Painting by Roberto Quijano
There is always Hope.
Doing the Lord's work.
A Catholic eager to discuss the truth about Catholic Christianity.
Edward Leigh seeks changes to Equality Act to protect belief in marriage.
Most encouraging to have someone on the side of the protection of the belief in marriage as we still know it today. Throughout this whole debate, this is the first time I’m seeing light breaking through the black smoke of change. Thank you Mr. Leigh!
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 28, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/edward-leigh-seeks-changes-to-equality-act-to-protect-belief-in-marriage/
Reblogged from the Hermeneutic of Continuity:
The Coalition for Marriage have produced a booklet which indicates that if the “Equal Marriage Bill” is passed schools would have a legal requirement to teach about “same-sex marriage”.
Section 403(1A)(a) of the Education Act 1996 imposes a duty on the Secretary of State to “issue guidance” to ensure that pupils “learn the nature of marriage and its importance for family life and the bringing up of children” as part of sex education.
If the legal definition of marriage changes, the law will require that children learn about gay marriage as part of sex education…
This is obviously far more serious than the right of teachers to object on an individual basis. This would affect all the nation’s children. The C4M booklet gives a number of sample pages from books such as “Daddy’s Roommate”, “Hello Sailor”, “Josh and Jaz have Three Mums” etc. They are aimed at young children. Here is a link to download a copy of the booklet.
With materials that might be put before secondary school pupils, we are in a bind because some of it is too disgusting to detail. It is more important than ever that parents insist on seeing exactly what materials are shown to their children, whether in school – or outside school by agencies that have gained trust (and contact details of young people) by being invited into the school. From a link in Laurence England’s excellent post Schools and Same-Sex Marriage, I have just read a booklet from the Terence Higgins Trust which I wish I had never seen. “Called The Bottom Line. All you’ll ever need to know about your arse and his.” it gives detailed instructions on various forms of anal sex along with the diseases and injuries that commonly result from it – as though these are just hazards we have to accept in life.
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 27, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/same-sex-marriage-impact-on-education/
These quotes are from Biblia.com (a wonderful resource at to have at the tips of your fingers) from the New Revised Standard Version: – Father Jonathan referred to this quote during his homily this morning. It’s so apt for what you will witness in the video clip below.
Coming Persecutions
16 “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles.
From the outset of the ‘interview’ or rather the ‘attack’, Anthony O, (can’t catch his name) a representative from the SPUC, is besieged with stares of horror and gasps of disbelief. I found their behaviour so interesting, and to be frank I feel pity for them. What they heard Anthony say really shocked them. By their reactions he seemed to be talking about marriage from a bygone era on another galaxy. They are products of the perfect examples of people who exist in the secular culture in which we live.
It seems obvious to me that having Anthony O. on the programme was not because they wanted to hear or somehow understand an inkling of what he was sharing but rather to highlight that there is someone or rather a society of people, who do not support the redefinition of the institution of marriage which has always been accepted as one adhered to by heterosexuals for the purposes of cohabitation and the intrinsic need for a partner and ultimately (God willing) procreation.
I feel an affiliation to most of what Anthony had to say but felt rather let down by some of his retorts. His attempts at refutation and qualification were inadequate towards the end of the interview. Why oh why would anyone agree to discuss a topic such as this on morning t.v?? Bravo Anthony for having a go and I can say for sure that he fared much better than I ever would. An eleven minute slot on morning t.v is definitely not enough time to convey sound Catholic teaching on the dignity and purpose of the Sacrament of marriage. As a result, the presenters and the recruited journalist ended up throwing knives thick and fast giving very little space for Anthony to answer any question fully.
I am shocked that Kally Rose (journalist) went as far as calling Anthony homophobic. What an insult. Anyone who is not in the know about what’s been going on in Britain regarding this debate will most probably also deem Anthony to be a barbarian from another time.
Just to set the record straight on what I know about issues raised:-
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 26, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/truly-like-a-sheep-thrown-to-the-wolves/
“For I am already on the paint of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
― Saint Paul
“Where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty.”
― Saint Paul
“For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12”
― Saint Paul, The Epistles of Paul and Acts of the Apostles
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 25, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/quotes-from-the-great-st-paul/
A usual and excellent commentary…..
[Editor’s note] Shortly before Christmas, in his annual address to the Curia, Pope Benedict XVI cited a paper against gay marriage and same-sex parenting by the Chief Rabbi of France, Gilles Bernheim. In what the Pope described as a “detailed and profoundly moving study”, he said Rabbi Bernheim showed that “the attack we are currently experiencing on the true structure of the family, made up of father, mother, and child, goes much deeper. While up to now we regarded a false understanding of the nature of human freedom as one cause of the crisis of the family, it is now becoming clear that the very notion of being – of what being human really means – is being called into question.”
What follows is not a translation or even a precis of the 25-page paper, Mariage homosexuel, homoparentalité et adoption: ce que l’on oublie souvent de dire, but…
View original post 2,326 more words
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 25, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/2146/
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 25, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/mary-in-two-minutes/
I recieved not 1 but 2 stars from the super-blogger therainyview! On this blog there’s a little blurb that declares,’ Why Blogging matters today…. Because the times really need to catch up with the Church.’
I think this is a pretty cool reason to blog….so here’s 2 stars in return to therainyview…for blogging about the Truth that the Church teaches, for refreshing insights and honest opinions blended with a huge dollop of sincerity. Take time to linger there.You’re sure to find something that peaks your interest.
The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:
1 Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award
2 Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with their award.
3 Please include a link back to this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award – http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-awards/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/ and include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)
4 Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them
5 You can now also join our Facebook group – click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience
6 As a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award – and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 25, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/thumbs-up-again-for-an-additional-two-stars/
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 21, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/2135/
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from the 18th to the 25th January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul. However, some areas observe it at Pentecost or some other time. To allow for local decision making, the material has only the year on it and the days are denoted by the numbers one to eight, so you can use it at any time of year.
An interesting document I found on the website for Churches together in Britain and Ireland. I’ve highlighted the themes decided upon for the Week of Prayer for Christian unity. I love the fact that decisions about the themes and prayers etc, are made in so many different countries from all sides of the globe. This years resources have been collated in India.
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer 1
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
THEMES 1968-2012: I find these inspirational to say the least, AND KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
In 1968, materials jointly prepared by the WCC Faith and Order Commission and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity were first used.
1968 To the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1: 14) Pour la louange de sa gloire
1969 Called to freedom (Galatians 5: 13) Appelés à la liberté (Preparatory meeting held in Rome, Italy)
1970 We are fellow workers for God (1 Corinthians 3: 9) Nous sommes les coopérateurs de Dieu (Preparatory meeting held at the Monastery of Niederaltaich, Federal Republic of Germany)
1971 …and the communion of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13: 13) et la communion du Saint-Esprit
1972 I give you a new commandment (John 13: 34) (Preparatory meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland)
1973 Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11: 1) (Preparatory meeting held at the Abbey of Montserrat, Spain)
1974 That every tongue confess: Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2: 1-13) (Preparatory meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland)
1975 God’s purpose: all things in Christ (Ephesians 1: 3-10) (Material from an Australian group. Preparatory meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland)
1976 We shall be like him (1 John 3: 2) or, Called to become what we are Appelés a devenir ce que nous sommes (Material from Caribbean Conference of Churches. Preparatory meeting held in Rome, Italy)
1977 Enduring together in hope (Romans 5: 1-5) (Material from Lebanon, in the midst of a civil war. Preparatory meeting held in Geneva)
1978 No longer strangers (Ephesians 2: 13-22) Vous n’êtes plus des étrangers (Material from an ecumenical team in Manchester, England) 1979 Serve one another to the glory of God (l Peter 4: 7-11) Soyez au service les uns des autres pour la gloire de Dieu (Material from Argentina – preparatory meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland) Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Week of Prayer for Christian Unity www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer 2
1980 Your kingdom come (Matthew 6: 10) Que ton règne vienne! (Material from an ecumenical group in Berlin,
German Democratic Republic -preparatory meeting held in Milan)
1981 One Spirit – many gifts – one body (1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13) Un seul esprit – des dons divers – un seul corps
(Material from Graymoor Fathers, USA – preparatory meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland)
1982 May all find their home in you, O Lord (Psalm 84) Que tous trouvent leur demeure en Toi, Seigneur (Material from Kenya – preparatory meeting held in Milan, Italy)
1983 Jesus Christ – the Life of the World (1 John 1: 1-4) Jesus Christ – La Vie du Monde (Material from an ecumenical group in Ireland – preparatory meeting
held in Céligny (Bossey), Switzerland)
1984 Called to be one through the cross of our Lord (1 Cor 2: 2 and Col 1: 20) Appelés à l’unité par la croix de notre Seigneur (Preparatory meeting held in Venice, Italy)
1985 From death to life with Christ (Ephesians 2: 4-7)
De la mort à la vie avec le Christ (Material from Jamaica – preparatory meeting held in Grandchamp, Switzerland)
1986 You shall be my witnesses (Acts 1: 6-8) Vous serez mes témoins (Material from Yugoslavia (Slovenia), preparatory meeting held in Yugoslavia)
1987 United in Christ – a New Creation (2 Corinthians 5: 17-6: 4a) Unis dans le Christ – une nouvelle création (Material from England, preparatory meeting held in Taizé, France)
1988 The love of God casts out fear (1 John 4: 18) L’Amour de Dieu bannit la Crainte (Material from Italy – preparatory meeting held in Pinerolo, Italy)
1989 Building community: one body in Christ (Romans 12: 5-6a) Bâtir la communauté: Un seul corps en Christ
(Material from Canada – preparatory meeting held in Whaley Bridge, England)
1990 That they all may be one…That the world may believe (John 17) Que tous soient un…Afin que le monde croie (Material from Spain – preparatory meeting held in Madrid, Spain)
1991 Praise the Lord, all you nations! (Psalm 117 and Romans 15: 5-13) Nations, louez toutes le Seigneur (Material from Germany – preparatory meeting held in Rotenburg an der Fulda, Federal Republic of Germany)
1992 I am with you always … Go, therefore (Matthew 28: 16-20) Je suis avec vous…allez donc (Material from Belgium – preparatory meeting held in Bruges, Belgium)
1993 Bearing the fruit of the Spirit for Christian unity (Galatians 5: 22-23) Pour l’unité: laisser mûrir en nous les fruits de l’Esprit Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Week of Prayer for Christian Unity www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer 3 (Material from Zaire – preparatory meeting held near Zurich, Switzerland)
1994 The household of God: called to be one in heart and mind (Acts 4: 23-37) La maison de Dieu: Appelés à être un dans le coeur et dans l’esprit (Material from Ireland – preparatory meeting held in Dublin, Republic of Ireland)
1995 Koinonia: communion in God and with one another (John 15: 1-17) La koinonia: communion en Dieu et les uns avec les autres (Material from Faith and Order, preparatory meeting held in Bristol, England)
1996 Behold, I stand at the door and knock (Revelation 3: 14-22) Je me tiens à la porte et je frappe (Preparatory material from Portugal, meeting held in Lisbon, Portugal)
1997 We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5: 20) Au nom du Christ, laissez-vous réconcilier avec Dieu (Material from Nordic Ecumenical Council, preparatory meeting held in Stockholm, Sweden)
1998 The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8: 14-27) L’Esprit aussi vient en aide à notre faiblesse (Preparatory material from France, meeting held in Paris, France)
1999 He will dwell with them as their God, they will be his peoples (Revelation 21: 1-7) Dieu demeurera avec eux. Ils seront ses peuples et lui sera le Dieu qui est avec eux (Preparatory material from Malaysia, meeting held in Monastery of Bose, Italy)
2000 Blessed be God who has blessed us in Christ (Ephesians 1: 3-14) Béni soit Dieu, qui nous a bénis en Christ (Preparatory material from the Middle East Council of Churches, meeting held La Verna, Italy)
2001 I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life (John 14: 1-6) Je suis le chemin, et la vérité et la vie (Preparatory material from Romania and meeting held at Vulcan, Romania)
2002 For with you is the fountain of life (Psalm 36: 5-9) Car chez toi est la fontaine de la vie (Psalm 35, 6-10)
(Preparatory material CEEC and CEC, meeting near Augsburg, Germany)
2003 We have this treasure in clay jars (2 Corinthians 4: 4-18) Car nous avons ce trésor dans des vases d’argile
(Preparatory material churches in Argentina, meeting at Los Rubios, Spain)
2004 My peace I give to you (John 14: 23-31; John 14: 27) Je vous donne ma paix
(Preparatory material from Aleppo, Syria – meeting in Palermo, Sicily)
2005 Christ, the one foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3 1-23) Le Christ, unique fondement de l’Eglise
(Preparatory material from Slovakia – meeting in Piestaňy, Slovakia)
2006 Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them (Matthew 18: 18-20) Là où deux ou trois se trouvent réunis en mon nom, je suis au milieu d’eux. (Preparatory material from Ireland – meeting held in Prosperous, Co. Kildare, Ireland) Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
http://www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer 4
2007 He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak (Mark 7: 31-37) Il fait entendre les sourds et parler les muets (Preparatory material from South Africa – meeting held in Faverges, France)
2008 Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5: (12a) 13b-18) Priez sans cesse (Preparatory material from USA – meeting held in Graymoor, Garrison, USA)
2009 That they may become one in your hand (Ezekiel 37: 15-28) Ils seront unis dans ta main (Preparatory material from Korea – meeting held in Marseilles, France)
2010 You are witnesses of these things (Luke 24: 48) de tout cela, c’est vous qui êtes les témoins (Preparatory material from Scotland – meeting held in Glasgow, Scotland)
2011 One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer (cf. Acts 2:42) Unis dans l’enseignement des apôtres, la communion fraternelle, la fraction du pain et la prière (Preparatory material from Jerusalem – meeting held in Saydnaya, Syria)
2012 We will all be Changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor 15: 51-58) « Tous, nous serons transformés par la victoire de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ TITRE FRANÇAIS EN ATTENTE DE CONFIRMATION (Preparatory material from Poland – meeting held in Warsaw, Poland)
KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
c.1740 In Scotland a Pentecostal movement arose, with North American links, whose
revivalist message included prayers for and with all churches.
1820 The Rev. James Haldane Stewart publishes “Hints for the General Union of Christians for the Outpouring of the Spirit”.
1840 The Rev. Ignatius Spencer, a convert to Roman Catholicism, suggests a ‘Union of Prayer for Unity’.
1867 The First Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops emphasizes prayer for unity in the Preamble to its Resolutions.
1894 Pope Leo XIII encourages the practice of a Prayer Octave for Unity in the context of Pentecost.
1908 First observance of the ‘Church Unity Octave’ initiated by the Rev. Paul Wattson.
1926 The Faith and Order movement begins publishing “Suggestions for an Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity”.
1935 Abbé Paul Couturier of France advocates the ‘Universal Week of Prayer for Christian Unity’ on the inclusive basis of prayer for “the unity Christ wills by the means he wills”.
1958 Unité Chrétienne (Lyons, France) and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches begin co-operative preparation of materials for the Week of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Week of Prayer for Christian Unity http://www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer 5
1964 In Jerusalem, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I prayed together Jesus’ prayer “that they all may be one” (John 17).
1964 The Decree on Ecumenism of Vatican II emphasizes that prayer is the soul of the ecumenical movement and encourages observance of the Week of Prayer.
1966 The Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity [now known as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity] begin official joint preparation of the Week of Prayer material.
1968 First official use of Week of Prayer material prepared jointly by Faith and Order and the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity [now known as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity]
1975 First use of Week of Prayer material based on a draft text prepared by a local ecumenical group. An Australian group was the first to take up this plan in preparing the 1975 initial draft.
1988 Week of Prayer materials were used in the inaugural worship for The Christian Federation of Malaysia, which links the major Christian groupings in that country.
1994 International group preparing text for 1996 included representatives from YMCA and YWCA.
2004 Agreement reached that resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity be
jointly published and produced in the same format by Faith and Order (WCC) and
the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Catholic Church).
2008 Commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. (Its predecessor, the Church Unity Octave, was first observed in 1908)
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 20, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-what-does-god-require-of-us/
The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano published Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer intentions for the year 2013.
Highlights from the 2013 intentions include prayers for participants in World Youth Day, which is slated to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during July of this year. Other intentions emphasize global respect for human life and the environment as well as specific prayers for the protection of families.
The Pope’s entire list of prayer intentions for 2013 is as follows:
January
General: That during this “Year of Faith” Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and joyfully bear witness to the gift of faith in Him.
Missionary: That the Christian communities of the Middle East, which frequently suffer discrimination, may receive the strength of fidelity and perseverance of the Holy Spirit.
February
General: That migrant families, in particular mothers, may be sustained and accompanied in their difficulties.
Missionary: That peoples experiencing war and conflicts may be the protagonists in the building of a future of peace.
March
General: That respect for nature will grow, with the awareness that all creation is the work of God entrusted to human responsibility.
Missionary: That bishops, priests and deacons may be tireless proclaimers of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
April
General: That the prayerful and public celebration of the faith may be a source of life for the faithful.
Missionary: That the particular Churches in mission territories may be a sign and instrument of hope and resurrection.
May
General: That those who administer justice will always act with integrity and upright conscience.
Missionary: That seminarians, especially from mission Churches, may always be pastors according to the heart of Christ, fully devoted to the proclamation of the Gospel.
June
General: That a culture of dialogue, listening and reciprocal respect may prevail among the nations.
Missionary: That in the areas where the influx of secularization is strongest, Christian communities may learn to effectively promote a new evangelization.
July
General: That the World Youth Day taking place in Brazil may encourage all young Christians to become disciples and missionaries of the Gospel.
Missionary: That throughout the Asian continent, doors may be opened to the messengers of the Gospel.
August
General: That parents and teachers may help the new generations to grow up with a upright conscience and a consistent life.
Missionary: That the particular Churches of the African continent, faithful to the Gospel proclamation, may promote the building of peace and justice.
September
General: That the men and women of our time, often immersed in noise, may resdiscover the value of silence and learn to listen to the voice of God and their brothers and sisters.
Missionary: That Christians who suffer persecution in numerous regions of the world may be prophets of the love of Christ by their testimony.
October
General: That those who feel weary from the heaviness of life, and even long for its end, may sense the closeness of God’s love.
Missionary: That the celebration of World Missions Day may make all Christians aware that they are not only recipients but also proclaimers of the Word of God.
November
General: That priests experiencing difficulties may be comforted in their sufferings, sustained in the doubts and confirmed in their fidelity.
Missionary: That the Churches of Latin America may send missionaries to other Churches as a result of the continental mission.
December
General: That children who are victims of abandonment and of every form of violence may find the love and protection they need.
Missionary: That Christians, enlightened by the light of the incarnate Word, may prepare humanity for the coming of the Savior.
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 20, 2013
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/the-popes-prayer-intentions-for-2013/
1catholicsalmon 