I’ts all or nothing for US Bishops

The US Bishops have not supported the recent developments in extending heathcare to millions of Americans. They have concerns that some funding may support the availability of abortion.  Whilst that is clearly a concern –  to go against an initative that will save lives and protect the dignity of those who are suffering,  baffles me.  Archbishop Naumann said “I have no doubt of the good intentions of those in the Catholic Health Association, but their good intentions do not mitigate the effects of their poor judgment.” That point of view can equally be levelled at the Bishop’s one dimentional stance. Many who share his views on the issue of abortion, will equally feel  free to support such a good action as contained in the  healthcare legislation. The association of Religious in Healthcare seem to have a broader perspective…..see what you think.

In his column in this week’s Leaven (see page 2), Archbishop Naumann said he was “deeply troubled” to learn that Sister Carol Keehan, chief executive of the CHA, urged members of the House of Representatives to vote for the Senate’s health care legislation.
He wrote that by voicing its support, the CHA has provided political cover to House members who wish to vote for the Senate’s bill, and that the CHA has taken this action knowing the U. S. bishops opposed the legislation.
“I think the Catholic Health Association, to go off on its own in its position against pro-life groups and the leadership of the Catholic Church, is very distressing,” said Archbishop Naumann, in an interview prior to publishing his column. “I have no doubt of the good intentions of those in the Catholic Health Association, but their good intentions do not mitigate the effects of their poor judgment.”
In a letter published March 15 on the CHA Web site, Sister Carol, a Daughter of Charity, called the coming vote on the Senate bill a “historic opportunity to make great improvements in the lives of so many Americans.”
She conceded that the bill was flawed, but lauded it as a major first step. She also voiced “major concern on the life issues.”
Sister Carol said that people would have to write a separate check for abortion coverage according to this legislation, and that monies for abortion coverage would be kept in a separate account, and thus no federal dollars would be used to fund abortion.
“The insurance reforms will make the lives of millions more secure, and their coverage more affordable,” she wrote. “The reforms will eventually make affordable health insurance available to 31 million of the 47 million Americans currently without coverage.”
She also said the bill had a “wonderful provision” that would provide $250 million over 10 years to help vulnerable women who are pregnant or already parents. Sister Carol also lauded the bill for including adoption assistance.

Haiti’s Crucifixion!

]I recieved this email today from the Passionist International Justice Office. It refers to a Passionist who works in Haiti.  He is a medical Doctor as well as a Priest….very moving!

The Passionists

A message to all members of The Passionists Haiti’s newest tragedy.

We need God’s help Dear Friends, I have been home with my dying mother, as a son and as a doctor and as a priest. Daily mass, managing her pain medicines, helping in any way I can. I was determined to stay with her to the end, especially since my whole adult life I have been far from home in the foreign missions. I have to tell you, every day at mass, when I ask mom if she has any special intentions, she says, “for you, for God to keep you strong, and for your mission in Haiti.” Now we have this huge sadness in Haiti. I told her I have to leave for a while. She said to me, “you have to go. The problems there are worse than mine.” Tonight I will drive to Kennedy Airport in New York with Conan Conaboy. We cannot fly to Haiti tomorrow, so we will fly to Santo Domingo. Kieran and Vern Conaway will meet us there, and Robin from Chicago. We will drive to Haiti together to see how we can help. I know there is extensive damage at our new hospital, that the perimeter walls of all three of our Tabarre programs have fallen. I know there is damage to the hospital walls. I also know there is severe damage at the old hospital in Petionville. Lets pray everyone is alright. I have heard that everyone at the orphanage in Kenscoff is OK. I will not arrive until Thursday morning, since the border between Domican Republic and Haiti will be closed when we arrive tomorrow. We will find the best way to keep you informed and let you know how you can help. Let’s stay bound together in friendship and prayer. God bless us all. especially the suffering people of Haiti, and my dear mother, Gerri Frechette. Fr Rick Frechette from: http://thepassionists.org Visit The Passionists at: http://passionists.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

My Prayer for 2010

Happy New Year everyone. This year I greet you from Tobar Mhuire Retreat Centre, Crossgar Co. Down.  Along with four Passionists and three Novices we form the local Passionist Community. Currently we are renovating the whole building. We hope to relaunch the Centre sometime in September 2010. I will keep you posted re our progress.                 

My Prayer for 2010

May our coming’s and going’s our hello’s and goodbyes be guided by Him who first breathed life into our very soul. May we live deliberately and decisively not choosing the road designed for the faint-hearted. 

May the love and affection we share and receive increase our faith and optimism about the goodness of self and others.

And finally may 2010 see us:  still learning, still doubting, still  curious, still risking, still questioning, and still open to the great Project of Love we call the Christian Faith

Check out our website:  www.tobarmhuirecrossgar.com

Vatican protocol rules….

Foreign Minister Micheal Martin is to meet the Pope’s ambassador to Ireland after the Vatican’s refusal to deal directly with the Dublin Archdiocese child sex abuse investigation.

The Murphy report disclosed that two letters to the Papal Nuncio seeking information went unanswered.

A similar request to Rome led to a missive to the Department of Foreign Affairs claiming proper diplomatic procedures were not being followed.  

One can’t help but feel a more pastoral approach would be in order,  given the seriousness of the situation in Ireland.  Most ordinary people are not interested in  Vatican diplomatic protocols or language, they don’t want the church to be detached and distant in the face of human suffering, they look to the Church to show leadership in the quest for truth and justice. To be dynamic and courageous as we all strive to make sense of how the abuse of children was allowed to spread from parish to parish. To expect from leaders more humility and less defensiveness as we alow the truth to set us free.

It’s going to be a white Christmas…on my blog!

Sorry I love everything about Christmas…… I couldn’t resist a little snow

Just back from Rome

Just back from Rome where I spent a delightful week with fellow Passionists from the great continent of Africa. The men had gathered for a months renewal which took place at the Basilica of St’s John and Paul. Fr. Pat Duffy and myself joined forces to facilitate one week of the training event. Our theme covered human and spiritual development  and included introducing them to the benefits of Focusing a mind/body system.

The men are primarily engaged in the Formation of Passionist students. I was greatly impressed with their commitment to their work and their loyalty to the Passionist Congregation.  Whilst we in Europe display a tired and at time lifeless church the African Church seems energised and eager to take its place and make its own unique contribution.

Radical Catholicism celebrates

 

 

Whilst we all rejoice in the great gathering of the youth in Australia, lets not lose sight of another significant gathering of radical Catholic activists – The Catholic Workers Movement.

The National Catholic Reporter writes:  In the 75 years since Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin began feeding the destitute men of New York’s Bowery and speaking out against militarism, the Catholic Worker has grown tremendously. It now includes at least 180 communities, among them dozens of small, organic farms growing food for community pantries and hungry neighbors, an art gallery, scores of houses of hospitality offering long- and short-term shelter to undocumented immigrants, women fleeing domestic violence, people exiting prison and those without a place to sleep or belong. It has produced four generations of Catholics living gleefully in opposition to a dominant culture of consumerism and violence.

For more info try googling catholic worker movement

Happy 4th July

This has to be one of the biggest flags yet!  I want to wish all my friends in the US a happy 4th of July celebration. I know for many of them they find a certain uncomfortableness celebrating independence and freedom whilst US troops. along with the British, occupy Iraq.

The peace and justice movements continue to draw our attention to the horrific human cost particularly to the women and children of Iraq.  We pray for the day when Iraq too will celebrate its own Independence day in the not too distant future

Comic wisdom

 

 

I was talking to a colleague who recently attended a Billy Connolly Show here in Belfast. She informed me that he addressed the recent controversy over Iris and her gay-cure psychiatrist friend. Apparently Billy  enquired if Iris knew  “any nice  psychiatrists who could cure bigots as well.”

Iris Robinson contributes to the problem!

 

As we wave goodbye to the Paisley dynasty, in steps the Robinson dynasty to take it’s place.  If anyone expects that this one will be any more enlightened or humane,  then the statements of  Iris will dash those hopes. On the very day we received a harrowing report of a young man being horrifically beaten because he was gay,  instead of supporting this young man’s right to be himself, Iris contributes to the horror by exposing her own prejudice.  Referring to Homosexuality as an abomination, she revealed that her top medical adviser, a Christian psychiatrist,  believes he can change gay people’s sexual orientation.  Why is he wasting his time on something that is not a mental health issue in itself,  isn’t he aware  that In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association concluded there was no scientific evidence that homosexuality was a disorder and removed it from its diagnostic glossary of mental disorders. The International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation followed suit in 1992.

Maybe he’s going down the road of some kind of Christian cloning……….
 

 I can just hear the perpetrators of the horrific beating saying …….there you see, even politicians agree that these disgusting gays….these abominations, shouldn’t  exist….they should be modified…..changed……into heterosexuals like the rest of the population.

 May the God of Creation, who created such diversity and who rejoices in it all.….may  He help us to embrace difference that we too may rejoice in the complexity  and beauty of all   His creation…..without exception.  AMEN