The Tablet, has reported that about 20 priests and 600 lay people around England have taken up Benny's ordinariate offer. Five former bishops have already gone over.
There are about 22000 clergy and 1.7 million active lay members in the Church of England.
There are more than 20 clergy in my deanery alone.
I reckon that the Roman Catholic Church in England is growing by far more than 600 lay people EVERY WEEK just from the influx of legal and illegal immigrants into the UK from Eastern Europe and elsewhere.
It's always sad when people leave but I don't think we need to call in the receiver just yet.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Thursday, 10 March 2011
THE GATEKEEPERS WIN - THEY ALWAYS DO
From MLIVE.COM:
See also previous post:
"BISHOP TAKES ON "CIVIC" CONGREGATION."
The Rev. Jay R. Lawlor resigned Wednesday as pastor at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, three days after an elderly parishioner filed a police report accused him of assault, according to a letter received today by church members.
The letter from Bishop Robert Gepert, who heads the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan, said the church is launching its own investigation into the incident, which allegedly involved Lawlor shoving Marcia Morrison, 76.
Lawlor told police that Morrison bumped into him and said that witnesses were "lying" that he shoved her.
Morrison was not injured, but told police she was emotionally traumatized.
COMMENT: Somehow I doubt that she is the sort of old lady to be traumatised easily.
See also previous post:
"BISHOP TAKES ON "CIVIC" CONGREGATION."
The Rev. Jay R. Lawlor resigned Wednesday as pastor at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, three days after an elderly parishioner filed a police report accused him of assault, according to a letter received today by church members.
The letter from Bishop Robert Gepert, who heads the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan, said the church is launching its own investigation into the incident, which allegedly involved Lawlor shoving Marcia Morrison, 76.
Lawlor told police that Morrison bumped into him and said that witnesses were "lying" that he shoved her.
Morrison was not injured, but told police she was emotionally traumatized.
COMMENT: Somehow I doubt that she is the sort of old lady to be traumatised easily.
BRICK OF A LIFETIME
The human in the above photo is a living saint full of the right stuff. Go read what she does at CARE2. I really did blub like a girlie as I read the article but don't let that put you off. It is a painful read but it will restore your faith in human goodness.
A huge, big thank you to Dave for sending the link in to me.
FOR THE GAY OLD DOG THAT HAS EVERYTHING
Pet Planet are giving these squeaky toys away for free.
I think I can see how that might be necessary.
I think I can see how that might be necessary.
FREEDOM VERSUS COST
From CHRISTIAN TODAY:
Heinrich and Irene Wiens were fined 2,340 euros after withdrawing four of their children from sex education classes in 2006 because they felt the content of the lessons went against their Christian beliefs. When they refused to pay the fine on moral and legal grounds, they were sentenced to 43 days in jail. Mr Wiens already served his term last year, while Mrs Wiens has just begun her sentence.
The Alliance Defense Fund argues that the German state has acted unlawfully in imprisoning and fining the Wiens. It is seeking an intervention by the European Court of Human Rights to secure Mrs Wiens’ immediate release from prison. ADF legal counsel, said: “Parents, not the government, are the ones ultimately responsible for making educational choices for their children, and jailing them for standing on this universal right is simply unconscionable."
COMMENT: Ah, but is it a universal right? If this family lived on their own on a desert island then, yes, all choices concerning their children's education would be theirs. But they don't. They live in Germany with millions of other people and Germany has a welfare state. If the Wiens' children get themselves or somebody else pregnant unintentionally because they did not learn the facts of life when they were young then their fellow Germans will pay out hundreds of thousands of euros over the years so that the accidental progeny will not suffer for its parents' lack of education. This money will come out of the taxes of German people who attended sex education classes and, hopefully, have mated responsibly. Therefore, they could claim it is their right to insist on reducing the possibility of having to support an unplanned pregnancy and its life long consequences by making sex education compulsory for all. Governments reduce the possibility of having to pay out money from the communal purse all the while. Compulsory seat belts, taxes on tobacco, bans against underage drinking etc. none of which can be overruled by parental choice or appeals to individual freedom.
Parents cannot opt out of the welfare provision of the state in Europe. The Wiens can't make a deal whereby they agree to pay for any costs incurred should their kids bring a kid into the world before they can afford to support it, because no European society could countenance the idea of turning its back on a child if the Wiens reneged on their promise.
What do you think?
Heinrich and Irene Wiens were fined 2,340 euros after withdrawing four of their children from sex education classes in 2006 because they felt the content of the lessons went against their Christian beliefs. When they refused to pay the fine on moral and legal grounds, they were sentenced to 43 days in jail. Mr Wiens already served his term last year, while Mrs Wiens has just begun her sentence.
The Alliance Defense Fund argues that the German state has acted unlawfully in imprisoning and fining the Wiens. It is seeking an intervention by the European Court of Human Rights to secure Mrs Wiens’ immediate release from prison. ADF legal counsel, said: “Parents, not the government, are the ones ultimately responsible for making educational choices for their children, and jailing them for standing on this universal right is simply unconscionable."
COMMENT: Ah, but is it a universal right? If this family lived on their own on a desert island then, yes, all choices concerning their children's education would be theirs. But they don't. They live in Germany with millions of other people and Germany has a welfare state. If the Wiens' children get themselves or somebody else pregnant unintentionally because they did not learn the facts of life when they were young then their fellow Germans will pay out hundreds of thousands of euros over the years so that the accidental progeny will not suffer for its parents' lack of education. This money will come out of the taxes of German people who attended sex education classes and, hopefully, have mated responsibly. Therefore, they could claim it is their right to insist on reducing the possibility of having to support an unplanned pregnancy and its life long consequences by making sex education compulsory for all. Governments reduce the possibility of having to pay out money from the communal purse all the while. Compulsory seat belts, taxes on tobacco, bans against underage drinking etc. none of which can be overruled by parental choice or appeals to individual freedom.
Parents cannot opt out of the welfare provision of the state in Europe. The Wiens can't make a deal whereby they agree to pay for any costs incurred should their kids bring a kid into the world before they can afford to support it, because no European society could countenance the idea of turning its back on a child if the Wiens reneged on their promise.
What do you think?
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME THAT
WICKED PARISH PRIEST FROM SUFFOLK
This is the best joke that's been sent in for yonks.
(Well, in my opinion, it is)
A golfer playing in Ireland hooked his drive into the woods.
Looking for his ball, he found a little Leprechaun* flat on his back, a big bump on his head and the golfer's ball beside him.
Horrified, the golfer got his water bottle from the cart and poured it over the little guy, reviving him.
'Arrgh! What happened?' the Leprechaun asked.
'I'm afraid I hit you with my golf ball,' the golfer says.
'Oh, I see. Well, ye got me fair and square.Ye get three wishes, so whaddya want?'
'Thank God, you're all right!' the golfer answers in relief. 'I don't want anything, I'm just glad you're OK, and I apologize.'
And the golfer walks off.
'What a nice guy,' the Leprechaun says to himself. I have to do something for him. I'll give him the three things I would want... a great golf game, all the money he ever needs, and a fantastic sex life.'
A year goes by and the golfer is back. On the same hole, he again hits a bad drive into the woods and the Leprechaun is there waiting for him.
'Twas me that made ye hit the ball here,' the little guy says. 'I just want to ask ye, how's yer golf game?'
'My game is fantastic!' the golfer answers. I'm an internationally famous golfer now.' He adds, 'By the way, it's good to see you're all right.'
'Oh, I'm fine now, thank ye. I did that fer yer golf game, you know. And tell me, how's yer money situation?'
'Why, it's just wonderful!' the golfer states.
'When I need cash, I just reach in my pocket and pull out $100 bills I didn't even know were there!'
'I did that fer ye also. And tell me, how's yer sex life?'
The golfer blushes, turns his head away in embarrassment, and says shyly, 'It's OK.'
C'mon, c'mon now,' urged the Leprechaun, 'I'm wanting to know if I did a good job. How many times a week?'
Blushing even more, the golfer looks around then whispers, 'Once, sometimes twice a week.'
'What??' responds the Leprechaun in shock. 'That's all? Only once or twice a week?'
'Well, 'says the golfer, 'I figure that's not bad for a Catholic priest in a small parish...'
(Well, in my opinion, it is)
A golfer playing in Ireland hooked his drive into the woods.
Looking for his ball, he found a little Leprechaun* flat on his back, a big bump on his head and the golfer's ball beside him.
Horrified, the golfer got his water bottle from the cart and poured it over the little guy, reviving him.
'Arrgh! What happened?' the Leprechaun asked.
'I'm afraid I hit you with my golf ball,' the golfer says.
'Oh, I see. Well, ye got me fair and square.Ye get three wishes, so whaddya want?'
'Thank God, you're all right!' the golfer answers in relief. 'I don't want anything, I'm just glad you're OK, and I apologize.'
And the golfer walks off.
'What a nice guy,' the Leprechaun says to himself. I have to do something for him. I'll give him the three things I would want... a great golf game, all the money he ever needs, and a fantastic sex life.'
A year goes by and the golfer is back. On the same hole, he again hits a bad drive into the woods and the Leprechaun is there waiting for him.
'Twas me that made ye hit the ball here,' the little guy says. 'I just want to ask ye, how's yer golf game?'
'My game is fantastic!' the golfer answers. I'm an internationally famous golfer now.' He adds, 'By the way, it's good to see you're all right.'
'Oh, I'm fine now, thank ye. I did that fer yer golf game, you know. And tell me, how's yer money situation?'
'Why, it's just wonderful!' the golfer states.
'When I need cash, I just reach in my pocket and pull out $100 bills I didn't even know were there!'
'I did that fer ye also. And tell me, how's yer sex life?'
The golfer blushes, turns his head away in embarrassment, and says shyly, 'It's OK.'
C'mon, c'mon now,' urged the Leprechaun, 'I'm wanting to know if I did a good job. How many times a week?'
Blushing even more, the golfer looks around then whispers, 'Once, sometimes twice a week.'
'What??' responds the Leprechaun in shock. 'That's all? Only once or twice a week?'
'Well, 'says the golfer, 'I figure that's not bad for a Catholic priest in a small parish...'
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME THAT
WICKED PARISH PRIEST FROM SUFFOLK
This is the best joke that's been sent in for yonks.
(Well, in my opinion, it is)
A golfer playing in Ireland hooked his drive into the woods.
Looking for his ball, he found a little Leprechaun* flat on his back, a big bump on his head and the golfer's ball beside him.
Horrified, the golfer got his water bottle from the cart and poured it over the little guy, reviving him.
'Arrgh! What happened?' the Leprechaun asked.
'I'm afraid I hit you with my golf ball,' the golfer says.
'Oh, I see. Well, ye got me fair and square.Ye get three wishes, so whaddya want?'
'Thank God, you're all right!' the golfer answers in relief. 'I don't want anything, I'm just glad you're OK, and I apologize.'
And the golfer walks off.
'What a nice guy,' the Leprechaun says to himself. I have to do something for him. I'll give him the three things I would want... a great golf game, all the money he ever needs, and a fantastic sex life.'
A year goes by and the golfer is back. On the same hole, he again hits a bad drive into the woods and the Leprechaun is there waiting for him.
'Twas me that made ye hit the ball here,' the little guy says. 'I just want to ask ye, how's yer golf game?'
'My game is fantastic!' the golfer answers. I'm an internationally famous golfer now.' He adds, 'By the way, it's good to see you're all right.'
'Oh, I'm fine now, thank ye. I did that fer yer golf game, you know. And tell me, how's yer money situation?'
'Why, it's just wonderful!' the golfer states.
'When I need cash, I just reach in my pocket and pull out $100 bills I didn't even know were there!'
'I did that fer ye also. And tell me, how's yer sex life?'
The golfer blushes, turns his head away in embarrassment, and says shyly, 'It's OK.'
C'mon, c'mon now,' urged the Leprechaun, 'I'm wanting to know if I did a good job. How many times a week?'
Blushing even more, the golfer looks around then whispers, 'Once, sometimes twice a week.'
'What??' responds the Leprechaun in shock. 'That's all? Only once or twice a week?'
'Well, 'says the golfer, 'I figure that's not bad for a Catholic priest in a small parish...'
(Well, in my opinion, it is)
A golfer playing in Ireland hooked his drive into the woods.
Looking for his ball, he found a little Leprechaun* flat on his back, a big bump on his head and the golfer's ball beside him.
Horrified, the golfer got his water bottle from the cart and poured it over the little guy, reviving him.
'Arrgh! What happened?' the Leprechaun asked.
'I'm afraid I hit you with my golf ball,' the golfer says.
'Oh, I see. Well, ye got me fair and square.Ye get three wishes, so whaddya want?'
'Thank God, you're all right!' the golfer answers in relief. 'I don't want anything, I'm just glad you're OK, and I apologize.'
And the golfer walks off.
'What a nice guy,' the Leprechaun says to himself. I have to do something for him. I'll give him the three things I would want... a great golf game, all the money he ever needs, and a fantastic sex life.'
A year goes by and the golfer is back. On the same hole, he again hits a bad drive into the woods and the Leprechaun is there waiting for him.
'Twas me that made ye hit the ball here,' the little guy says. 'I just want to ask ye, how's yer golf game?'
'My game is fantastic!' the golfer answers. I'm an internationally famous golfer now.' He adds, 'By the way, it's good to see you're all right.'
'Oh, I'm fine now, thank ye. I did that fer yer golf game, you know. And tell me, how's yer money situation?'
'Why, it's just wonderful!' the golfer states.
'When I need cash, I just reach in my pocket and pull out $100 bills I didn't even know were there!'
'I did that fer ye also. And tell me, how's yer sex life?'
The golfer blushes, turns his head away in embarrassment, and says shyly, 'It's OK.'
C'mon, c'mon now,' urged the Leprechaun, 'I'm wanting to know if I did a good job. How many times a week?'
Blushing even more, the golfer looks around then whispers, 'Once, sometimes twice a week.'
'What??' responds the Leprechaun in shock. 'That's all? Only once or twice a week?'
'Well, 'says the golfer, 'I figure that's not bad for a Catholic priest in a small parish...'
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
THE LITURGY OF ASH WEDNESDAY
I have just posted a podcasted service of Holy Communion at
ST. LAIKA'S. It is absolutely full of brilliant music and hymns from the shows. You'll love it - so pop over there and listen to it (please).
ST. LAIKA'S. It is absolutely full of brilliant music and hymns from the shows. You'll love it - so pop over there and listen to it (please).
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Father Christian (peace be upon him) has posted a major exposé of the sheer, bare-faced crassness of The Family Firm on his GAFCON blog.
Poor old Bishop Interceptor et al. It's one thing to be attacked by MadPriest, I'm sure they just shrug that off, but to be vilified by that continent-straddling colossus of orthodoxy, Father Christian, must really sting.
"The Story Of My Dissent" posted by colkoch on his blog,
THE OPEN TABERNACLE: HERE COMES EVERYBODY, is a brilliant and personal piece about the truly sub-standard and controversial, revised missal of the Roman Catholic Church and the real agenda behind its forcing onto the RC faithful. I seriously suggest you go read it and leave colkoch a comment of support. Roman Catholic catholics like him need all the encouragement we can give them as they are the only members of their church who can bring the prayers of the Church for unity to fruition.
Poor old Bishop Interceptor et al. It's one thing to be attacked by MadPriest, I'm sure they just shrug that off, but to be vilified by that continent-straddling colossus of orthodoxy, Father Christian, must really sting.
"The Story Of My Dissent" posted by colkoch on his blog,
THE OPEN TABERNACLE: HERE COMES EVERYBODY, is a brilliant and personal piece about the truly sub-standard and controversial, revised missal of the Roman Catholic Church and the real agenda behind its forcing onto the RC faithful. I seriously suggest you go read it and leave colkoch a comment of support. Roman Catholic catholics like him need all the encouragement we can give them as they are the only members of their church who can bring the prayers of the Church for unity to fruition.
THE PRAYER LIST - 9th. MARCH 2011
From VOICE OF AMERICA:
At least 10 people were killed in clashes between Muslims and Christians in the capital, Cairo, Tuesday. 110 people were wounded in the violence. The clashes erupted after at least 1,000 Christians gathered to protest the burning of a church in a Cairo suburb last week.
If the people of Egypt really want to live in a true democracy, the majority are going to have to accept their responsibility for the safety of any minorities in their land. Otherwise their nation will become an uncivilised, unenlightened and undemocratic killing ground. We pray this does not happen and that the people of Egypt take the opportunity of their newly won freedom to give freedom to all in their land.
From REUTERS:
A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 hit off the coast of northeastern Japan on Wednesday, but there are so far no reports of damage from the quake. A tsunami advisory of up to 50 cm (about 20 inches) was issued for northeastern Japan after the quake hit around 11:45 a.m.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
A suicide bomber detonated his explosives at a funeral procession in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing at least 34 people. At least 45 people were reported wounded, several in a critical condition. The attack took place in the Matni Adezai area near the provincial capital of Peshawar in the restive northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. At the time of the attack more than 150 people had gathered in an open ground to offer prayers for the wife of Hakeem Khan, a local figure who has resisted the Taliban.
Posted by LKT at THE INFUSION:
Quick update on Cote d'Ivoire
"At least four demonstrators, including a 19-year-old woman, were shot dead by riot police officers on Tuesday as they protested the shooting deaths of women who marched last week, witnesses said."
The neighborhood where the women were killed last week is now autonomous, according to the article, "thanks to the shadowy young men with stolen Kalashnikov rifles who have waged an armed campaign against Mr. Gbagbo — the Invisible Commando, as the group is known in the neighborhood."
Laurent Gbagbo, most of you reading this blog will know, is the president of Cote d'Ivoire who is generally believed to have lost the election there last November to Alassane Ouattara. He, however, has refused to concede the election despite economic and other pressures applied to get him to go.
When Mr. Gbagbo’s security forces penetrate here [in the neighborhood where the women were killed], they do so only in armored vehicles, often spraying bullets on either side as they go through, residents said. Many civilians have been killed in this rough Ouattara-supporting neighborhood of Muslim immigrants from northern Ivory Coast, but so have some of Mr. Gbagbo’s security forces. It is the one neighborhood that has taken up arms against him.
This is not pretty.
***
From JCF:
No one (in my circle) has heard from my friend Cath (suffering from Stage 4 Lung Cancer) for 2+ weeks, and no one can reach her (unanswered emails, voicemail). PLEASE pray for her---and for those of us who love her.
***
Posted by David G. at THE HEARSE RIDE:
This fucking depressive state I've been in lately (1-1-2011) is doing me in!! I think of suicide 24/7, and in a way I can't do, since I don't own a handgun. I own an antique shotgun that hasn't been cleaned in at least 20 years, ..not something to load live rounds into!! A car with a screwed up exhaust system, no garage, no pills .... I do own several super sharp chef knives that would do the job, but one has to plunge them in themselves, ...Not gonna happen here!!
I've been asking myself the same question for most of my life, ..WHY THE FUCK AM I HERE?!?
***
Posted by Jan at YEARNING FOR GOD:
Due to continued pain, I went back to my doctor today, who told me I have "non-specific arthritis." Okay, that almost sounds like I have made it up. I asked about being referred to a rheumatologist, and Dr. S. said he would be laughed at when he told them that I had such a low sed rate and so would not do that.
So I am again trying a low-dose of prednisone (1/2 a pill), this time for five days, then off, and possibly on again. Dr. S. said to try this to see if it would help me during my trip to Spain to see MJ (March 30-April 13). I hope I won't contract the side effects of taking a steroid. . . .
I appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this season of discomfort.
THANKSGIVING
From THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
Serbia and Kosovo have launched their first direct talks since Kosovo's declaration of independence three years ago, voicing high hopes amid European Union and United States encouragement.
A first round of talks, lasting about two hours on Tuesday and to be followed up last night, were ''constructive, friendly and frank'', an EU source said.
Kosovo's deputy prime minister, Edita Tahiri, said: ''We come with a positive spirit and constructive approach. With creativity we think we may overcome the differences and it may improve the lives of people but also advance the European agenda for both states.''
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
At least 10 people were killed in clashes between Muslims and Christians in the capital, Cairo, Tuesday. 110 people were wounded in the violence. The clashes erupted after at least 1,000 Christians gathered to protest the burning of a church in a Cairo suburb last week.
If the people of Egypt really want to live in a true democracy, the majority are going to have to accept their responsibility for the safety of any minorities in their land. Otherwise their nation will become an uncivilised, unenlightened and undemocratic killing ground. We pray this does not happen and that the people of Egypt take the opportunity of their newly won freedom to give freedom to all in their land.
From REUTERS:
A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 hit off the coast of northeastern Japan on Wednesday, but there are so far no reports of damage from the quake. A tsunami advisory of up to 50 cm (about 20 inches) was issued for northeastern Japan after the quake hit around 11:45 a.m.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
A suicide bomber detonated his explosives at a funeral procession in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing at least 34 people. At least 45 people were reported wounded, several in a critical condition. The attack took place in the Matni Adezai area near the provincial capital of Peshawar in the restive northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. At the time of the attack more than 150 people had gathered in an open ground to offer prayers for the wife of Hakeem Khan, a local figure who has resisted the Taliban.
Posted by LKT at THE INFUSION:
Quick update on Cote d'Ivoire
"At least four demonstrators, including a 19-year-old woman, were shot dead by riot police officers on Tuesday as they protested the shooting deaths of women who marched last week, witnesses said."
The neighborhood where the women were killed last week is now autonomous, according to the article, "thanks to the shadowy young men with stolen Kalashnikov rifles who have waged an armed campaign against Mr. Gbagbo — the Invisible Commando, as the group is known in the neighborhood."
Laurent Gbagbo, most of you reading this blog will know, is the president of Cote d'Ivoire who is generally believed to have lost the election there last November to Alassane Ouattara. He, however, has refused to concede the election despite economic and other pressures applied to get him to go.
When Mr. Gbagbo’s security forces penetrate here [in the neighborhood where the women were killed], they do so only in armored vehicles, often spraying bullets on either side as they go through, residents said. Many civilians have been killed in this rough Ouattara-supporting neighborhood of Muslim immigrants from northern Ivory Coast, but so have some of Mr. Gbagbo’s security forces. It is the one neighborhood that has taken up arms against him.
This is not pretty.
***
From JCF:
No one (in my circle) has heard from my friend Cath (suffering from Stage 4 Lung Cancer) for 2+ weeks, and no one can reach her (unanswered emails, voicemail). PLEASE pray for her---and for those of us who love her.
***
Posted by David G. at THE HEARSE RIDE:
This fucking depressive state I've been in lately (1-1-2011) is doing me in!! I think of suicide 24/7, and in a way I can't do, since I don't own a handgun. I own an antique shotgun that hasn't been cleaned in at least 20 years, ..not something to load live rounds into!! A car with a screwed up exhaust system, no garage, no pills .... I do own several super sharp chef knives that would do the job, but one has to plunge them in themselves, ...Not gonna happen here!!
I've been asking myself the same question for most of my life, ..WHY THE FUCK AM I HERE?!?
***
Posted by Jan at YEARNING FOR GOD:
Due to continued pain, I went back to my doctor today, who told me I have "non-specific arthritis." Okay, that almost sounds like I have made it up. I asked about being referred to a rheumatologist, and Dr. S. said he would be laughed at when he told them that I had such a low sed rate and so would not do that.
So I am again trying a low-dose of prednisone (1/2 a pill), this time for five days, then off, and possibly on again. Dr. S. said to try this to see if it would help me during my trip to Spain to see MJ (March 30-April 13). I hope I won't contract the side effects of taking a steroid. . . .
I appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this season of discomfort.
THANKSGIVING
From THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
Serbia and Kosovo have launched their first direct talks since Kosovo's declaration of independence three years ago, voicing high hopes amid European Union and United States encouragement.
A first round of talks, lasting about two hours on Tuesday and to be followed up last night, were ''constructive, friendly and frank'', an EU source said.
Kosovo's deputy prime minister, Edita Tahiri, said: ''We come with a positive spirit and constructive approach. With creativity we think we may overcome the differences and it may improve the lives of people but also advance the European agenda for both states.''
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS AN OLD LADY,
TALKING DRUMS AND A GONG GONG
Posted On : March 8, 2011 5:07 PM | Posted By : Admin ACO
ACNS: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2011/3/8/ACNS4810
ACNS: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2011/3/8/ACNS4810
Related Categories: ACO - Indaba Central Africa
“The Anglican Communion is one family” Ghanaian bishop tells theologians.
By ACNS staff
Ghanaian bishop Festus Yeboah-Asuamah told a recent meeting of Ghanaian theologians that while the challenges facing the Communion were “complex”, and that the answers may yet be “far away” there was hope in unity.
Speaking at the latest Continuing Indaba ‘hub’ meeting, Bishop Festus said, “There is hope! We should try as much as possible to keep the Anglican Communion together – we are one family.”
He was one of ten theologians who met on March 4-5 to consider how Ghanaian culture and theology could shape the Continuing Indaba1initiative taking place across the Anglican Communion.
Facilitated by Dr Victor Atta-Baffoe, Dean of St Nicholas Seminary in Ghana’s Cape Coast, the group considered a number of models of conversation from their cultural perspectives that resonate with the Scriptures and the traditions of the church.
The group, which comprised both lay and ordained men and women, considered how the Scriptures and Christian tradition might resonate with Ghanaian cultural perspectives to assist the Anglican Communion. In particular they discussed the place of the wisdom of the ‘Old Lady’ in Ghanaian culture. The Old Lady is understood as collective wisdom concerned for finding an end to otherwise endless dialogue by paying attention to the unity of the whole community. The theologians also reflected on the significance of the ‘linguist,’ the ‘gong gong’ or ‘proclaimer’, and the ‘talking drum’ in discovering identity and maintaining unity in diverse communities.
The group ranged in age from 29 to 72. One of the older members remarked that he discovered that some of their traditional practices had great value because they often relate closely to Scripture.
The Ven Paul Katampu reflected on the peace efforts in the north of Ghana that helped to prevent civil war there. The process concentrated on grassroots peace-building before addressing issues directly.
Mrs Stella Ansah, the leader of the Alpha groups in Accra diocese , said “Whatever we do here we should bring it down to earth so the lay at the local level can be helped in the tensions that exist in many parishes in our dioceses.”
The consultation was the latest of the Continuing Indaba resource hubs that aim to gather resources to ensure that Continuing Indaba is faithful to Scripture and shaped by the cultures of the Communion.
Other hubs have taken place in Kenya, Tanzania and Southern Africa as well as the West Indies, England, North India, Hong Kong and the USA.
The hub was convened by Bishop Matthias Medadues-Badohu – Presiding Bishop of Ghana – and resourced by Canon Phil Groves of the Anglican Communion Office. Canon Groves was welcomed to Ghana by the Most Revd Justice Okrofi, Primate of West Africa and by the House of Bishops of Ghana meeting in Kumasi on March 1.
The theologians have committed themselves to write essays and articles emerging from their discussions for future publication. Vincent Assanful, who lectures in traditional religions at Ghana’s University of Cape Coast, was greatly encouraged by the consultation. He said, “People must sit together and listen”.
MADPRIEST NEEDS YOUR ADVICE
Would all readers with access to CHIN WAG please pop over there and leave your two-penneth on my new post, "DECISION TIME (ALMOST)."
Details of how to access CHIN WAG can be found in the righthand sidebar.
Details of how to access CHIN WAG can be found in the righthand sidebar.
THE WRONG MAN FOR THE JOB
From THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
(see also FAMILY FIRM'S THOUGHT POLICE PLAY DIRTY)
In ruling against Bruce Haddon on Tuesday, Justice Carolyn Simpson found the 60-year-old "committed Christian" sexually harassed female members of a Sydney church congregation. She found it true that he introduced sexual topics into his conversations, made unwelcome comments on the women's appearance and clothes, and inappropriately kissed and touched them.
Mr Haddon sued, in the NSW Supreme Court, the Reverend Dominic Steele of St Aidan's Anglican Church at Annandale and church counsellor and Network Ten journalist Evan Batten. The divorced management consultant claimed he was defamed in two February 2008 emails, sent to him but copied to others. They referred to Mr Haddon not sticking to his agreement to change his conduct after complaints from women about his behaviour. He claimed the emails were really written because he had become unpopular as "his doctrines were starting to evolve away from the strict Sydney (diocese) beliefs".
But Justice Simpson heard evidence from women who described Mr Haddon's intrusive and unwelcome comments, such as "women look so lovely when they wear dresses, it is just so feminine".
They told the judge the comments and his hugging and kissing them on the cheek made them feel uncomfortable.
One said Mr Hadden told her: "The only reason a husband should be unhappy is if his wife's ugly".
Another recalled him talking about not wanting to have sex with an older female "because women of that age have dry vaginas and it lacks sponginess".
A pregnant woman was advised by Mr Haddon to have a caesarean as it would be better for her later "intimate relationship" with her husband.
The judge also noted Mr Haddon "recommended orgasm as an antidote to bipolar disorder" when a woman said her friend suffered from the condition.
Mr Haddon told one woman it would be difficult for another to find a husband because she was overweight. And he advised another not to eat sweets in the afternoon as it would make her put on weight.
But, unlike the journalist at the SMH, I would also bring to your attention this part of THE JUDGEMENT:
344 There is ample evidence that Mr Haddon's theological position differed radically from that of Mr Steele. I am satisfied that Mr Steele held considerable control over the theological direction of the congregation of CIM, and that he wished to keep it that way. A good example of his determination to do so is, in my opinion, to be found in his circulation of the AFES Confession, requiring adherence to his stated doctrinal position by any who would be involved in "ministry" functions. It is probably no coincidence that he only did so after Mr Haddon joined the congregation, and began disseminating his dissenting and, to Mr Steele, unacceptable, theology. In my opinion, Mr Steele did not want Mr Haddon to disrupt the even tenor of the congregation. The evidence suggests that this was a cohesive and united congregation who joined in church and social activities together and accepted (perhaps unquestioningly) the leadership of Mr Steele. There was not a word of evidence that any other member of the congregation questioned the orthodoxy of the doctrines of the Church of England as taught by him.
345 I have no doubt that Mr Steele found Mr Haddon a "troublesome" congregant, of whom he would have liked to be rid, if he could not be brought into line. That he found Mr Haddon "troublesome" is best illustrated by the following. On 15 September 2007 Mr Steele was referred, by Greg Clarke, to an article in a US journal entitled "Church Antagonists: Can't live with them, Can live without them" (Ex FFF). The article is lengthy, and does not bear reproducing.
346 It is worth, however, quoting from its conclusion:
"The time may come when all efforts to control the activity of an antagonist are to no avail. The antagonist's attack continues, and the church is being split by his efforts. In this situation, there are two more options: the pastor may resign or the antagonist may be removed.
...
Sometimes an antagonist's attack reaches the point where a decision has to be made between excluding that person from the church or having very little church left. The antagonist's behavior has to be such that the church bylaws mandate removal. The extreme measure of removing the antagonist is a last resort, a step that must be approached with fear and trembling - and much prayer. This is a hard step to take, but it is sometimes necessary to ensure the stability of the congregation."
347 The following day Mr Steele passed this on to Andrew Barry, with the comment:
"I think Greg may have given us the clue to handling Bruce ..." (Ex FFF)
He also passed it on to CS, who, it seems, disseminated it more widely.
348 Mr Batten was also unhappy about Mr Haddon's theology and the effect it was having on CIM. On 11 September 2007, he sent an email to Mr Steele, identifying as the subject "bh" (Ex HHH). It is obvious from the content of this email that Mr Batten and Mr Steele had been having discussions about Mr Haddon. In this email Mr Batten said: "but I also think scripture would also advise you to actively fight lies and untruth while holding a cool head ... the Haddon issue is spreading like yeast through the dough of our community, judging by the number of people he is meeting with and talking about the ban"
349 Senior counsel for Mr Haddon also pointed to exchanges post-dating 15 February that placed more emphasis on the theological differences than the conduct issue. It is obvious from these documents that the negotiations did not cease on the sending of the email to Mr Haddon on that date.
IN CONCLUSION: Haddon sounds like an absolute bore and a truly rude man.
The Family Firm are a bunch of control freaks who have rejected the freedom preached by Jesus Christ in favour of bonds of slavery to their own interpretation of Judaic law. When psychology doesn't work they resort to high-handedness and bullying. They are arrogant and completely unquestioning of their own beliefs. Throughout the world they have brought the gospel preached by Jesus Christ into disrepute by replacing Christ's insistence on God's love for humans with legalism and the worship of human endeavours and have led many astray by utilising techniques previously found in Stalinist Russia and works of fiction such as "1984" by George Orwell.
In Sydney, Big Brother (and the rest of the family) are watching you.
Resistance is not futile. But you would have to be a much more Godly person than Mr Haddon to take on the might of the Aussie Pharisees.
(see also FAMILY FIRM'S THOUGHT POLICE PLAY DIRTY)
In ruling against Bruce Haddon on Tuesday, Justice Carolyn Simpson found the 60-year-old "committed Christian" sexually harassed female members of a Sydney church congregation. She found it true that he introduced sexual topics into his conversations, made unwelcome comments on the women's appearance and clothes, and inappropriately kissed and touched them.
Mr Haddon sued, in the NSW Supreme Court, the Reverend Dominic Steele of St Aidan's Anglican Church at Annandale and church counsellor and Network Ten journalist Evan Batten. The divorced management consultant claimed he was defamed in two February 2008 emails, sent to him but copied to others. They referred to Mr Haddon not sticking to his agreement to change his conduct after complaints from women about his behaviour. He claimed the emails were really written because he had become unpopular as "his doctrines were starting to evolve away from the strict Sydney (diocese) beliefs".
But Justice Simpson heard evidence from women who described Mr Haddon's intrusive and unwelcome comments, such as "women look so lovely when they wear dresses, it is just so feminine".
They told the judge the comments and his hugging and kissing them on the cheek made them feel uncomfortable.
One said Mr Hadden told her: "The only reason a husband should be unhappy is if his wife's ugly".
Another recalled him talking about not wanting to have sex with an older female "because women of that age have dry vaginas and it lacks sponginess".
A pregnant woman was advised by Mr Haddon to have a caesarean as it would be better for her later "intimate relationship" with her husband.
The judge also noted Mr Haddon "recommended orgasm as an antidote to bipolar disorder" when a woman said her friend suffered from the condition.
Mr Haddon told one woman it would be difficult for another to find a husband because she was overweight. And he advised another not to eat sweets in the afternoon as it would make her put on weight.
But, unlike the journalist at the SMH, I would also bring to your attention this part of THE JUDGEMENT:
344 There is ample evidence that Mr Haddon's theological position differed radically from that of Mr Steele. I am satisfied that Mr Steele held considerable control over the theological direction of the congregation of CIM, and that he wished to keep it that way. A good example of his determination to do so is, in my opinion, to be found in his circulation of the AFES Confession, requiring adherence to his stated doctrinal position by any who would be involved in "ministry" functions. It is probably no coincidence that he only did so after Mr Haddon joined the congregation, and began disseminating his dissenting and, to Mr Steele, unacceptable, theology. In my opinion, Mr Steele did not want Mr Haddon to disrupt the even tenor of the congregation. The evidence suggests that this was a cohesive and united congregation who joined in church and social activities together and accepted (perhaps unquestioningly) the leadership of Mr Steele. There was not a word of evidence that any other member of the congregation questioned the orthodoxy of the doctrines of the Church of England as taught by him.
345 I have no doubt that Mr Steele found Mr Haddon a "troublesome" congregant, of whom he would have liked to be rid, if he could not be brought into line. That he found Mr Haddon "troublesome" is best illustrated by the following. On 15 September 2007 Mr Steele was referred, by Greg Clarke, to an article in a US journal entitled "Church Antagonists: Can't live with them, Can live without them" (Ex FFF). The article is lengthy, and does not bear reproducing.
346 It is worth, however, quoting from its conclusion:
"The time may come when all efforts to control the activity of an antagonist are to no avail. The antagonist's attack continues, and the church is being split by his efforts. In this situation, there are two more options: the pastor may resign or the antagonist may be removed.
...
Sometimes an antagonist's attack reaches the point where a decision has to be made between excluding that person from the church or having very little church left. The antagonist's behavior has to be such that the church bylaws mandate removal. The extreme measure of removing the antagonist is a last resort, a step that must be approached with fear and trembling - and much prayer. This is a hard step to take, but it is sometimes necessary to ensure the stability of the congregation."
347 The following day Mr Steele passed this on to Andrew Barry, with the comment:
"I think Greg may have given us the clue to handling Bruce ..." (Ex FFF)
He also passed it on to CS, who, it seems, disseminated it more widely.
348 Mr Batten was also unhappy about Mr Haddon's theology and the effect it was having on CIM. On 11 September 2007, he sent an email to Mr Steele, identifying as the subject "bh" (Ex HHH). It is obvious from the content of this email that Mr Batten and Mr Steele had been having discussions about Mr Haddon. In this email Mr Batten said: "but I also think scripture would also advise you to actively fight lies and untruth while holding a cool head ... the Haddon issue is spreading like yeast through the dough of our community, judging by the number of people he is meeting with and talking about the ban"
349 Senior counsel for Mr Haddon also pointed to exchanges post-dating 15 February that placed more emphasis on the theological differences than the conduct issue. It is obvious from these documents that the negotiations did not cease on the sending of the email to Mr Haddon on that date.
IN CONCLUSION: Haddon sounds like an absolute bore and a truly rude man.
The Family Firm are a bunch of control freaks who have rejected the freedom preached by Jesus Christ in favour of bonds of slavery to their own interpretation of Judaic law. When psychology doesn't work they resort to high-handedness and bullying. They are arrogant and completely unquestioning of their own beliefs. Throughout the world they have brought the gospel preached by Jesus Christ into disrepute by replacing Christ's insistence on God's love for humans with legalism and the worship of human endeavours and have led many astray by utilising techniques previously found in Stalinist Russia and works of fiction such as "1984" by George Orwell.
In Sydney, Big Brother (and the rest of the family) are watching you.
Resistance is not futile. But you would have to be a much more Godly person than Mr Haddon to take on the might of the Aussie Pharisees.
ANOTHER CASE OF STIPEND BEFORE INTEGRITY
From THIS IS SOUTH DEVON:
A Church of England vicar has defected to the Catholic church in an emotional speech to his Torquay flock yesterday. Father David Lashbrooke, who has been attached to the Parish Church of St Marychurch for almost nine years, fought back tears as he broke the news to his congregation.
He said he had wrestled with the changes brought to the Church of England and his decision to leave was 'God's calling'.
He told the congregation he regretted not being able to announce his intentions to defect earlier, but he would have been forced to cease public ministry in obedience to The Bishop of Exeter.
He said he felt the General Synod had made decisions which were not within its power to make.
He commented: "Like other parts of the Anglican communion, the Synod is paying scant regard to scripture and tradition and is consequently making decisions that both the Catholic and Orthodox church regard as moving the prospect of visible unity further and further away.
"I believe the Synod is trying to make the church conform to culture rather than being faithful to new life found in Jesus Christ." (see "Religiously Not Christian" below - it doesn't only apply to evangelicals)
A Church of England vicar has defected to the Catholic church in an emotional speech to his Torquay flock yesterday. Father David Lashbrooke, who has been attached to the Parish Church of St Marychurch for almost nine years, fought back tears as he broke the news to his congregation.
He said he had wrestled with the changes brought to the Church of England and his decision to leave was 'God's calling'.
He told the congregation he regretted not being able to announce his intentions to defect earlier, but he would have been forced to cease public ministry in obedience to The Bishop of Exeter.
He said he felt the General Synod had made decisions which were not within its power to make.
He commented: "Like other parts of the Anglican communion, the Synod is paying scant regard to scripture and tradition and is consequently making decisions that both the Catholic and Orthodox church regard as moving the prospect of visible unity further and further away.
"I believe the Synod is trying to make the church conform to culture rather than being faithful to new life found in Jesus Christ." (see "Religiously Not Christian" below - it doesn't only apply to evangelicals)
A BIT TOO HIGH BROW FOR OCICBW...
I bought Grandmère Mimi a book the other month. I was listening to it myself (I can't be arsed with reading nowadays but I'm an avid audiobookphile) and I wanted to share my enjoyment of the book with somebody else and Mimi was the only person I could think of whom I thought would "get it." There's a heck of a lot of obscure references in the book and to properly enjoy it you need to be somebody with a good knowledge of classical and 19th. Century philosophy, 20th. Century trends in psychology and US political gossip whilst possessing a truly low brow addiction to the whole Hollywood thing, pre-1962. Mimi fitted the bill, as they say.
And, hurray! She did enjoy it and she has published an excellent review of the book at her blog WOUND-UP BIRD.
The book is titled, "The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe" and it's by Andrew O'Hagan.
Go read all about it at Mimi's place. You know, just like Marilyn, Grandmère Mimi isn't as dumb as she looks.
And, hurray! She did enjoy it and she has published an excellent review of the book at her blog WOUND-UP BIRD.
The book is titled, "The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe" and it's by Andrew O'Hagan.
Go read all about it at Mimi's place. You know, just like Marilyn, Grandmère Mimi isn't as dumb as she looks.
RELIGIOUSLY NOT CHRISTIAN
The results from a recent poll published by THE PEW FORUM reveal what social scientists have known for a long time: White Evangelical Christians are the group least likely to support politicians or policies that reflect the actual teachings of Jesus. It is perhaps one of the strangest, most dumb-founding ironies in contemporary American culture. Evangelical Christians, who most fiercely proclaim to have a personal relationship with Christ, who most confidently declare their belief that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, who go to church on a regular basis, pray daily, listen to Christian music, and place God and His Only Begotten Son at the center of their lives, are simultaneously the very people most likely to reject his teachings and despise his radical message.
(Phil Zuckerman
THE HUFFINGTON POST)
Hat-tip to SUSAN RUSSELL.
(Phil Zuckerman
THE HUFFINGTON POST)
Hat-tip to SUSAN RUSSELL.
BEFRIEND A BLOGGER
From our friend, CHELLIAH LAITY'S blog:
This blog post is an attempt to get Christian Bloggers to introduce themselves and to get to know each other better-online networking Christian style. Yes, I know Facebook and Twitter got there first but I am tying this experiment in with Lent. Please leave a comment below on who you are (do expand on this) and what you are giving up for Lent or not. I am not giving anything up for Lent and, instead, I resolve to read a book dedicated to Lent which I bought 3 years ago and have never got around to reading. Post a picture of yourself if possible too.
COMMENT: Oh, go on, you lot! She's a really nice lady. Pop over to her place and make friends.
This blog post is an attempt to get Christian Bloggers to introduce themselves and to get to know each other better-online networking Christian style. Yes, I know Facebook and Twitter got there first but I am tying this experiment in with Lent. Please leave a comment below on who you are (do expand on this) and what you are giving up for Lent or not. I am not giving anything up for Lent and, instead, I resolve to read a book dedicated to Lent which I bought 3 years ago and have never got around to reading. Post a picture of yourself if possible too.
COMMENT: Oh, go on, you lot! She's a really nice lady. Pop over to her place and make friends.
THE PRAYER LIST - 8th. MARCH 2011
From YNET:
Defense Minister Barak said Israel might request an additional $20 billion in military assistance from the United States in order to prepare for possible threats, given the recent unrest in the Middle East.
$20? A nation could start to build a free health service for less!
We pray for an end to the arms races of the world that do more to cause wars rather than prevent them and for the spending of all the money saved on relieving the suffering of the poor, which would do more to prevent wars than anything else possibly could.
***
From THE MAIL:
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has revealed that American soldiers would remain in Afghanistan, despite a planned troop withdrawal in 2014.
***
From THE BBC (Asia-Pacific):
Chinese officials have announced travel restrictions to Tibet ahead of the third anniversary of riots there.
We pray for the people of Tibet; for an end to the systematic rape of their culture and national identity by the Chinese and for their independence. If South Sudan can get the backing of the international community in their bid for self-government then so should Tibet, whatever the financial consequences of such support.
***
From THE INDEPENDENT:
Any last vestiges of doubt that President Barack Obama had abandoned entirely on his election pledge to close down Guantanamo Bay evaporated last night as he gave the green light for military trials there to resume and laid down the rules for holding some of the detainees inside the camp indefinitely.
Incarceration without a speedy and fair trial is an evil recognised by all civilised people. We pray for an end to all the governemnt backed judicial evils in our world.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
A car bomb exploded at a gas station in a city in central Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and leaving more than a 100 wounded. Aftab Cheema, the police chief of Faisalabad, confirmed the explosion was caused by a car bomb, but denied that the blast was triggered by a suicide bomber. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
From CNN:
Egyptian activists called for a Million Woman March on Tuesday, demanding "fair and equal opportunity for all Egyptian citizens -- beyond gender, religion or class."
"We are not after minority rights. We are not after symbolic political representation. The bodies of women, so often used as ideological battlegrounds, have withstood all kinds of police violence, from tear gas to live bullets. The real battleground did not differentiate between women and men," they said in a statement on Facebook.
We pray for the success of this movement and all other calls for non-discrimination in Egypt. Only if Egypt's future constitution is based on such universal equality will the struggles and sacrifices of so many be truly worthwhile.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
Government warplanes taunted rebels with flyovers and repeatedly bombed their positions near the coastal city of Ras Lanuf's oil refinery on Monday and Tuesday, seeking to drive the opposition forces back farther to the east, as Libya continued what appeared to be a slide into civil war.
The recent calls for Gaddafi to be tried at the The Hague means that his only option is to fight until the bitter end. We pray for a very speedy and just ending of this conflict.
***
Posted by KELLOGSVILLE on her blog:
Every year I swear something will be different by the following New Year, I always swear I will have a new baby, my baby, the one I have been waiting for for 12 years.
Well here we are 1st quarter nearly done and it's not going to happen is it. The plumbers have been in (for some time!) and they moved a lot of baby car seats, prams, high chairs, bags of baby clothes...all the things I hang onto, waiting, waiting for that special day. I think it's time to get rid of them. I have to come to terms with the fact that it isn't going to happen and to be happy with my lot. It is a very special and beautiful lot that I have but it would have been so good to have had one more chance to cuddle one of these.
So my New Years plan is likely to fail again.
There is a pain inside.
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
Defense Minister Barak said Israel might request an additional $20 billion in military assistance from the United States in order to prepare for possible threats, given the recent unrest in the Middle East.
$20? A nation could start to build a free health service for less!
We pray for an end to the arms races of the world that do more to cause wars rather than prevent them and for the spending of all the money saved on relieving the suffering of the poor, which would do more to prevent wars than anything else possibly could.
***
From THE MAIL:
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has revealed that American soldiers would remain in Afghanistan, despite a planned troop withdrawal in 2014.
***
From THE BBC (Asia-Pacific):
Chinese officials have announced travel restrictions to Tibet ahead of the third anniversary of riots there.
We pray for the people of Tibet; for an end to the systematic rape of their culture and national identity by the Chinese and for their independence. If South Sudan can get the backing of the international community in their bid for self-government then so should Tibet, whatever the financial consequences of such support.
***
From THE INDEPENDENT:
Any last vestiges of doubt that President Barack Obama had abandoned entirely on his election pledge to close down Guantanamo Bay evaporated last night as he gave the green light for military trials there to resume and laid down the rules for holding some of the detainees inside the camp indefinitely.
Incarceration without a speedy and fair trial is an evil recognised by all civilised people. We pray for an end to all the governemnt backed judicial evils in our world.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
A car bomb exploded at a gas station in a city in central Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and leaving more than a 100 wounded. Aftab Cheema, the police chief of Faisalabad, confirmed the explosion was caused by a car bomb, but denied that the blast was triggered by a suicide bomber. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
From CNN:
Egyptian activists called for a Million Woman March on Tuesday, demanding "fair and equal opportunity for all Egyptian citizens -- beyond gender, religion or class."
"We are not after minority rights. We are not after symbolic political representation. The bodies of women, so often used as ideological battlegrounds, have withstood all kinds of police violence, from tear gas to live bullets. The real battleground did not differentiate between women and men," they said in a statement on Facebook.
We pray for the success of this movement and all other calls for non-discrimination in Egypt. Only if Egypt's future constitution is based on such universal equality will the struggles and sacrifices of so many be truly worthwhile.
***
From THE NEW YORK TIMES:
Government warplanes taunted rebels with flyovers and repeatedly bombed their positions near the coastal city of Ras Lanuf's oil refinery on Monday and Tuesday, seeking to drive the opposition forces back farther to the east, as Libya continued what appeared to be a slide into civil war.
The recent calls for Gaddafi to be tried at the The Hague means that his only option is to fight until the bitter end. We pray for a very speedy and just ending of this conflict.
***
Posted by KELLOGSVILLE on her blog:
Every year I swear something will be different by the following New Year, I always swear I will have a new baby, my baby, the one I have been waiting for for 12 years.Well here we are 1st quarter nearly done and it's not going to happen is it. The plumbers have been in (for some time!) and they moved a lot of baby car seats, prams, high chairs, bags of baby clothes...all the things I hang onto, waiting, waiting for that special day. I think it's time to get rid of them. I have to come to terms with the fact that it isn't going to happen and to be happy with my lot. It is a very special and beautiful lot that I have but it would have been so good to have had one more chance to cuddle one of these.
So my New Years plan is likely to fail again.
There is a pain inside.
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
Monday, 7 March 2011
MRS MADPRIEST HAS A BIRTHDAY
Yesterday was my wife's birthday and it was brilliant.
We spent the day in the Lake District and the sun shone. Those of you who know the English Lakes will realise what a miracle not getting drenched in the Lake District at this time of year (actually, at any time of year) is.
We went on a ferry across Ullswater and then walked the six odd miles back to the ferry jetty. This might not sound like a long walk but the path was so up and down as it meandered its way along the fellsides surrounding the lake that I think we probably climbed more steep gradients than if we had clambered up Helvellyn in stead. But, such strenuous rambles are Mrs MP's idea of fun and the dogs were certainly not complaining either.
In the evening we sat in the window of a dog-friendly pub overlooking the lake and pigged out on some local produce (which we had probably seen earlier gambolling around the lakeside meadows) cooked to perfection.
The only downside to the trip was the fact that, as it was Mrs MP's special day, I had to drive home which meant I couldn't work my way through the impressive range of fine ales the aforementioned hostelry had for sale. But, never mind, having a happy wife at the end of the day made such sacrifices well worth it.
Here are some photographs:
We spent the day in the Lake District and the sun shone. Those of you who know the English Lakes will realise what a miracle not getting drenched in the Lake District at this time of year (actually, at any time of year) is.
We went on a ferry across Ullswater and then walked the six odd miles back to the ferry jetty. This might not sound like a long walk but the path was so up and down as it meandered its way along the fellsides surrounding the lake that I think we probably climbed more steep gradients than if we had clambered up Helvellyn in stead. But, such strenuous rambles are Mrs MP's idea of fun and the dogs were certainly not complaining either.
In the evening we sat in the window of a dog-friendly pub overlooking the lake and pigged out on some local produce (which we had probably seen earlier gambolling around the lakeside meadows) cooked to perfection.
The only downside to the trip was the fact that, as it was Mrs MP's special day, I had to drive home which meant I couldn't work my way through the impressive range of fine ales the aforementioned hostelry had for sale. But, never mind, having a happy wife at the end of the day made such sacrifices well worth it.
Here are some photographs:
BISHOP TAKES ON "CIVIC" CONGREGATION
Julie Mack has written a fine piece of journalism for THE KALAMAZOO GAZETTE. Ostensibly a report of a parish priest "doing a football charge" on a 76 year old member of his congregation, her use of phrases such as "community leaders" and "whose family owns Morrison Jewelers" and her reportage of the choirs' antics, indicates exactly what has been going on in this church.
And congratulations to Bishop Robert Gepert for standing up to these pillars of the local establishment.
In September, the lay board turned to the bishop, who brought in people to conduct an investigation of the church’s problems. The conclusion of that investigation: St. Luke’s was “deeply dysfunctional,” both in its finances and its relationships.
On Thursday, Gepert notified church members in a five-page letter that his “godly judgment” was to dissolve the lay board, appoint a new six-member board, and put Lawlor on a four-month leave of absence, with Gepert assuming his duties during that time.
”The terms of this godly judgment will continue until I am satisfied the conflict is resolved,” Gepert wrote. “Further resistance and lack of cooperation, including movement of funds unauthorized by myself,” will result in declaring St. Luke’s a mission church, putting it under indefinite direct control of the diocese.
For a bishop to risk upsetting a nice little earner like St. Luke's is a courageous act. From my experience bishops much prefer sacrificing the priest in such situations, no matter who is to blame.
And congratulations to Bishop Robert Gepert for standing up to these pillars of the local establishment.
In September, the lay board turned to the bishop, who brought in people to conduct an investigation of the church’s problems. The conclusion of that investigation: St. Luke’s was “deeply dysfunctional,” both in its finances and its relationships.
On Thursday, Gepert notified church members in a five-page letter that his “godly judgment” was to dissolve the lay board, appoint a new six-member board, and put Lawlor on a four-month leave of absence, with Gepert assuming his duties during that time.
”The terms of this godly judgment will continue until I am satisfied the conflict is resolved,” Gepert wrote. “Further resistance and lack of cooperation, including movement of funds unauthorized by myself,” will result in declaring St. Luke’s a mission church, putting it under indefinite direct control of the diocese.
For a bishop to risk upsetting a nice little earner like St. Luke's is a courageous act. From my experience bishops much prefer sacrificing the priest in such situations, no matter who is to blame.
ELSEWHERE ON THE OCICBW... EXPERIENCE
THE ANCHORHOLD @ OCICBW...:
"The Center (sic) In Which All Things Meet"
"A Strange Analogy"
ST. LAIKA'S: A podcasted service of daily prayer for the feast of Perpetua, Felicity and their companions, with music.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
At its heart, Anglicanism is Catholicism focussed
on Jesus Christ as revealed in the Gospels.
on Jesus Christ as revealed in the Gospels.
THE SOPPY JAN SELECTION
This is Maisie.
Read the full, unexpurgated truth about how Maisie
ended up receiving such a cruel and unusual
punishment at YEARNING FOR GOD.
Read the full, unexpurgated truth about how Maisie
ended up receiving such a cruel and unusual
punishment at YEARNING FOR GOD.
THE PRAYER LIST - 7th. MARCH 2011
From THE WASHINGTON POST:
Saudi Arabia's security forces have detained at least 22 minority Shiites who protested last week against discrimination, activists said Sunday, as the kingdom tries to keep the wave of regional unrest outside its borders.
***
From VOICE OF AMERICA:
A US-based non-profit group and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf are concerned the escalating violence in Ivory Coast and the refugees it generates could undermine Liberia’s fragile peace. The number of refugees flowing into neighboring Liberia increased dramatically last week from
40, 000 to 70,000.
From DIOBETH NEWSPIN:
Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families:
David R. Fahey Jr., 23
Jerome Firtamag, 29
Kristopher J. Gould, 25
Rudolph R. Hizon 22
Chauncy R. Mays, 25
Christopher G. Stark, 22
Brian Tabada, 21
Andrew C. Wilfahrt, 31
Pray also for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners, and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for an end to this endless war.
***
From Mauigirl at MAUIGIRL'S MEANDERINGS:
I have some sad news - Little Cat (Zoe) started going downhill over the past few weeks, and about four days ago she lost interest in her food. So we took her to the vet on Thursday and they gave her IV fluids and nourishment, but it didn't help this time. She was just fading away. So we took her home and let her be in her own little bed. She spent a quiet day yesterday and slipped away a little after 7:30 p.m. last night. I'm glad she went so peacefully. She looked as if she was just asleep.
From Penolan at MENOPAUSAL STONERS:
We've jettisoned decades of memorabilia in preparation for the open house on Sunday and my ultimate move to WhoKnowsWhere. Yesterday, I jettisoned The Man from San Antone. It made me cry, of course. I've been crying a lot lately - especially Tuesday even though for the most part Buzz Kill has actually been stellar. In fact, he's been a better partner during this final stage of separation than he ever was during the marriage. On Tuesday, though, as I watched taking a cart filled with things we've been sentimentally attached to for decades out to the dumpster, it occurred to me that he threw away our marriage too. I cried so much my eyes were puffy until I went to bed the next day.
THANKSGIVING
Posted by Susan at LETTERS FROM A MALVERN VICARAGE:
This is almost as good as finding a survivor. We woke to the following news this morning.
05 Mar 2011: It had been initially thought that up to 22 people were inside the cathedral when the 6.3 magnitude quake struck on February 22. However, a search of the building, including the collapsed spire, has been completed and no bodies were found, it was reported today.
Superintendent Sandra Manderson told Radio New Zealand that recovery teams were elated to have found no bodies.
***
From Mauigirl at MAUIGIRL'S MEANDERINGS
(see prayer request above):
In the meantime, we have decided to keep Angel, the pit bull who showed up at our house three weeks ago on a freezing cold night. She was probably used for breeding, as she had obviously recently had puppies. She was also emaciated, very smelly, and had very long toenails, as if she was never walked. After she had a bath we took her to the vet and she got her shots. She's completely housebroken, and sweet as can be.
She is the most affectionate dog; all she wants to do is sit next to you and cuddle. She walks well on the leash, is great in the car, and just lives to please you. How anyone could have mistreated her like that is beyond me.
We gave her a toy and she was beside herself. She'd apparently never had one before.
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
Saudi Arabia's security forces have detained at least 22 minority Shiites who protested last week against discrimination, activists said Sunday, as the kingdom tries to keep the wave of regional unrest outside its borders.
***
From VOICE OF AMERICA:
A US-based non-profit group and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf are concerned the escalating violence in Ivory Coast and the refugees it generates could undermine Liberia’s fragile peace. The number of refugees flowing into neighboring Liberia increased dramatically last week from 40, 000 to 70,000.
From DIOBETH NEWSPIN:
Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families:
David R. Fahey Jr., 23
Jerome Firtamag, 29
Kristopher J. Gould, 25
Rudolph R. Hizon 22
Chauncy R. Mays, 25
Christopher G. Stark, 22
Brian Tabada, 21
Andrew C. Wilfahrt, 31
Pray also for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners, and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for an end to this endless war.
***
From Mauigirl at MAUIGIRL'S MEANDERINGS:
I have some sad news - Little Cat (Zoe) started going downhill over the past few weeks, and about four days ago she lost interest in her food. So we took her to the vet on Thursday and they gave her IV fluids and nourishment, but it didn't help this time. She was just fading away. So we took her home and let her be in her own little bed. She spent a quiet day yesterday and slipped away a little after 7:30 p.m. last night. I'm glad she went so peacefully. She looked as if she was just asleep.
From Penolan at MENOPAUSAL STONERS:
We've jettisoned decades of memorabilia in preparation for the open house on Sunday and my ultimate move to WhoKnowsWhere. Yesterday, I jettisoned The Man from San Antone. It made me cry, of course. I've been crying a lot lately - especially Tuesday even though for the most part Buzz Kill has actually been stellar. In fact, he's been a better partner during this final stage of separation than he ever was during the marriage. On Tuesday, though, as I watched taking a cart filled with things we've been sentimentally attached to for decades out to the dumpster, it occurred to me that he threw away our marriage too. I cried so much my eyes were puffy until I went to bed the next day.
THANKSGIVING
Posted by Susan at LETTERS FROM A MALVERN VICARAGE:
This is almost as good as finding a survivor. We woke to the following news this morning.
05 Mar 2011: It had been initially thought that up to 22 people were inside the cathedral when the 6.3 magnitude quake struck on February 22. However, a search of the building, including the collapsed spire, has been completed and no bodies were found, it was reported today.
Superintendent Sandra Manderson told Radio New Zealand that recovery teams were elated to have found no bodies.
***
From Mauigirl at MAUIGIRL'S MEANDERINGS
(see prayer request above):
In the meantime, we have decided to keep Angel, the pit bull who showed up at our house three weeks ago on a freezing cold night. She was probably used for breeding, as she had obviously recently had puppies. She was also emaciated, very smelly, and had very long toenails, as if she was never walked. After she had a bath we took her to the vet and she got her shots. She's completely housebroken, and sweet as can be.
She is the most affectionate dog; all she wants to do is sit next to you and cuddle. She walks well on the leash, is great in the car, and just lives to please you. How anyone could have mistreated her like that is beyond me.
We gave her a toy and she was beside herself. She'd apparently never had one before.
If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.
Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.
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