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Saturday, 19 June 2010
Friday, 18 June 2010
THE MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX
As it becomes more likely that I will be leaving my beloved adopted city, where I have lived longer than I have ever lived anywhere else, I am becoming more sentimental about the place, its culture and its wonderfully friendly people. So join me tonight in celebrating the Geordie spirit of joyful rebellion as the Jukebox plays some songs off Lindisfarne's "Dingley Dell" album plus an epic live recording of "We Can Swing Together" containing one of the longest harp solos of all time.
No-one came to criticise, no-one to complain,
just to pass a little bit of time, play some human games.
Some were smoking 'roll your owns', while others they had none,
ev'rybody was holding hands, and singing this little song.
We can swing together, 'cause we feel we're doing it right.
We can swing together, we can swing all through the night.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
CAPTION COMPETITION
This rather excellent snap of an occasional* bishop from the United States was purloined from The Times' new website. I have a sure and certain hope that you lot can come up with far more interesting captions than Our Ruth's bog-standard informative one.
* Degree of bishopliness dependent on local prejudices.
* Degree of bishopliness dependent on local prejudices.
GOODBYE, OLD FRIEND
I was a very brave boy and didn't bite the dentist this time.
And, hey! No more appointments for six months.
JESUS H. TAP-DANCING CHRIST...
THE VATICAN HAS SEEN THE LIGHT!
From THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER:
When Jake and Elwood Blues, the protagonists in John Landis' cult classic "The Blues Brothers," claimed they were on a mission from God, the Catholic Church apparently took them at their word. On the 30th anniversary of the film's release, "L'Osservatore Romano," the Vatican's official newspaper, called the film a "Catholic classic" and said it should be recommended viewing for Catholics everywhere.
With the recommendation, "The Blues Brothers" joins the list of dozens of films recommended by Catholic authorities that includes Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," "Jesus of Nazareth" from Franco Zeffirelli," Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ," Victor Flemming's "Joan of Arc," and "It's a Wonderful Life" from Frank Capra.
When Jake and Elwood Blues, the protagonists in John Landis' cult classic "The Blues Brothers," claimed they were on a mission from God, the Catholic Church apparently took them at their word. On the 30th anniversary of the film's release, "L'Osservatore Romano," the Vatican's official newspaper, called the film a "Catholic classic" and said it should be recommended viewing for Catholics everywhere.
With the recommendation, "The Blues Brothers" joins the list of dozens of films recommended by Catholic authorities that includes Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," "Jesus of Nazareth" from Franco Zeffirelli," Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ," Victor Flemming's "Joan of Arc," and "It's a Wonderful Life" from Frank Capra.
THE SOPPY SHEILA SELECTION
From Ginny S:
Hi, Jonathan,
I hope you're ready for a great birthday weekend. Better to celebrate getting older than to ignore it, as I am wont to do. My daughter is also celebrating her birthday this weekend: she'll be 21 on the 21st.
Thanks for all the Soppy Sheila dog pictures. I'm attaching pictures of our new 3rd-time-around dog, Jack. He's crazier than the last Australian Shepherd, but is very loving and joyful.
Hi, Jonathan,
I hope you're ready for a great birthday weekend. Better to celebrate getting older than to ignore it, as I am wont to do. My daughter is also celebrating her birthday this weekend: she'll be 21 on the 21st.
Thanks for all the Soppy Sheila dog pictures. I'm attaching pictures of our new 3rd-time-around dog, Jack. He's crazier than the last Australian Shepherd, but is very loving and joyful.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
THE MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX
I believe in the Church of the Holy Spook, I believe that he's in me
The Tao is like a river,
so float along with me.
When the sacred blood of the Holy Ghost is boiling in my veins,
I think of Jesus on the cross and I scream out for his pain.
HOW TO APOLOGISE
Heck, I'm no fan of Tories in general and David Cameron, our prime minister, in particular. But our beloved leader's speech in the House of Commons yesterday will, in my opinion, go down in history as one of the greatest moments in British parliamentary history. I am incredibly impressed. In fact, I can't remember ever having heard such perfect diplomacy and rhetorical brilliance from a prime minister of my country, with the possible exception of some of Churchill's war time speeches, and they were slightly before my time.
Whatever, our personal feelings about them, I believe that, in Cameron and Obama, the world may now be blessed with two leaders who, at the very least, know how to string a sentence together and deliver it clearly. That is quite an improvement on Brown and Bush who both spluttered and gaffed their words like small boys trying to convince a homeowner that it wasn't them who had kicked the football through their kitchen window.
Whatever, our personal feelings about them, I believe that, in Cameron and Obama, the world may now be blessed with two leaders who, at the very least, know how to string a sentence together and deliver it clearly. That is quite an improvement on Brown and Bush who both spluttered and gaffed their words like small boys trying to convince a homeowner that it wasn't them who had kicked the football through their kitchen window.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Posted as a comment on Grandmère Mimi's
WOUND UP BIRD blog.
Williams' command that Schori was not to wear her marks of office (mitre) when presiding at Southwark the other day, is a denial of her episcopal standing. A bishop is the office holder of the church through whom all communions under their authority are validated. As a priest, I cannot legally and authentically recite the eucharistic prayer without the authority of a specific bishop. In theory I am merely an extension of the bishop to allow all his or her flock to receive communion. (This is standard catholic ecclesiology and cannot be argued with by anybody who calls themselves episcopal). Therefore, Williams is de facto stating that he is not in communion with the prime bishop of TEC. Therefore, he is saying that he is not in communion with TEC. Therefore, as prime bishop in the Anglican communion he is stating that TEC are not in communion with the Anglican Communion.
So, what is everybody arguing about?
The deed is done already.
WOUND UP BIRD blog.
Williams' command that Schori was not to wear her marks of office (mitre) when presiding at Southwark the other day, is a denial of her episcopal standing. A bishop is the office holder of the church through whom all communions under their authority are validated. As a priest, I cannot legally and authentically recite the eucharistic prayer without the authority of a specific bishop. In theory I am merely an extension of the bishop to allow all his or her flock to receive communion. (This is standard catholic ecclesiology and cannot be argued with by anybody who calls themselves episcopal). Therefore, Williams is de facto stating that he is not in communion with the prime bishop of TEC. Therefore, he is saying that he is not in communion with TEC. Therefore, as prime bishop in the Anglican communion he is stating that TEC are not in communion with the Anglican Communion.
So, what is everybody arguing about?
The deed is done already.
VATICAN'S CUNNING PLAN TO
AVOID EMBARRASSING REVELATIONS
Retired archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said he has felt "isolation and shame" over his handling of a case involvingan abusive priest in the 1990s. He had appointed Father Michael Hill as chaplain to Gatwick Airport, near London, despite receiving credible allegations against him. Fr Hill went on to abuse again and one of his victims was a 14-year-old boy confined to a wheelchair because he had cerebral palsy.
"The things I remember about my life as a priest are not the successes but rather the failures, and one particular and painful failure occurred 10 years ago when, owing to my grave mishandling of a priest who was an abuser, I was attacked and vilified for nearly two years," stated Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor.
"But I also began to understand in a new way, by talking with victims, the pain and grave damage done to them," he said. "I myself am not free from blame but have had to learn from mistakes to become, as someone described it, a wounded healer."
Pope Benedict XVI has named the 77-year-old cardinal as one of nine apostolic visitors to Ireland over the abuse scandals in the Church there.
COMMENT: What could be more embarrassing for the Roman Catholic Church than their appointment of a "squeaky clean" apostolic visitor to Ireland who is then revealed to be guilty of some sex abuse cover up in the past (chances of happening approx. 99.999 percent). So this is a really clever plan they have come up with. To appoint people to investigate sex abuse cover ups who have already been found guilty of sex abuse cover ups is inspired. The chances of them being exposed of being guilty of sex abuse cover ups will be reduced by... well... I would guess...
at least, five percent.
"The things I remember about my life as a priest are not the successes but rather the failures, and one particular and painful failure occurred 10 years ago when, owing to my grave mishandling of a priest who was an abuser, I was attacked and vilified for nearly two years," stated Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor.
"But I also began to understand in a new way, by talking with victims, the pain and grave damage done to them," he said. "I myself am not free from blame but have had to learn from mistakes to become, as someone described it, a wounded healer."
Pope Benedict XVI has named the 77-year-old cardinal as one of nine apostolic visitors to Ireland over the abuse scandals in the Church there.
COMMENT: What could be more embarrassing for the Roman Catholic Church than their appointment of a "squeaky clean" apostolic visitor to Ireland who is then revealed to be guilty of some sex abuse cover up in the past (chances of happening approx. 99.999 percent). So this is a really clever plan they have come up with. To appoint people to investigate sex abuse cover ups who have already been found guilty of sex abuse cover ups is inspired. The chances of them being exposed of being guilty of sex abuse cover ups will be reduced by... well... I would guess...
at least, five percent.
POPE'S VISIT TO BRITAIN ALL
ABOUT SPIN SAY VATICAN AIDES
From AFP:
Pope Benedict hopes to address a "gap" in public perception of the Catholic Church after recent child sex scandals when he visits the country this year, aides said in plans for the trip unveiled on Tuesday.
"Catholicism can easily become defined in the public mind in the light of one or two recent controversies. This is the gap in public knowledge that this pamphlet aims to address," said a pamphlet setting out the purpose of the three-day papal visit.
The booklet, entitled 'The Pope in the UK', includes sections on child protection within the Church, the contribution of the Catholic Church to British society and on the purpose of the Catholic Church itself.
The visit to Britain "is a really very significant moment for this country", stated Bishop Vincent Nichols.
Pope Benedict hopes to address a "gap" in public perception of the Catholic Church after recent child sex scandals when he visits the country this year, aides said in plans for the trip unveiled on Tuesday.
"Catholicism can easily become defined in the public mind in the light of one or two recent controversies. This is the gap in public knowledge that this pamphlet aims to address," said a pamphlet setting out the purpose of the three-day papal visit.
The booklet, entitled 'The Pope in the UK', includes sections on child protection within the Church, the contribution of the Catholic Church to British society and on the purpose of the Catholic Church itself.
The visit to Britain "is a really very significant moment for this country", stated Bishop Vincent Nichols.
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL
- THE COUNTS (below)
GOT TO GET ME A JOB
- ANN ALFORD
GREEN POWER - SIR SIDNEY WALLACE AND THE BELAIRS
HAPPY BABY
- GREGORY JAMES
HAVE I REALLY LOVED YOU
- SMOKEE
GO FOR YOURSELF
- LARRY LASTER
GINO IS A COWARD
- GINO WASHINGTON (right)
GONNA GETCHA BABY
- CHRIS KENNER
FOUND A LOVE, WHERE IT'S AT - NEW BLOODS
FOLLOW THE LAMB - BEN AIKEN
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST MISOGYNIST
From THE AGE (Australia):
The problem crept under Muriel Porter's radar. The first the veteran Anglican women's activist noticed, it was at last year's Melbourne synod when a minister proposed a motion about the need to attract young men to church. Someone else moved to add "and young women"—and it was defeated. Then she began hearing uncomfortable stories about young women being told they were defying God in wanting to become priests, that it was a role reserved for men, that the "headship" teaching
was on the march. Women were being discouraged, even intimidated. Porter was shocked. For decades Melbourne had been the diocese most supportive of women priests, and the issue seemed long resolved. But now, in the Anglican Church and in others, it seems to be a divisive issue once again, with a backlash unleashed and gaining ground.
The question is broader than whether women can be priests and exercise leadership over men, though that is usually how it is framed inside the church. It concerns all the roles women play in the church and in the home, where the once-traditional idea that they should submit to their husbands is gaining fresh traction.
Porter says the change in Melbourne and elsewhere is due to a rising number of hard-line young Melbourne ministers who are strongly influenced by resurgent conservatism in the United States. She says they are "very masculine and horrified by what they call the 'chickification' of Christianity".
According to Kevin Giles, a Melbourne evangelical minister and veteran of the fight for women's equality within the church, the issue is "about power—who has it and who doesn't, who determines how the Scriptures should be read".
According to Giles, the debate is not about whether women can "minister". He says: "Everyone is in favour of women's ministry, because that can be anything—even making tea. The real key is leadership, headship. The debate is full of code words, but unpacked it means men lead, women obey."
Giles blames the increasingly confident assertion of headship doctrine on the influence of the Sydney diocese—Australia's largest and most powerful, and a staunch advocate of headship—and the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, which is influential in universities around the nation.
Muriel Porter is steeling herself for battle once more.
"I'm heartbroken that this reaction has emerged, and sad that I and my friends have to take up this cause again that we thought was safely accomplished. And we will take it up again. We are not simply going to acquiesce in the undoing of 25 years of our life's work."
COMMENT: Complimentarianism and other misogynist theologies will maintain their Satanic influence on the Church for as long as all parties in the Church cling onto the perverted understanding of Christ's headship that has been the main paradigm for Christian leadership since, at least, the time of Constantine.
When the likes of Mark Driscoll complain about the "chickification" of Christianity and call for a more "masculine" religion they are, in fact, replacing the true nature of Christ with a messiah formed in their own image. They are the modern equivalent of the zealots and orthodox Jews of First Century Palestine who could not accept Christ as their Lord because he swung no sword and preached the gospel of a non-militant triumph of good over evil.
The Lamb of God is an anathema to the macho posers of conservative evangelicalism.
Go read the rest of this article! It's a wake up call that we all need to hear if we are to avoid complacency and eventual defeat.
The problem crept under Muriel Porter's radar. The first the veteran Anglican women's activist noticed, it was at last year's Melbourne synod when a minister proposed a motion about the need to attract young men to church. Someone else moved to add "and young women"—and it was defeated. Then she began hearing uncomfortable stories about young women being told they were defying God in wanting to become priests, that it was a role reserved for men, that the "headship" teaching
was on the march. Women were being discouraged, even intimidated. Porter was shocked. For decades Melbourne had been the diocese most supportive of women priests, and the issue seemed long resolved. But now, in the Anglican Church and in others, it seems to be a divisive issue once again, with a backlash unleashed and gaining ground.
The question is broader than whether women can be priests and exercise leadership over men, though that is usually how it is framed inside the church. It concerns all the roles women play in the church and in the home, where the once-traditional idea that they should submit to their husbands is gaining fresh traction.
Porter says the change in Melbourne and elsewhere is due to a rising number of hard-line young Melbourne ministers who are strongly influenced by resurgent conservatism in the United States. She says they are "very masculine and horrified by what they call the 'chickification' of Christianity".
According to Kevin Giles, a Melbourne evangelical minister and veteran of the fight for women's equality within the church, the issue is "about power—who has it and who doesn't, who determines how the Scriptures should be read".
According to Giles, the debate is not about whether women can "minister". He says: "Everyone is in favour of women's ministry, because that can be anything—even making tea. The real key is leadership, headship. The debate is full of code words, but unpacked it means men lead, women obey."
Giles blames the increasingly confident assertion of headship doctrine on the influence of the Sydney diocese—Australia's largest and most powerful, and a staunch advocate of headship—and the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, which is influential in universities around the nation.
Muriel Porter is steeling herself for battle once more.
"I'm heartbroken that this reaction has emerged, and sad that I and my friends have to take up this cause again that we thought was safely accomplished. And we will take it up again. We are not simply going to acquiesce in the undoing of 25 years of our life's work."
COMMENT: Complimentarianism and other misogynist theologies will maintain their Satanic influence on the Church for as long as all parties in the Church cling onto the perverted understanding of Christ's headship that has been the main paradigm for Christian leadership since, at least, the time of Constantine.
When the likes of Mark Driscoll complain about the "chickification" of Christianity and call for a more "masculine" religion they are, in fact, replacing the true nature of Christ with a messiah formed in their own image. They are the modern equivalent of the zealots and orthodox Jews of First Century Palestine who could not accept Christ as their Lord because he swung no sword and preached the gospel of a non-militant triumph of good over evil.
The Lamb of God is an anathema to the macho posers of conservative evangelicalism.
Go read the rest of this article! It's a wake up call that we all need to hear if we are to avoid complacency and eventual defeat.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
MUSIC FOR YOUR LUNCHTIME
It's a brave performer who dares to cover a classic like this.
It's an absolute bloody genius who gets away with it!
The Jazz Butcher's WEBSITE.
The Jazz Butcher, also known as The Jazz Butcher Conspiracy and The Jazz Butcher And His Sikkorskis From Hell, are a British musical group founded by Pat Fish. Their oeuvre is blackly humorous with such topics as Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49, an unrequited crush on Shirley Maclaine, and an ode to SF writer Harlan Ellison. The song "Sister Death" is not about the comic book character, but was inspired by the last words of Saint Francis of Assisi, "Welcome, Sister Death." (WIKIPEDIA)
THE INCREDIBLE RUDENESS OF ROWAN WILLIAMS
From THE GUARDIAN:
Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the US church and the first woman ever to lead an Anglican province, preached at Southwark Cathedral last weekend despite muted hisses of disapproval by conservative evangelicals. But close observers would have seen there was something missing: no mitre on her head. Who could be responsible? Step forward, Rowan Williams, Archbish of Canterbury, birthday boy (60 yesterday), who couldn't stop her preaching but said she could not wear the symbol of her office, or carry a bishop's crosier. Something to do with women bishops not yet being allowed in the C of E. A bit petty, some say, as Jefferts Schori is indeed a bishop and head of her national church – but in any event, she carried the mitre. And the subject for her sermon: God welcomes everyone, regardless of dress or condition.
COMMENT: Oh, this is so crass and bloody rude. I cannot think of any other situation where a representative of a church, even a church with whom we are not in communion, would be asked not to wear their signs of office.
Is the Queen (God bless her majesty) going to demand that Benny turns up in Mufti for his recruitment drive in the Autumn? Of course not. The Queen has impeccable manners. It's a good job she's the head of the Church of England and not that uncouth oik from Wales.
And then there's this posted on the CONGER blog on 10th. June:
The Archbishop’s Pentecost letter is the public half of a campaign to rein in the Episcopal Church, The Church of England Newspaper has learned, and follows a private letter delivered to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori asking her to consider withdrawing from active participation on the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion.
A letter from the Archbishop is believed to have been given to Bishop Jefferts Schori at the April 17 consecration of the Bishop of Connecticut, Dr Ian Douglas. Neva Rae Fox, a spokesman for the Presiding Bishop said she could not comment as she was not present at the Connecticut consecration. Dr Williams’ office would neither confirm nor deny the story, citing its policy of not commenting on the Archbishop’s private correspondence.
COMMENT: I think it is time for somebody (maybe a saintly, African gentleman) to send the Reverend Williams a letter asking him to consider withdrawing from active participation in pretty much anything more high profile than a church bring and buy sale. Otherwise, it's going to be death by embarrassment for the poor old Church of England.
Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the US church and the first woman ever to lead an Anglican province, preached at Southwark Cathedral last weekend despite muted hisses of disapproval by conservative evangelicals. But close observers would have seen there was something missing: no mitre on her head. Who could be responsible? Step forward, Rowan Williams, Archbish of Canterbury, birthday boy (60 yesterday), who couldn't stop her preaching but said she could not wear the symbol of her office, or carry a bishop's crosier. Something to do with women bishops not yet being allowed in the C of E. A bit petty, some say, as Jefferts Schori is indeed a bishop and head of her national church – but in any event, she carried the mitre. And the subject for her sermon: God welcomes everyone, regardless of dress or condition.
COMMENT: Oh, this is so crass and bloody rude. I cannot think of any other situation where a representative of a church, even a church with whom we are not in communion, would be asked not to wear their signs of office.
Is the Queen (God bless her majesty) going to demand that Benny turns up in Mufti for his recruitment drive in the Autumn? Of course not. The Queen has impeccable manners. It's a good job she's the head of the Church of England and not that uncouth oik from Wales.
And then there's this posted on the CONGER blog on 10th. June:
The Archbishop’s Pentecost letter is the public half of a campaign to rein in the Episcopal Church, The Church of England Newspaper has learned, and follows a private letter delivered to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori asking her to consider withdrawing from active participation on the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion.
A letter from the Archbishop is believed to have been given to Bishop Jefferts Schori at the April 17 consecration of the Bishop of Connecticut, Dr Ian Douglas. Neva Rae Fox, a spokesman for the Presiding Bishop said she could not comment as she was not present at the Connecticut consecration. Dr Williams’ office would neither confirm nor deny the story, citing its policy of not commenting on the Archbishop’s private correspondence.
COMMENT: I think it is time for somebody (maybe a saintly, African gentleman) to send the Reverend Williams a letter asking him to consider withdrawing from active participation in pretty much anything more high profile than a church bring and buy sale. Otherwise, it's going to be death by embarrassment for the poor old Church of England.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I shall drink - to the Pope, if you please, - still, to Conscience first, and to the Pope afterwards."
(John Henry Newman)
It is a great irony that the person most responsible for Vatican II is going to be beatified by the person most responsible for overturning all of the council's greatest achievements.
(John Henry Newman)
It is a great irony that the person most responsible for Vatican II is going to be beatified by the person most responsible for overturning all of the council's greatest achievements.
NO SKIRTING THE ISSUE IN HARROGATE
From THE BBC:
A North Yorkshire school is ordering all its girls to wear trousers after claiming that the length of some pupils' skirts is "inappropriate". St Aidan's Church of England School in Harrogate said children were "clearly wholly unaware of the signals they are giving out" by wearing short skirts.
In a letter to parents, head teacher Dennis Richards said all students must wear trousers from September.
Mr Richards said: "Parents who come in have been astonished to see the difference between the length their daughter may wear her skirt as she leaves home and what has happened by the time she is walking the corridors of the school."
He said the school had been "seriously concerned now, for a number of years, that girls as young as 12 or 13 years of age are placing themselves at risk by wearing skirts of a wholly inappropriate length".
Mr Richards said he had received supportive messages from parents who were "grateful to us for taking a difficult decision on their behalf".
But parent, Jo Bagley, said: "On the one hand you have got society wanting women to be able to dress as women... but on the other hand here you have a school saying they can't wear skirts.
"It seems outrageous that they shouldn't be given the choice."
COMMENT: If the pupils truly are "clearly wholly unaware of the signals they are giving out" then girls have changed a heck of a lot since I was at school.
A North Yorkshire school is ordering all its girls to wear trousers after claiming that the length of some pupils' skirts is "inappropriate". St Aidan's Church of England School in Harrogate said children were "clearly wholly unaware of the signals they are giving out" by wearing short skirts.
In a letter to parents, head teacher Dennis Richards said all students must wear trousers from September.
Mr Richards said: "Parents who come in have been astonished to see the difference between the length their daughter may wear her skirt as she leaves home and what has happened by the time she is walking the corridors of the school."
He said the school had been "seriously concerned now, for a number of years, that girls as young as 12 or 13 years of age are placing themselves at risk by wearing skirts of a wholly inappropriate length".
Mr Richards said he had received supportive messages from parents who were "grateful to us for taking a difficult decision on their behalf".
But parent, Jo Bagley, said: "On the one hand you have got society wanting women to be able to dress as women... but on the other hand here you have a school saying they can't wear skirts.
"It seems outrageous that they shouldn't be given the choice."
COMMENT: If the pupils truly are "clearly wholly unaware of the signals they are giving out" then girls have changed a heck of a lot since I was at school.
AMERICAN EVANGELICALS STIR UP
CANNABIS GROWING IN UGANDA
From THE BBC:
Uganda police are investigating after a marijuana plantation was uncovered in the garden of a convent. A regional police chief told the BBC that plants covering one acre had been found and uprooted in the southern Masaka district.
Two nuns and two porters have been questioned.
One of the nuns has been quoted by local media as saying the marijuana was used to treat farm animals, such as pigs.
Thanks to Laura for sending this story in.
Two nuns and two porters have been questioned.
One of the nuns has been quoted by local media as saying the marijuana was used to treat farm animals, such as pigs.
Thanks to Laura for sending this story in.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH BANS
DIVORCEES FROM EATING PIZZA
From FOX NEWS:
A 30-second television commercial that ran in the United States during the England-USA soccer match on Saturday has Catholic bloggers charging that the advertisement is blasphemous and mocks the core teachings of the church.
The ad begins with singing in Latin, and depicts an Argentine “church” – complete with a stained-glass window of a soccer ball -- in which the wildly popular sport is clearly what’s being worshipped.
Critics complain that Hyundai mocks the Eucharist, which Catholics believe to be the body of Christ, by showing “worshippers” on their knees receiving slices of pizza rather than the communion host. At one point the commercial shows a soccer ball covered with a crown of thorns, part of Jesus Christ’s passion.
Hyundai, a World Cup sponsor, apparently wanted to show how far some fans will go to support their cause.
“Fans show their loyalty in all kinds of ways; ours just buy another Hyundai,” the narrator says at the close of the ad.
“The unexpected response created by the ad… prompted us to take a more critical and informed look at the spot,” the company said in a statement. “Though unintentional, we now see it was insensitive.”
COMMENT: The postmodern cynicism of the disciples of universal capitalism knows no bounds. Adverts such as this one are blatantly stating that the Church has been replaced by the market place and faith in God by consumerism. This advert is not a clever commentary on the modern zeitgeist. It is a song of triumph. A knowing "Up yours!", not just to Christianity, but to all who have fought against the commercialisation of everything. It is offensive. It is saying, accurately, that nothing, not faith, not joy in sporting achievement, is important to anybody anymore except for the never ending desire to own the latest product.
Progressive and liberal Christians should be just as offended by these attacks on our humanity as the most reactionary puritan. More so, as this issue is about freedom. The Hyundai advert is stating boldly that we are no longer free to choose. That we are all yappy, little Pavlov's dogs, conditioned to purchase whatever the stimulation.
A 30-second television commercial that ran in the United States during the England-USA soccer match on Saturday has Catholic bloggers charging that the advertisement is blasphemous and mocks the core teachings of the church.
The ad begins with singing in Latin, and depicts an Argentine “church” – complete with a stained-glass window of a soccer ball -- in which the wildly popular sport is clearly what’s being worshipped.
Critics complain that Hyundai mocks the Eucharist, which Catholics believe to be the body of Christ, by showing “worshippers” on their knees receiving slices of pizza rather than the communion host. At one point the commercial shows a soccer ball covered with a crown of thorns, part of Jesus Christ’s passion.
Hyundai, a World Cup sponsor, apparently wanted to show how far some fans will go to support their cause.
“Fans show their loyalty in all kinds of ways; ours just buy another Hyundai,” the narrator says at the close of the ad.
“The unexpected response created by the ad… prompted us to take a more critical and informed look at the spot,” the company said in a statement. “Though unintentional, we now see it was insensitive.”
COMMENT: The postmodern cynicism of the disciples of universal capitalism knows no bounds. Adverts such as this one are blatantly stating that the Church has been replaced by the market place and faith in God by consumerism. This advert is not a clever commentary on the modern zeitgeist. It is a song of triumph. A knowing "Up yours!", not just to Christianity, but to all who have fought against the commercialisation of everything. It is offensive. It is saying, accurately, that nothing, not faith, not joy in sporting achievement, is important to anybody anymore except for the never ending desire to own the latest product.
Progressive and liberal Christians should be just as offended by these attacks on our humanity as the most reactionary puritan. More so, as this issue is about freedom. The Hyundai advert is stating boldly that we are no longer free to choose. That we are all yappy, little Pavlov's dogs, conditioned to purchase whatever the stimulation.
NO END TO AUSTRALIAN SUFFERING
From THE AGE:
Last month, well-informed Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli wrote in Il Giornale that Cardinal Pell had been approved to head the bishops congregation, one of the most important Vatican posts. The announcement was expected this month, when Pope Benedict XVI returns from summer holidays, the traditional time.
But now, according to Tornielli, Cardinal Pell has declined the post and "everything seems to be in doubt". He said the Vatican was quoting age and health reasons but the Pope might still try to persuade Cardinal Pell to take the post.
However, another well-informed journalist, Marco Tosatto, wrote on his blog that the health reasons were a diplomatic veil. "Pell was blocked by elements in the Vatican because of the abuse allegations against him from the early 1960s," he said.
Cardinal Pell stood down as Archbishop of Sydney in 2002 after he was accused of abusing a teenager at a church camp in the 1960s, but an independent investigation by a retired non-Catholic judge cleared him. According to the complaint, the cardinal, then a seminarian, several times stuck his hand down a youth's pants and fondled his genitals at a church camp at Phillip Island. The inquiry, by retired Victorian Supreme Court judge Alec Southwell, found the complainant and the cardinal were honest witnesses, and concluded he could not be satisfied the complaint was established.
Last month, well-informed Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli wrote in Il Giornale that Cardinal Pell had been approved to head the bishops congregation, one of the most important Vatican posts. The announcement was expected this month, when Pope Benedict XVI returns from summer holidays, the traditional time.
But now, according to Tornielli, Cardinal Pell has declined the post and "everything seems to be in doubt". He said the Vatican was quoting age and health reasons but the Pope might still try to persuade Cardinal Pell to take the post.
However, another well-informed journalist, Marco Tosatto, wrote on his blog that the health reasons were a diplomatic veil. "Pell was blocked by elements in the Vatican because of the abuse allegations against him from the early 1960s," he said.
Cardinal Pell stood down as Archbishop of Sydney in 2002 after he was accused of abusing a teenager at a church camp in the 1960s, but an independent investigation by a retired non-Catholic judge cleared him. According to the complaint, the cardinal, then a seminarian, several times stuck his hand down a youth's pants and fondled his genitals at a church camp at Phillip Island. The inquiry, by retired Victorian Supreme Court judge Alec Southwell, found the complainant and the cardinal were honest witnesses, and concluded he could not be satisfied the complaint was established.
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