Tuesday, October 20, 2015

"The Gospel that once transformed cultures is now in danger of being transformed by them"


Here is the Intervention of Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disciple of the Sacraments, in the ongoing Synod on the Family.

This is so important, so lucid, and so obviously inspired by and faithful to the Holy Spirit, and to Jesus Christ, we reproduce it in full. This is the voice of the Church!





Your Holiness, Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, participants of the Synod,

I propose these three thoughts:

1. More transparency and respect among us

I feel a strong need to invoke the Spirit of Truth and Love, the source of parrhesia in speaking and humility in listening, who alone is capable of creating true harmony in plurality.

I say frankly that in the previous Synod, on various issues one sensed the temptation to yield to the mentality of the secularized world and individualistic West. Recognizing the so-called “realities of life” as a locus theologicus means giving up hope in the transforming power of faith and the Gospel. The Gospel that once transformed cultures is now in danger of being transformed by them. Furthermore, some of the procedures used did not seem aimed at enriching discussion and communion as much as they did to promote a way of seeing typical of certain fringe groups of the wealthiest churches. This is contrary to a poor Church, a joyously evangelical and prophetic sign of contradiction to worldliness. Nor does one understand why some statements that are not shared by the qualified majority of the last Synod still ended up in the Relatio and then in the Lineamenta and the Instrumentum laboris when other pressing and very current issues (such as gender ideology) are instead ignored.

The first hope is therefore that, in our work, there by more freedom, transparency and objectivity. For this, it would be beneficial to publish the summaries of the interventions, to facilitate discussion and avoid any prejudice or discrimination in accepting the pronouncements of the synod Fathers.

2. Discernment of history and of spirits

A second hope: that the Synod honor its historic mission and not limit itself to speaking only about certain pastoral issues (such as the possible communion for divorced and remarried) but help the Holy Father to enunciate clearly truths and real guidance on a global level. For there are new challenges with respect to the synod celebrated in 1980. A theological discernment enables us to see in our time two unexpected threats (almost like two “apocalyptic beasts”) located on opposite poles: on the one hand, the idolatry of Western freedom; on the other, Islamic fundamentalism: atheistic secularism versus religious fanaticism. To use a slogan, we find ourselves between “gender ideology and ISIS”. Islamic massacres and libertarian demands regularly contend for the front page of the newspapers. (Let us remember what happened last June 26!). From these two radicalizations arise the two major threats to the family: its subjectivist disintegration in the secularized West through quick and easy divorce, abortion, homosexual unions, euthanasia etc. (cf. Gender theory, the ‘Femen’, the LGBT lobby, IPPF …). On the other hand, the pseudo-family of ideologized Islam which legitimizes polygamy, female subservience, sexual slavery, child marriage etc. (cf. Al Qaeda, Isis, Boko Haram …)

Several clues enable us to intuit the same demonic origin of these two movements. Unlike the Spirit of Truth that promotes communion in the distinction (perichoresis), these encourage confusion (homo-gamy) or subordination (poly-gamy). Furthermore, they demand a universal and totalitarian rule, are violently intolerant, destroyers of families, society and the Church, and are openly Christianophobic.

“We are not contending against creatures of flesh and blood ….” We need to be inclusive and welcoming to all that is human; but what comes from the Enemy cannot and must not be assimilated. You can not join Christ and Belial! What Nazi-Fascism and Communism were in the 20th century, Western homosexual and abortion Ideologies and Islamic Fanaticism are today.

3. Proclaim and serve the beauty of Monogamy and the Family

Faced with these two deadly and unprecedented challenges (“homo-gamy” and “poly-gamy”) the Church must promote a true “epiphany of the Family.” To this both the Pope (as spokesman of the Church) may contribute, and individual Bishops and Pastors of the Christian flock: that is, “the Church of God, which he has obtained with his own blood” (Acts: 20:28).

We must proclaim the truth without fear, i.e. the Plan of God, which is monogamy in conjugal love open to life. Bearing in mind the historical situation just recalled, it is urgent that the Church, at its summit, definitively declare the will of the Creator for marriage. How many people of good will and common sense would join in this luminous act of courage carried out by the Church!

Together with a strong and clear Word of the Supreme Magisterium, Pastors have the mission of helping our contemporaries to discover the beauty of the Christian family. To do this, it must first promote all that represents a true Christian Initiation of adults, for the marriage crisis is essentially a crisis of God, but also a crisis of faith, and this is an infantile Christian initiation. Then we must discern those realities that the Holy Spirit is already raising up to reveal the Truth of the Family as an intimate communion in diversity (man and woman) that is generous in the gift of life. We bishops have the urgent duty to recognize and promote the charisms, movements, and ecclesial realities in which the Family is truly revealed, this prodigy of harmony, love of life and hope in Eternity, this cradle of faith and school charity. And there are so many realities offered by Providence, together with the Second Vatican Council, in which this miracle is offered.

Translation from Italian by Diane Montagna.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

¡La Super Estrella de Música Latina, Emmanuel, se unira a la Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste del 2016!

Wow! Mexican music superstar Emmanuel will be a speaker at January 23's Walk for Life West Coast. I'm not too wired into the Latino popular music scene, but those who are tell me he is gigantic. Here's the Walk's press release annoucing the exciting news (English version follows).

¡La Super Estrella de Música Latina, Emmanuel, se unira a la
Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste del 2016!

Los organizadores del evento están encantados con la presencia del legendario cantante pro-vida mexicano el 23 de enero

San Francisco, 29 de septiembre del 2015 - La Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste tiene el honor de anunciar que Emmanuel (nacido en la Ciudad de México como Jesús Emmanuel Acha Martínez) se unirá a la doceava Caminata anual por la Vida de la Costa Oeste en San Francisco el 23 de enero del 2016.

"Esto es tan emocionante-Emmanuel es conocido en todo el mundo de habla hispana por sus hermosas baladas!", Dijo Eva Muntean, co-fundadora de la Caminata. "Pero a pesar de que nos encanta su extraordinaria música,  su voluntad de poner su fama en la línea a favor de la vida, en defensa de los más pequeños entre nosotros, eso es lo que más admiramos!"

Muntean continuo diciendo, "Emmanuel tiene una larga historia de estar del lado de la vida. Ha utilizado su talento y fama para ayudar a los necesitados, uniéndose en el recaudo de fondos y para crear conciencia a otras estrellas del mundo de habla hispana como el actor Eduardo Verástegui , la actriz Verónica Castro y Karyme Lozano. Él comparte nuestra convicción de que el aborto daña a las mujeres, y, ¡estamos encantados y honrados de que se una a nosotros el 23 de enero del 2016!

Emmanuel entró a la escena musical en México en la década de los 70. Por la década de los 80 fue sin duda la estrella más grande del país. Su cuarto álbum Íntimamente  tuvo siete canciones de éxito por si solas.

La Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste del 2016 dará inicio a las 12:30 de la tarde, con un manifestación en la Plaza del Centro Cívico de la ciudad. Tras la manifestación, en la que hablaran Emmanuel y otros, los caminantes marcharán por la calle Market.


Fundada en el 2005 por un grupo de residentes del área de la bahía de San Francisco, la misión de la Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste es cambiar las percepciones de una sociedad que piensa que el aborto es una respuesta. Se esperan participantes de toda el área de la bahía y de todo Estados Unidos y Canadá.

Para más detalles y para ver un poderoso video promocional para la Caminata y que se puede compartir en las redes sociales, por favor visite: www.walkforlifewc.com

Para realizar una entrevista con cualquiera de los oradores u organizadores de la Caminata por la Vida de la Costa Oeste, por favor póngase en contacto con:
Rose Trabbic, Publicista, Camina Pro Vida de la Costa Oeste,
media@walkforlifewc.com o (239)867-4180

________________________________

Latino Music Superstar Emmanuel to join
2016 Walk for Life West Coast!
Organizers delighted with presence of Mexico’s legendary pro-life singer at January 23 event


San Francisco, September 21, 2015 – The Walk for Life West Coast is honored to announce that Emmanuel (born Jesús Emmanuel Acha Martinez in Mexico City) will be joining the 12th Annual Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco on January 23, 2016.

 “This is so exciting—Emmanuel is known throughout the entire Spanish-speaking world for his beautiful ballads!” said Eva Muntean, a co-founder of the Walk.  “But while we love his extraordinary music, it is his willingness to put his fame on the line for life, in defense of the littlest among us, that we admire the most!”

Muntean continues, “Emmanuel has a long history of standing for life. He has used his talent and fame to help those in need, joining other stars from the Spanish-speaking world such as actor Eduardo Verastegui and actress Veronica Castro Lozano Karyme in raising both funds and awareness. He shares our conviction that abortion hurts women, and we are delighted and honored to have him join us on January 23, 2016!”

Emmanuel came on the music scene in Mexico in the 1970’s. By the 1980’s he was arguably the country’s biggest star. His fourth album Íntimamente (Intimately) had seven separate hit songs.

The 2016 Walk for Life West Coast will begin at 12:30 PM with a rally in the city’s Civic Center Plaza. Following the rally, where Emmanuel and others will be speaking, walkers will march down Market Street.

Founded in 2005 by a group of San Francisco Bay Area residents, the Walk for Life West Coast’s mission is to change the perceptions of a society that thinks abortion is an answer. Walk participants are expected from throughout the Bay Area and across the United States and Canada.

For more details, and to view a powerful promo video for the walk that can be shared on social media, please visit: www.walkforlifewc.com




Friday, October 2, 2015

October 10: AB Cordileone to lead SF Eucharistic Procession and Rosary Rally!!

Be there, Bay Area Catholics!

From September 30's California Catholic Daily:


On Saturday, October 10, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will once again lead his flock as he bears the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of San Francisco at the Fifth Annual San Francisco Rosary Rally. The rally will be held in the city’s United Nations Plaza at 12 noon.

The San Francisco Rosary Rally was reborn in 2011 as an effort of the SF Senatus of the Legion of Mary. Other groups quickly joined the effort: Immaculate Heart Radio, The Knights of Columbus, Ignatius Press, Cruzada Guadalupana Arquidiócesana, the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and the Archdiocesan Ministry for Spanish Speaking. The 2011 rally marked the 50th Anniversary of Fr. Patrick Peyton’s 1961 Rosary Crusade, held in the City’s Golden Gate Park. That event drew over 550,000 people—still the largest crowd ever assembled in San Francisco.

On August 7, San Francisco’s Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone sent a letter to all pastors of the Archdiocese, urging them to lead their flocks to the Rally: “Since our first rally five years ago, the event has drawn an ever-growing number of priests, religious and faithful onto our streets to pray. These faithful come from San Francisco and beyond. Their intention is very simple: to pray for the needs of our great City and nation. I believe the presence of so many people in prayer is a great witness to those with whom we share our City. It is a sign too that God is truly with us and the Faith is alive…I invite you and your parishioners to join me in this celebration of our Catholic spirituality and tradition.”

The day begins with a 10:00 am Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone, concelebrated by Father Arturo Albano, the rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, and other priests. Following Mass, the Archbishop will lead the Eucharistic Procession from the Cathedral to United Nations Plaza, where the Rosary rally will begin at 12:00 noon. When the Eucharistic procession arrives they will be greeted by a second group of Catholics, already at the plaza, praying the rosary.

Archbishop Cordileone will serve as keynote speaker and Father Albano will address the faithful in both Spanish and Tagalog. The rally will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction, and priests will be on hand to hear confessions.

This year’s special guest speaker will be Deacon Robert F. Ellis, the National Coordinator of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA. As a special blessing, the National Pilgrim Statue of the World Apostolate of Fatima will be present. Deacon Ellis wrote recently: “St. Pope John Paul II considered Fatima more important today than it was in 1917. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI cautioned that ‘we would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.’ Pope Francis’ request for the consecration of his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima, which was honored on May 13, 2013, the entrustment of WYD 2013 to her, and his consecration of the world to her on October 13, 2013 – all occurring within the first year of his papacy – make his disposition toward the importance of Fatima crystal clear.” -‘How can a world gone mad be saved from itself.’

For more information, go here: http://www.rosaryrallysf.com/