Media hype on Condom Misinterpreted Pope's Statement

Media is on hype again alleging that the Pope OKd the use of condoms in some cases putting words in his mouth saying that "Pope Benedict has suggested that the use of condoms could be justified in some exceptional circumstances" which is COMPLETELY INACCURATE.

I am a Catholic and all Catholic should know that the Pope would never go against the Moral Teachings of the Church. And before you believe, wait for the official explanation from the Vatican. See below:

Vatican spokesman: Pope not changing Church teaching on condom use

Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi

Vatican City, Nov 21, 2010 / 03:36 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Despite media claims of a revolutionary change, Pope Benedict is not altering Catholic teaching on condom use or justifying the disordered use of sexuality, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi has explained.

In a Nov. 21 statement from Vatican Radio, Fr. Lombardi discussed the Pope’s comments in Peter Seewald’s forthcoming book “Light of the World: the Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times.”

In these comments “the Pope is not reforming or changing the teaching of the Church but he reaffirms it, putting it in the perspective of the value and dignity of human sexuality as an expression of love and responsibility,” the spokesman said.

In Seewald’s book, Pope Benedict says that the Church “of course” does not regard condom use as “a real or moral solution” to the problem of AIDS. According to Fr. Lombardi, his treatment of the topic considers an “exceptional situation” in which a sexual act presents a true risk for another’s life.

New Cardinals of the Catholic Church

Pope Benedict XVI attends the Consistory ceremony in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican November 20, 2010. [Credit: Reuters/Tony Gentile]

Pope puts stamp on church future with new cardinals

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY | Sat Nov 20, 2010 8:05am EST

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict installed 24 new Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world on Saturday in his latest batch of appointments that could include his successor as leader of the 1.2 billion member church.

As their national delegations cheered, the men were elevated to their new rank as top advisers to the pope at a solemn ceremony in St Peter's Basilica known as a consistory.

Each of the 24 men swore their loyalty to him, to future popes and to the church, even if it meant giving their lives.

Sister (Dr.) Ruth Pfau, Pakistan's "Mother Teresa"

Let those BELONGING to CULTS who say they are "Christians" BUT branded Catholics as of the "devil" be ASHAMED of themselves for doing nothing to uplift the suffering humanity in Pakistan and the rest of the world.

Here is Sister Ruth Pfau, a saintly nun working in Pakistan for years.  From Wikipedia - Ruth Pfau is recognised in Pakistan and abroad as a distinguished human being and has been awarded many prizes and medals. Sister Ruth Pfau was among recipients of civilian awards at President's House on Pakistan Day March 23, 1989. Sister Pfau received the Hilal-i-Pakistan award for her work with leprosy patients. Speaking at a function in Islamabad on January 30, 2000, to mark the 47th World Leprosy Day, President Rafiq Tarar praised Sister Ruth Pfau, who built up the National Leprosy Control Program in Pakistan, for working not only for those afflicted with leprosy, but also for those with TB. On the occasion of Pakistan Independence Day on 14 August 2010, the President of Pakistan awarded the very high civil award of Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam to Dr. Pfau for public service. In 2010 after her work helping people “nobody else is willing or able, or ever thought of helping,” people displaced by Pakistan's recent deadly flooding, she is being hailed as Pakistan's 'Mother Teresa'.

Read also this article: A German Mother Teresa among the flood victims of Pakistan

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.