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In some parts of the English-speaking world, today is called “Spy Wednesday.”  An intriguing name, to say the least.  It comes from the Gospel we read at today’s Mass—Matthew 26:14-25—which tells of Judas’s final betrayal of Jesus.

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but owe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

The Mass prayers and texts for Spy Wednesday bring to a close our final preparation for the Easter Triduum.  At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper tomorrow evening, we will begin our slow and deliberate commemoration of the central events of our redemption.  Therefore, on this last full day of Lent, let us ask the Holy Spirit to purify our minds and hearts, so that we may celebrate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus with a clear conscience and a renewed spirit.

Click here for more on Spy Wednesday.

Father,
in your plan of salvation
your Son Jesus Christ accepted the cross
and freed us from the power of the enemy.
May we come to share the glory of his resurrection,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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From Mario at CSPYA:

Cathedral of St Patrick Young Adults (a young adult apostolate for those in their 20s and 30s) will present a Movie Night in Honor of the Year of the Priest on April 22 at Cathedral Parish House, 14 East 51st Street (between Madison and 5th Avenue) from 6:30pm-9pm.

During the last few months of the Year of the Priest, the priesthood and the Holy Father are being attacked due to the recent sexual abuse findings. On this night, we will show and discuss the film, “I Confess” which is about a priest falsely accused of murder, even though he heard the confession of the murderer himself. The film portrays the courage of this priest and we hope to show you all that the priesthood is still the most heroic vocation today.

Click here to RSVP.

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A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified,
“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant.
One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved,
was reclining at Jesus’ side.
So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant.
He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him,
“Master, who is it?”
Jesus answered,
“It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.”
So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas,
son of Simon the Iscariot.
After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him.
So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him.
Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him,
“Buy what we need for the feast,”
or to give something to the poor.
So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

When he had left, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself,
and he will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
You will look for me, and as I told the Jews,
‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?”
Jesus answered him,
“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,
though you will follow later.”
Peter said to him,
“Master, why can I not follow you now?
I will lay down my life for you.”
Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?
Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow
before you deny me three times.”

Father,
may we receive your forgiveness and mercy
as we celebrate the passion and death of the Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Fr. Keitz's Homily - March 28, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fr. Jones's Homily - March 28, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fr. Guilbeau's Homily - March 28, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,
where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,
while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.
Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil
made from genuine aromatic nard
and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;
the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,
and the one who would betray him, said,
“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages
and given to the poor?”
He said this not because he cared about the poor
but because he was a thief and held the money bag
and used to steal the contributions.
So Jesus said, “Leave her alone.
Let her keep this for the day of my burial.
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,
not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,
whom he had raised from the dead.
And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,
because many of the Jews were turning away
and believing in Jesus because of him.

All-powerful God,
by the suffering and death of your Son,
strengthen and protect us in our weakness.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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At the end of Palm Sunday Mass this morning at St. Patrick Cathedral, Archbishop Dolan made the following statement:

May I ask your patience a couple of minutes longer in what has already been a lengthy — yet hopefully uplifting —Sunday Mass?

The somberness of Holy Week is intensified for Catholics this year.

The recent tidal wave of headlines about abuse of minors by some few priests, this time in Ireland, Germany, and a re-run of an old story from Wisconsin, has knocked us to our knees once again.

Anytime this horror, vicious sin, and nauseating crime is reported, as it needs to be, victims and their families are wounded again, the vast majority of faithful priests bow their heads in shame anew, and sincere Catholics experience another dose of shock, sorrow, and even anger.

What deepens the sadness now is the unrelenting insinuations against the Holy Father himself, as certain sources seem frenzied to implicate the man who, perhaps more than anyone else has been the leader in purification, reform, and renewal that the Church so needs.

Sunday Mass is hardly the place to document the inaccuracy, bias, and hyperbole of such aspersions.

But, Sunday Mass is indeed the time for Catholics to pray for “ . . . Benedict our Pope.”

And Palm Sunday Mass is sure a fitting place for us to express our love and solidarity for our earthly shepherd now suffering some of the same unjust accusations, shouts of the mob, and scourging at the pillar, as did Jesus.

No one has been more vigorous in cleansing the Church of the effects of this sickening sin than the man we now call Pope Benedict XVI. The dramatic progress that the Catholic Church in the United States has made — — documented again just last week by the report made by independent forensic auditors — — could never have happened without the insistence and support of the very man now being daily crowned with thorns by groundless innuendo.

Does the Church and her Pastor, Pope Benedict XVI, need intense scrutiny and just criticism for tragic horrors long past?

Yes! He himself has asked for it, encouraging complete honesty, at the same time expressing contrition, and urging a thorough cleansing.

All we ask is that it be fair, and that the Catholic Church not be singled-out for a horror that has cursed every culture, religion, organization, institution, school, agency, and family in the world.

Sorry to bring this up … but, then again, the Eucharist is the Sunday meal of the spiritual family we call the Church. At Sunday dinner we share both joys and sorrows. The father of our family, il papa, needs our love, support, and prayers.

For video of the archbishop reading his statement, click here (and scroll down to link).  You can keep up with the latest commentary offered by Archbishop Dolan by reading his blog.  Other up-to-the minute commentary can be found here.

Click below for other helpful responses:

Fr. Raymond de Souza

George Weigel 1

George Weigel 2

John Allen

Sean Murphy

Elizabeth Lev

Elizabeth Scalia

(h/t: Whispers in the Loggia)

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Theology on Tap-NYC presents “Can God Be Trusted?” on April 19 at Metro 53 Bar, 307 East 53rd Street at 7pm-9pm.

Father Thomas Williams, LC, will explore the most common obstacles that prevent people from trusting God, including personal betrayals, unfulfilled expectations, and seemingly unanswered prayers. He will also explain what is reasonable to expect from God and offers practical tips for ways to grow in trust.

Please visit us at www.totnyc.org.

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At Wednesday’s General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the life and doctrine of St. Albert the Great, an early teacher of the Dominican Order who had the privilege of tutoring St. Thomas Aquinas.  As the Pope explains, it was St. Albert who inspired St. Thomas to dedicate his intellectual life to reconciling the truths of Aristotle’s philosophy with the divine truths revealed to us by Christ.  Thus in the 13th century, the Pope notes, were faith and reason brought together to develop one true theology, or as St. Albert called it, an “affective science.” Below is the full text of the Holy Father’s address.

GENERAL AUDIENCE ADDRESS
March 24, 2010

Dear brothers and sisters,

One of the greatest teachers of Medieval theology is St. Albert the Great. The title “great” (magnus) with which he has passed into history, indicates the vastness and depth of his doctrine, which he coupled with holiness of life. But already his contemporaries did not hesitate to attribute excellent titles to him; one of his disciples, Ulrich of Strasbourg, described him as “wonder and miracle of our age.”

Born in Germany at the beginning of the 13th century, he was still young when he went to Italy, to Padua, seat of one of the most famous universities of the Middle Ages. He dedicated himself to the study of the so-called liberal arts: grammar, rhetoric, dialectics, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music, that is, of the general culture, manifesting that typical interest for the natural sciences, which would soon become the favorite field of his specialization. During his stay in Padua, he frequented the church of the Dominicans, whom he later joined with the profession of religious vows. The hagiographic sources lead one to understand that Albert matured this decision gradually. The intense relationship with God, the example of holiness of the Dominican Friars, the listening of sermons of Blessed Giordano of Saxony, successor of St. Dominic in the leadership of the Order of Preachers, were the decisive factors that helped him to overcome every doubt, overcoming also family resistance. Often, in the years of youth, God speaks to us and indicates the plan of our life. As for Albert, so for all of us, personal prayer nourished by the Word of the Lord, the frequenting of the sacraments and the spiritual guidance of enlightened men are the means to discover and follow the voice of God. He received the religious habit from Blessed Giordano of Saxony.

After his priestly ordination, the superiors sent him to teach in several centers of theological study adjacent to monasteries of the Dominican Fathers. His brilliant intellectual qualities enabled him to perfect the study of theology in the most famous university of the time, that of Paris. From then on St. Albert undertook that extraordinary activity of writer, which he would then follow for his whole life.

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CONFESSIONS

Saturday, March 27: 4:30-5:30 PM
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, March 29-31: 11:30-12:00 Noon, 4:30-5:30 PM
Saturday, April 2: 4:00-6:00 PM

PALM SUNDAY, March 28

5:30 PM Saturday Vigil Mass, with music
8:00 AM Mass
10:00 AM Mass, with music
12:00 PM Solemn Mass, with choir
5:30 PM Mass

HOLY THURSDAY, April 1

The church will open at 7:30 AM.
8:00 AM Mass for those who cannot attend the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
7:30 PM Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 11:00 PM

GOOD FRIDAY, April 2

The church will open at 7:30 AM.
9:00 AM Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
1:00 PM Music and Reflections on the Lord’s Passion
3:00 PM Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
5:00 PM Stations of the Cross

HOLY SATURDAY, April 3

The church will open at 7:30 AM.
9:00 AM Office of Readings and Morning Prayer
4:00-6:00 PM Confessions
8:00 PM Solemn Vigil of Easter

EASTER SUNDAY, April 4

8:00 AM Mass
10:00 AM Mass, with music
12:00 Noon Solemn Mass, with choir
There will be no 5:30 PM Mass on Easter Sunday afternoon.

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Click below to hear this week’s edition of “Word to Life.”

Joining me on today’s program to discuss the readings for Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) were two Dominican friars stationed here in Manhattan: Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P., who serves the University Parish of St. Joseph in Greenwich Village, and Fr. Jordan Kelly, O.P., the parochial vicar of the Church of St. Catherine of Siena on the Upper East Side.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday at 1:00 PM EST on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - March 26, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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In response to today’s front page story in the New York Times, the Vatican has released the following statement:

Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., questioned by journalists concerning a new New York Times article, which appeared on 26 March and concerns the period in which Cardinal Ratzinger was archbishop of Munich, referred them to this morning’s public denial in a communique published by the archdiocese of Munich, which reads:

“The article in the New York Times contains no new information beyond that which the archdiocese has already communicated concerning the then archbishop’s knowledge of the situation of Father H.”

Thus the archdiocese confirms the position, according to which the then archbishop had no knowledge of the decision to reassign Father H. to pastoral activities in a parish.

It rejects any other version of events as mere speculation.

The then vicar general, Msgr. Gerhard Gruber, has assumed full responsibility for his own erroneous decision to reassign Father H. to pastoral activity.

For a thorough response to these and other allegations being lodged against the Holy Father, click here.

UPDATE: Kathryn Jean Lopez offers helpful analysis here at National Review Online.

UPDATE II: Fr. Raymond de Souza outlines the facts of the “Murphy Case” here.

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All you who love Jerusalem, rejoice with her forever.

Happy Feast of the Annunciation!

Today we celebrate the Eternal Word’s clothing of himself in our human flesh.  At the word of the angel, Mary consented to the plan announced to her, and instantaneously the Word condescended to take residence in her womb, its first earthly tabernacle, and immediately the Incarnate Word began his earthly mission of reconciling man to God.  That mission would eventually take him to Calvary, where he would assume also our dead flesh, but only to raise it up again and ascend with it back to his rightful place beside the Father’s throne.  When glimpsing the whole of Christ’s mission, from conception to ascension, we see how today’s remembrance of the Annunciation prepare us well for the upcoming celebrations of Holy Week.

For today’s Office of Readings, Dominicans are given the option of using the following text for the second lesson.  It is taken from the prayers of St. Catherine of Siena.

You, O Mary, have been made a book in which our rule is written today. In you today is written the eternal Father’s wisdom; in you today our human strength and freedom are revealed.

If I consider your own great counsel, eternal Trinity, I see that in your light you saw the dignity and nobility of the human race. So, just as love compelled you to draw us out of yourself, so that same love compelled you to buy us back when we were lost. In fact, you showed that you loved us before we existed, when you chose to draw us out of yourself only for love. But you have shown us greater love still by giving us yourself, shutting yourself up today in the pouch of our humanity. And what more could you have given us than to give us your very self? So you can truly ask us, “What should I or could I have done for you that I have not done?”

I see, then, that whatever your wisdom saw, in that great eternal council of yours, as best for our salvation, is what your mercy willed, and what your power has today accomplished.

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Earlier today, the Holy See released the full statement given by Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, director of the Vatican’s press office, to the New York Times for its article on the “Murphy Case,” which appeared on today’s front page.  Because the article selectively edited Fr. Lombardi’s statement and left obscure certain facts of the case, the Holy See has made the full statement available to the general public.

The following is the full text of the statement given to the New York Times on March 24, 2010:

The tragic case of Father Lawrence Murphy, a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, involved particularly vulnerable victims who suffered terribly from what he did. By sexually abusing children who were hearing-impaired, Father Murphy violated the law and, more importantly, the sacred trust that his victims had placed in him.

During the mid-1970s, some of Father Murphy’s victims reported his abuse to civil authorities, who investigated him at that time; however, according to news reports, that investigation was dropped. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was not informed of the matter until some twenty years later.

It has been suggested that a relationship exists between the application of Crimen sollicitationis and the non-reporting of child abuse to civil authorities in this case. In fact, there is no such relationship. Indeed, contrary to some statements that have circulated in the press, neither Crimen nor the Code of Canon Law ever prohibited the reporting of child abuse to law enforcement authorities.

In the late 1990s, after over two decades had passed since the abuse had been reported to diocesan officials and the police, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was presented for the first time with the question of how to treat the Murphy case canonically. The Congregation was informed of the matter because it involved solicitation in the confessional, which is a violation of the Sacrament of Penance. It is important to note that the canonical question presented to the Congregation was unrelated to any potential civil or criminal proceedings against Father Murphy.

In such cases, the Code of Canon Law does not envision automatic penalties, but recommends that a judgment be made not excluding even the greatest ecclesiastical penalty of dismissal from the clerical state (cf. Canon 1395, no. 2). In light of the facts that Father Murphy was elderly and in very poor health, and that he was living in seclusion and no allegations of abuse had been reported in over 20 years, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith suggested that the Archbishop of Milwaukee give consideration to addressing the situation by, for example, restricting Father Murphy’s public ministry and requiring that Father Murphy accept full responsibility for the gravity of his acts. Father Murphy died approximately four months later, without further incident.

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The following statement was released yesterday, March 23, by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

BISHOPS ENCOURAGE VIGILANCE THAT HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION PROTECTS CONSCIENCE, DOES NOT FUND ABORTION

Applaud efforts to expand health care to all
Emphasize need to guarantee federal money does not go to abortion
Need to address flaws in health reform plan just passed

WASHINGTON—The U.S. bishops called on Congress and people in the Catholic community to make sure promises are kept that new health care legislation will not expand abortions in the United States.

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, made the call March 23, moments after president Barack Obama signed the Senate version of health care reform legislation approved by the House of Representatives by a slim margin, March 21. The statement was approved unanimously by the 32-member Administrative Committee of the USCCB.

“We applaud the effort to expand health care to all,” Cardinal George said.

He noted concerns about the legislation, including that “the statute forces all those who choose federally subsidized plans that cover abortion to pay for other people’s abortions with their own funds.”

Cardinal George pointed to President Obama’s executive order that said “it is necessary to establish an adequate enforcement mechanism to ensure that Federal funds are not used for abortion services.”

The need for such an order underscores deficiencies in the bill, Cardinal George said.

“We do not understand how an Executive order, no matter how well intentioned, can substitute for statutory provisions,” he said also.

President Obama and others claimed the bill does not expand abortion, Cardinal George noted.

“We and many others will accompany the government’s implementation of the health care reform and will work to ensure that Congress and the Administration live up to the claims that have contributed to its passage. We believe, finally, that new legislation to address its deficiencies will almost certainly be required,” he said.

The statement follows.

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Fr. Guilbeau's Homily - March 21, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fr. Jones's Homily - March 21, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fr. Keitz's Homily - March 21, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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This is a faithful and wise steward:
the Lord entrusted the care of his household to him,
so that he might give them their portion of food at the proper season.

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

Of noble family and highly educated, he was professor of laws at the University of Salamanca, where his learning and virtue led to his appointment as Grand Inquisitor of Spain by Philip II and, though not of ecclesiastical rank, to his subsequent selection for the Archbishopric of Peru. He received Holy Orders in 1578 and two years later was consecrated bishop. He arrived at Payta, Peru, 600 miles from Lima, on 24 May, 1581. He began his mission work by travelling to Lima on foot, baptizing and teaching the natives. His favourite topic being: “Time is not our own, and we must give a strict account of it.” Three times he traversed the eighteen thousand miles of his diocese, generally on foot, defenceless and often alone; exposed to tempests, torrents, deserts, wild beasts, tropical heat, fevers, and savage tribes; baptizing and confirming nearly one half million souls, among them St. Rose of Lima, St. Francis Solano, Blessed Martin of Porres, and Blessed Masias. He built roads, school houses, and chapels innumerable, and many hospitals and convents, and founded the first American seminary at Lima in 1591. He assembled thirteen diocesan synods and three provincial councils.

Years before he died, he predicted the day and hour of his death. At Pacasmayo he contracted fever, but continued labouring to the last, arriving at Sana in a dying condition. Dragging himself to the sanctuary he received the Viaticum, expiring shortly after. He was beatified by Innocent XI in 1697 and canonized by Benedict XIII in 1726.

Lord,
through the apostolic work of Saint Turibius
and his unwavering love of truth,
you helped your Church to grow.
May your chosen people continue to grow in faith and holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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If you’re a young adult/young professional living, studying, or working in New York or are new to the city and to the Catholic scene here, stay connected and get involved in all the great events, activities, and happenings by checking out CatholicNYC.com. Send an email to Patrick Langrell, and he’ll keep you up to speed regularly on all the young adult events taking place all over the city.

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At Wednesday’s General Audience, Pope Benedict continued his series on the Christian culture of the Middle Ages by comparing and contrasting the theological projects of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure. While teaching in Paris, the Angelic Doctor and the Seraphic Doctor often joined forces to argue a particular theological point, though their differing takes on the usefulness of Aristotle’s philosophy in Christian theology caused their overall projects to diverge. While some can exaggerate the resulting differences between the two, the Pope certainly evaluates them mildly when he says that Thomas and Bonaventure spoke with “different accents in an essentially shared vision.”

Below is the full text of Pope Benedict’s address.

GENERAL AUDIENCE ADDRESS
March 17, 2010

Dear brothers and sisters,

This morning, continuing last Wednesday’s reflection, I would like to reflect further with you on other aspects of the doctrine of St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio. He is an eminent theologian, who merits being placed next to another very great thinker, his contemporary, St. Thomas Aquinas. Both scrutinized the mysteries of revelation, valuing the resources of human reason in the fruitful dialogue between faith and reason that characterized the Christian Middle Ages, making it a period of great intellectual liveliness, as well as of faith and of ecclesial renewal, often not sufficiently noted. Other similarities associate them: Both Bonaventure, a Franciscan, and Thomas, a Dominican, belonged to the Mendicant Orders that, with their spiritual freshness — as I mentioned in preceding catecheses — renewed the whole Church in the 13th century and attracted so many followers. Both served the Church with diligence, passion and love, to the point that they were invited to take part in the Ecumenical Council of Lyon in 1274, the same year in which they died: Thomas while he was going to Lyon; Bonaventure during the course of that same council. Also in St. Peter’s Square the statues of the two saints are parallel, placed in fact at the beginning of the Colonnade starting from the facade of the Vatican Basilica: one in the left wing and the other in the right wing. Despite all these aspects, we can see in these two great saints two different approaches to philosophical and theological research, which show each one’s originality and depth of thought. I would like to refer to some of these differences.

A first difference concerns the concept of theology. Both doctors asked themselves if theology is a practical or a theoretical, speculative science. St. Thomas reflects on two possible contrasting answers. The first says: theology is reflection on faith and the aim of faith is that man become good, that he live according to the will of God. Hence, the aim of theology should be to guide man on the just and good way; consequently it is, fundamentally, a practical science. The other position says: theology seeks to know God. We are the work of God; God is above our action. God operates just action in us. Hence it is essentially not of our doing, but of knowing God, not of our working. St. Thomas’ conclusion is: theology entails both aspects: it is theoretical, it seeks to know God ever more, and it is practical: it seeks to orient our life to the good. But there is a primacy of knowledge: we must above all know God, then follows action according to God (Summa Theologiae Ia, q. 1, art.4). This primacy of knowledge in comparison with practice is significant for St. Thomas’ essential orientation.

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The following statement was released yesterday by the USCCB:

BISHOPS TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: FIX FLAWS OR VOTE NO ON HEALTH REFORM BILL

House leadership ignoring pro-life members for essential changes in the legislation
Won’t even try to address the serious problems on abortion funding
Ignoring conscience protection and fair treatment of immigrants

WASHINGTON—The U.S. bishops urged the House of Representatives to fix flaws in health care legislation or vote against its passage in a March 20 letter to House members. The letter was signed by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chair on the Committee on Migration. The letter follows.

Dear Representative:

For decades, the United States Catholic bishops have supported universal health care. The Catholic Church teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential for human life and dignity. Our community of faith provides health care to millions, purchases health care for tens of thousands and addresses the failings of our health care system in our parishes, emergency rooms and shelters. This is why we as bishops continue to insist that health care reform which truly protects the life, dignity, consciences and health of all is a moral imperative and urgent national priority.

We are convinced that the Senate legislation now presented to the House of Representatives on a “take it or leave it” basis sadly fails this test and ought to be opposed. Why do we take this position, when we have a long record of support for health care reform? Our fundamental objections can be summarized in two points:

1. Health care reform must protect life and conscience, not threaten them. The Senate bill extends abortion coverage, allows federal funds to pay for elective abortions (for example, through a new appropriation for services at Community Health Centers that bypasses the Hyde amendment), and denies adequate conscience protection to individuals and institutions. Needed health care reform must keep in place the longstanding and widely supported federal policy that neither elective abortion nor plans which include elective abortion can be paid for with federal funds. Simply put, health care reform ought to continue to apply both parts of the Hyde amendment, no more and no less. The House adopted this policy by a large bipartisan majority, establishing the same protections that govern Medicaid, SCHIP, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and other federal health programs.

Despite claims to the contrary, the status quo prohibits the federal government from funding or facilitating plans that include elective abortion. The Senate bill clearly violates this prohibition by providing subsidies to purchase such plans. The House bill provided that no one has to pay for other people’s abortions, while this Senate bill does not. While the Senate provides for one plan without abortion coverage in each exchange, those who select another plan in an exchange to better meet the special needs of their families will be required to pay a separate mandatory abortion fee into a fund exclusively for abortions. This new federal requirement is a far more direct imposition on the consciences of those who do not wish to pay for the destruction of unborn human life than anything currently in federal law.

It is not those who require that the Hyde Amendment be fully applied who are obstructing reform, since this is the law of the land and the will of the American people. Rather, those who insist on expanding federal participation in abortion, require people to pay for other people’s abortions, and refuse to incorporate essential conscience protections (both within and beyond the abortion context) are threatening genuine reform. With conscience protection as with abortion funding, our goal is simply to preserve the status quo.

2. Universal coverage should be truly universal. People should never be denied coverage because they can’t afford it, because of where they live or work, or because of where they come from and when they got here. The Senate bill would not only continue current law that denies legal immigrants access to Medicaid for five years, but also prohibit undocumented immigrants from buying insurance for their families in the exchanges using their own money. These provisions could leave immigrants and their families worse off, and also hurt the public health of our nation.

Now, after a year of divisive political combat, members of the House are told that they can advance health care reform only by adopting the Senate legislation as is, including these fundamental flaws. The House leadership is ignoring the pleas of pro-life members for essential changes in the legislation. Apparently they will not even try to address the serious problems on abortion funding, conscience protection and fair treatment of immigrants.

We are bishops, not politicians, policy experts or legislative tacticians. We are also pastors, teachers, and citizens. At this point of decision, we cannot compromise on basic moral principles. We can only urge — and hope and pray — that the House of Representatives will still find the will and the means to adopt health care reform that protects the life, dignity, conscience and health of all. The legislation the House adopted, while not perfect, came closer to meeting these criteria. The Senate legislation simply does not meet them.

With deep regret, but clear in our moral judgment, we are compelled to continue to urge House members to oppose the Senate bill unless these fundamental flaws are remedied. At this critical moment, we urge Representatives to take the steps necessary to ensure that health care reform respects the life and dignity of all, from conception to natural death.

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The Mourners: Medieval Tomb Sculptures from the Court of Burgundy
March 2, 2010–May 23, 2010
Medieval Sculpture Hall

Exhibition description from the Met website:

The renovation of the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon provides an opportunity for the unprecedented loan of the alabaster mourner figures from the tomb of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, and his wife, Margaret of Bavaria. Each of the statuettes is approximately sixteen inches high. They were carved by Jean de La Huerta and Antoine Le Moiturier between 1443–1456 for the ducal tomb originally in the church of Champmol, and they follow the precedent of the mourner figures carved by Claus Sluter and colleagues for the tomb of Duke Philip the Bold (1342–1404). The tombs are celebrated as among the most sumptuous and innovative of the late Middle Ages. The primary innovation was the space given to the figures of the grieving mourners on the base of the tomb, who seem to pass through the real arcades of a cloister.

The installation at the Metropolitan will be supplemented by related works from the Museum’s collection, including the monumental Enthroned Virgin from the convent at Poligny (established by John the Fearless and Margaret of Bavaria) that was carved by Claus de Werve.

Accompanied by a catalogue.

Click here for a special website dedicated to the traveling exhibit.

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PASTORAL LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER POPE BENEDICT XVI
TO THE CATHOLICS OF IRELAND

1. Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Church in Ireland, it is with great concern that I write to you as Pastor of the universal Church. Like yourselves, I have been deeply disturbed by the information which has come to light regarding the abuse of children and vulnerable young people by members of the Church in Ireland, particularly by priests and religious. I can only share in the dismay and the sense of betrayal that so many of you have experienced on learning of these sinful and criminal acts and the way Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them.

As you know, I recently invited the Irish bishops to a meeting here in Rome to give an account of their handling of these matters in the past and to outline the steps they have taken to respond to this grave situation. Together with senior officials of the Roman Curia, I listened to what they had to say, both individually and as a group, as they offered an analysis of mistakes made and lessons learned, and a description of the programmes and protocols now in place. Our discussions were frank and constructive. I am confident that, as a result, the bishops will now be in a stronger position to carry forward the work of repairing past injustices and confronting the broader issues associated with the abuse of minors in a way consonant with the demands of justice and the teachings of the Gospel.

2. For my part, considering the gravity of these offences, and the often inadequate response to them on the part of the ecclesiastical authorities in your country, I have decided to write this Pastoral Letter to express my closeness to you and to propose a path of healing, renewal and reparation.

It is true, as many in your country have pointed out, that the problem of child abuse is peculiar neither to Ireland nor to the Church. Nevertheless, the task you now face is to address the problem of abuse that has occurred within the Irish Catholic community, and to do so with courage and determination. No one imagines that this painful situation will be resolved swiftly. Real progress has been made, yet much more remains to be done. Perseverance and prayer are needed, with great trust in the healing power of God’s grace.

At the same time, I must also express my conviction that, in order to recover from this grievous wound, the Church in Ireland must first acknowledge before the Lord and before others the serious sins committed against defenceless children. Such an acknowledgement, accompanied by sincere sorrow for the damage caused to these victims and their families, must lead to a concerted effort to ensure the protection of children from similar crimes in the future.

As you take up the challenges of this hour, I ask you to remember “the rock from which you were hewn” (Is 51:1). Reflect upon the generous, often heroic, contributions made by past generations of Irish men and women to the Church and to humanity as a whole, and let this provide the impetus for honest self-examination and a committed programme of ecclesial and individual renewal. It is my prayer that, assisted by the intercession of her many saints and purified through penance, the Church in Ireland will overcome the present crisis and become once more a convincing witness to the truth and the goodness of Almighty God, made manifest in his Son Jesus Christ.

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Click above below to hear this week’s edition of “Word to Life.”

Joining me on the show today to discuss the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent were Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P., who serves the University Parish of St. Joseph in Greenwich Village, and Mary Karr, author of the popular memoir Lit.

Mary is an award-winning poet, a best-selling author, and a convert to the Catholic faith. During her interview she shared with us details of her conversion story, as well as her insights into the Season of Lent. Available now only in hardcover, Lit will be released in paperback in July.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday at 1:00 PM EST on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - March 19, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Joseph lived in the town of Nazareth
to fulfill what the prophets had foretold of Christ:
He will be called a Nazarean.

Happy Feast of Saint Joseph!

As the husband of Mary, St. Joseph holds a special place in God’s providence for the world’s salvation.  His guidance and protection of the Holy Family, especially during its sojourn in Egypt, continues even now as St. Joseph exercises his paternal care over the Church, Christ’s bride.  As she sojourns through history, awaiting its final fulfillment in the future kingdom, the Church draws strength from the carpenter’s prayers to evade the snares and corruptions of this world.  Like Christ and Our Lady, we place ourselves and our families under St. Joseph’s gentle protection.

As members of the Province of St. Joseph, we Dominicans here in the eastern United States celebrate today the feast of our great patron.  Join us in prayer as we place our priestly and religious lives again into his firm and just hands.  May he build up this Province dedicated to him into a bulwark of faith, hope, and charity, a strong city of fraternal love and zeal for the Word.

And remember . . . just like Wednesday, when we remembered St. Patrick, today is a day of feasting.  And remember, too, to pray for the Holy Father.  Today is his onomastico, his name day.

Click here for more on the life of St. Joseph.

Father,
you entrusted our Savior to the care of Saint Joseph.
By the help of his prayers
may your Church continue to serve its Lord, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Those who are learned will be as radiant as the sky in all its beauty;
those who instruct the people in goodness will shine like the stars for all eternity.

Spanning one of the most interesting centuries in Christian history, the life of St. Cyril bears witness to the Church’s struggle and growth in the years just after her legal recognition by the Roman Empire.  Accordingly, as a priest and later Bishop of Jerusalem, Cyril was both an instigator and a victim of the political and theological intrigue that defined the period between the Councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381).  Despite his sufferings, Cyril carried on a fruitful catechetical apostolate, for which he is recognized as a Doctor of the Church. Through the collection of Cyril’s lectures that has come down to us we enjoy a glimpse into the liturgical life of the ancient Church.

Click here and here for more on the life of St. Cyril.  Excerpts of his Jerusalem Catecheses can be found here and here.

Father,
through Cyril of Jerusalem
you led your Church to a deeper understanding
of the mysteries of salvation.
Let his prayers help us to know your Son better
and to have eternal life in all its fullness.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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The Church of St. Vincent Ferrer
cordially invites you to a

THREE-DAY MINI-RETREAT

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
March 29, 30, and 31
after the 5:30 PM Mass

On each day, the Mass will be followed by a short reflection and a time for prayer.

On Wednesday, the last day of the retreat, a Lenten Soup Supper will be held in the Church Hall immediately following the Mass.

All are invited!

A free will offering will be taken.

(Catering provided by Hale and Hearty Soups, Lexington Avenue)

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Go, teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all!

Given the yearly occurrence of today’s feast within the Lenten Season, the question inevitably arises somewhere around the beginning of March: Father, can we break our penance and drink a pint (or two) on St. Paddy’s Day? In its hair-splitting form, the answer to this question here in the Archdiocese of New York is: practically speaking, yes; technically, no.

Because in New York St. Patrick carries the double honor of being the principal patron of the diocese and the patron of the cathedral, his feast day is observed here as a solemnity.  Therefore, the Church of New York celebrates the Feast of St. Patrick with all of the joy and pomp of a Sunday, which throughout the year—even in Lent!—is celebrated as a “little Easter.”  Hence, in keeping with the Church’s solemn celebrations, which seem to exclude fasting, we should  mark this day in our homes with some sort of joyous feasting.

So to answer the question above, we can break our fasts without really breaking our fasts, for we shouldn’t fast today at all.  Of course, it goes without saying that we celebrate with due moderation, and perhaps even within the overall spirit of Lent.  We have to save something for Easter, after all.

An excellent way to fete St. Patrick is to recall his life and virtues, which after centuries still stand out for praise and imitation.  Today’s Office of Readings gives us a short passage from the Confession of St. Patrick on which to meditate.  In it, Patrick reflects humbly on his vocation as a priest and bishop.  His holiness seen in this response to the Lord’s promptings is the real cause of our celebration today.

I give unceasing thanks to my God, who kept me faithful in the day of my testing.  Today I can offer him sacrifice with confidence, giving myself as a living victim to Christ, my Lord, who kept me safe through all my trials.  I can say now:Who am I, Lord, and what is my calling, that you worked through me with such divine power?  You did all this so that todayamong the Gentiles I might constantly rejoice and glorify you name wherever I may be, both in prosperity and in adversity.  You did it so that, whatever happened to me, I might accept good and evil equally, always giving thanks to God.  God is never to be doubted.  He answered my prayer in such a way that in the last days, ignorant though I am, I might be bold enough to take up so holy and so wonderful a task, and imitate in some degree those whom the Lord had so long ago foretold as heralds of his Gospel, bearing witness to all nations.

Simply beautiful.  For more on the life of St. Patrick, Patron of Ireland, click here.

God our Father,
you sent Saint Patrick
to preach your glory to the people of Ireland.
By the help of his prayers,
may all Christians proclaim your love to all men.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Fr. Jones's Homily - March 14, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fr. Guilbeau's Homily - March 14, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fr. Keitz's Homily - March 14, 2010 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Dated March 11th, the following statement repeats the US Bishops’ grave concerns over unjust provisions contained in current health care reform legislation.  The proper response of the Catholic faithful to this legislation, the bishops urge, is rigorous opposition.

USCCB NATIONWIDE BULLETIN INSERT/ACTION ALERT
Updated 3-11-2010

Stop Abortion Funding in Health Care Reform!
Protect Conscience
Ensure Affordable Health Coverage
Allow Immigrants to Purchase Private Health Insurance

As long-time advocates of health care reform, the U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral case that genuine health care reform must protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Health care reform should provide access to affordable and quality health care for all, and not advance a pro-abortion agenda in our country. Genuine health care reform is being blocked by those who insist on reversing widely supported policies against federal funding of abortion and plans which include abortion, not by those working simply to preserve these longstanding protections.

•  On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed major health care reform that reaffirms the essential, longstanding and widely supported policy against using federal funds for elective abortions and includes positive measures on affordability and immigrants.

•  On December 24, the U.S. Senate rejected this policy and passed health care reform that requires federal funds to help subsidize and promote health plans that cover elective abortions. All purchasers of such plans will be required to pay for other people’s abortions through a separate payment solely to pay for abortion. And the affordability credits for very low income families purchasing private plans in a Health Insurance Exchange are inadequate and would leave families financially vulnerable.

•  Outside the abortion context, neither bill has adequate conscience protection for health care providers, plans or employers.

•  Congressional leaders are now trying to figure out how the rules of the House and Senate could allow the final passage of a modified bill that would satisfy disagreements between House and Senate versions.

ACTION: Contact your Representative and Senators today by e-mail, phone or FAX.

•  To send a pre-written, instant e-mail to Congress go to www.usccb.org/action.

•  Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members’ local offices.

Contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at www.house.gov & www.senate.gov.

MESSAGE – HOUSE:  “I am pleased that the House health care bill maintains the longstanding policy against federal funding of abortion. On the other hand, the provisions on abortion funding in the current un-amended Senate health care bill are seriously deficient and unacceptable. I urge you to work to uphold essential provisions against abortion funding, to include full conscience protection and to ensure that health care is accessible and affordable for all. I urge you to oppose any bill unless and until these criteria are met.”

MESSAGE – SENATE:  “I am deeply disappointed that the current un-amended Senate health care bill fails to maintain the longstanding policy against federal funding of abortion and does not include adequate protection for conscience. I urge you to support essential provisions against abortion funding, similar to those in the House bill. Include full conscience protection and ensure that health care is accessible and affordable for all. I urge you to oppose any bill unless and until these criteria are met.”

WHEN: Votes in the House and Senate are expected at any time. Act today! Thank You!

UPDATE (3/16): Yesterday, Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the USCCB, issued the following statement clarifying the bishops’ concerns regarding the health reform legislation now moving through Congress. The cardinal’s statement addresses directly certain misconceptions created by the Catholic Health Association’s ill-advised endorsement of the legislation.

THE COST IS TOO HIGH; THE LOSS IS TOO GREAT
Statement by Cardinal Francis George, OMI

The Catholic Bishops of the United States have long and consistently advocated for the reform of the American health care system. Their experience in health care and in Catholic parishes has acquainted them with the anguish of mothers who are unable to afford prenatal care, of families unable to ensure quality care for their children, and of those who cannot obtain insurance because of preexisting conditions.

Throughout the discussion on health care over the last year, the bishops have advocated a bipartisan approach to solving our national health care needs. They have urged that all who are sick, injured or in need receive necessary and appropriate medical assistance, and that no one be deliberately killed through an expansion of federal funding of abortion itself or of insurance plans that cover abortion. These are the provisions of the long standing Hyde amendment, passed annually in every federal bill appropriating funds for health care; and surveys show that this legislation reflects the will of the majority of our fellow citizens. The American people and the Catholic bishops have been promised that, in any final bill, no federal funds would be used for abortion and that the legal status quo would be respected.

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