations and the underlying truth in Rosita Trillanes' statements and why she retracted later on.  And what could be the REAL REASON for Ms. Trillanes in retracting from her earlier statements. And what could be Manalo's underlying REASONS why he REWARDED Ms. Trillanes of a POSITION in the Iglesia ni Cristo after she retracted?  Of course we cannot just set aside the possibility of intimidation and threat against Ms.Trillanes. perhaps due to the fast-growing popularity and influence of Felix Manalo during those times.

I would like to PRESENT two accounts. One an Iglesia member defending the innocense of its founder and the other is a Catholic Defender who believes a RAPE took place.

But before that let me post some newsclips from old nedwspapers alledgedly accusing FELIX MANALO of RAPING Ms. ROSITA TRILLANES.

To Our Arab Christian Citizens by Mshari Al-Zaydi

Thanks to Mr. Mshari for this wonderful and very balance opinion from an Arab journalist who sympathizes with the growing plight of Iraqi Christians who were terrorized in Baghdad in October 31, 2010 while peacefully praying in a Catholic Church. While he sympathize with Arab Christians, he also hopes for a better way of supporting and bringing the issue of Arab Christians into the consciousness of every Arab by usign the media within the Arab world. God bless you Mr. Mshari Al-Zaydi.

By Mshari Al-Zaydi
Source: aawsat.com

The bloody assault on Baghdad's Church of Our Lady of Salvation has opened the door to a bigger question about the fate of Christian citizens in Middle Eastern countries, and the future of their presence there. Furthermore, it has exposed an Arab and Islamic wound, and we must get to the source of this crisis.

It would be a shame to see the land that witnessed the birth and life of Jesus Christ, and the spreading of his teachings, became devoid of followers of the Christian faith.



Mshari Al-Zaydi



For many centuries Christians lived in the Middle East without fearing for their lives, and it is a shame that they feel under threat today and that the Christian exodus from the Middle East has become such a serious issue.

It is distressing for the people of this region to acknowledge the words of Jesuit scholar Father Samir Khalil Samir, who is an Egyptian Catholic based in Beirut who recently presented a paper to the Vatican's Synod for the Middle East. Regarding the current crisis that Christians in the Middle East are facing, Father Samir Khalil Samir said "If this phenomenon continues, Christianity in the Middle East will disappear" according to Reuters and other news agencies. He added "the emigration of Christians from Iraq since 2003 may ultimately lead to their complete disappearance from the country."

US must ‘redouble efforts’ to protect Iraqis, cardinal tells Obama

By Staff Reporter on Friday, 12 November 2010
Catholic Herald UK

The president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged the US government to “redouble its efforts to assist Iraqis” in providing safety for its citizens, especially religious minorities.

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago said in a letter to the US president: “To meet its moral obligations to the Iraqi people, it is critically important that the United States take additional steps now to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially Christians and others who are victims of organised attacks.”

Cardinal George reminded Barack Obama that the US bishops had expressed “grave moral questions” before the US-led combat began in Iraq and had warned of the “unpredictable consequences” of that action, adding; “The decimation of the Christian community in Iraq and the continuing violence that threatens all Iraqis are among those tragic consequences.”

Palestinian Christians struggle to raise their children in Lebanon

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

DBAYEH, Lebanon (CNS) -- The narrow lanes between the concrete block houses in the Dbayeh Refugee Camp are called "Street No. 1," "Street No. 2," "Street No. 3" and "Street No. 4."

The "Study Station" where the Palestinian refugee camp's 350 children get after-school help with English, French, Arabic and math is located on Street No. 1. The tiny library where the children congregate in the evening and attend "Sunday school" (on Tuesdays) is on Street No. 2, not far from a tiny grocery store.

Dbayeh is the only all-Christian Palestinian refugee camp remaining in Lebanon.

Although the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees officially lists the camp's population at 4,000 people, camp leaders said there probably are only about 2,000 there today. Most of the others are living abroad.

Pope calls on world community to help end savage violence in Iraq

By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service

CNS photo by Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A deadly militant siege of a Catholic cathedral in Baghdad, Iraq, was a "savage" act of "absurd violence," Pope Benedict XVI said.

The pope urged international and national authorities and all people of good will to work together to end the "heinous episodes of violence that continue to ravage the people of the Middle East."

"In a very grave attack on the Syrian Catholic cathedral of Baghdad, dozens of people were killed and injured, among them two priests and a group of faithful gathered for Sunday Mass," the pope said of the Oct. 31 incident.

Christians in the Middle East essential for the survival of the Arab world

For the Saudi journalist Mshari Al - Zaydi, fundamentalism and the economic crisis have overshadowed the importance of Christians to Muslims in the construction of their countries. Arab society is self-destructing and attacks against minorities are an excuse to vent the blame on someone for the failures of the Islamic world. "Pluralism is the best protection against ignorance and intolerance."

London (AsiaNews / Agencies) - "Christians are an essential part of the Middle East. Jesus himself was born in Palestine and was baptized on the banks of the Jordan. The Arab nations should co-exist with them and defend them. " This, the assertion of Mshari Al - Zaydi, Saudi journalist and expert on Islam in Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic newspaper based in London.

In an article entitled "Our citizens Arab Christians" published today, Mshari examines the plight of Christians in the Middle East, starting with the recent attack against the church of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad. He writes“The bloody assault on Baghdad's Church of Our Lady of Salvation has opened the door to a bigger question about the fate of Christian citizens in Middle Eastern countries, and the future of their presence there. Furthermore, it has exposed an Arab and Islamic wound, and we must get to the source of this crisis”.

The tragedy of Iraq’s Christians is that it does not interest anyone, Chaldean Catholic says

by Nirmala Carvalho

Under Saddam Hussein, Christians in Iraq were around a million. Today, more than half have fled, living as refugees in other countries, in particular Syria and Jordan. Those who are left behind feel betrayed and abandoned by the government and the international community, with only one desire, to be able to live and worship in peace.

Birmingham (AsiaNews) – “There is now a real danger that Christians in the Middle East, and in Iraq in particular, of being exterminated, due to both persecution and large-scale emigration,” this according to Dr Joseph Seferta, an Iraqi-born Chaldean Catholic living in Birmingham, Britain, where he is a member of the Commission for Inter-faith Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. He gave an exclusive interview to AsiaNews about the difficult situation Christians face in Iraq and across the Middle East. Here it is.

“I belong to the Chaldean Catholic Church, which makes up the majority of Christians in Iraq. Others include Assyrians, as well Syrian, Armenian and Byzantine Christians, both Catholic and Orthodox. Christians under Saddam Hussein totalled some one million, but now only half that number remains in the country, the rest having fled and are living as refugees, particularly in Syria and Jordan.

Muslim Terrorists Continue Attacks On Christians In Iraq

Update from Suffering Christians of Iraq from KyrieEleison

Another news: Wave of bomb blasts target Christians in Baghdad | CatholicHerald.co.uk

A series of bomb blasts targeting Christians in Baghdad has killed at least three people and injured two dozen more, security sources have said.

At least 14 roadside bombs were detonated and a mortar round was fired in Christian districts across the Iraqi capital last night and early this morning

An interior ministry source told Reuters that the attacks were a “continuation” of the massacre at Our Lady of Salvation church which killed dozens of worshipers last week.

Mr. or Mrs. reader – what are YOU doing about it? Here is what you can do:
Shout it out! Spread the word! Re-post this story or the original. Write about it on Facebook. Tweet it. Spread the word.

Give your money to help the Christians in the Near East. One good way is through the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. This is a papal humanitarian agency. You can earmark the money to help Iraqi Christians.

Contact your congressman, contact your senators, and contact the White House. Tell them that they need to stand up and do something.

Iraqis injured in church attack airlifted to Rome

ROME, ITALY - Pope John Paul II (R) gestures to the faithful from a window inside Gemelli Hospital February 27, 2005 in Rome, Italy. This is the first time in 26 years that Pope John Paul II has not carried out the traditional Sunday Blessing. (Photo Source: Life.com)

By BusinessWeek from Associated Press

ROME

Italy is airlifting 26 Iraqis injured in a militant attack on one of Baghdad's main Catholic churches to Rome for treatment.

The Foreign Ministry says it is acting on the request of the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. An Italian C130 cargo plane with the injured was due to land Friday.

Sixty-eight people were killed when militants stormed the Our Lady of Salvation Church on Oct. 31 during Sunday Mass. The militants shot congregants, held others hostage, then set off bombs when Iraqi forces came to the rescue.

The Vatican denounced the attack and others that have targeted Iraq's besieged Christian community.

Iraqi Christians facing persecution are welcomed in the north

By Catholic Online
11/11/2010

Leader assures Chaldeans that the Kurdistan Region is open to them

After a massacre at a Catholic Church in Baghdad left 58 people dead, Chaldeans - or Iraqi Catholics fear greater persecution in the years ahead after U.S. forces begin to withdraw from their homeland. A Kurdish leader wants to make clear that the Chaldean Catholics are welcome in the northern part of the nation, and says he welcomes Chaldean families with open arms.

A Kurdish leader wants to make clear that the

Chaldeans are welcome in the northern part of

the nation, and says he welcomes Chaldean

families with open arms.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - After a massacre at a Catholic Church in Baghdad left 58 people dead, Chaldeans - or Iraqi Catholics fear greater persecution in the years ahead after U.S. forces begin to withdraw from their homeland. A Kurdish leader wants to make clear that the Chaldean Catholics are welcome in the northern part of the nation, and says he welcomes Chaldean families with open arms.

"I want to let them know that the Kurdistan Region is open to them. If they want to come, we will protect them and provide them with all services," Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan regional government says. "We are extremely sorry for the crimes they have been subjected to and we condemn these criminal acts, they are innocent people and a precious part of this nation."

The regional government has opened its doors to other persecuted minorities in the past.

Many Christian families told CNN that they feared for their own safety and wanted to leave Iraq, but didn't have the means to do so.

Pope calls for religious freedom in Muslim states

Reuters – Pope Benedict XVI blesses as he leads

the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at

the Vatican November 10, 2010

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Benedict Thursday said all states must guarantee the freedom for everyone to practice their faith publicly, a clear criticism of some Muslim countries where religious rights are restricted.

The pope issued the call in a document of nearly 200 pages called an "apostolic exhortation," in which he offered his reflections on a synod of bishops that met in the Vatican in 2008 on the theme the "Word of God."

He said the Catholic Church respected all religions and a separate section of the document was dedicated to relations with Muslims.

"All the same, dialogue would not prove fruitful unless it included authentic respect for each person and the ability of all freely to practice their religion," he said.

"Respect and dialogue require reciprocity in all spheres," he said, adding that this had to include the right to profess religion "privately and publicly and (for) freedom of conscience to be effectively guaranteed to all believers."

"Reciprocity" is the term the Roman Catholic Church uses in demanding full rights for Christians in Islamic states where laws prohibit them from practicing their faith openly. It has often asked for reciprocity with Saudi Arabia.

UK: Pictures From Today’s Muslims Against Crusades Rally by Logans Warning

Thanks to LogansWarning for these photos taken in London where Muslims USING our DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM for their own GAIN rallied against "Crusaders". A separate video was uploaded by the same blogger. This extremist IDEOLOGY legitimizes terrorist groups within Islam in attacking ARAB CHRISTIANS in their own lands. Let's fight evil by doing what is good in the eyes of God (الله‎ for Arab Christians, Jews and Muslims); who is LOVE (not hatred and revenge).  "Make me a channel of your peace, where there is HATRED let me bring LOVE." St. Francis of Assisi.

Jihadists, Truth and Father Raymond J. de Souza (by American Catholic)

The appalling murder of dozens of Christians at Our Lady of Deliverance Cathedral by Al Qaeda on October 31, gives us another opportunity to look into the minds of these butchers.

Al Qaeda released a statement on the Internet claiming the attack.

“Upon guidance issued by the Ministry of War in the Islamic State of Iraq in support for our downtrodden Muslim sisters that are held captive in the Muslim land of Egypt and after accurate planning and selection, an angry group of righteous jihadists attacked a filthy den of polytheism,” according to the statement, which was obtained by The Long War Journal. “This den has been frequently used by the Christians of Iraq to fight Islam and support those who are fighting it. With the grace of God, the group was able to hold captive all those in the den and take over all its entrances.”

Based on the statement, it appears that al Qaeda in Iraq had hoped to hold the Christians in Baghdad hostage for at least two days, as a deadline for “the release” of Egyptian women supposedly being held in Coptic churches in Egypt was issued.

Demonstrators rally for persecuted Catholics in Iraq

(Photo Source: Furkono.com)

By Catholic Online
11/10/2010
Catholic Online (http://www.catholic.org/)
Attack on Catholic Church in Iraq left 58 dead

Members of Detroit, Michigan's Chaldean community, Iraqi Catholics, rallied in support of members who face persecution in their native land. Demonstrators say there is a lack of protection for Christians in Iraq. Rallies to be observed around the world will call attention to the Chaldeans' ongoing plight.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Members of Michigan's Iraqi Christian community expressed sorrow and anger over the attack on October 31 on a Baghdad church that left that left 58 people dead.

Since 2007, thousands of Iraqi Christian refugees or immigrants have come to the Detroit area, which has one of the largest communities of people in the United States with roots in the Middle East.

The 'Promised Land' Concept Cannot be used by Israel against the Palestinians!

Archbishop Cyril Bustros

"[...] the concept of the Promised Land cannot be used for the justification of the return of Jews to Israel and the displacement of Palestinians. The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 - after the resolution of the UN in 1947 regarding the partition of Palestine which was under the British mandate between Arab and Jews - is a political issue not a religious one. It is a fact of history like other facts: Jews who were persecuted in Europe and suffered the horrors of the shoah decided to come to Palestine and build a country for their own. They chose Palestine because of the memory of the Jews who lived there 2000 years ago. They came in great numbers; a war arose between them and the Arabs living there, and they won the war; hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave their homes and flee to the surrounding Arabic countries: Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.[...] Read the exclusive interview of JihadWatch.org to Archbishop Cyril Bustros clarifying his remarks at the Vatican Synod.

Protestants find room in faith for Mary:This Christmas, growing numbers of Protestants are looking at the Virgin Mary in a new light.

BY ALEXANDRA ALTER

Thanks to Defenders of the Catholic Faith

Growing up in a Lutheran church, the Rev. Roger Prehn rarely heard about the Virgin Mary, except during Christmas.

Now a pastor in Orlando, Prehn preaches in a sanctuary with a nearly life-size bronze statue of Mary and the baby Jesus. During advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, he leads his congregation in singing the Magnificat — a prayer Mary sings in the Gospel of Luke.

Free Asia Bibi! Christian Woman Sentenced to Death in Pakistan under 'Blasphemy Law'

By Deacon Keith Fournier

11/9/2010

Catholic Online

Christian Woman to Die for sharing her Faith in Pakistan!

We call on our readers to join with us in praying for our Christian sister Asia Bibi, sentenced to death for bearing witness to Jesus Christ in Pakistan. We must raise our voices and demand that she be freed! We also join with Bill Donohue and the Catholic League in opposing a U.N. Resolution allegedly condemning defamation being proposed by Pakistan! We have witnessed what such resolutions can mean for Christians such as Asia Bibi. They are designed to persecute Christians and criminalize Christianity.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Catholic Online) - The Pakistani Christian post is one of several news sources carrying the horrific story of the death sentence handed down against a Christian woman named Asia Bibi (Christian woman sentenced to Death on accusation of Blasphemy) They reported:

"A Christian woman named Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by District and Session Courts after year long trial on accusation of blasphemy filed by Muslim villagers of Ittanwali, where she was residing from generations. While working in farms with other Muslim women, Asia Bibi was dragged in religious dialogues on June 19, 2009, when Muslim women termed her an "Infidel" and Christianity a "Religion of infidels" and pressed her to embrace Islam. Asia Bibi who is married and have two children, defended Christianity with her little knowledge and told Muslim women that Christianity is only True religion on which Muslim women made a roar and accused her defiling Prophet Mohammad".

Audrey Assad: a convert whose spiritual walk is a melody

By Billy Atwell
11/9/2010
Catholic Online
When music is from the heart, it's hard not to love

The most common criticism I hear of contemporary Christian music is that it lacks depth and substance. Those winds are now changing - at least in one instance. In a short time Audrey Assad has developed a loyal following in the Christian music world. They adore her powerful, deep lyrics that go where most contemporary music is unable to go. She gets right to the heart.

WASHINGTON DC (Catholic Online) - Having already worked with some of the music industry's top stars, Audrey Assad is not what you usually think of when you hear the phrase "contemporary Christian music." Now in her late 20's, Assad graduated from high school in New York City. Soon after graduating, her parents relocated to Florida and it was during that time that she felt her spiritual life progress and her musical talents shine through.

Pursuing her passion for music, she spent a short while working and recording in Nashville, and later found a home in Phoenix, AZ. She attends mass and occasionally, when not on the road performing, sings with the worship team at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in nearby Tempe, AZ.

Veritas Vos Liberabit! (The Truth will set you free)

“A lie told often enough becomes truth” - Lenin

Mr. readme, an Iglesia ni Cristo member posted a new article with the title : "Catholicdefender2000 admits he's a "gay" coward catholic defender of lies part 2" a lie which often said becomes his ultimate truth. How? By trapping me with a question and putting words into my mouth then believing I actually said them.

But first, let me congratulate Mr. readme for having a new HEADER encapsulating all LIES! 

5 Anglican bishops will convert to Catholicism

FILE - This is a Sept. 20, 2006 file photo of Bishop of Ebbsfleet Andrew Burnham. Five Church of England bishops including Bishop of Ebbsfleet Andrew Burnham announced Monday Nov 8, 2010 they are converting to Catholicism following an invitation to disaffected Anglicans from Pope Benedict XVI the highest-profile defectors among conservatives opposed to gay bishops and female clergy. Read more: kansascity.com

Here's another good news for the whole CATHOLIC CHURCH of CRRIST. FIVE Anglican Bishops Converted to the Catholic Church and there's nothing to stop them:

Reporting from London (Los Angeles Times)— Five Anglican bishops announced Monday that they will accept an offer from Pope Benedict XVI to convert to Catholicism, primarily over their opposition to the Church of England's decision to ordain female bishops.

The five bishops, in a joint statement, spoke of their distress caused by developments in the Anglican Church that they felt were "incompatible with the historic vocation of Anglicanism and the tradition of the church for nearly 2,000 years."

Officials said a new arrangement for the bishops would be determined by the Vatican, which has moved to facilitate the switch to the Roman Catholic Church by traditional Anglican clergy upset by the acceptance of female priests or gay bishops. The Catholic Church plans to create an ordinariate under the Vatican's apostolic constitution Anglicanorum coetibus.

The Authority of the Pope

CatholicCulture.org
by Jeffrey A. Mirus, Ph.D.

Coat of Arms of the State of Vatican

In one sense, to establish that Christ empowered the popes of the Roman Catholic Church to act as his vicars is sufficient to establish everything else about Christianity, including the foundation of the Church. It is far easier for most of us to perceive the necessity of a Church, however, than to perceive the precise structure or exercise of authority within that Church. Therefore it is expedient to consider precisely how authority is exercised within the Catholic Church, especially with reference to the primacy of the popes. In this way, we will find the surest means to learn all the truths, which God would teach to men.

Why Muslim Leaders are So Corrupt

On October 25, 2010, in Blog, by Farid Ghadry

I wrote once, in an Op-Ed published by the Israeli Ynet, that while having dinner with an ex-prime minister of a western country, he asked me a question: "What differentiates you from other Arab leaders". It was a relatively easy question and the answer was even easier "Because I never killed anyone, robbed from anyone, or stifled the liberty of anyone".

According to my friend, there lays the problem. "Most western countries want to see corrupt Arab and Muslim leaders occupy positions of power." Why? "Because it is easier to control them (and seek the concessions we want from them)". He did not say the latter part but the implication was obvious.

Islamic fundamentalists preventing the construction of a church in Kuwait

The government and the emir have approved the project but the Kuwait City Municipal Council refuses to issue building permits or explain its reasons for doing so. About 460,000 Christians share four official churches, two Catholic, one Evangelical and one Anglican. A Coptic church is under construction.

Kuwait City (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A group of Christians has complained that Kuwait City’s Municipal Council is preventing them from getting land to build a church. "The Municipal Council is the big problem preventing us from getting land; not all of the members, just the Islamic fundamentalists," said Archimandrite Boutros Gharib, head of the local Greek Catholic Church.

Recently the municipal council blocked an attempt by the Greek Catholic Church to acquire land in Mahboula, an area in the Ahmadi governorate south of Kuwait City. The request has been pending for several years.

Bishops in the Holy Land call for three days of prayer for Iraq

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – “Words of distress, condemnation and incrimination are no longer enough in the face of the horror that is taking place repeatedly in Iraq, especially with regard to Christians over the past years and which reached a pinnacle of savage insanity with the massacre on Sunday” in Baghdad, the bishops of the Holy Land said in a statement released yesterday in Jerusalem.

We “incline ourselves before the bodies of these heroic martyrs, the sufferings of the innocent wounded, the pain of the relatives of the victims and the injured,” the statement said.

“The Church of the Holy Land, reaching out to her sister in Iraq, appeals to the conscience of each and every one in authority there, starting with the Iraqi government, to be vigilant in protecting all her citizens, especially those who have no protection, those who have no weapons and no militias, their only guilt being that they maintain their faith, in the land of their fathers and grandfathers.”

“This land is their land since time immemorial; they have sacrificed in its service, contributed to its flourishing, and defended it with everything they have. The time has come for those who are responsible to own up to their responsibility, to stand up to those who have lost any sense of humanity, curbing their insatiable thirst for blood and reckoning with and punishing anyone who plans or carries out such criminal acts.”

HOW THE BIBLE REGARD THE ROMAN CHURCH?

By Beltran Vicent, OP - Ang Daan ng Katotohanan

If an INM or ADD would hear "Roman Church". they would definitely argue, its the Catholic Church! the Whore of Babylon. hehehe. its their view. but not what the BIBLE PERCEIVED REGARDING THE ROMAN CHURCH.

At first, we must hold on to the Truth that the TRUE GOSPEL STARTED FROM JERUSALEM.

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among ALL NATIONS BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM" ( Luke 24:47 KJV)

Now, A TRUE CHRISTIAN MUST THEN UPHOLD THE TEACHINGS OF THE APOSTLES THAT STARTED FROM JERUSALEM. Was the Roman Church has an assurance of this? Jesus said to Paul,

"For as you have testified for me in JERUSALEM so you MUST ALSO bear witness in ROME" ( Acts 23:11 Gideons)

it is clear that the Roman Church UPHOLDS THE SAME TEACHING THAT STARTED FROM JERUSALEM. How did Paul described the FAITH of the Roman Church?

". your Faith is spoken of THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WORLD" (Romans 1:8 KJV)

The Faith of the Roman Church is HERALDED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, signifying their Faith's universality. What about the other local churches? how did they regard the Roman Church? Paul said ..

"THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST salute you" (Romans 16:16 KJV)

Catholics should Gaze to Heaven with the Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi

Catholics around the world and in particular our suffering brethren within oppressive Islamic states are being tested. The recent violence targeting Catholics in Iraq send a global waves of condemnation by peace-loving leaders except that we hear no official condemnation from some Islamic States and the noisy CAIR in the United States and Muslim groups in Europe.

5th Most Powerful Man: Pope Benedict XVI (November 2010)

Powerful People: November 2010 (Source: Forbes.com)
POPE BENEDICT XVI "highest earthly authority"

• Age: 83
• Title: Pope
• Organization: Roman Catholic Church
• Residence: Vatican City
• Country of citizenship: Germany
• Marital Status: Single

Highest earthly authority for 1.1 billion souls, or one-sixth of world's population. Staunch traditionalist deplores secularism, consumerism and moral relativism, unbending on birth control, gay marriage and ordination of female priests. Despite major gaffes (including lifting the excommunication of a Holocaust-denying Bishop and quoting a 14th-century source that declared the only new things the prophet Mohammed brought were "evil and inhuman"), appears genuinely interested in healing old wounds. In September, not only became the first Pope to visit Westminster Abbey since the Protestant Reformation, but also shook hands with a clergywoman (another first). Widening sexual abuse scandal could undermine moral authority, but increasingly willing to tackle issue head on: "Forgiveness does not substitute for justice." Stylish: Has brought back traditional red, custom-made "pope shoes" and old-school Ecclesiastical headgear.

KNOW THE TRUTH SEMINAR CONTINUES by Atty. Marwil Llasos, O.P.

From Atty. Marwil Llasos, OP Blog- The on-going KNOW THE TRUTH SEMINAR of DEFENSORES FIDEI FOUNDATION has been highly successful. Graced with very good speakers, it is well-attended by participants and even guests froms non-Catholic groups who are open to know the truth.

The seminar is held at the Board Room, 3rd Floor of Amici Building, Missouri cor Connecticut Streets, Greenhills, San Juan. The following are the next topics and speakers:

Dispeling LIES in defending the Church of Christ (33 A.D.) Part 2

At this time, Mr. readme, an Iglesia ni Cristo member is ONE STEP closer to being a CATHOLIC BASHER more than being an INC Defender.

Unable to answer my post, he resorted to NAME-CALLING:

Extracts from his rantings here from Dispeling LIES in defending the Church of Christ (33 A.D.)

Lebanon's PM says Middle East is 'heading for disaster'

Watch this VIDEO at BBC Live News - Help Failure to reach a comprehensive peace deal in the Middle East will lead the region into disaster says the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Saad Hariri.

He told the BBC's Jeremy Bowen the whole world will be affected by failure and that Europe and the US are already paying the price of extremism.

Al Qaeda threat: Christians are legitimate targets

The authors of the terrorist massacre in the Baghdad church publish a message on the internet that is a threat to all Christians, and make explicit reference to the Vatican.

Terrorists!

Baghdad (AsiaNews / Agencies) – “The ultimatum made two days ago to the church of Egypt for the release of two Muslim women held prisoner, has expired. We have had no response and now you are all involved in the war on Islam , so be careful of the souls of your followers. " The so-called 'War Department' of the 'Islamic State of Iraq' (ISI) al-Qaeda in Iraq issued a statement on the Web to announce that the passing of the deadline of its "ultimatum" to the Egyptian Coptic Church to release two Egyptian women, Camilia Cheh and Wafa Constantine, wives of Coptic priests, whom according to the terrorists are detained against their will in a convent after converting to Islam.

Their conversion has been denied by all the Islamic religious authorities in Egypt, and the Muslim Brotherhood have harshly attacked the authors of the massacre in Baghdad. Al-Qaeda, however, confirms that all Christians and their churches have become "legitimate targets" of the terrorist group and are therefore are in danger. The message issued today by the Iraqi cell of al-Qaeda also makes explicit reference to the Vatican.

In Lebanon, religious leaders react unanimously to Baghdad attack, politicians divided

Beirut (AsiaNews) – The hostage taking incident at Baghdad’s Saydet el-Najat (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) Cathedral and the subsequent bloodbath have confirmed some of the worst fears expressed by some of the ‘Fathers’ who took part in the recently concluded Special Synod of the Bishops of the Catholic Church in the Middle East. The whole region has become to some extent inhospitable for Christians, which means that Christians who opt for emigration are making the right choice.

(Photo Source: AsiaNews)

As expected, Lebanese political leaders have reacted to the atrocities, as they are wont to do, with verbal condemnations that are as strong as they are gratuitous.

Iraq’s Chaldean Catholic Church, the largest Christian denomination in the country, has been more practical. Anticipating a new wave of Christians fleeing Iraq, a delegation that included a US Chaldean bishop, Mgr Ibrahim Ibrahim, has been touring the region. Its first stop was at the Maronite Patriarch’s Residence in Bkerke in Lebanon, followed by visits to Amin Gemayel and Samir Geagea.

The delegation asked the Maronite patriarch, former President Gemayel and Geagea to make sure that fleeing Christians are welcomed in Lebanon and treated with greater humanity. “In this country, there are 6,000 to 7,000 Iraqi refugees and their situation leaves a lot to be desired. However, we count on people of good will, in Lebanon, to help them overcome their difficulties and become self-sufficient,” Bishop Ibrahim said.

Myths About the Catholic Church

(Photo Source: St.Joseph Parish.org)

Here are some few things used by CULTS and SECTS to PROSELYTIZE "ignorant Catholics" to their fold.  Thanks to Cross the Tiber Blog for providing these eye-opener MYTHS about the Catholic Church.

• Because Catholics reject the tradition of "sola fide" ("faith alone"), they think they can work their way into Heaven and believe they are saved by works . WRONG
• Catholics think the pope does not sin . WRONG
• Catholics re-crucify Christ at their Masses (or at least think they do) WRONG
• Catholics think Mary is part of the Godhead and is to be worshipped WRONG
  

27th INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC REVIVAL CONFERENCE - Islam will DOMINATE!

I am not against Islam and the Muslims but their silence in condemning the terrorist attack on Catholics in Iraq is quite defeaning and disturbing.  Had the Muslims and Islamic Countries condemned the "KILLING OF CATHOLIC IRAQIS" in Baghdad recently? Did they make any noise about it?

Instead, they will converge in UK. "REVIVE the GLORY of ISLAM" I think that's the agenda for this year's conference. UK will suffer from their slumber and apathy!
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UK Nov 27th: The International Islamic Revival Conference

Warns loganswarning.com

"When it comes to the threat of Islam, non-Muslims cannot let their guard down. “Moderate” Muslims are not coming to the rescue, and Muslims across the globe are continuing to unite in an effort to impose Islam on the world. The upcoming Islamic Revival Conference 2010 in the UK is another example of this. My question is this. Why are so many non-Muslims still ignoring the threat of Islam? It is not going to go away, and time is running out."

Pope Prays for Iraqi Victims of "Absurd" Violence

3 Priests Among Scores Killed in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq, NOV. 2, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Three priests were killed along with 58 others in an attack on a Catholic church in Baghdad. Benedict XVI is offering prayers for the victims and is pleading for peace.

On addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square on Monday, the Solemnity of All Saints, the Pope said that he is praying "for the victims of this absurd violence, which is even more ferocious as it struck defenseless persons, gathered in the house of God, which is a house of love and reconciliation."

Some 58 people were killed when gunmen stormed the Eucharistic celebration on Sunday in Baghdad's Church of Our Lady of Salvation. Another 75 were wounded.

Among those killed during the attack were Father Wasim Sabieh and Father Thaier Saad Abdal. A third priest, Father Qatin, was wounded and died later in the hospital, Aid to the Church in Need reported.

The gunmen, who had explosives attached to their belts, took the congregation hostage and demanded the release of Al-Qaeda members being held in Iraq and Egypt. Later in the day, Iraqi and American soldiers freed the hostages.

Mourners attend funerals of Iraq church attack

Pray for Christian Arabs in the Middle East. And pray for their persecutors for they are the souls who need God's mercy the most!

As Jesus prayed "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."

Islam and Assyria: an Impossible Coexistence

Peter BetBasoo in zindamagazine.com

Chicago

Assyrian Catholic Christians (Photo Source: drzz.info)

Islam proclaims that once a territory is conquered by Muslims it can never revert to non-Muslim rule. It is this law that even today grieves Muslims for having lost Spain. Very few conquered territories have regained their independence from Islam since the beginning of the Muslim war on the world in 630 A.D.. Those that have succeeded have often faced intense pressure from surrounding Muslim states. New non-Muslim states that have sprung in the heart of "Islamic territory" -- Israel, for example -- have been perennially at defensive war with the surrounding Muslim states.

The Pope Condemned Attack on Catholics by Muslim Extremists in Baghdad

File Photo: Catholics solemnly praying inside Baghdad Church before it was attacked
(Photo Source: zindamagazine)

The defeaning silence Muslim States and the Islamic communities around the world such as the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the CAIR, and other known Muslim organizations and institutions; Muslim individuals who says "Islam is a Religion of Peace" is quite disturbing!

If they DO NOT have the GUTS to condemn such people "hijacking their faith" why they can't go out in PROTEST and show their force that they are really anti-terrorism!

In Israel, Church responds to growing numbers of Hebrew-speaking Catholics

Pope Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (Photo Source: CatholicCincinnati
Visit the Association of Hebrew Catholics

Rome, Italy, Oct 10, 2010 / 06:56 pm (CNA).- Catholics in Israel face a situation in “complete flux,” Vatican expert Sandro Magister says. Descendants of indigenous Christians have been joined by Catholic immigrants who are learning Hebrew and are assimilating into Israeli culture.

While in percentage terms there has been a “slight reduction” of the Christian population in Israel from three to two percent, there are presently 150,000 of them in the country. Most live in Galilee and there are 15,000 in Jerusalem, Magister said.

Iraq: Dozens dead following Muslim standoff at Catholic church

Just a week ago, the Catholic Church held its Middle East Synod at the Vatican. Among the greatest threat for Christians are "Muslim Extremists" who want all Christians to be out of the Middle East.

We need peaceful Muslims to CONDEMN this BARBARIC acts done in the name of Islam by the few. We condemn this attrocities but we stand with those suffering Christians in the Middle East that their own blood become seed for Evangelization just as our saint-martyrs did.

Today, as we Catholics are celebrating the ALL SAINTS DAY, let us remember them, those who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of Christ and ask them to pray for us who are still journeying to salvation.

And those who died who still need the grace of God, may all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen!

Youth freed after the siege was brought to an end by security forces (Photo Source: SkyNews

Energy Publisher - A siege by Iraqi security forces at one of Baghdad's largest Catholic churches ended on the night of October 31, leaving at least 37 people dead and twelve injured.