Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI just recently moved into the Vatican, where he will live in prayer and mediation for the rest of his retirement. I think it is going to be interesting having two living popes, especially in the same building. I wonder if Pope Francis will ever seek counsel with Pope Benedict XVI, or if Pope Benedict XVI is no longer involved in the Vatican life and just focusing on the rest of his life.


http://www.christiantoday.com/article/benedict.returns.to.vatican/32340.htm

Reverend Michael Fugee followup

It turns out that Reverend Fugee, who was on a five year probation and forbidden to be around children, broke his ban. He was invited by youth ministers to visit another church and talk to the teens at a youth retreat. Since then, the two youth ministers and the reverend of the church have resigned. I think it was strange to allow someone who was convicted and tried of touching a minor to have been allowed a job in the diocese still. And it is unfortunate that he disobeyed his ban and was still tempted to be at a youth retreat, even if he had not intention of touching the teens inappropriately.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/06/rev-michael-fugee-scandal-3-more-resign-in-controversy-around-accused-priest_n_3225071.html?utm_hp_ref=christianity

Reverend Michael Fugee

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/04/michael-fugee-priest-molesting-boy-newark-archdiocese-_n_2616823.html

This article refers to the confession of Reverend Fugee of intentionally toughing an under age boy. The story goes on to say that he was appointed a higher position, "co-director of the Office of Continuing Education and Ongoing Formation of Priests." With this position, however, he is not allowed to be around children as part of his five year probation. The remaining details are linked above.

Catholic Memes

http://www.catholicmemes.com

This website is humorous to Catholics as it is a combination of the fiercely popular memes and the Catholic faith.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/11/gilles-bernheim-french-chief-rabbi-quits-after-admitting-to-plagiarism_n_3062520.html

The article says it all. I cannot believe that a chief rabbi was so tempted as to plagiarize the work in some of his books. However, I am glad that he came forward and admitted his wrongdoing.  

Preaching to Nonbelievers

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/12/vatican-to-hold-dialogue-with-nonbelievers-in-mexico_n_3072410.html

I found this article particularly interesting because it involves an outreach to people who do not believe, not necessarily  a different religion. Also, this is the first time a talk like this is going to occur in Latin America, as it is going to happen in Mexico. The idea was first proposed by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis is carrying it out. I am interested to follow up on the details of the gathering.

Responding to Boston Tragedy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-raushenbush/responding-to-boston-anger_b_3092758.html?utm_hp_ref=christianity

In this article, Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, senior religion editor, addresses the public's reaction to the terrible bombings that occurred in Boston. I think this article was well-written in the fact that Raushenbush acknowledges the anger that everyone is feeling towards the bombers, but he classifies the anger into demonic and holy. He encourages people to not let the short fiery demonic anger overcome their action in helping, because this anger is destructive to the soul. He explains that holy anger is motivational, that it motivates people to take action and help the victims.

Pope Francis addressing sexual abuse

Pope Francis stated that changes needed to be made regarding the act and covering up of sexual abuse to children by some priests. He is putting full force into protecting minors from further cases occurring and punishing those priests who engaged in the sinful acts. Some victims groups, such as SNAP, are wary about the Pope's goal, they think it is too similar to the agenda of Pope Benedict, so nothing is really changing. I think that the current pope will make further revisions to his agenda as the weeks go on, this was just him opening up the issue, he has yet to state his further details and plan of action.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/05/pope-francis-act-decisive_n_3218983.html?utm_hp_ref=christianity

Legislature in Ireland

Recently, a bill has been brought up in the parliamentary in Ireland regarding abortions. The case was brought up because a women previously died because she was denied an abortion. The reasoning behind the denial is that Ireland is a Catholic country. And now, The Catholic Church is threatening excommunication if the bill is passed. I agree that since religion and state are so closely linked in Ireland, they should have the same foundation and values. If Ireland suddenly has a law that blatantly goes against the Catholic Church, they should be excommunicated.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/06/ireland-abortion-legislation-catholic-excommunication_n_3224433.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

Churches and mental illness

In Christianity, suicide and mental illnesses are viewed as "spiritual failures." However, that view is changing in some church communities. The article brings up examples of pastors whose children have committed suicide without so much of a foreshadowing. As Ed Stetzer, president of Nashville-based LifeWay Research, states, We tend to think that Jesus fixes what is in our heads, and medicine fixes what is in our body, like a broken leg. Sometimes what is in our heads needs medicine.” I think it is true that the church should consider changing their view on mental illness, and the answer does not always have to be medicine, awareness and counseling go a long way as well.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/06/church-leaders-tackle-the-stigma-of-mental-illness_n_3225420.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

Gay marriage and Polygamy

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogspolygblog/56021853-185/marriage-thomas-gay-maza.html.csp

This article brings up the topic of gay marriage. It is involved in the Supreme Court now, and some are beginning to wonder what is next on the agenda. Some propositions have been made that if same-sex marriage passes, it will make polygamy easier to become legalized. I do not think that the two are related, they are only related by the topic of marriage.

Seminary for other religions

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52349827-78/summum-seminary-lds-religious.html.csp

In this article, a high school in Utah wants to have release time for a "religion that practices meditation and mummification." I personally thought this was interesting because normally release time is for Mormons to attend seminary. It seems ironic that a change to that might possibly occur in the state that has the most practicing Mormons. Also, it does not really make sense why there is a dispute, LDS seminary is offered in many states while other religions are neglected. Who can stop a school from wanting to offer a seminary class for another religion?

The procedure of the Papal Conclave

In this clip from ABC news, a cardinal from New York explains the reason for the exact, formal procedure of the cardinals headed into the papal conclave. There are only a few changes that have occurred since the beginning. For example, the cardinals used to sleep in tents in the Sistine Chapel (the best spot was to be under the cross on the altar). Now they sleep in other rooms. And even though there are only cardinals during the discussing and voting, doctors and assistants are available to them. More details on the papal conclave are discussed in the video:


http://abcnews.go.com/International/video/cardinal-timothy-dolan-papal-contender-18705532

Conclave Update

Recently, a Britain cardinal removed himself from being included in the election of the Pope's successor. First of all, I had no idea that it was possible for a cardinal to do this, it seems strange. The reason Cardinal Keith O'Brien excused himself is because of rumors that he acts inappropriately with other priests, and O'Brien wanted the focus of the conclave to be on the right next Pope, not the scandals. Pope Benedict XVI approved this because of O'Brien's old age (75) not because of recent events. Only two cardinals, so far, will be physically absent from the conclave of now 115 cardinals.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/25/pope-changes-conclave_n_2758053.html?utm_hp_ref=christianity

Pope Benedict XVI

Earlier this month, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he had religiously considered his retirement and that it was the best decision given his age and poor health. Personally, I thought the majority of Roman Catholics would be surprised or somewhat hurt when they received the news, even though Pope Benedict XVI stated that he would still be involved in the Church and continue living religiously. After all, a Pope has not resigned in 600 years. However, it seems that the reaction is quite the opposite. The number of people that attended the Pope's public blessing was around the average, the only difference was that they cheered and thanked the Pope for his service of eight years.
While the timing of his announcement was unexpected, the group of 116 cardinals are planning to meet before Easter this year to elect a new Pope.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/final.angelus.blessing.from.pope.benedict.xvi/31714.htm

Greek Orthodox Tradition

So, during the site visit to St. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, I noticed that Father George was wearing a wedding ring, he mentioned in his presentation that in the religion does allow priests to be married. That, however, was not what caught my attention. It was that he was wearing the wedding ring on his ring finger of his right hand. I thought maybe he had just put it accidentally on the wrong hand this morning or something.
It turns out that he meant to put his wedding ring on his right hand. The tradition goes way back to a time when the left hand was thought of as evil. As the article points out, "the Latin word for left is 'sinister.'" This would conclude that putting a symbol of purity and religion, such as a wedding ring, on the left hand would not coincide with the meaning. The main religion that follows this tradition is Orthodox Christians and the regions that also wear the ring on the right hand are Germany, Greece, Russia, Spain, India, Columbia, Venezuela and Poland.
But why don't all religions have a married couple wear rings on the right hand? The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on the left hand started in the classical times when it was believed that a vein in the fourth finger of the left hand went straight to the heart. The vein was coined the vein of love, or vena amoris. It is mainly the Western regions (such as UK, United States, Ireland, Mexico, Brazil, Iran, Chile, Italy, France, Sweden, and Slovenia) and religions that wear the ring on the left hand.
http://greekweddingsandtraditions.com/2008/01/27/your-wedding-ringleft-or-right-hand/

As most know by now, Pope Benedict XVI announced his plan to resign at the end of February, the reason, he explains, is his deteriorating health. Because a Pope has not resigned in 600 years, the announcement obviously provoked many questions from Catholics all around the world. The election for the next Pope is thought occur before Easter (March 31st), since Easter is such a holy occasion. In this article, some of the possible candidates are mentioned and the possible future of the Roman Catholic Church.
I think it is interesting that an American cardinal is in the mix of possible candidates. It seems very unlikely that all the other cardinals would elect a person from the most powerful military country, but maybe because the United States is experiencing a noticeable decrease of Catholics, an American Pope would refuel the faith in America.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/world/europe/with-popes-resignation-focus-shifts-to-a-successor.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/19/roman-catholic-mass-changes_n_931908.html So, about a year ago, a significant change happened in my church. Most of the words said in every mass were similar, but noticeably different. My family and I were definitely caught off guard to say the least, we were going to church regularly, and the words didn't seem like they were a one-mass thing. I always assumed it was just a revision implemented by just my church. However, after some research, I was wrong. The words of the mass were changed in the Vatican and, shortly afterward, every Catholic Church. It turns out the revision was made in order to more closely resemble the original Latin mass, similar to the mission of the Vatican II. The details are explained in the link above.

Alright, this is my first blog EVER! I wanted to start off with a general mark that Christianity has made on history. The link below explains not only the meaning of BC and AD, but also how the concept was adopted. I found it interesting that Jesus was not born in 1 AD, as many believe, but rather it is believed in 6 or 4 BC. Who would have thought that a simple ending to specify a year would have such an impact on today's society? Anyway, the link really details everything.
http://agards-bible-timeline.com/q4_ad_bc_ce.html