This week, the Roman Catholic bishops in Illinois decided to shut down Catholic Charities affiliates in the state, because the Illinois state legislature recently passed a law that says adoption and foster-care agencies -- in order to be eligible for state money -- must include same-sex couples as potential foster-care or adoptive parents.
We believe that the Illinois state legislature was wrong to pass such a law, because it usurps the authority of Catholic Charities -- by denying state funding -- to decide itself which parents its adoption and foster-care agencies might recommend.
The fact is that same-sex parents are not recognized by the Catholic Church. Moreover, the Catholic Church considers such a relationship to be a violation of the teachings of Christ, and a serious sin.
The Illinois legislature, then, has overstepped its bounds -- and violated the discretion of Catholic Charities -- by passing such a money-threatening law.
Since the state of Illinois is now losing the services of Catholic Charities -- and perhaps other charitable organizations as well -- it would behoove the Illinois lawmakers to repeal this law for the well-being of Illinois' citizens.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
UK Rips Israel's Plan to Build Jerusalem Homes; Says Doing So Is "Counter-Productive to Peace"
The Big News Network website reports today (December 31, 2011) that the British government has condemned Israel's plan to build new homes in Jerusalem.
UK criticism follows a statement by France, which also has been angered by the plans for more settlement units in areas which were taken over by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war.
Alistair Burt -- Britain's Minister for the Middle East and North Africa -- has described Israel's approval of the new construction projects in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan as "counter-productive to peace efforts."
The first stage of the approval process for three controversial construction projects was passed by Israel on December 28.
UK criticism follows a statement by France, which also has been angered by the plans for more settlement units in areas which were taken over by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war.
Alistair Burt -- Britain's Minister for the Middle East and North Africa -- has described Israel's approval of the new construction projects in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan as "counter-productive to peace efforts."
The first stage of the approval process for three controversial construction projects was passed by Israel on December 28.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Abbot of Greek Monastery Imprisoned in Athens; Ephrem Accused of Multi-Million Euro Land Fraud
The China Daily website reports today (December 30, 2011) that the abbot of a Christian Orthodox monastery at the centuries-old monastic community on Mount Athos in northern Greece was imprisoned on December 28 in Athens, pending trial.
The transfer of Cypriot-born abbot Ephrem to the maximum-security Korydallos prison in Athens triggered reactions by conservative circles in Greece and as far away as Russia. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has called on the Greek government to release Abbot Ephrem from prison, and allow him to be free while he is waiting for his trial to begin.
Abbot Ephrem is accused of fraud and embezzlement in a case of controversial swaps of land owned by Vatopedi monastery and the Greek state. Greek authorities claim the state suffered multi-million euro damages from the agreement made with former officials.
The abbot has denied any wrongdoing, but Greek authorities argue they have gathered strong evidence against him and ordered his detention.
The transfer of Cypriot-born abbot Ephrem to the maximum-security Korydallos prison in Athens triggered reactions by conservative circles in Greece and as far away as Russia. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has called on the Greek government to release Abbot Ephrem from prison, and allow him to be free while he is waiting for his trial to begin.
Abbot Ephrem is accused of fraud and embezzlement in a case of controversial swaps of land owned by Vatopedi monastery and the Greek state. Greek authorities claim the state suffered multi-million euro damages from the agreement made with former officials.
The abbot has denied any wrongdoing, but Greek authorities argue they have gathered strong evidence against him and ordered his detention.
One Million People Have Visited NYC's 9/11 Site; Ground Zero Site Has Memorial Plaza, 2 Fountains
More than one million people have visited the September 11 memorial in New York City since it opened four months ago, the Christian Broadcast Network website reports today (December 30, 2011).
The Ground Zero site in lower Manhattan -- which contains the memorial plaza and its two huge fountains -- continues to draw about 10,000 visitors each day.
Visitors are required to get a free pass in advance.
The memorial opened on September 12 this year -- after its dedication on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The Ground Zero site in lower Manhattan -- which contains the memorial plaza and its two huge fountains -- continues to draw about 10,000 visitors each day.
Visitors are required to get a free pass in advance.
The memorial opened on September 12 this year -- after its dedication on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Catholic Charities in Ill. Shuts Down Its Services; Won't Abide by Law to Help Same-Sex Couples
The Hot Air website reports today (December 30, 2011) that the Roman Catholic bishops in Illinois have decided to shut down most of the Catholic Charities affiliates in the state, since the Illinois state legislature recently passed a requirement that says adoption and foster-care agencies -- in order to be eligible for state money -- must consider same-sex couples as potential foster-care or adoptive parents.
This is not the first time that Catholic Charities has retaliated against a state or district by cutting its services for passing such a law.
Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. passed similar laws -- resulting in Catholic Charities closing down its services in those locations as well.
The Roman Catholic Church is adamantly opposed to same-sex cohabitation -- and even considers it to be a sin.
This is not the first time that Catholic Charities has retaliated against a state or district by cutting its services for passing such a law.
Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. passed similar laws -- resulting in Catholic Charities closing down its services in those locations as well.
The Roman Catholic Church is adamantly opposed to same-sex cohabitation -- and even considers it to be a sin.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Church Built of Ice and Snow Opens in Germany; Structure Bathed in Blue Light Opened Last Night
A church built entirely of ice and snow has opened in Bavaria -- a century after villagers first built a snow church in an act of protest, the Huffington Post website reports today (December 29, 2011).
The church at Mitterfirmiansreut -- near the German-Czech Republic border -- is more than 65 feet in length and boasts a tower. It is made up of some 49,000 cubic feet of snow.
The structure was bathed in blue light as it opened last night with a blessing from Dean Kajetan Steinbeisser.
Steinbeisser said that when the ancestors of today's villagers built the first snow church in 1911, "it was meant as an act of provocation. Believers from the village got together and built a snow church because they didn't have a church here."
The church at Mitterfirmiansreut -- near the German-Czech Republic border -- is more than 65 feet in length and boasts a tower. It is made up of some 49,000 cubic feet of snow.
The structure was bathed in blue light as it opened last night with a blessing from Dean Kajetan Steinbeisser.
Steinbeisser said that when the ancestors of today's villagers built the first snow church in 1911, "it was meant as an act of provocation. Believers from the village got together and built a snow church because they didn't have a church here."
Muslims to Boycott NY Mayor's Annual Breakfast; Are Upset That NYC Police Infiltrate Mosques
The National website reports today (December 29, 2011) that several Muslim leaders are boycotting the New York City mayor's annual year-end interfaith breakfast -- scheduled for December 30 -- because they are upset at police department efforts to infiltrate mosques and spy on Muslim neighborhoods.
Michael Bloomberg -- the mayor of New York City -- has defended the police force, saying it does not take religion into account in its policing for possible terrorist activities.
In a letter to Mayor Bloomberg -- which contained the names of several dozen Muslim leaders and organizations -- the imams and activists said they believe such police measures "threaten the rights of all Americans, and deepen mistrust between our communities and law enforcement."
The letter also said, "Mayor Bloomberg, the extent of these civil rights violations is astonishing, yet, instead of calling for accountability and the rule of law, you have thus far defended the NYPD's misconduct."
Michael Bloomberg -- the mayor of New York City -- has defended the police force, saying it does not take religion into account in its policing for possible terrorist activities.
In a letter to Mayor Bloomberg -- which contained the names of several dozen Muslim leaders and organizations -- the imams and activists said they believe such police measures "threaten the rights of all Americans, and deepen mistrust between our communities and law enforcement."
The letter also said, "Mayor Bloomberg, the extent of these civil rights violations is astonishing, yet, instead of calling for accountability and the rule of law, you have thus far defended the NYPD's misconduct."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)