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Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Least favorite Archbishop of Pope Francis desperate to retire.
André-Joseph Léonard wants to retire as soon as possible. His letter of resignation to the Pope is already finished, the archbishop of Malines-Brussels declares to VTM News. Leonard is 75 in May next year. Then he should offer his resignation as archbishop. Usually, the Vatican asks bishops to remain in office until a successor is found. This took nearly two years in the case of Cardinal Godfried Danneels, his predecessor. Leonard himself does not agree. He writes in a letter which he will send to Pope Francis in May next year. (see also Pope's brother slams Cardinal Danneels)
Leonard followed the popular Danneels as Archbishop on January 18, 2010. His aloof, ultraconservative stance made him not popular among the faithful, on the contrary. Very Catholic Belgium Léonard almost turned his back. He churned out insults to homosexuals, but stated repeatedly he was wrongly quoted.
The controversy began in 2007 when, as the then Bishop of Namur in an interview with the magazine Télémoustique he said gay people were "abnormal". "Homosexuals are inhibited in their normal psychological development. That is unusual," he said. When he got furious reactions, Léonard was in denial – then still André-Mutien Léonard suddenly said. "I think I did not use the word "abnormal", he attempted to say. In vain, for the recording of the interview is unforgiving: that word was on the archbishop’s lips. (see similar comments by the late Belgian Cardinal Joos in extensive article)
In the same interview, he also threw doubt on the effectiveness of condoms as a contraceptive. He compared them to "Russian roulette". According to Leonard,condoms are "only useful for the reckless who need multiple partners," he declared in 2010, when he was only just appointed as archbishop.
In his new position, he did not change in tone. As a brand new Belgian church leader, he compared homosexuality with anorexia – like a disease. "I'm going to make a comparison, anorexia is a development that can not be reconciled with appetite, but I would never say that anorexics are abnormal," said Leonard on RTL-TVI.
As the storm around his person did not ceased, and complaints continued to rain, theologian Jürgen Mettepenningen was appointed as a spokesman. He was commissioned to frame Leonards statements. A few months later, he threw in the towel. It could hardly be otherwise because Leonard was throwing oil on the fire. The archbishop was quoted by the largest newspapers worldwide when he
said AIDS was "a form of immanent justice".
That statement once again led to a new wave of protest, but Leonard took no word back. A few later days, a churchgoer threw later a pie in Leonard‘s face during a Mass for All Saints‘ Day in Brussels. A year later, he was on a visit to the University of Louvain-La-Neuve when he received four pies in the face.
said AIDS was "a form of immanent justice".
That statement once again led to a new wave of protest, but Leonard took no word back. A few later days, a churchgoer threw later a pie in Leonard‘s face during a Mass for All Saints‘ Day in Brussels. A year later, he was on a visit to the University of Louvain-La-Neuve when he received four pies in the face.
Also remarried divorcees were not safe from Leonard. According to him, they had to first do an examination of conscience, before they went to hold a function in Catholic education. Divorced men and women also had better not go to communion, Leonard said three years ago. He advised that gay people should lead a celibate life.
Finally got the crematoria a slap. Leonard finds them "sanctuaries of the death industry." The Archbishop finds burials, "much more pious".
Late on Tuesday night allows Léonard, who was never appointed cardinal, to look deep into his soul in "The Year", the December portrait series of Telefacts. The programme starts at 21:40 pm
Attempts to ban the Crib in France resisted
Our society
According to a survey, 71% of respondents believe that the Christmas crib "is more an element of cultural tradition that a Christian symbol."
Nativity scenes in government and public buildings, or put a stop to them? The French are predominantly "mostly favourable" (71%), "as this is more an element of cultural tradition that a Christian symbol" according to an Ifop poll for Dimanche Ouest France. Conversely, 18% of those polled are "somewhat opposed because it is a religious symbol incompatible with the principles of neutrality and secularism in public service."
According to a survey, 71% of respondents believe that the Christmas crib "is more an element of cultural tradition that a Christian symbol."
Nativity scenes in government and public buildings, or put a stop to them? The French are predominantly "mostly favourable" (71%), "as this is more an element of cultural tradition that a Christian symbol" according to an Ifop poll for Dimanche Ouest France. Conversely, 18% of those polled are "somewhat opposed because it is a religious symbol incompatible with the principles of neutrality and secularism in public service."
The survey comes amid a controversy which has grown up in France after the Nantes Administrative Court ordered the General Council of the Vendée, bastion of Catholic tradition, to remove the nativity installed in the lobby of its premises. The General Council has appealed. In Béziers, the prefect also asked the mayor supported by the Front National, Robert Ménard to remove the crib he placed in the town hall.
"An element of cultural tradition"
Catholics are 81%, whether practicing or non-practicing, for the presence of cribs in public places. The people claiming no religion are 60% favourable. "With the gap of 21 points between the two groups, these figures show that cribs are now first and foremost seen as an element of cultural tradition", according to Ifop.
"An element of cultural tradition"
Catholics are 81%, whether practicing or non-practicing, for the presence of cribs in public places. The people claiming no religion are 60% favourable. "With the gap of 21 points between the two groups, these figures show that cribs are now first and foremost seen as an element of cultural tradition", according to Ifop.
Menard has installed a crib in his town hall
To conserve our traditions
And to loosen up the ayatollahs of laicity.
"As expected and consistent with the anti-clerical tradition and the fibre of laicity of the Communist Party and the tendency of Mélenchon, in the ranks of the Left Front support is the lowest (46%) and the opposition in a majority (49%), the opinion poll institute notes. PS sympathizers are in favour with 64% supporting the presence of cribs in public buildings, while 31% are opposed, sticking to a strict application of the principle of secularism. On the right, 84% of supporters of the Front National and 87% of the Union for a Popular Movement are in favor.
(*) Survey conducted by self-administered online survey among a sample of 1,008 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over by the quota method
(*) Survey conducted by self-administered online survey among a sample of 1,008 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over by the quota method
Source
This Christmas scene is rubbish- literally
The crib in the Protestant Church Association of the Cologne region shows Christmas as a celebration between consumption and contemplation. (Cathcon: rather what Protestantism can do to culture and art.)
"Follow the star to traditional and international Christmas crib art" until January 6, 2015 at the 19th Cologne Christmas Crib Path. At over 110 stations across Cologne, international crib art is on offer at the highest level, organized and hosted by the Rheinstil Kulturmanagement
On display are traditional Christmas cribs from various historical periods, contemporary artists and traditional popular Christmas cribs from many cultures. The cribs are to be found at publicly accessible locations such as shop windows, in cultural and religious institutions, in Cologne Central Station, at the Christmas markets and in many Catholic and Protestant churches, who are taking part in the Crib Path.
"Follow the star to traditional and international Christmas crib art" until January 6, 2015 at the 19th Cologne Christmas Crib Path. At over 110 stations across Cologne, international crib art is on offer at the highest level, organized and hosted by the Rheinstil Kulturmanagement
On display are traditional Christmas cribs from various historical periods, contemporary artists and traditional popular Christmas cribs from many cultures. The cribs are to be found at publicly accessible locations such as shop windows, in cultural and religious institutions, in Cologne Central Station, at the Christmas markets and in many Catholic and Protestant churches, who are taking part in the Crib Path.
In contrast, a very moving Crib in the main station- showing a Crib set in the shadow of the ruins of Cologne Cathedral in 1945.
Complete with the Cardinal Archbishop and two servers (just visible behind) on their way to pay homage to the King of Kings.
As it was
The days when Cologne was more fully Catholic- scenes from the German Catholic Day in 1956, including Cardinal Frings who was later to do such damage at the Vatican Council by breaking the power of the curia, with a speech drafted for him by a young Joseph Ratzinger.
Source
Muslim organisations on collision course with Austrian government
Muslim organizations set on confrontation course with the government because of the proposed law. IGGiÖ President Fuat Sanac is not considering resignation. (there is pressure from his youth movement)
The President of Austria, second from left and Mr Sanac second from right.
The much-touted harmony is fragile: Austria's Muslims are increasingly on a collision course with the Federal Government and its draft for the new Islamic law. On Monday, the Supreme Council, the highest governing body of the Islamic Community in Austria (IGGiÖ) made a statement - with a protest against the decision. They were disappointed with the approach taken by the government, was stated in a joint press release of the Supreme Council and the IGGiÖ President, Fuat Sanac.
The President of Austria, second from left and Mr Sanac second from right.
The much-touted harmony is fragile: Austria's Muslims are increasingly on a collision course with the Federal Government and its draft for the new Islamic law. On Monday, the Supreme Council, the highest governing body of the Islamic Community in Austria (IGGiÖ) made a statement - with a protest against the decision. They were disappointed with the approach taken by the government, was stated in a joint press release of the Supreme Council and the IGGiÖ President, Fuat Sanac.
The procedure "is neither customary for Austria's political culture of a modern democracy, nor is it consistent with a minimum of respect for the law by the parties concerned."
In an interview with the "Die Presse" Sanac clarified that it was initially only a protest. A decision will be taken by them only at a meeting of the Supreme Council on Wednesday and by one of the Upper Councils on Sunday. Legally, however, there is no requirement that something will be placed in the new Islamic law. "We are waiting for the answer," says Sanac. "And we believe that a number of points can be changed." Indeed, one had heard for some time in government circles that there will be no move away from the fundamental points of the law that were considered on January 21 in the National Council.
In an interview with the "Die Presse" Sanac clarified that it was initially only a protest. A decision will be taken by them only at a meeting of the Supreme Council on Wednesday and by one of the Upper Councils on Sunday. Legally, however, there is no requirement that something will be placed in the new Islamic law. "We are waiting for the answer," says Sanac. "And we believe that a number of points can be changed." Indeed, one had heard for some time in government circles that there will be no move away from the fundamental points of the law that were considered on January 21 in the National Council.
A coalition of many Muslim societies wants to build up pressure on the government, which has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday. "The Muslims feel left out," says Yakup Gecgel of the Islamic Federation, one of the great Muslim umbrella organizations. On the one hand, it involves both substantive criticism of the new Islamic law – each religious community to be able to resolve the prohibition on foreign funding to the rights of the Federal Chancellor. On the other hand, they want to also question in a critical manner the approach of the government. "We do not wish to permit," says Gecgel that "Muslims should be seen as propaganda for the election campaign."
Devotions for every day of the week
Fridays are penitential days and Catholics are to keep in mind Christ's suffering and to sacrifice something for the sake of penance and discipline. Catholics fulfill this duty by abstaining from meat and making other penances.
Saturdays are, traditionally, the days Catholics go to Confession in preparation for receiving the Eucharist on Sundays. Some Catholics might make a habit of going to Confession on Saturdays; other might go before Mass on Sunday, or might go only when they need to confess, or on some other schedule.
Sundays are, of course, the day for renewing Christ's once and for all Sacrifice during the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass. Because Christ rose from His tomb on Sunday, Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sundays, or "the Lord's Day." On this day we fulfill God's Third Commandment, to "remember the sabbath day [which means "rest", not "Saturday"], to keep it holy." We refrain from unecessary servile work and fulfill our "Sunday Obligation" to attend Mass.
New reading each day for the English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish martyrs
Devotion for every Day of the Week- mystery of the Rosary
Sunday
Resurrection & the Holy and Undivided Trinity
Glorious
Monday
The Holy Ghost & the Souls in Purgatory
Joyful
Tuesday
The Holy Angels
Sorrowful
Wednesday
St. Joseph
Glorious
Thursday
The Blessed Sacrament
Joyful
Friday
Christ's Passion and His Sacred Heart
Sorrowful
Saturday
The Blessed Virgin and her Immaculate Heart.
Glorious
Source
Saturdays are, traditionally, the days Catholics go to Confession in preparation for receiving the Eucharist on Sundays. Some Catholics might make a habit of going to Confession on Saturdays; other might go before Mass on Sunday, or might go only when they need to confess, or on some other schedule.
Sundays are, of course, the day for renewing Christ's once and for all Sacrifice during the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass. Because Christ rose from His tomb on Sunday, Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sundays, or "the Lord's Day." On this day we fulfill God's Third Commandment, to "remember the sabbath day [which means "rest", not "Saturday"], to keep it holy." We refrain from unecessary servile work and fulfill our "Sunday Obligation" to attend Mass.
New reading each day for the English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish martyrs
Devotion for every Day of the Week- mystery of the Rosary
Sunday
Resurrection & the Holy and Undivided Trinity
Glorious
Monday
The Holy Ghost & the Souls in Purgatory
Joyful
Tuesday
The Holy Angels
Sorrowful
Wednesday
St. Joseph
Glorious
Thursday
The Blessed Sacrament
Joyful
Friday
Christ's Passion and His Sacred Heart
Sorrowful
Saturday
The Blessed Virgin and her Immaculate Heart.
Glorious
Source
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