Thursday, January 19, 2006
Two-Child Policy vote in the Philippines (Update)  

A few days ago, I reported on a bill that is being taken up in the Filipino House which among other things will enshrine as preferential public policy that Filipino families have at most two children. This is really quite an incredible development that this bill is considered to have a realistic possibility of passing. The essence of the proposed legislation is akin to the one-child policy which China has maintained for years. However, the Philippines is neither a communist-run country nor is it ruled by a dictatorship. On the contrary, it is one of the most Catholic nations in the world (87% of the population). However, it seems that a small minority of folks who are influenced by the culture of death are trying to pass this legislation which flies in the face of all concepts of human dignity and freedom. Many are expressing their opposition to the bill including bishops, priests, and lay people. Fortunately, the bill has not yet come to a vote. This is allowing those in support of a culture of life to makes their case to the legislators. While the vote has been delayed, I would urge prayers against its passage and to click on some of the following links for more information.

Although the bill was to come to a vote this past Monday. It has not yet been put forward for a final vote. In an update from the Filipino Family Fund it is noted that:
[The] [b]ill is still pending deliberation at anytime. On 1/16/06, the bill was scheduled as "unfinished business" but debate was delayed due to other business which continued.
If you would like to know more about this issue, look at my previous post on this topic, go to the Filipino Family Fund Web site, or listen to a podcast from Catholic Exchange.

Posted by David at 8:23 AM  |  Comments (0)  | Link

Wednesday, January 18, 2006
The Crossroads Initiative and St. Anthony, Abbot  

I recently received an email inviting me to view the Crossroads Initiative Web site. It is a Web site produced by Marcellino D'Ambrosio in order to provide solid, Catholic resources. It is quite a nice site, and I would recommend taking a look at it. In the Web site he pulls together resources in order to make them available for purchase.

I am familiar with Marcellino D'Ambrosio from EWTN and Catholic Answers. These are great recommendations in of themselves, but I will add my own. I especially appreciate his presentation of the early Church Fathers. It is through my understanding of many of these early believers that I began my journey into the Catholic Church.

One such figure is St. Athanasius who is somewhat of a hero of mine. I certainly admire his faith that motivated him to defend Christ's fully humanity and full divinity against the overwhelming forces supporting Arianism early in the Church's history. In addition, St. Athanasius wrote a biography of St. Anthony of the desert whose feast was celebrated yesterday, January 17th. In this biography, he recounts how St. Anthony sensed God's call for him to leave the life he knew for a life fully dedicated to God. The Crossroads Initiative reminded me of this saint's call by including an excerpt from the Roman Office of readings about St. Anthony:
When Anthony was about eighteen or twenty years old, his parents died, leaving him with an only sister. He cared for her as she was very young, and also looked after their home.

Not six months after his parents' death, as he was on his way to church for his usual visit, he began to think of how the apostles had left everything and followed the Savior, and also of those mentioned in the book of Acts who had sold their possessions and brought the apostles the money for distribution to the needy. He reflected too on the great hope stored up in heaven for such as these. This was all in his mind when, entering the church just as the Gospel was being read, he heard the Lord's words to the rich man: If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor - you will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me.

It seemed to Anthony that it was God who had brought the saints to his mind and that the words of the Gospel had been spoken directly to him. Immediately he left the church and gave away to the villagers all the property he had inherited, about 200 acres of very beautiful and fertile land, so that it would cause no distraction to his sister and himself. He sold all his other possessions as well, giving to the poor the considerable sum of money he collected. However, to care for his sister he retained a few things.

The next time he went to church he heard the Lord say in the Gospel: "Do not be anxious about tomorrow." Without a moment's hesitation he went out and gave the poor all that he had left. He placed his sister in the care of some well-known and trustworthy virgins and arranged for her to be brought up in the convent. Then he gave himself up to the ascetic life, not far from his own home. He kept a careful watch over himself and practised great austerity. He did manual work because he had heard the words: If anyone will not work, do not let him eat. He spent some of his earnings on bread and the rest he gave to the poor.
It reminds me of St. Francis of Assisi's call to a life of poverty in which he had the Gospels opened three times in a row and the first passage found to be read. Each passage confirmed that he should sell all he had, give it to the poor, and follow Christ.

How often do we hear these types of stories and think that these are so simplistic. Or we think to ourselves that it certainly is not for me because God does not act that way in my life. My own experience is that He more often than not works in such straightforward, clear ways. The key is that we have to be open to Him revealing Himself and His Will in such beautifully, simple ways. St. Anthony and St. Francis were humble enought to accept God in a plain way. Perhaps the next time we are faced with such a decision, we should ask God to plainly show us the way, pray for a humble heart, and watch God answer our prayers with a straightforward reply.

Posted by David at 12:05 AM  |  Comments (0)  | Link

Sunday, January 15, 2006
Two-Child Policy vote in the Philippines  

Around 8 AM local time in Manila, Philippians (7 PM EST), the Congress will continue debate toward a vote on legislation entitled the Responsible Parenting and Population Control Act of 2005. It is clearly a piece of legislation which supports the culture of death because it legislates a governmentally-supported two children per family preference. A ZENIT interview with Eileen Macapanas Cosby, who is executive director of the Filipino Family Fund (www.filipinofamilyfund.org), outlines the many problems with the proposed legislation:
It is an affront to the culture of life in the U.S. and not just in the Philippines. I hope people see that.

If we let the most Catholic country in the world -- 87% of its nearly 85 million people are Catholic -- fall prey to these fringe groups, this will be a huge blow to the pro-family and pro-life movement. This will give the pro-choice leadership an advantage to do more damage than they did in Beijing or Cairo.

We have to pray that on January 16 the bill does not pass. It is up for a vote and the author claims 135 of 238 congressmen will support it.

Elements of the bill include preference in education for two-child families, free access to abortifacients, and mandatory sex education for children as young as 10 years old.

Under the bill, employers -- including the Catholic Church -- would be obligated to provide free "reproductive health care services and devices to the workers."

The bill defines "reproductive health care" as "availability and access to a full range of methods, techniques and services that contribute to reproductive and sexual health and well-being." This includes "family-planning information, condom and abortifacient birth prevention." Voluntary sterilization is also included.

The penalties for not participating in the proposed reproductive health program include imprisonment for up to six months.

Catholic health-care professionals who object to sterilization and contraception will be obligated to make a referral and not have the freedom to practice medicine according to their beliefs.

Catholic educators who will not share the mandated reproductive health curriculum will be imprisoned or fined up to 20,000 pesos ($382). Parents who object to their children receiving abortifacient health services will also pay the same penalty.
She continues to describe how the Filipino people have reacted:
The bishops are adamantly opposed. Filipinos are organizing prayer rallies. Mayors are joining Church leaders in speaking out and only permitting natural family planning as the family planning method of choice.

Some priests concerned about the abortifacient push have actually withheld Communion from legislators who signed the bill.

One archbishop addressed the faithful in pastoral letter in February: "The Church cannot be unmoved by these assaults on the family. The legislative proposal to limit the size of the Filipino family in the guise of 'reproductive rights' is unjust, arbitrary and unreasonable legislation. It has no place in public governance."
Obviously defeating this legislation should be of interest to all people who support a culture of life. It is, of course, interesting to note how some bishops and priests have reacted to this action. Their support for life should be supported by our prayers that this legislation is not passed.

For more information from the Population Research Institute click here.

To sign a petition opposing the legislation click here.

Posted by David at 10:29 AM  |  Comments (1)  | Link

Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Well Said  

Fr. Pavone of Priests for Life writes in his most recent column (also available as a podcast) about three important events that occur this month in the United States. First, there is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday on January 15th which is celebrated as a federal holiday on Monday, January 16th this year. On this day, we remember the work that this man did to help lead the civil rights movement in this country. One of the things for which he is remembered is his "I have a Dream" speech in which he was able to express the hopes and dreams of millions of African-Americans, indeed of all Americans of good will, who simply want all Americans regardless of race or skin color to be able to exercise their civil rights which they possesses as citizens of the United States. His work is continued today by all men and women who continue to fight all forms of discrimination and prejudice.

The second event that Fr. Pavone mentions is the marking of the terrible Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision which has allowed for tens of millions of abortions. This January 22nd will be the 31st year that this decision has remained in force. On Monday, January 23rd many people will unite together to provide an alternative view, a pro-life view that recognizes the reality that all human life is sacred even the unborn person. The March for Life will be held in Washington, DC in order to demonstrate to all Americans that civil rights are for all persons regardless of whether they have been born or are still developing in the womb.

Finally, Fr. Pavone notes that January 18 - 25 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. During this week Christians of many backgrounds come together in an honest way to pray for the unity which Christ desires. As Fr. Pavone notes, it is important for all to recognize what are our differences are what they are not. In particular, it is important that all Christians build on the One who is able to unite us. It is only Christ the Redeemer who is able to unite us.

Fr. Pavone continues to note that one source of unity in Christ is the work that many are doing throughout the world to, in the words of John Paul the Great, "chang[e] the world by inculcating respect for the rights and needs of everyone, especially the poor, the lowly, and the defenseless". He continues by noting that the civil rights and pro-life movements are doing this very work because both have the mission of, "seek[ing] to secure equal rights for marginalized human beings, despite their appearances, and to apply to law and culture the promises of the Gospel."

He emphasizes this idea by including a quote from Dr. King which captures the importance of these works of mercy which are saving and transforming lives,
"I'm always happy to see a relevant ministry. It's alright to talk about 'long white robes over yonder,' in all of its symbolism. But ultimately people want some suits and dresses and shoes to wear down here. It's alright to talk about 'streets flowing with milk and honey,' but God has commanded us to be concerned about the slums down here, and his children who can't eat three square meals a day. It's alright to talk about the new Jerusalem, but one day, God's preacher must talk about the new New York, the new Atlanta, the new Philadelphia, the new Los Angeles, the new Memphis, Tennessee. This is what we have to do."

Posted by David at 12:21 AM  |  Comments (0)  | Link

Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Christmas Season: Why the 25th?  

In the most edition of the Rosary Center's Rosary Light and Life, I read an explanation for why Christmas was placed on the twenty-fifth of December. I found it to be quite fascinating because it runs counter to most ideas about how backward the ancients were. The shortest day of the year (in the northern hemisphere, to which all of the following only applies) is December 22nd. On this day, there are the shortest number of hours of daylight. However, December 13th is the first day on which the sun sets later than it did the day before. And January 6th is the first day on which the sun rises earlier than it did the day before. Both of these days have astronomical significance in terms of light. They also share the spiritual theme of light. December 13th is the feast of St. Lucy whose name is derived from the word for light, lux. She was a martyr early in the life of the Church. Her martyrdom is a light of witness to Christ. And December 6th is Epiphany when the Light of Christ is first revealed to the Gentiles as the Church celebrates the magi who came to worship the new King. December 25th is 12 days away from each of these days. By placing the feasts days is this way, the early Church calendar-makers were highlighting the theme of light which is so important to this holy feast day.
The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen. Is. 9:2

Posted by David at 8:03 AM  |  Comments (0)  | Link

Monday, January 02, 2006
The Christmas Season: Epiphany  

One of the benefits of following the liturgical calendar is that you continue to celebrate Christmas long after December 25th has come and gone. When I was growing up and prior to my having any knowledge of the liturgical calendar, I had a sense that Christmas should continue to be celebrated for a while, not just for one day. However, without a framework for supporting that idea, there is little support for actually continuing to think about Christmas in the days that follow the actual day.

In the spirit of recognizing the liturgical season of Christmas, this year, my wife and I have decided to postpone our own gift exchange to one another until January 6th which is the traditional feast day of the Epiphany*. It is also the day that the Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas. It is of course fitting to consider this a day to emulate the magi by giving gifts. On this feast of the Epiphany, the Church celebrates that the Word made flesh was first revealed to the Gentiles when the magi came to worship Him offering their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

I also like the tradition associated with the feast of Epiphany on which the home is blessed. Part of this tradition includes inscribing with chalk the year and the initials of the three magi above the doors on the outside of your house. This year, the chalk will be used to make the following marking above the door:
20 + C + M + B + 06

I remember seeing that marking above doors when I was in Europe, but I did not know what it meant. I learned later that letters "C", "M", and "B" represent two things. First, they are the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. In addition, the initials can be an abbreviation for the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat which means "Christ bless this house". In general, when I see that above a door, I think that Christ has been welcomed into that home because the family that lives there has made room for Him. It is my prayer for my family that when we see the inscription above our door we will be reminded to make room for Christ in our home and in our hearts. In addition to the inscription, the blessing of the house includes asking for God's blessing upon the house and the family goes from room to room in the house sprinkling each room with Holy water.

For the past several years, we have celebrated this tradition. It is something which I look forward to in part because it fulfills that sense I had when I was growing up that Christmas is more than just one day. Instead, through the liturgical calendar, we get to enjoy a much longer Christmas celebration.

For more information on Epiphany traditions go to Catholic Culture.

*In the United States, the feast day is moved to the following Sunday which is January 8, 2005.

Posted by David at 10:27 AM  |  Comments (1)  | Link

Sunday, January 01, 2006
January Prayer Intentions  


General - That the effort to bring about the full communion of Christians may foster reconciliation and peace among all the peoples of the earth.
We can say it: the funeral of John Paul II was a truly extraordinary experience in which was perceived in some way the power of God Who, through His Church, wishes to form a great family of all peoples, through the unifying force of Truth and Love. In the hour of death, conformed to his Master and Lord, John Paul II crowned his long and fruitful pontificate, confirming the Christian people in faith, gathering them around him and making the entire human family feel more united. …. Nourished and sustained by the Eucharist, Catholics cannot but feel stimulated to tend towards that full unity for which Christ hoped in the Cenacle. Peter’s Successor knows that he must take on this supreme desire of the Divine Master in a particularly special way. To him, indeed, has been entrusted the duty of strengthening his brethren. Thus, in full awareness and at the beginning of his ministry in the Church of Rome that Peter bathed with his blood, the current Successor assumes as his primary commitment that of working tirelessly towards the reconstitution of the full and visible unity of all Christ’s followers. This is his ambition, this is his compelling duty. He is aware that to do so, expressions of good feelings are not enough. Concrete gestures are required to penetrate souls and move consciences, encouraging everyone to that interior conversion which is the basis for all progress on the road of ecumenism.Source
Missionary - That Christians may know how to welcome migrants with respect and charity, seeing in each person the image of God.
Jesus specifically mentions the “stranger.” He began His earthy life as a stranger, as a migrant and refugee. He knew firsthand the sufferings of those who, for whatever reason, must leave their homes to find the necessities of life and freedom from the threat of death. May we and all Christians see in every migrant the image of God and Jesus Himself begging for our welcome and care. May we show migrants the respect and charity that will lead Jesus to some day say to us: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me."Source

That more Americans may understand how extreme is the policy that Roe v. Wade imposed.


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