The sacredness of the liturgy is being abused Holy Father tells U.S. Bishops
      Before canonizing Blessed Edith Stein as Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross on Sunday, Pope John Paul II met with United States Bishops from the northwestern states of Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana for their ad limina visit to Rome and reminded them that too many had misconstrued the intent of Vatican II in respect to the Mass. He emphasized the importance of keeping the liturgy pure in the spirit of tradition and seeking to rid the sanctuary of abuses which water down the sacredness and reverence with a lot of noise and confusion that take away from the silence and calm of a ceremony which speaks for itself. After meeting with the bishops he addressed a conference on immigration and expressed dismay at the feudal system that has been imposed on so many with dignity being put aside. For more, click on Ad limina

Senate sends unanimous message to president and offending countries: Persist in religious persecution and you'll be persecuted!
      By a 98-0 vote the Senate joined the house in overwhelmingly passing the long-sought Religious Persecution Bill that will put pressure on the president of the United States to take action against those countries who persist in religious persecution. The timing is needed in light of the recent rash of persecutions of Catholic religious in India, Africa and South America. It is also a direct counter to Islam countries who have declared they will persecute, even kill, anyone who converts from Islamism to Christianity. For more, click on Religious Persecution Bill.

A black mark on Portugal and the Nobel ideals
      Just days before Portugal remembers the 81st anniversary of the last apparition at Fatima and when so many Portuguese saw the miracle of the sun, they have been blighted by the actions of an avowed Portuguese communist who somehow, someway was presented the Nobel Laureate for Liturature for his attacks on the Church in his blasphemous book "The Gospel according to Jesus Christ." The Vatican has lambasted both Jose Saramago and the committee that presented the award for their insensitivity toward Christ and His Church. For more, click on Pungent in Portugal.

Mexican Bishop refuses to be obedient, causing camps to form for and against his ouster
     The Church teaches obedience in all things. This applies to bishops as well as priests and the faithful. It would seem to be the case for Bishop Arturo Lona Reyes from the Diocese of Tehuantepec, Mexico who is notorious for his insistence on Liberation Theology. Because of that, and the fact he has reached the mandatory retirement age of 75, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop in Mexico City has demanded his resignation. His reply: Hell no! He is not only disobeying a direct order from his superior, but he is ignoring Canon Law. Reyes, long an opponent of the Holy Father and his policies is trying to muster support among his fellow bishops and the people against Rome. And you thought the schism was just manifesting itself in the United States!!! For more, click on Disobedient bishop.

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