Blog by-the-Sea

Catholic Addresses at the Lambeth Conference

This is my first post about the ongoing once-a-decade Lambeth Conference.  I might have something more to say after it is over, but I would rather let it play itself out and, for the time being, write only about what the Cardinals have said who have addressed that Conference. 

[Added August 1: For anyone looking for a commentary and comparison now, Damian Thompson has written about all three of these cardinals in his blog at the Telegraph (hat tip Fr. Dwight Longenecker).]

Cardinal Ivan Dias:

The Vatican and Zenit have the full text of the address given by Cardinal Ivan Dias, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.  Ruth Gledhill offered commentary at her Timesonline blog Articles of Faith (hattip to Kendall Harmon at TitusOneNine for linking to Ruth Gledhill's article and several other sources mentioned in this post).

As the first of the three Cardinals mentioned here who addressed this Lambeth Conference,  Cardinal Dias addressed the Conference on the subject "Mission, Social Justice and Evangelization."  He spoke about the necessity of evangelization for a Christian, quoting St. Peter's words in Acts 4:12 that "there is salvation in no one else but Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which they can be saved."  He spoke of spiritual combat in today's world against secret sects, Satanic groups, New Age movements, and secularism.  While the traditional areas of evangelization in the past were hearth and home, today, he said, we must be aware of "the many modern Areopagoi" (recalling St. Paul's sermon at the Areopagus): the mass media, the world of science and technology, etc.

Cardinal Dias then spoke of morality -- a theme closer to the focus of Anglicans attending the Conference.  He said, "In the Western world, which is increasingly becoming distanced from its Christian traditions and roots, a context of moral confusion has ensued, and sound Christian ethical and moral principles and values are under threat from various quarters." Christians, he said, cannot "remain on the sidelines"; they must be witnesses. He spoke of the importance of inculturation, including "blending Faith and Culture harmoniously together through art, music, dance and liturgy, making something beautiful before God and men."  He also spoke of proclaiming Christ in inter-religious dialogue, picking out "those values in non Christian traditions which are compatible with Christian thought and behavior and use them as starting points for a fruitful inter-religious dialogue."

Lastly, he spoke of the importance of the ecumenical dimension of evangelization.  He said that when Christians "are of one mind and heart notwithstanding their diversity, their missionary thrust is indeed enhanced and strengthened. But, when the diversity degenerates into division, it becomes a counter-witness which seriously compromises their image and endeavors to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ." In that context, he commented on a spiritual Alzheimers and spiritual Parkinsons affecting some people today -- a comment that drew Ruth Gledhill mentioned in her post as possibly referring to the present situation among Anglicans.

Lastly, he spoke of Mary, Mother of God, as the "Star of the new Evangelization," mentioning the ARCIC II statement "Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ."  He called for Mary to be the bishops' model, guide and intercessor in discerning "whether their pastoral endeavors are inspired by God, or motivated by human criteria, or prompted by the Evil one."  Lastly, he quoted from Cardinal John Henry Newman's poem, "Lead Kindly Light," in praying to the Holy Spirit, commending the Lambeth Conference to God.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Conner:

The Diocese of Westminster and Zenit have the full text of his address to the Lambeth Conference on the subject of ARCIC and ARCIC II (Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission).  He began by saying that he wanted to reflect on his own experiences.  While many people have become skeptical of Anglican - Roman Catholic dialogue through that process, he said that he has not become skeptical.  He looked back over 26 years of his life involved in ARCIC.

As the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Murphy-O'Conner has surely been more actively involved in discussions with Anglican clergy than is often reported.  He is known to be a personal friend of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and he has been in authority over many formerly Anglican/now Catholic clergy within his own archdiocese.

Discussing how the Anglican ordination of women has changed Anglican - Roman Catholic dialogue, he said, "It became increasingly clear that the ordination of women priests and bishops in a growing number of provinces has presented what is for the Catholic Church a major stumbling block to the hoped-for reconciliation of ministries."

However, he said, fundamental issues of ecclesiology have now come to the fore in the  ARCIC II discussions.  Emerging through the ARCIC II statements, he said, "what was emerging through them was a deepening doctrine of the Church as koinonia."  He said that the work that he has put into Anglican-Catholic dialogue over many years has been worth it.  He pointed to Christ's will that we be one, saying "Pope Benedict again and again comes back to this as at the heart of what he is working for."

Confirming that he is "not gloomy" and that "dialogue will continue in some form," Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor also offered this assessment of 40 years of dialogue:

"It is forty years since The Malta Report set Anglicans and Catholics on the way towards unity. Throughout these years, the Catholic Church has always sought dialogue with the Anglican Communion as a whole, with all the challenge that your treasured diversity can sometimes bring to the table. So our Church takes no pleasure at all to see the current strains in your communion – we have committed ourselves to a journey towards unity, so new tensions only slow the progress. But they do seem to concern matters that are very important. These discussions are about the degree of unity in faith necessary for Christians to be in communion, not least so that they may be able to offer the Gospel confidently to the world. Our future dialogue will not be easy until such fundamental matters are resolved, with greater clarity."

Cardinal Walter Kasper:

Zenit and Sandro Magister have Cardinal Kasper's address.  Magister wrote, "Kasper highlighted the growing distance between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, especially since some of the Anglican provinces began ordaining women to the priesthood in 1974, and to the episcopate beginning in 1989."  Father Zuhlsdorf mentions Sandro Magister's article and offers his own commentary on Cardinal Kasper's address.  Ruth Gledhill offered commentary in the Timesonline.  Catholic News Agency also has an article about the address.

He brought greetings from the Holy Father and from the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, assuring the Conference that they were in their prayers.  He expressed hope for the future "that we will not be drawn apart, and that we will be able to remain in serious dialogue in search of full unity, so that the world may believe."

He gave an overview of the successes of ARCIC and ARCIC II; the obstacle posed by the Anglican ordination of women to the priesthood and the episcopate; and a common "love for Christ which invites us into practical co-operation and service." He expressed a wish to continue on the path toward union that was begun 40 years ago.  Yet, he said he was "deeply discouraged by recent developments."

He then commented on ecclesiological issues.  He mentioned his address in 2006, saying that  while the backdrop was the Church of England's possible ordination of women bishops, "the central argument about the nature of the episcopal office as an office of unity is relevant to all of the points of tension in the Anglican Communion" that he had mentioned earlier in this week's address.

"In brief," he said, "I argued that unity, unanimity and koinonia (communion) are fundamental concepts in the New Testament and in the early Church."  He further explained that argument, referencing the third century's St. Cyprian of Carthage, as he had mentioned in 2006 that St. Cyprian was the source of a theology of the episcopal office as an office of unity.  Cardinal Kasper stated that, in the ARCIC dialogue "we have been able to set forward a strong vision of episcopal ministry, within the context of a shared understanding of the Church as koinonia."

Cardinal Kasper then discussed the 2004 Windsor Report, which sought to provide an Anglican ecclesiology of koinonia.  The weakness, he mentioned, was that the report stresses maintaining communion within the existing Anglican Communion, but pays little attention to being in communion with the Church through the ages. He stated that "it has been particularly disheartening to have witnessed the increasing tensions within the Anglican Communion," and expressed a desire for the Anglican Communion to stay together.

In the final section of his address, Cardinal Kasper spoke of the Catholic position on the issues of sexuality now facing the Anglican Communion.  He mentioned "the ARCIC statement "Life in Christ", where it was noted (nn. 87-88) that Anglicans could agree with Catholics that homosexual activity is disordered," and stated that "a clear statement from the Anglican Communion would greatly strengthen the possibility of us giving common witness regarding human sexuality and marriage, a witness which is sorely needed in the world of today."  He also mentioned the Catholic opposition to the ordination of women and said that it is "not only a disciplinary position but an expression of our faithfulness to Jesus Christ."  He stated clearly: "While our dialogue has led to significant agreement on the understanding of ministry, the ordination of women to the episcopate effectively and definitively blocks a possible recognition of Anglican Orders by the Catholic Church."

Concerning the impact that this has had on Anglican - Roman Catholic dialogue, Cardinal Kasper stated:

"It now seems that full visible communion as the aim of our dialogue has receded further, and that our dialogue will have less ultimate goals and therefore will be altered in its character. While such a dialogue could still lead to good results, it would not be sustained by the dynamism which arises from the realistic possibility of the unity Christ asks of us, or the shared partaking of the one Lord’s table, for which we so earnestly long."

Lastly, he expressed a hope for a new Oxford Movement as "a re-reception, a fresh recourse to the Apostolic Tradition in a new situation," and concluded by an assurance of prayer for God's grace and the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Maine Coon Page

I put together a page of links to information about Maine Coon cats, getting a new kitten, cat care and health, and pet-related charities.  Because I recently went through the process of losing one cat and buying a new kitten, and I am still going through the process of learning about the new kitten, I thought I would put together a page of links before I forget them all.  They may be helpful to someone else.

Take a look at the Maine Coon Links page if you are interested.

"I re-live and re-live the harm done to me . . ."

From Sister Janet Fearns at Pause for Prayer, a post on dealing with our anger:

"Sometimes, those who have been hurt most are also those who have learned to love most. They had every justification for anger, with agonising memories to spur on a cataclysmic outburst of wrath, but, with God’s help and a great deal of personal hard work, they managed to turn anger into peace, hatred into love."

Read all.

Benedict XVI Reflects on World Youth Day

In his reflection at today's midday Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about his recently completed trip to Sydney for World Youth Day.  He said that in the evening vigil there was a "choral invocation of the Holy Spirit," and he recalled the 24 youth he confirmed there.  "In this way," he said, "World Youth Day was transformed into a new Pentecost, from which the mission of the young people, called to be apostles to their contemporaries, was relaunched."  He thanked the bishops of Australia.

Full translations are available at Zenit and Papa Ratzinger Forum.  Articles about it are available from Asia News and Catholic News Agency.

The Pope's Words, Events and Videos for World Youth Day - Sydney 2008

Sorry this is late being finished.  As mentioned in an earlier post, I have been too busy for much blogging for a couple of weeks but did not want to overlook World Youth Day.  I was able to catch some of the TV coverage, but did not want to try to post anything about it until I had the time to look at the news articles and texts of addresses and homilies.  Anyway, here it is.  I hope to get back to regular blogging shortly.

The Vatican's web page on World Youth Day has the texts of the Holy Father's interview on the flight to Sydney, addresses and  homilies.  KTO French Catholic TV has a page with links to its videos of World Youth Day events, which are available for viewing online.  They are the full TV broadcasts, sometimes 2 or 3 hours in length, with French commentary.

Asia News has a page with links to its articles throughout the journey.  Catholic News Agency also has a page.  John L. Allen, Jr. has a summary of the Pope's words and actions with regard to several issues, including sex abuse, the environment, World Youth Day as an "Evangelical Pilgrimage," and a traditional liturgical example.  Cardinal Sean O'Malley had a post last week on World Youth Day titled "Blogging from Down Under: With the Holy Father in Sydney for WYD" and a continuation of it with photos this week, also with detail about his trip to Papua New Guinea after WYD.

Christopher Blosser has a round-up of World Youth Day at Against the Grain.

Before Arriving in Sydney

The Holy Father had a Message for World Youth Day last year dated July 20, 2007, which appears on the web page for this year's World Youth Day.  In that message, he reflected on the theme for this year's World Youth Day: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8)."  In 2006, the theme was "Spirit of Truth."  In 2007, the theme was "Spirit of Love."  In 2008, the theme is "the Spirit of Fortitude and Witness that gives us the courage to live according to the Gospel and to proclaim it boldly."  In his 2007 message, he reflected on some Bible passages about the Holy Spirit, about the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist, and about mission.  He asked, "May Mary, united in prayer with the Apostles in the Upper Room, accompany you throughout these months and obtain for all young Christians a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit to set their hearts on fire."

During an in-flight interview on July 12, 2008, on his way to Sydney, the Holy Father answered questions from the news media.  He answered questions about World Youth Day, the future of the Church in Australia, a possible apology in Australia for past clergy sexual abuse, climate change, and the Anglican Communion.  Vatican Radio's reports included an article about the interview.  Asia News had an article on the beginning of the journey.  Zenit provided its own translation.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Pope arrived in Sydney on July 13, welcomed by Cardinal Pell.  He spent his first few days resting at Kenthurst Study Centre near Sydney, where he had the use of a baby grand piano and the company of a tabby kitten. 

In his Message to this year's pilgrims, dated July 4, 2008, he spoke about the year's theme.  The message was broadcast to the pilgrims by video after the Holy Father's arrival in Sydney.  Asia News has an article about the Holy Father's arrival and the video broadcast.  The text included this:

"The Psalmist prays: “when you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth” (Ps 104:30). It is my firm belief that young people are called to be instruments of that renewal, communicating to their peers the joy they have experienced through knowing and following Christ, and sharing with others the love that the Spirit pours into their hearts, so that they too will be filled with hope and with thanksgiving for all the good things they have received from God our heavenly Father."

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

World Youth Day opened on July 15.  The text of Cardinal Pell's homily for the World Youth Day Opening Mass is provided by Zenit.  Australian Broadcasting Corporation ("ABC") has an article about the event.  Vatican Radio has audio reports about the opening of World Youth Day and about Cardinal Pell's homily: “Christ’s call is to all who are suffering, not just to Catholics or Christians, but especially to those without religion. Christ is calling you home; to love healing and community”.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Pope moved from his retreat at Kenthurst Study Centre to the Cathedral House in Sydney on Wednesday.  Vatican Radio has an audio report.  ABC has a short written article and a video news report.

World Youth Day was "in full swing" with prayer, catechesis and song, according to an audio report by Vatican Radio.  The first catechesis was given by Cardinal Hart, available from Zenit.  Archbishop Chaput gave an address at "Theology on Tap", at an Irish pub in Sydney, also available from Zenit.

Thursday, July 17, 2008 

At a welcoming ceremony at the Government House, he gave an address to government officials and others.  The text is also provided by Zenit.  ABC has an article about the welcome extended by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  Australia's National Website has the text of the welcome address given to the Pope.

The Holy Father then arrived by boat to greet the crowds of youth awaiting him.  A video of the Pope's arrival in Sydney is available on KTO French Catholic TV (146 minutes with French commentary).  The Vatican has the text of his address to youth at the welcome celebration.  Canberra Times reported about his arrival on the MV Sydney 2000, on a "dream winter's day."  After a traditional aboriginal welcome at Rose Bay pier, the Holy Father traveled by "boat-a-cade" to be greeted by 150,000 pilgrims in Darling Harbor.  Vatican Radio and Asia News have articles.  In his address, the Holy Father spoke of his journey to Australia:  "For people of your age, however, any flight is an exciting prospect. But for me, this one was somewhat daunting! Yet the views afforded of our planet from the air were truly wondrous."  Here is an excerpt from the spiritual message of his address:

"Our hearts and minds are yearning for a vision of life where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. This is the work of the Holy Spirit! This is the hope held out by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is to bear witness to this reality that you were created anew at Baptism and strengthened through the gifts of the Spirit at Confirmation. Let this be the message that you bring from Sydney to the world!"

Friday, July 18, 2008

The Holy Father gave an address to an ecumenical meeting in the Crypt of St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.  The Vatican, Zenit and Catholic News Agency have the full text of his address, and Vatican Radio has excerpts from it.  Father Zuhlsdorf offers explanatory comments, saying that there are a couple of phrases that people might misunderstand.  The West Australian and Asia News had news coverage of the morning's events, including a meeting with representatives of other faiths in the Cathedral's Chapter Hall, as well as the meeting in the Crypt with Anglican, Uniting Church (an Australian Protestant denomination), Lutheran, Maronite, Melkite and Assemblies of God churches, as well as representatives of Christian churches in Syria and India.  Vatican Radio has an audio news report about the day's events and also has an audio about Fr. Federico Lombardi's description of the meeting with people of other faiths.

In his address to the ecumenical gathering in the Crypt, a key paragraph that drew attention in blogs and news coverage was this one:

"Dear friends in Christ, I think you would agree that the ecumenical movement has reached a critical juncture.  To move forward, we must continually ask God to renew our minds with the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom 12:2), who speaks to us through the scriptures and guides us into all truth (cf. 2 Pet 1:20-21; Jn 16:13).  We must guard against any temptation to view doctrine as divisive and hence an impediment to the seemingly more pressing and immediate task of improving the world in which we live.  In fact, the history of the Church demonstrates that praxis is not only inseparable from, but actually flows out of didache or teaching. The more closely we strive for a deeper understanding of the divine mysteries, the more eloquently our works of charity will speak of God’s bountiful goodness and love towards all.  Saint Augustine expressed the nexus between the gift of understanding and the virtue of charity when he wrote that the mind returns to God by love (cf. De Moribus Ecclesiae Catholicae, XII, 21), and that wherever one sees charity, one sees the Trinity (De Trinitate, 8, 8, 12)."

The text of the entire address to members of other faiths is also available on the Vatican website and from Zenit and Catholic News Agency, with excerpts at Vatican Radio.  Here is an excerpt from that:

"A harmonious relationship between religion and public life is all the more important at a time when some people have come to consider religion as a cause of division rather than a force for unity. In a world threatened by sinister and indiscriminate forms of violence, the unified voice of religious people urges nations and communities to resolve conflicts through peaceful means and with full regard for human dignity. One of the many ways religion stands at the service of mankind is by offering a vision of the human person that highlights our innate aspiration to live generously, forging bonds of friendship with our neighbours."

Zenit also has the text of the welcome by Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence at the interfaith meeting.

The Holy Father then met with a group of disadvantaged youth.  The text of his address is provided by the Vatican, Zenit and Catholic News Agency, with excerpts at Vatican Radio.  Vatican Radio also has an audio report of the event.  He spoke of choosing life, considering material possessions, the "cult of possessive love" and the "cult of power." Speaking of material things, he said:

"Material possessions, in themselves, are good. We would not survive for long without money, clothing and shelter. We must eat in order to stay alive. Yet if we are greedy, if we refuse to share what we have with the hungry and the poor, then we make our possessions into a false god."

"By contrast," he said, "worship of the one true God means recognizing in him the source of all goodness, entrusting ourselves to him, opening ourselves to the healing power of his grace and obeying his commandments: that is the way to choose life.

The day's events included a re-enactment of the Way of the Cross.  KTO has the video (168 minutes with French commentary).  Vatican Radio has an audio report on the youth as they took over the streets of Sydney for the event and an audio interview with the people who played Jesus and Mary in the production.  The report mentions the efforts made to make sure the texts were not offensive to Jews or others. The Sydney Morning Herald and Adelaide Now reported the three-hour event.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Beginning Saturday morning, the youth in Sydney made their "pilgrim walk" to Randiwick Racecourse, where they would have an evening vigil and spend the night, and where Sunday's closing Mass would be held.  Vatican Radio has an article about their procession through the streets of Sydney to the racetrack, and an audio report with the tales of two pilgrims.

Meanwhile, in Sydney, 3400 people attended a Eucharistic Celebration by the Holy Father with Australian bishops, seminarians and novices, for the dedication of a new altar at St. Mary's Cathedral.  The Holy Father surprised some when he paused during the homily to add an apology for clergy sex abuse which did not appear in the advance text previously provided to journalists.  The full text, including the apology, is now available at the Vatican website, Zenit and Catholic News Agency.  News reports include an article in the Sydney Morning Herald.  An audio report from Vatican Radio includes the audio of the Pope's words of apology.  Here is part of that text from the homily:

"Here I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and religious in this country. Indeed, I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured, and I assure them that, as their Pastor, I too share in their suffering. These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. They have caused great pain and have damaged the Church’s witness. I ask all of you to support and assist your Bishops, and to work together with them in combating this evil. Victims should receive compassion and care, and those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice. It is an urgent priority to promote a safer and more wholesome environment, especially for young people."

In the evening, the Holy Father spoke at a vigil for the youth.  KTO French Catholic TV has a 3-hour video of the prayer vigil for viewing online, with French commentary.  Asia News has an article about the vigil, including the presentation of 24 youth who would be confirmed the next day.  Catholic News Agency also reported on the youth spending the night outside, with comments from some of the participants.  Vatican Radio has a written report with a link to audio at the end, and another audio report about the Pope's address.  The youth spent the entire night in the stadium at Randiwick Racecourse, in preparation for the Mass to be held there Sunday morning.  The Pope's address at the vigil can be found at the Vatican, Zenit and Catholic News Agency, with excerpts at Vatican Radio.

Other events reported this date included an exhibition by Caritas International and a vocations exhibition, both reported by Vatican Radio.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Asia News reported the Concluding Mass at the racetrack.  A full 3-hour video of the Concluding Mass is still available for viewing at KTO (French Catholic TV) with French commentary.  Whispers in the Loggia has a report with photos.  Vatican Radio has an audio report.  Cardinal Pell gave an address at that Mass thanking the Pope for continuing the World Youth Days begun by his predecessor:

"We are profoundly grateful for this decision, indicating that the World Youth Days do not belong to one pope, or even one generation, but are now an ordinary part of the life of the Church. The John Paul II generation -- young and old alike -- is proud to be faithful sons and daughters of Pope Benedict."

The Holy Father's homily is available from the Vatican, Zenit and Catholic News Agency.  Returning to the theme of the Holy Spirit's power, he said that the power of the Holy Spirit is the power of God's Life that never ceases to fill the Church with life. It is received "as pure gift."  Asking the young people what they would leave to the next generation, he said the Church "needs your faith, your idealism and your generosity, so that she can always be young in the Spirit."  He spoke of the importance of prayer in the context of that gift of the power of the Holy Spirit:

"That is why prayer is so important: daily prayer, private prayer in the quiet of our hearts and before the Blessed Sacrament, and liturgical prayer in the heart of the Church. Prayer is pure receptivity to God’s grace, love in action, communion with the Spirit who dwells within us, leading us, through Jesus, in the Church, to our heavenly Father. In the power of his Spirit, Jesus is always present in our hearts, quietly waiting for us to be still with him, to hear his voice, to abide in his love, and to receive “power from on high”, enabling us to be salt and light for our world."

At the recitation of the Angelus, the Pope announced that the next World Youth Day will be in Madrid in 2011.  Speaking of the Annunciation and the meaning of the Angelus prayer, he said:

"Dear young people, we too must remain faithful to the “yes” that we have given to the Lord’s offer of friendship. We know that he will never abandon us. We know that he will always sustain us through the gifts of the Spirit. Mary accepted the Lord’s “proposal” in our name. So let us turn to her and ask her to guide us as we struggle to remain faithful to the life-giving relationship that God has established with each one of us. She is our example and our inspiration, she intercedes for us with her Son, and with a mother’s love she shields us from harm."

The full text of his words at the Angelus can be found from the Vatican, Zenit and Catholic News Agency.

As this year's World Youth Day drew to a close, the Pope met with benefactors and organizers.  His address to them is available from the Vatican, Zenit and Catholic News Agency.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Early Monday morning, the Pope met with four abuse victims privately, listening to their stories, following a private Mass with them.  News.com.au carried the story.

He also met with volunteers before his departure.  His address to the volunteers is available from the Vatican and Zenit. Catholic News Agency has an article about it. 

The Pope's farewell address from the airport is also available from the Vatican and Zenit.  Articles about his departure include those from Catholic News Agency and the Daily Telegraph (with links to photos from World Youth Day), and an audio report from Vatican Radio.

During his journey home, the Pope thanked journalists for their coverage of the event.  An audio of his words is included in a report by Vatican Radio, released on July 22.

Kitten Update

My new kitten, "Mitten," will be 5 months old later this week.  Here are a couple of the latest photos.  I don't have any good pictures taken with a good camera yet.  These are just from my camera phone, so are not the best quality, but will do for now.  She is enormous fun all the time.  I have thought about doing a post, or linking to the websites I have found most helpful, in learning about taking care of her.  I haven't had a kitten for 12 years, since my cats were nearly 13 years old.  She has taken up a good bit of my time, being one of the reasons for fewer posts recently.  (I am working on a round-up of World Youth Day, which I will post when it is finished.) 

My initial concerns were finding a healthy kitten who would get along well with my adult cat, and hoping to time it right.  After the initial tasks of choosing a kitten and introducing her to my remaining 13 year old cat, and having a vet check her out, she developed a problem with an intestinal parasite that kept me busy for a week or so cleaning, disinfecting, changing litter, checking with the vet about medication.  I cleaned my carpets and disinfected all non-carpeted floors, among other things that left little time for blogging.

Now that the earliest worries are over, she is cutting her adult teeth.  So the new worry is electrical wires, which seem to be exactly the right size and consistency for a kitten to bite while teething.  There are products to help make wiring safer, and toys (such as plastic straws, a sponge, and various chew toys) that she can bite on.  She is enormous fun, but I do worry!

Isn't her tail pretty?

Father Kieran Kavanaugh on the Brown Scapular

In honor of today's Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Zenit has posted a previously unpublished article by Father Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, titled Brown Scapular: A "Silent Devotion".  In it, he speaks to the current state of historical research and the significance of the brown scapular and the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

Fr. Kavanaugh is a member of the Institute of Carmelite Studies well known for his translations of the works of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.  ICS Publications recently published A Better Wine, a collection of essays celebrating his 50 years in the priesthood.  As reported in the ICS Fall 2007 news online, he now has to his credit modern English translations of all of the works of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, a life's work.

New Category Page on Mary

A month or so ago, I created a new category page on Mary.  Tonight, I added more posts to it from other categories so that it will be a more complete collection of various past posts about Our Lady.

Tomorrow, July 16, will be the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (or the Scapular).  Completing the blog category on the Blessed Virgin is my contribution this year, instead of a post devoted to the occasion.  There are several past posts in that category related to the scapular and to the words of the Carmelite saints about Our Lady.

Beatification of St. Thérèse's Parents Scheduled for Mission Sunday

The time and place has now been announced for the beatification of the Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.  The announcement was made yesterday by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins in Alençon, France, where there was a special celebration of the 150th anniversary of the marriage of the Martin parents.  Cardinal Martins is the Vatican's Prefect for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.  The beatification of Louis and Zélie Martin will be held on Mission Sunday, October 19, in Lisieux.

Zenit has articles about the announcement in French and English.  Maureen O'Riordan, who brought the date and location to my attention in her comment to my earlier post, also has an announcement on her website about St. Thérèse and her parents.  Maureen's site has more information about the lives of the Martin parents and about St. Thérèse, and it is sure to be a good source of information about the upcoming beatification.  In French, the website of the Diocese of Bayeux and Lisieux has more information about the Martin family and the cause for their beatification.

Mission Sunday is important to the life of St. Thérèse because of her desire to be a missionary and her role in supporting missionaries through prayer.  She is a universal co-patron saint of missions.  St. Thérèse was declared a Doctor of the Church on October 19, 1997 by Pope John Paul II.  His homily from that occasion explains why he chose Mission Sunday to proclaim her a Doctor of the Church:

"Thérèse Martin, a discalced Carmelite of Lisieux, ardently desired to be a missionary. She was one, to the point that she could be proclaimed patroness of the missions. Jesus himself showed her how she could live this vocation: by fully practising the commandment of love, she would be immersed in the very heart of the Church's mission, supporting those who proclaim the Gospel with the mysterious power of prayer and communion. Thus she achieved what the Second Vatican Council emphasized in teaching that the Church is missionary by nature (cf. Ad gentes, n. 2). Not only those who choose the missionary life but all the baptized are in some way sent ad gentes.

"This is why I chose this missionary Sunday to proclaim St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face a doctor of the universal Church: a woman, a young person, a contemplative."

Benedict XVI Arrives in Australia

The Holy Father has arrived in Australia for World Youth Day.  His Alitalia plane arrived at 3:00 p.m. Saturday (Sydney Time) after a flight of nearly 20 hours.  For the first few days, while adjusting to the time zone difference and resting from his flight, the Pope will stay at Kenthurst Study Center, an Opus Dei retreat about 60 minutes by car from Sydney.  The center's website says that it is "like a large country home", although each room is small and sparsely furnished.  Bush walking trails on the center's property offer a view of Australia's Blue Mountains.

Asia News has the text of a video address by the Holy Father to those taking part in this World Youth Day.  The video was recorded a few days ago at the Vatican.  I have not yet found the video for a link or embedding.  In the video, he spoke about the theme for this year's World Youth Day, and the role of young people as instruments of renewal:

"'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witnesses' (Act 1:8). This is the theme of the Twenty-Third World Youth Day. How much our world needs a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit!"

He mentioned the words of St. Augustine, "If you wish to remain young, seek Christ," and "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee."  He said:

"My prayer is that the hearts of the young people who gather in Sydney for the celebration of World Youth Day will truly find rest in the Lord, and that they will be filled with joy and fervour for spreading the Good News among their friends, their families, and all whom they meet."

Coverage of Key Events of World Youth Day 2008

There are several choices to follow World Youth Day on TV or radio online from Tuesday, July 15 to Sunday, July 20.  See the broadcasters' linked pages about the events and broadcasts.

The Vatican has a web page on World Youth Day where the Holy Father's addresses and his interview during the flight are already posted.  Other addresses and homilies from the journey will also be posted there.  Zenit is also posting those texts and articles covering World Youth Day pilgrimages and events.

EWTN - Live Online with Rebroadcasts to Follow, Commentary in English or Spanish.

KTO - Live Online with French Commentary.  Related videos follow on the KTO website and Dailymotion.

Catholic TV - Broadcasts and Rebroadcasts with English Commentary.  Catholic TV also has some teen reporters attending World Youth Day.  A few of them are blogging their pilgrimage at Dragaroos.

Vatican Radio - Live Online Audio Broadcasts with Commentary in Various Languages on Different Channels.

Vatican Radio's short news broadcasts page on youth already includes several audio broadcasts for online listening related to World Youth Day.  There are news pages on pastoral visits and youth with information related to World Youth Day.

Schedule of Major Events (Live):

Check the times carefully for time zone.  The live broadcast that is Thursday afternoon in Sydney is Wednesday night in California.  Similarly, some other events listed on the day of occurrence by Sydney time will actually be broadcast the previous day Pacific time due to the difference in the time zone.

Tuesday, July 15 Opening Mass with Cardinal Pell and Arrival of the World Youth Day Cross: 4:30 p.m. in Sydney.  The EWTN live broadcast begins at 2:00 a.m. Eastern Time (11:00 p.m. Monday Pacific Time).  There will be several rebroadcasts on Tuesday and Wednesday on EWTN and Catholic TV.

Official Website: Download the liturgy for the Opening Mass from the official website.  That page also has links to maps and information about the venues for World Youth Day events.

Thursday, July 17
Pope Benedict XVI arrives via boat-a-cade 2:45 p.m. in Sydney Harbor, with arrival at Barangaroo from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Sydney.  The EWTN live broadcast begins at 12:30 a.m. Eastern (9:30 p.m. Wednesday Pacific Time).  Several rebroadcasts will follow.

Official Website: Download a map of the boat-a-cade and a map of the motorcade for the Holy Father's arrival in Sydney.

Friday, July 18
Stations of the Cross from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sydney.  The EWTN live broadcast begins at 12:30 a.m. Eastern, 9:30 p.m. Thursday Pacific Time for a 4-hour broadcast.

Official Website: Download the liturgy for the Way of the Cross.

Saturday, July 19

Holy Mass and Dedication of the Altar at St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.  The EWTN live broadcast begins Friday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Friday at 4:00 p.m. Pacific.

Vigil with Pope Benedict XVI at Southern Cross Precinct from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Sydney, with a sleep-out to follow for the youth.  The EWTN live broadcast begins at 4:30 a.m. Eastern, 1:30 a.m. Pacific, with re-broadcasts to follow.

Official Website: Download the score for the motet Our Lady of the Southern Cross by Rev. Geoffrey Abdallah.

Sunday, July 20
Final Mass at 10:00 a.m. in Sydney.  The EWTN live broadcast (4 hours) begins Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Pacific.  Several re-broadcasts will follow on Sunday and Monday.

Official Website: Download the liturgy for the Closing Mass.

The Time Now Is:

An Interview with Father Jacques Philippe

Zenit today published an interview with Father Jacques Philippe titled Interior Prayer: Founded on Loving Much.  Part of what he says is drawn from St. Teresa of Avila's statement that prayer "is not an act of thinking much, but of loving much."  He also discusses the differences between Catholic mental prayer, on the one hand, and yoga and Buddhist practices, on the other.

Father Jacques Philippe, who has written several books on prayer, is from the Community of the Beatitudes.  The Zenit article mentions one of his books, Time for God.  That book and a three other books by the same author have been added to the bookstore linked in the sidebar.

Traditional Anglo-Catholics in the Church of England Seeking a Way Forward -- or Ways?

The news stories and statements by traditional Anglo-Catholics since the Church of England voted to allow women bishops have begun to show differences in their reactions and probable future plans. 

The Forward in Faith initial reaction, signed by Simon Killwick (Chairman, Catholic Group in General Synod), Geoffrey Kirk (Secretary, Forward in Faith) and Stephen Parkinson (Director, Forward in Faith) spoke of a period of "prayerful contemplation" and said that "actions have consequences."

Yesterday, a further reaction appeared on the Forward in Faith website with no name at the bottom, saying "We will in the coming days continue to explore all possible avenues which might secure our corporate ecclesial future and look to our bishops to facilitate this."  The further reaction sounded, to me, as if some of the Anglo-Catholics would remain Anglican, while the earlier reaction sounded, to me, more like Cardinal Kasper's statement.

The latest statements and news stories make references to the Catholic Church, but not all seem directed toward the same way forward.  While sad, it reflects that those who will probably seek to enter the Catholic Church will do so because they are truly ready to become Catholic and not because it is what everyone else is doing.

On the one hand, Forward in Faith's Bishop John Broadhurst today issued a statement of his own that expresses a wish that "whatever we do needs its timing to be agreed by us all so that we can act together."  His statement mentioned conversations "between some of our Bishops and the Holy See" (indicating that he was not among those bishops who have recently met with the Vatican) and asked whether those conversations would lead to a way forward.  Yet he also expressed concerns remaining since earlier conversations with Rome in 1992 over the lack of an offer of "ecclesial reconciliation."  Today, he released a proposed pastoral letter for parishes in his diocese of Fulham this Sunday, saying that he "will be calling a Lay Assembly in the Autumn so that together we can look at this matter as well as the implications of the Lambeth Conference."

The concept of a meeting in the Autumn sounds to me too much like the series of meetings among Anglicans in the U.S. and globally over the past 5 years, with an increasingly clear Protestantism among most conservatives remaining in the Episcopal Church.  I am wary of a promise of future meetings that hold out hope, but without a real resolution that is lasting.

On the other hand, also today, Catholic World News reported that Anglican Bishop Andrew Burnham of Ebbsfleet, another long-time Forward in Faith "flying bishop," has already expressed a desire to enter the Catholic Church, and that Anglican Bishop Keith Newton of Richborough, a relatively young and impressive Forward in Faith "flying bishop", may do the same.  In an article published in the Catholic Herald, Bishop Burnham said, "Codes of practice are shifting sands. The sacramental life of the Church must be built on rock."  His hope for Rome is this:

"What we must humbly ask for now is for magnanimous gestures from our Catholic friends, especially from the Holy Father, who well understands our longing for unity, and from the hierarchy of England and Wales. Most of all we ask for ways that allow us to bring our folk with us."

Similarly, Bishop Edwin Barnes also issued a statement in The Church Union saying that it is no longer "possible for members of the Church of England to claim to be part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. . . Now catholic Anglicans are looking to the future without any real chance of remaining members of the Church of England."   

In the U.S., the hope for Anglo-Catholics to move in unity after the Gene Robinson vote was not a realistic hope in the end.  Different people had a different way forward in mind.  Over time, some became Catholic, some became Greek Orthodox, some became Protestant, and some moved toward a more Protestant/Evangelical form of conservative Anglicanism.

In the end, I was left to sort things through on my own, eventually entering the Catholic Church with a group of people I had met for the first time at my new parish.  Among them were 2 or 3 other former Episcopalians, none of them from my former Episcopal Church parish.  Around the same time, I heard from a few others I had known as an Episcopalian that they had become Eastern Orthodox.  I knew when I left that some were leaning more toward Protestant churches or toward a more Evangelical form of Anglicanism.

In the process, I realized that the need to sort things through for myself, in itself, differed from the pattern of the Early Church described in Acts 15.  The process itself entailed "a matter of one's own interpretation" of Scripture (II Peter 1:20) that an individual, in the Early Church, was not supposed to have to do.  The process itself made clearer the value of the Church's magisterium and the papacy, and the Church's greater similarity in that respect to the way the Early Church resolved conflict.  Once that became apparent, the other issues faded in importance.

Father Dwight Longenecker has a good checklist for Anglican Tiber swimming (or walking on water, if you prefer) and a clever T-shirt suggestion.

It still saddens me to watch the fracturing and the loss of a sense of home among those who were shocked at the clarity of this week's voting at synod.  In my own experience of moving toward Rome, while some other people chose a different route a few years ago, it sometimes reminded me of the final scenes of Fiddler on the Roof, thoughts that come back to me now:

Tevye: Where are you going?
Lazar Wolf: Chicago. In America.
Tevye: Chicago, America? We are going to New York, America. We'll be neighbors.

I hope, for the sake of all, that those in the Church of England whose faith is basically Catholic will find that in listening to the Holy Spirit, they can come, together, into full unity with the Catholic Church without more delay than is really needed to work through the issues of faith that are essential to Catholic initiation.  If a personal prelature or some other option is quickly offered to help Anglicans entering the Catholic Church, then that is for the better.   But I really hope that those whose faith now leads them to Rome will act on that, and not delay for more meetings than are really necessary.

Reactions to Church of England Women Bishops Decision

Around 10:00 p.m. tonight in England, the Church of England synod finished its voting over whether to have women bishops and what, if anything, to do to accommodate the Anglo-Catholic traditionalists who do not accept female clergy.  Ruth Gledhill at Timesonline blogged through it in the kind of blow-by-blow blog coverage of church voting that has come to seem normal to Anglicans, as people in various parts of the world anxiously await the outcome of a meeting.  It was seen in the blogs when Gene Robinson's election as a bishop was approved at the Episcopal Church General Convention.  It was seen in other meetings as people anxiously awaited information on their future.  Today, it was provided by a columnist from the Times.

Reporting about the debates after dinner, she wrote of the anger and pain among traditionalists, many of whom have been traditional Anglo-Catholics in the Church of England for a lifetime, spending more than a decade fighting this battle:

"The former Archdeacon of York, Ven George Austin, who was watching the debate, has just left, almost in tears. He will stay in the CofE, as long as he has somewhere to worship. 'If I had been a serving priest, I couldn't have stayed.' I hear rumours of a protest walk-out planned by 100-or so trads at the end of the sessions this evening. And of course there will be more meetings in Rome, more plotting. Father David Houlding said: 'It is getting worse. It is going downhill very badly. It is quite clear there is a pincer movement and we are being squeezed out.'"

The Telegraph reported tears.  The BBC reported a comment by Anglican Bishop John Broadhurst, "I think a lot of us have made it quite clear if there isn't proper provision for us to live in dignity, inevitably we're driven out."

Damian Thompson, blogging for the Telegraph, captioned his post "The Church of England Is Protestant Again."  Catholic blogger, former Anglican Fr. Dwight Longenecker wrote, "My only disagreement with Damian is his headline . . . I disagree with the word 'again.'"

The Church of England voted to provide an as-yet undefined "code of practice" which would provide some protection to those traditionalists who choose to remain.  However, that choice does not meet the standards that the traditionalists had said they would accept. 

At one point during the voting, Anglican Archbishop Sentamu told the media to make sure they report this properly: That they had passed a motion about asking for legislation, they had not kicked out the traditionalists.   The Church Society's article afterward said, "After the decision the Archbishop of York tried to say that the vote did not amount to a decision to kick traditionalists out of the Church of England. However, the fact that he said it indicates that is exactly how many will receive the decision."

The initial reaction from the Catholic Group in General Synod and from traditional Anglo-Catholic organization Forward in Faith, whose clergy and laity are most affected by the decision, issued a short initial reaction saying that "the General Synod today resolved to make no meaningful provision for those in conscience unable to receive the ministry of women bishops."  Their statement mentioned a "period of prayerful reflection", adding that "actions always have consequences."

Updated July 8: The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has released the following statement today:

We have regretfully learned the news of the Church of England vote that paves the way for the introduction of legislation which will lead to the ordaining of women to the episcopacy.

The Catholic position on the issue has been clearly expressed by Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. Such a decision signifies a break with the apostolic tradition maintained by all of the Churches since the first millennium and is, therefore, a further obstacle to reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

This decision will have consequences on the future of dialogue, which had up until now borne fruit, as Cardinal Kasper clearly explained when on 5 June 2006 he spoke to all of the bishops of the Church of England at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Cardinal has been invited once again to express the Catholic position at the next Lambeth Conference at the end of July.

Cardinal Kasper spoke candidly in June 2006.  This blog had a post about that address with a couple of paragraphs quoted.  That post linked to the full text as it then appeared on the Archbishop of Canterbury's website (that website has been redone since June 2005, and I just updated the link today to the current link). 

I have not found that address on the Vatican's page for the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.  Perhaps in the wake of yesterday's vote, the Vatican may post Cardinal Kasper's address from June 2006, which is now as pertinent enough that it was referenced in today's statement.

His address later this month appears likely to be equally frank, judging by that statement.  The similarity to the Forward in Faith statement (the word "consequences") suggests that the Anglo-Catholic bishops may indeed have spoken with Cardinal Kasper about the Church's anticipated response before they released their own statement mentioning "consequences." 

The Catholic Group and Forward in Faith reference to "consequences" might thus be understood as a reference to the ecumenical consequences anticipated within the Catholic Church, and perhaps not an Anglican response by the traditionalists themselves. We shall see.

The sisters of "praythenews.com" leave the internet

The Indianapolis Carmelite sisters who have written the website "praythenews.com" since March 17, 2001, with many readers throughout the world, have decided to end their website and move to a new location.  After 75 years in their monastery in Indianapolis, they are moving to a rural campus of Franciscan sisters, where they will continue their Carmelite vocation.  An e-mail announcing plans for the move was sent to their e-newsletter list on June 16.  Here is their message sent by e-mail today announcing the move as a finality:

Dear Friends,

After 75 years of contemplative life within our Indianapolis monastery, we have made the difficult decision to move. Due to our advancing age and decreasing number (and our wish to live in quarters requiring less maintenance), we have relocated to Oldenburg, Indiana, where we will continue our contemplative lives on the rural campus of the Franciscan Sisters.

As we have said, during this transformative process we are discontinuing our website, PrayTheNews.com; its spirit, however, will live on as we redirect our energy into a new path of prayer and contemplative mindfulness that was the heart of its message. As we go deeper into the solitude and quiet of our new home, our intercession for all those we love and the world community will only expand.

Thank you from each Sister for all the ways you have supported us in this transition: through your notes, phone calls, encouraging words, prayers and the sharing at our liturgy. You have blessed us.

Peace and love in the Lord,
Sr. Jean Alice McGoff, OCD
Prioress

A special Mass will be held in their honor on July 16, the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  The Archdiocese of Indianapolis will celebrate their ministry that day at 6:00 p.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.  The public is invited.

Benedict XVI Looks to World Youth Day

In his reflection today at the midday Angelus, Pope Benedict spoke of World Youth Day, which begins July 15 in Sydney.  The Holy Father will travel to Australia on July 12, less than one week from now, and will spend some time adjusting to the time zone before participating in the welcome ceremony.  After the Angelus prayer, he mentioned the G8 summit that will begin tomorrow, encouraging world leaders to remember the weakest and poorest populations.

Asia News and Catholic News Agency have articles.  The Vatican Press Office has the original Italian text with greetings in several languages.

Full translations are available at Zenit and Papa Ratzinger Forum.

He spoke of World Youth Day as a "renewed Pentecost," mentioned the year of preparation already undertaken, and asked for prayer invoking the Holy Spirit, "so that he may flood hearts with interior light, with love for God and for neighbour, with courageous initiative in introducing the eternal message of Jesus in the various languages and cultures."

My New Kitten

Here is a photo of my 4 month old Maine Coon kitten, who I have had for about a week.  I posted here that one of my two cats died several weeks ago.  I had planned to wait 2 or 3 months before getting another cat or kitten, but my remaining cat was very lonely and confused being alone.  After consultation with several breeders and my veterinarian, I decided to go ahead and try to introduce a new kitten.  A local breeder was willing to cooperate, knowing that it might turn out to be too soon for my older cat and might not work out.  The two cats are not yet really friends, but I think things are going well for the amount of time they have been together.  My adult cat, who was a rescue kitten when I got her, turned 13 years old this week.  The new Maine Coon kitten was chosen partly because I love the breed and partly because I thought the breed's temperament would make the adjustment easier for a senior cat who has always lived with her litter-mate brother.

Anglo-Catholic Bishops Meeting with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

The Telegraph reported today that a group of Church of England bishops have met secretly with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) as the Church of England may vote on Monday to allow women bishops.  The Telegraph's blogger Damian Thompson has commentary, as does former Anglican now Catholic Fr. Dwight Longenecker. 

In addition to the synod now in progress, the upcoming Lambeth Conference poses an issue for some of them.  The Lambeth Conference is held once every 10 years to deal with issues facing Anglicans globally.  Ten years ago, the Lambeth Conference voted in favor of a position on homosexuality that has been violated in the U.S. and Canada and, to a lesser extent, in the U.K.  The U.S. acceptance of Gene Robinson as a bishop, and related issues, will undoubtedly receive attention at this year's Lambeth Conference, possibly leading to a change in that position.

The Telegraph quotes Kieran Conry, the Anglican Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, as saying, "A number of Church of England bishops are looking at the options open to them should things go wrong at the Lambeth Conference. Some are hoping for accommodation with the Catholic Church, but yet maintaining their Anglican identity."

The possibility for an "Anglican Uniate" allowing such an Anglican identity within the Catholic Church has been discussed among Anglo-Catholics for several years. 

In addition to the possibilities that Church of England clergy are now discussing with the CDF, the Catholic Church has had a Pastoral Provision under the jurisdiction of the CDF for U.S. clergy from the Episcopal Church who wish to become Catholic priests, and for the laity in their congregations who wish to become Catholic with them.  The U.S. also has several "Anglican Use" parishes that are Catholic parishes, formerly Episcopalian, and that use an order of Mass based on the Anglican liturgy.  The Anglican Use Society was established in late 2003 in support of Anglican Use parishes.  Anglicans now meeting with the CDF may want something similar in the U.K., or perhaps something more.

However, Fr. Longenecker's post opines that Anglican clergy may more likely be absorbed into existing Catholic structures, as has been more common in the past. 

A few years ago, Aidan Nichols, O.P., wrote a paper "A Personal View of Anglican Uniatism" about the possibility of the Catholic Church setting up a somewhat independent body for Anglicans returning to the Catholic Church which would allow them to keep some of their Anglican identity and heirarchy while becoming fully a part of the Catholic Church in full communion with the Pope and accepting papal authority.  A Titusonenine post from 2005 offers the 40-page paper for downloaded in pdf.  As that post is on an inactive blog site, and I don't know how long it will remain online, but it is still there as of now.

There is more in this blog's category The Church and Anglicanism.

Having been a lay member of Forward in Faith until I became Catholic a few years ago, my thoughts and prayers are with them.  Many of the clergy who oppose the move toward women bishops, and who would consider becoming Catholic if the Church of England makes that decision on Monday, are members of that organization.

Program for the Pope's Journey to Paris and Lourdes

The Vatican Press Service has posted a schedule for the Pope's journey to Paris and Lourdes from September 13 to 15.  Here is an unofficial English translation.  At the bottom of the post, there is a link to an earlier post with more information about some of the planned events and links to websites about Lourdes and the places the Pope plans to visit in Paris.  Also at the bottom of this post are links to this year's papal message for the World Day of the Sick and two Angelus reflections in which Benedict XVI has spoken about Lourdes and the 150th anniversary of the apparitions.

Italy

Friday, September 12, 2008

9:00 a.m. Departure from Fiumicino Airport, Rome

France

11:10 a.m. Arrival at Orly Airport, Paris

11:15 a.m. Official Welcome at the Airport

12:25 p.m. Welcome Ceremony at Elysée Palace

12:30 p.m. COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC at Elysée

1:00 p.m. MEETING WITH STATE OFFICIALS at Elysée; address by the Holy Father

5:00 p.m. Brief meeting with members of the Jewish community at the apostolic nunciature

5:30 p.m. MEETING WITH THE CULTURAL WORLD at the College of the Bernardines; address by the Holy Father

7:15 p.m. CELEBRATION OF VESPERS WITH PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS, SEMINARIANS, AND DEACONS at Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris; address by the Holy Father

10:30 p.m. GREETING TO YOUTH on the square in front of Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris

Saturday, September 13

9:10 a.m. Brief visit to the Institute of France

10:00 a.m. HOLY MASS at the Esplanade des Invalides; homily by the Holy Father

12:30 p.m. Lunch with the bishops of the Ile de France and the papal entourage at the apostolic nunciature

3:50 p.m. Departure from the apostolic nunciature

4:30 p.m. Departure from Orly Airport, Paris to Tarbes-Lourdes Airport

Lourdes

5:45 p.m. Arrival at Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrenees Airport

6:00 p.m. Departure by helicopter from Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrenees Airport to Antoine Béguère Stadium in Lourdes

6:20 p.m. Arrival at Antoine Béguère Stadium

6:30 p.m. Jubilee Way: Visit to the Church of the Sacred Heart and Visit to Cachot (home of the Soubirous family)

7:15 p.m. VISIT TO THE GROTTO OF THE APPARITIONS

9:30 p.m. CLOSE OF THE TORCHLIGHT MARIAN PROCESSION on the Esplanade of the Shrine of Lourdes

Sunday, September 14

10:00 a.m. HOLY MASS FOR THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPARITIONS in the meadow of Lourdes; homily by the Holy Father

RECITATION OF THE ANGELUS in the Meadow of Lourdes; words of the Holy Father

12:45 Lunch with the bishops of the mid-Pyrenees region and with cardinals and bishops in the papal entourage at the Hermitage St. Joseph

5:15 MEETING WITH FRENCH BISHOPS at the Hemicycle Sainte-Bernadette; address by the Holy Father

6:30 p.m. CLOSE OF THE TORCHLIGHT MARIAN PROCESSION in the Meadow of Lourdes; address by the Holy Father

Monday, September 15

Departure from the residence to the Hermitage St. Joseph

8:45 a.m. Visit to the hospital oratory

9:30 a.m. HOLY MASS WITH THE SICK in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lourdes; homily by the Holy Father

12:10 p.m. Departure by helicopter from Antoine Béguère Stadium to Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrenees Airport

12:30 p.m. Arrival at Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrenees Airport

DEPARTURE CEREMONY at Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrenees Airport; address by the Holy Father

1:00 p.m. Departure from  Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrenees Airport for Ciampino Airport, Rome

3:15 p.m. Arrival at Ciampino Airport, Rome

LINKS:

Plans for the Papal Journey to Paris and Lourdes - More details about some of the planned events and information about the Jubilee Way at Lourdes; links to websites related to places to be visited.

Papal Message for the World Day of the Sick 2008 - The World Day of the Sick is celebrated on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.  In this year's message, Benedict XVI spoke about Lourdes, remembering the 150th anniversary of the apparitions.

Angelus Reflection of February 3, 2008 - The Holy Father spoke about the Plenary Indulgence related to the 150th anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes.

Angelus Reflection of February 10, 2008 - The Holy Father spoke about the 150th anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes during his words at the Sunday midday Angelus on the first Sunday of Lent.

Benedit XVI Has Approved the Beatification of St. Thérèse's Parents

La-Croix (through AFP) has reported that Pope Benedict XVI today signed the decree of the "miracle of the child" allowing the beatification of the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.  The announcement was made in a statement released today by the Diocese of Séez.  The diocesan announcement says that the announcement appeared at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon in L'Osservatore Romano.

St. Thérèse's parents' bodies were exhumed in Lisieux on May 28 in preparation for placing them in the basilica in September.  They were previously declared to be venerable in 1994.

According to the diocese, which apparently is drawing from the Vatican's article in L'Osservatore Romano, the time and place of the beatification will be announced on July 13.  That is the 150th anniversary of the marriage of St. Thérèse's parents, Louis and Zélie Martin.

St. Paul: A Man of Three Cultures

In today's General Audience, Pope Benedict began a new series of catechesis about the Apostle Paul.  This was the first Wednesday audience since the beginning of the Pauline Year, and the last before the summer break, as the Holy Father is moving to his summer residence Castel Gandolfo today and will depart next week on his journey to Australia for World Youth Day.

He mentioned that St. Paul was a Jew, when Jews made up only about 3% of ancient Rome, setting them apart from the rest of the population.  He was also immersed in Helenistic culture and influenced by the prevailing Stoic philosophy.  He was also a citizen of Rome as indicated by his Latin name.  While the “universalistic vision that was typical of the Christian Paul owes its basic impulse to Jesus”, he said, the values of humanity and wisdom seen in the Stoic philosopher Seneca were "naturally received in Christianity."

Asia News has an article.  Full translations are available at Zenit and Papa Ratzinger Forum. The Vatican Press Office provides original Italian text and short summaries in several languages, and Vatican Information Service has a press release with a longer summary.

Today's Statements from LeFebvrists and Anglicans

Two statements today reflect possible movement, or reluctance toward movement, by non-Roman Catholic groups in dialogue with the Catholic Church.

One of those statements was today's LeFebvrist rejection of a Vatican  for a response by the end of June meeting certain requirements.  La-Croix has an article about the rejection in French.  Father Zuhlsdorf has the text of the rejection from the website of the Society of St. Pius X ("SSPX"), together with brief commentary.  Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos had requested a response from SSPX "proportionate to the pope's generosity" and meeting certain other conditions.  The SSPX response appears to have asked for dialogue on a doctrinal level, while responding only in part to the conditions on which Cardinal Hoyos asked for a response.  For the SSPX, as La-Croix suggests, it is always about the Vatican II doctrine of the Church.

The other statement was in the form of an open letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury from more than 1300 Anglican bishops, priests and deacons who object to the proposal that the Church of England approve women bishops, a proposal that may be approved by a Church of England synod to be held from July 4 to 8.  The [London] Times Online this morning had the headline "Church of England Clergy Plan Mass Exit over Women Bishops."  This follows an article from July 10, 2005, concerning Anglo-Catholics who were considering leaving the Church of England for the Catholic Church if the Church of England made this move.  The 2005 article was written shortly before an earlier synod which was a step in the process toward women bishops.  The synod to begin this Friday may be the final step in that process.

Today's open letter (available for download on the Anglo-Catholic Forward in Faith website, is more diverse and more measured in its statement concerning the intentions of the clergy who signed it, who make up about 10% of English Anglican clergy.  Today's open letter does not "threaten" conversion to the Catholic Church.  Rather, it states that if women bishops are allowed, then unless the Church of England allows them to have a structure in which male clergy under male bishops will serve those who object to women bishops, "many of us will be thinking very hard about the way ahead."  Without making threats, they said, "We will inevitably be asking whether we can, in conscience, continue to minister as bishops, priests and deacons in the Church of England which has been our home."

In the past, the Church of England has provided "flying bishops" who have ministered to parishes that did not accept women clergy.  Under that arrangement, bishops who have held a Catholic view of the need for an all-male priesthood have had their own structure of priests and bishops rather than being under the authority of a diocesan bishop who supported the ordination of women.  In the upcoming synod, not only may the Church of England approve the consecration of female bishops, but they may also refuse to allow a separate structure of traditional Anglo-Catholic parishes and bishops to continue to exist for those who do not accept female priests and bishops. 

An opposition statement from almost just as many clergy called the possibility of such a separate structure "discriminatory." 

Although various clergy and laity from the 1300 who signed the open letter, and from among their parishioners, may be likely to choose different paths -- as evidenced by what has happened in the Episcopal Church over the past several decades -- it would be likely that many of those who are Anglo-Catholic would consider the Catholic Church.  Many of the American parishes that have formed new Anglican structures have been Evangelicals (Protestant-leaning Anglicans) who formed new bodies either outside of the Anglican Communion or under Anglican Communion primates from other countries. 

More Catholic-minded Anglicans may be troubled by the idea of forming a new body of their own choosing that will be loyal to a bishop of their own choosing somewhere else in the world, or in a new body outside of the Anglican Communion.  For many of those, the Catholic Church will be the most appealing option to be considered precisely because the Catholic doctrine of the Church is responsive to their needs.

Several previous posts on this blog have links to more information for Anglicans considering the Catholic Church in the category The Church and Anglicanism.