The Advisors Behind the Contraception Mandate

The following is from Live Action:

According to ABC’s Jake Tapper, the most influential supporters of the controversial Contraception Mandate were HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, former Director of Domestic Policy Melody Barnes (who has resigned from the Obama administration), Presidential Advisor Valerie Jarrett, and President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards.

Click below to read more:

The Advisors Behind the Contraception Mandate

Savaging Santorum: The Media's Top 10 Worst Anti-Santorum Quotes | Media Research Center

Savaging Santorum: The Media's Top 10 Worst Anti-Santorum Quotes | Media Research Center

A New Book On The Life of Cardinal John Henry Newman

Tan Books will soon be releasing a new book on the life of Cardinal John Henry Newman entitled, “Passion for Truth: The Life of John Henry Newman”.

This biography of John Henry Newman is written by Father Juan R. Vélez, a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei who resides in San Francisco, California. Father Vélez received a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the University of Navarre, where he completed his doctoral thesis on John Henry Newman. Before his ordination to the priesthood, Father Vélez also received a medical degree from the University of Navarre, and he was previously board certified in internal medicine.

Father Vélez's interest in the life of Cardinal John Henry Newman began with his doctoral studies under Professor José Morales. Father Vélez is author of a number of academic articles on Cardinal Newman, and co-edited a short anthology of texts entitled “Take Five, Meditations on John Henry Newman”.

Below is a portion of the information about this book from Tan Books website:

"In Passion for Truth, author and scholar Fr. Juan R. Vélez painstakingly uncovers the life and work of Blessed John Henry Newman. In the story of his early years, his family upbringing and university education, and through his vast correspondence with family, friends, and colleagues, Vélez acquaints us with Newman, the loyal friend, profound thinker, prolific writer, and holy priest. A true Catholic gentleman, who can be admired and loved by all who love the Truth."

The publication date for “Passion for Truth The Life of John Henry Newman” By: Fr. Juan R. Vélez is March 2012, and the book can be pre-ordered from Tan Books by clicking here.

You may also want to visit the website for the book by clicking here.

Vote FOR Marriage - 2 - Bishop Burbidge

Second in a series of videos by the Bishops of North Carolina explaining the position of the Catholic Church in support FOR the marriage amendment. Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh explains four important points of Church Teaching about marriage. He also urges all North Carolinians to vote FOR Marriage on May 8, 2012.

Evangelicals, Southern Baptists rip HHS mandate : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The Family Research Council has announced that 2,500 pastors and other evangelical leaders have signed a letter condemning the Obama administration’s contraception mandate.

Click below to read more:

Evangelicals, Southern Baptists rip HHS mandate : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Thanks!

I want to thank all of the readers and followers of Faith of the Fathers blogs for your support the last couple of months.

Your purchases of Mystic Monk Coffee from these blogs have been a great help to the good Carmelite Monks of Wyoming, and to me also. The purchases you made allowed me to earn a commission, which enabled me to pay my power bill. As you may know, my work hours have been cut back, and your purchases allowed me to continue to have lights, heat, and water (as I am on a well).

Thank you also for your support through the other items and links on these blogs.

So, whether you are a subscriber to my blog pages, follow the blogs from Facebook or from Twitter... no matter how you come to Faith of the Fathers blogs, thank you very much!

May God Bless you and Our Lady keep you in her care!

Your brother in Christ,

Steve Smith

Mr. President, Leave Our Church Alone!

From the time of his first campaign for President of the United States in 2008, it should have been glaringly apparent of Barack Obama's disdain for religion, and religious people. In April of 2008 he said, "and it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

No, Mr. Obama. We do not cling to our religion because we are bitter or frustrated. We cling to our religion because it gives us hope. It gives us inspiration. It gives us strength that we can not find anywhere else or from any other source. We believe in and trust Our Savior, Jesus Christ, because He gives us what no man, no government, no earthly king or leader could ever hope to give us. No one or any one thing can ever, or could ever take the place of Our King and His Church.

We can quote from the Declaration of Independence, the truth which is “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Yet Mr. Obama, on at least two different occasions, you could not bring yourself to say “endowed by their Creator”, which was another glaring example of your disdain for religion. We, who “cling to our religion”, know that our lives, our liberty, and our rights all come from the Creator of all that is seen, and all that is unseen. You may find it hard to believe, but we know that these come from Him, and have never come from any earthly government, king, or leader.

Yet, we have seen many, many examples of earthly governments, kings, and leaders do all within their power to try to eliminate and destroy those God given rights and freedoms, which were never theirs to bestow or to deny.

When those governments and those leaders denied those God given rights to the people, they didn't merely deny those rights to the people, they were also denying God.

When you ask... when you demand... that the Catholic Church, and Catholic institutions around this country, deny their conscience, deny their beliefs, deny their morality, and discard over 2,000 years of teaching, then you are asking us... you are demanding that we deny our God and His Church.

That is something that we can not do, and that we will not do... not today... not tomorrow... not ever. We will not deny Jesus Christ, and His Church for you or for anyone. But rest assured Mr. Obama, that come this November, I... and many more like me... fully intend to deny you at the ballot box.

Abortion, Contraception and the Church Fathers | Daily News | NCRegister.com

Despite what some commentators and politicians think, Church teaching on abortion and contraception has remained unchanged.

Read more:


Abortion, Contraception and the Church Fathers | Daily News | NCRegister.com

White House criticizes bishops, trumpets support from CHA, Catholic Charities : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

White House criticizes bishops, trumpets support from CHA, Catholic Charities : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Now Planned Parenthood bullies Catholic food bank for saying no to them | LifeSiteNews.com

Read the story linked to below, as it relates how Planned Parenthood had a conniption fit when a Catholic food bank would not send a truck to the PP office to pick up a food donation. You may send the food bank an email of support at: info@paulspantry.org

Now Planned Parenthood bullies Catholic food bank for saying no to them | LifeSiteNews.com

White House kept CHA informed on 'compromise,' with bishops in the dark : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from the Catholic Culture article, “White House kept CHA informed on 'compromise,' with bishops in the dark”. The emphases are mine:

• Did Sister Carol Keehan, the head of the Catholic Health Association, help the White House prepare for its “compromise” proposal for the HHS mandate? The National Catholic Register examines the evidence in a probing analysis.
• Sister Keehan—who had become an ally of the White House with her stalwart support for the Obama health-care program even after the US bishops turned against it—apparently consulted with officials of the Obama administration before the “compromise” was announced. Her public statement in support of the revised plan was available even before President Obama announced it.

Click the link below to read the entire article:

White House kept CHA informed on 'compromise,' with bishops in the dark : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Call your senator NOW: Reid to allow vote on repeal of contraceptive mandate - Jill Stanek

Call your senator NOW: Reid to allow vote on repeal of contraceptive mandate - Jill Stanek

EWTN Files Suit to Block Contraception Mandate | Daily News | NCRegister.com

Eternal Word Television Network filed a lawsuit today in U.S. District Court in Birmingham, Ala., seeking to halt the federal government’s imposition of its contraception mandate and to have the court declare the federal rule unconstitutional.

Read more:

EWTN Files Suit to Block Contraception Mandate | Daily News | NCRegister.com

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan Speaks Out Against HHS Mandate (Video Link)

Let me try this again. When I posted this earlier, the video could not be show on my blog. Even though the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) website gave a code to embed the video, and even offered to direct post the video to blogger. So, I apologize to those of you who came here expecting to find the video.
So, here is the link to the video on the USCCB website, where you can go watch it:

 http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/index.cfm

Again, my apologies to you all!

Mystic Monk Coffee

As many of you know, a certain national coffee chain, has decided to support same sex marriage.

A well known and well respected Catholic priest and blogger has suggested...and I whole heartedly agree...that instead of supporting that certain national coffee chain, coffee drinking Catholics should consider buying Mystic Monk Coffee instead.

In case you weren't aware, Mystic Monk Coffee is roasted and blended by the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming. They roast and blend coffee to raise money for their monastery in Wyoming. Roasting coffee is also a form of manual labor for their monastic way of life. So by purchasing Mystic Monk Coffee (ground or whole bean), you can help support the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming, and feel good with the knowledge that you are not supporting a company that endorses same sex marriage. It also helps me out with the commissions I get from sales that originate on "Faith of the Fathers Blogs" when you go their web site by clicking our links and graphic ads.

I have never drank any of the coffee from that certain national chain, but I have drank the Cowboy Blend, the Hermits Bold Blend, and the Mystic Monk Blend. I enjoyed all three, but the Mystic Monk Blend is my favorite.

This month, the monks are also offering a flavored coffee, Choclate Cherry (ground only) that they describe as:"The sweetest of all the Mystic Monk Coffee flavors, chocolate cherry brightens your day with a wild tart burst of flavor." Also available are Chocolate Covered Cherries which they describe as: "Real dried cherries, coated first with a layer of milk chocolate, and then finished with a layer of cherry flavored white chocolate. Pair with one of our flavored coffees for a special winter treat!"

If you are not a coffee fan, the good monks also have Mystic Monk Tea available.

So give the good monks some support with your purchase of Mystic Monk Coffee!

White House Misrepresents Its Own Contraceptive Mandate

White House Misrepresents Its Own Contraceptive Mandate

Pelosi Vows to Stand With Obama Against Catholic Church; Says Decision Forcing Catholics to Act Against Faith Was ‘Very Courageous’ | CNSnews.com

Nancy Pelosi is standing behind the Obama Administration's decision to force Catholic institutions to provide health insurance plans that cover sterilizations and artificial contraceptives, including those that induce abortions.

Click the link below for the entire article:

Pelosi Vows to Stand With Obama Against Catholic Church; Says Decision Forcing Catholics to Act Against Faith Was ‘Very Courageous’ | CNSnews.com

Top 10 Most Dangerous Countries for Christians

Top 10 Most Dangerous Countries for Christians

Only One Man For President of the United States

I have been closely following the primary races for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. I have watched from Iowa through Florida, and have made my decision as to which candidate I will support.

I have watched as people have gone from supporting one candidate or another as their candidate either withdrew or was hounded out of the race.

I have watched as the two alleged front runners have abandoned a reasoned approach as to why they would be the best alternative to President Obama, and then allowed their campaigns to degenerate into the smoldering ruins of personal attacks and questionable tactics.

I have watched as the mainstream media has worked overtime in trying to tell us who the best nominee would be, when we all know where their loyalties apparently lie. They hope to convince the people that they know better than the people who the people's best choice would be.

I have considered what I want in a candidate, in a President for this country. I want a man who believes in God, country, and family. I want a man who will always put these first before himself. I want a man who embraces the concepts and the ideas of our nation's founders, as found in the Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence. I want a man who believe's it is the duty of the President to serve the people, and not the duty of the people to serve the President. I want a man who can bring back the pride of buying items that say "Made In The U.S.A.". I want a man who will reduce the burdens imposed on small business by the federal government so that jobs can be created. I want a man who understands and believes in the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. I want a man who can reduce our national debt and our deficit. I want a man who believes in the rights of all Americans to lead a happy and frutiful existence, without undue burdens and constraints in the form of governmental mandates and repression of our liberties. I want a man who believes in America and Americans.

And that is why, I want Rick Santorum to be the next President of the United States of America!

POPE BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR FEBRUARY

VATICAN CITY, 31 JAN 2012 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for February is: "That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life".

His mission intention is: "That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world's poorest regions".

BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/ VIS 20120131 (70)

You can find more information at: www.visnews.org

The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

The Presence is Real

Bishops speak out against HHS mandate : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Bishops speak out against HHS mandate : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Novena To Saint John Bosco -- Day 9

Today is day 9 of the Novena to Saint John Bosco, the patron of youth.

Pray with us and other Catholics from around the world as we join Pray More Novena's in this novena to Saint John Bosco.

Novena To Saint John Bosco -- Day Eight

Today is day 8 of the Novena to Saint John Bosco, the patron of youth.

Pray with us and other Catholics from around the world as we join Pray More Novena's in this novena to Saint John Bosco.

Forgotten Religious Relic Rediscovered In New York | Fox News

The following excerpt is from Fox News:

• The tapestry contains a calendar of 365 relics of the saints, one saint's relic for each day of the year.
• And in the center of the roughly 2-foot-by-3-foot tapestry are what are supposed to be the relics of the actual crucifixion of Jesus: a piece of the Crown of Thorns, the sponge used to dab his lips, and a sliver of the cross itself, all woven into the cloth.

Click the link below to read more:
Forgotten Religious Relic Rediscovered In New York | Fox News

Court sides with counseling student expelled for religious beliefs :: EWTN News

Court sides with counseling student expelled for religious beliefs :: EWTN News

Novena to Saint John Bosco -- Day 7

Today is day 7 of the Novena to Saint John Bosco, the patron of youth.

Pray with us and other Catholics from around the world as we join Pray More Novena's in this novena to Saint John Bosco.

Novena To Saint John Bosco -- Day Six

Today is day 6 of the Novena to Saint John Bosco, the patron of youth.

Pray with us and other Catholics from around the world as we join Pray More Novena's in this novena to Saint John Bosco.

Novena To Saint John Bosco -- Day Five

Today is day 5 of the Novena to Saint John Bosco, the patron of youth.

Pray with us and other Catholics from around the world as we join Pray More Novena's in this novena to Saint John Bosco.

My Computer Is Wheezing (Sidebar Poll)

OK...not really wheezing. 

It is beginning to give indications...strong indications...that it is on it's last legs. So to speak. It is beyond slow and uninstalling and re-installing the OS is not making any difference. It is maxed out on installed RAM ( a whopping 2 GB), and I have removed every unnecessary software and background programs that I can.

I can not complain, as this old Compaq has served me well over the last 7 plus years I have had it.

So, I would appreciate your participation in the poll on the upper right sidebar, by choosing which brand you would buy.

I didn't choose a Mac, because frankly, I can't afford it. I did include Compaq in the poll, simply because this one has been so reliable.

If you choose "other" or want to explain your choice, you can send me an email here. Please put "Computer Poll" as the subject.

Thanks!

Novena to Saint John Bosco -- Day 4

Today is day 4 of the Novena to Saint John Bosco, the patron of youth.

Pray with us and other Catholics from around the world as we join Pray More Novena's in this novena to Saint John Bosco.

2012 DC March for Life

The video below is from The Diocese Of Charlotte:

Catholic faithful from the Diocese of Charlotte and the Diocese of Raleigh traveled by bus to the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 22-23, 2012, to protest the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the legalization of abortion.

Novena to Saint John Bosco -- Day 3

Today is day 3 of the Novena to Saint John Bosco, the patron of youth.

Pray with us and other Catholics from around the world as we join Pray More Novena's in this novena to Saint John Bosco.

OWS camper steals sacred item from UWS church - NYPOST.com

OWS camper steals sacred item from UWS church - NYPOST.com

Novena To Saint John Bosco -- Day Two

Today is day 2 of the Novena to Saint John Bosco, the patron of youth.

Pray with us and other Catholics from around the world as we join Pray More Novena's in this novena to Saint John Bosco.

Novena To Saint John Bosco -- Day One

Today is day 1 of the Novena to Saint John Bosco, the patron of youth.

Pray with us and other Catholics from around the world as we join Pray More Novena's in this novena to Saint John Bosco.

Obama administration denies 'conscience clause' exemption on contraceptive coverage : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpt is from Catholic Culture

• Brushing aside concerns about religious liberty and respect for individual consciences, the Obama administration has announced that Church-related institutions will be required to provide contraceptive coverage for employees in their health-care plans.

 Click the link below to read more from Catholic Culture:

Obama administration denies 'conscience clause' exemption on contraceptive coverage : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

U.S. Bishops Welcome Pope’s Reaffirmation of Religious Liberty During Ad Limina Visit

The following excerpt is from The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

“For bishops, the ad limina addresses are really a high point of the visits to Rome because the pope presents his pastoral vision to them,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). “Today Pope Benedict spoke eloquently and powerfully on the threats to the Church’s moral witness in public life.”

Click the link below to read the entire article:

U.S. Bishops Welcome Pope’s Reaffirmation of Religious Liberty During Ad Limina Visit

Pope sees religious freedom eroding in US : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Pope sees religious freedom eroding in US : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY BEGINS TOMORROW

VATICAN CITY, 17 JAN 2012 (VIS) - The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is due to begin tomorrow, 18 January, under the theme "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ". The Week is promoted by the World Council of Churches (WCC), a worldwide fellowship of 349 Churches seeking unity, common witness and Christian service. The Catholic Church participates in this ecumenical initiative, despite not being a member of the WCC.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally celebrated from 18 to 15 January in the northern hemisphere, and around the time of Pentecost in the southern hemisphere. It brings together Christian parishes and congregations from different confessional families all over the world, who meet and pray together in special ecumenical celebrations.

Each year ecumenical partners in a particular region are asked to prepare a basic text on a biblical theme. Then an international group with WCC-sponsored (Protestant and Orthodox) and Roman Catholic participants edits this text to ensure it is linked with the search for Christian unity. The text is jointly published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and by the WCC's Commission on Faith and Order which also accompanies the entire production process of the text. The final material is sent to member Churches and Roman Catholic dioceses, which are invited to translate the text and contextualise it for their own use.

This year's theme comes from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians which promises the transformation of human life - with all its apparent dimensions of 'triumph' and 'defeat' - through the victory of Christ's resurrection.

Following the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Benedict XVI invited the faithful, "as individuals and in communities, to participate spiritually, and where possible practically in the Week of Prayer, to ask God for the gift of full unity among the disciples of Christ".

RV/ VIS 20120117 (320)

You can find more information at: www.visnews.org

The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Santorum and the Pro-Choice Woman - Kathryn Jean Lopez - National Review Online

The following excerpt is from "National Review Online":

• “From a scientific point of view, there really isn’t an argument as to whether that’s a human life,” Santorum continued, without challenge. “It is. The question is whether that human life is a life that should be protected under the Constitution. That’s the debate. At what point in time does that human being attain rights that protect its life, that protect it from having its life taken. That’s really the issue here.”

Click the link below for the entire article:

Santorum and the Pro-Choice Woman - Kathryn Jean Lopez - National Review Online

Thanks So Much!

All of the followers, readers, and visitors to Faith of the Fathers blogs are greatly appreciated, and I thank each of you for making the past year so great!

I would also like to thank the friends and followers from Facebook and twitter who have also helped Faith of the Fathers blogs grow in readers and visitors by liking, sharing, and tweeting posts from these blogs. You guys "rock"!

I would especially like to say thank you, to all the regular followers and visitors to Faith of the Fathers blogs for your purchases of Mystic Monk Coffee from these blogs!

I am sure it has been appreciated by the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming, and I know for certain that it has been a God send for me in these difficult times in which we live.

Thank you all also for the items you have purchased from Faith of the Fathers Catholic Gifts, and for clicking the various links to other products and services that you find on these blogs.

You are all greatly loved and appreciated more than you can ever know.

Thank you  all for all that you do!

May God Bless you all, and Our Lady keep you in her care!

Gunmen kill 4 Nigerian Christians : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Gunmen kill 4 Nigerian Christians : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Sharp increase in use of US canon-law tribunals : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Sharp increase in use of US canon-law tribunals : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Court okays Texas requirement for ultrasound before abortions :: EWTN News

"Chief Judge Edith Jones ruled that informed consent laws that do not impose an “undue burden” on a woman’s legal right to have an abortion” are permissible if they require “truthful, non-misleading, and relevant disclosures.”

Read more by clicking below:

Court okays Texas requirement for ultrasound before abortions :: EWTN News

Publisher recounts how faith guided Santorums during son's death :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

 

The following excerpt is from CNA (Catholic News Agency):

He explained that Karen, a nurse who had spent several years working in a neonatal intensive care unit, wrote her first letter to welcome her son into the world on the day she learned that she was pregnant.

She continued writing letters as her pregnancy progressed, during a time that her husband was fighting hard in the Senate against partial-birth abortion.

Almost five months into the pregnancy, tests indicated that the baby had a serious, often fatal defect.

The family sought medical treatment and turned to God in prayer. They decided to give their son the names of two powerful archangels, Gabriel and Michael.

Napleton described Karen Santorum’s letters during this time as “dramatic and moving.”

“Their deep Catholic faith brought them comfort as all efforts to save their baby failed,” he recalled.

Gabriel was born on Oct. 11, 1996 and died two hours later, after being baptized by his father during his brief life.

Click the link below to read the entire article:

Publisher recounts how faith guided Santorums during son's death :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

POPE BENEDICT XVI NAMES TWENTY-TWO NEW CARDINALS

VATICAN CITY, 6 JAN 2012 (VIS) - "It is with great joy that I announce my intention to hold a concistory on 18 February, in which I will appoint twenty-two new members of the College of Cardinals". With these words, addressed to faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus, Benedict XVI today announced the fourth consistory of his pontificate.

"As is well known", he explained, "cardinals have the task of helping Peter's Successor carry out his mission to confirm people in the faith and to be the source and foundation of the Church's unity and communion". The new cardinals "come from various parts of the world and perform various ministries in the service of the Holy See, in direct contact with the faithful as fathers and pastors of particular Churches".

Eighteen of the new cardinals, being under the age of eighty, will be electors. Their names are:

- Archbishop Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.

- Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, penitentiary major.

- Archbishop Santos Abril y Castello, archpriest of the papal basilica of St. Mary Major.

- Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

- Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

- Archbishop Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.

- Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

- Archbishop Edwin Frederick O'Brien, pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

- Archbishop Domenico Calcagno, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.

- Archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi, president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

- Major Archbishop George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars, India.

- Archbishop Thomas Christopher Collins of Toronto, Canada.

- Archbishop Dominik Jaroslav Duka, O.P. of Prague, Czech Republic.

- Archbishop Willem Jacobus Eijk of Utrecht, Holland.

- Archbishop Giuseppe Betori of Florence, Italy.

- Archbishop Timothy Michael Dolan of New York, U.S.A.

- Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki of Berlin, Germany.

- Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong, China.

The Holy Father also pronounced the names of four new cardinals who, being over the age of eighty, are ineligible to vote in a future conclave. "I have", the Pope said, "decided to elevate to the dignity of cardinal a venerable prelate who serves as pastor and father of a Church, and three worthy priests who have distinguished themselves for their dedication and service". They are:

- Major Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fagaras and Alba Julia of the Romanians, Romania.

- Fr. Julien Ries, priest of the diocese of Namur and professor emeritus of religious history at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

- Fr. Prosper Grech, O.S.A., professor emeritus of several Roman universities and consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

- Fr. Karl Josef Becker, S.J., professor emeritus of the Pontifical Gregorian University and for many years consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In closing the Pope invited the faithful to pray for the new cardinals, "asking the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, to intercede that they may always bear courageous and dedicated witness of their love for Christ and His Church".

ANG/ VIS 20120107 (580)

You can find more information at: www.visnews.org

The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

This Is The Santorum I Know

The following is an excellent post from "Creative Minority Report". Click the link below to read it:

This Is The Santorum I Know

Anglican Catholic ordinariate for US formally established : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Pope Benedict XVI has formally established an ordinariate in the US for Anglicans entering the Catholic Church, and named a former Episcopalian bishop to lead it.

Read more by clicking the link below:

Anglican Catholic ordinariate for US formally established : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

ANGELUS: PRAYING THAT THE NEW YEAR MAY BE A TIME OF PEACE

VATICAN CITY, 1 JAN 2012 (VIS) - At the end of this morning's Mass for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, Benedict XVI appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus with faithful and pilgrims gathered below in St. Peter's Square.

"The Face of God ... was revealed in Jesus", he said in his remarks to them. "He is the visible image of the invisible God, thanks also to the Virgin Mary whom we celebrate today under her most exalted title, by virtue of which she plays a unique role in the history of salvation: Mother of God. In her womb the Son of the Most High took on our flesh, that we might contemplate His glory and feel His presence as God-with-us.

"Thus do we begin the new year 2012 with our gaze fixed on the Face of God, revealed in the Child of Bethlehem, and on His Mother Mary, who with humble submission accepted the divine plan", the Pope added. "Thanks to her generous 'yes' the true light which enlightens everyone came into the world, and the path of peace was reopened".

"Today we celebrate the forty-fifth World Day of Peace", he went on. "In my message, which has as its theme 'Educating Young People in Justice and Peace' and is addressed to heads of State, leaders of nations and all men and women of good will, I underline the importance of giving young generations an adequate education in order to ensure the integral formation of the person, including the moral and spiritual dimension, ... and the values of justice and peace".

"I invite everyone to have the patience and constancy to seek out justice and peace, to cultivate a taste for what is just and true. Peace is never a quality that can be fully achieved, but a goal to which we must all aspire and for which we must all work".

"Let us pray that the leaders of nations may renew their willingness and commitment to accept and support this irrepressible desire of humanity. We entrust these hopes to the intercession of the Mother of the 'King of Peace', that the year now beginning may be a time of hope and of peaceful coexistence for the whole world".

Following the Angelus, Benedict XVI greeted pilgrims in various languages, expressing his thanks for the many expressions of good wishes he had received over this period, and his appreciation for the prayers for today's World Day of Peace.

ANG/ VIS 20120102 (440)

You can find more information at: www.visnews.org

The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City