Business as usual in The Tablet last week - claiming that abortion is just 'Catholic' issue and that therefore Catholics should not let it get in the way when they decide what political policies to support (er, right!). This is a central tenat of the implicitly or explicitly pro-abortion dissident network of 'Catholic' organisations which feed off the Church and neutralise her public teaching. On this occasion The Tablet was addressing not a UK issue but an American one, so Archbishop Chaput pf Denver has posted a reply. (H-t Damian Thompson) In part:
Last week a British Catholic journal, in an editorial titled “US bishops must back Obama,” claimed that America’s bishops “have so far concentrated on a specifically Catholic issue - making sure state-funded health care does not include abortion - rather than the more general principle of the common good.”
It went on to say that if US Catholic leaders would get over their parochial preoccupations, “they could play a central role in salvaging Mr Obama’s health-care programme.”
The editorial has value for several reasons. First, it proves once again that people don’t need to actually live in the United States to have unhelpful and badly informed opinions about our domestic issues. Second, some of the same pious voices that once criticized US Catholics for supporting a previous president now sound very much like acolytes of a new president. Third, abortion is not, and has never been, a “specifically Catholic issue,” and the editors know it. And fourth, the growing misuse of Catholic “common ground” and “common good” language in the current health-care debate can only stem from one of two sources: ignorance or cynicism.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Archbishop Chaput responds to The Tablet
Friday, May 01, 2009
That MAP advert here
Here it is, folks, if you missed it on TV.
No mention is made of the STDs that a woman might catch through casual sex; no mention is made of the fact that emergency contraception may terminate a young life and no mention is made of the pain, bleeding or other side effects that may be experienced by using the medication.
OFCOM's "standards objectives" relevant to advertising should prevent the broadcasting of advertisements that may be misleading, harmful or offensive by television and radio services and should protect persons under the age of 18.
Please write to the Advertising Standards Authority, by using their online complaints form.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wynne-Jones on media portrayal of Christianity
Breifing. Mark Thompson, who famously said that Christianity should be treated with less respect than other religions, is a practicing Catholic. Much good may it do him.
From CFNews: Frequent television portrayals of Christians as absurd make it more difficult for believers to defend themselves, a national journalist has said.
Recent storylines in a number of soaps have sent the clear message that 'Christians are nutters', the Daily Telegraph's religion correspondent, Jonathan Wynne-Jones, wrote last week on his blog.
Christians should expect robust criticism, Mr Wynne-Jones said, but as faith is made to look more ridiculous 'the line between ridicule and persecution becomes even thinner'.
Mr Wynne-Jones wrote on his blog: 'Some would argue that Christianity has been undermined for some time on television.'
He continues: 'Even some of the BBC's religious documentaries have tended to challenge traditional beliefs, from claiming Mary was raped by a Roman soldier to arguing that Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus was caused by an epileptic fit.'
Earlier this week it emerged that dozens of viewers complained to the television regulator after an Easter Sunday episode of Coronation Street featured a string of outbursts against Christianity.
The character Ken Barlow described the Christian faith as a 'superstition', accusing churches of targeting 'vulnerable people' and 'indoctrinating' his grandson.
Mr Wynne-Jones also referred to Hollyoaks, a soap hugely popular with teenagers, where the 'Christian' in the show claims to have found an image of Jesus in a potato.
'Outspoken criticism of Christian beliefs should be expected, but the stealthy attempts to make believers look absurd is much more damaging,' Mr Wynne-Jones said.
'Once faith has been made to look ridiculous, the attempts of believers to rebut the criticism will be met with deaf ears. And then the line between ridicule and persecution becomes even thinner.'
It emerged earlier this month that the producers of Coronation Street are planning to portray a 'born-again Christian' character embarking on a lesbian affair in a bid to make the soap more reflective of modern Britain.
The BBC received 150 complaints about an episode of Eastenders shown in October last year, in which 'Christian' character Dot Cotton was made to look old fashioned and ridiculous in her beliefs on homosexuality.
She was shown getting to grips with an mp3 player before coming across two men kissing on a park bench and asking them to stop. The two male characters sniggered at her efforts to engage with modern technology.
Mark Thompson, the Director General of the BBC, admitted last year that he believes Christianity should be treated with less sensitivity in television programmes than other religions. [Christian Institute]
Friday, April 24, 2009
So who really does take sex ed seriously?
When I pointed out that 'most' Catholic bloggers, like the Catholic press and the hierarchy, seem to be largely ignoring the sex ed issue, I was rebuked by Mulier Fortis: 'don't antagonise your friends' she tells me.
I recognise the work Mulier Fortis has put into this issue, her courage and persistence; my remark wasn't directed at her. As for the others, I suggest the Catholic bloggers who do care about this needle them until they start taking notice.
Here's Google's top 25 Catholic websites. The ranking seems a little questionable to me but it is mostly blogs and it's a place to start. Looking at the blogs alone:
The Curt Jester: a search for "sex ed" throws up a number of references. There are numerous references as a side-issue and several posts devoted to the subject: on Bishop O'Donaghue, 'Screw Abstinence', Homosexual Progaganda, for example.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Times hoaxed twice
Comment: a bizarre story. First Ruth Gledhill was suckered into reporting that the Papal Nuncio had been rushed to hospital, leading to the cancellation of his annual reception at Archbishop's House to celebrate the Pope's birthday, last evening.
Now the Times Rome correspondent, Richard Owen, has been taken for a ride over a story saying, completely untruly, that the Pope is planning to give the Prince of Wales a copy of a historical document relating to the divorce between Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragon.
The Times has very little credibility left as a reporter of Catholic affairs. One might hope that basic story checking might be resumed after this fiasco. Perhaps that is the hoaxer's point. It will be interesting to see if the Times apologises.
Ruth Gledhill's ferocious attacks on the Pope following the Williamson affair undermine her role as a reporter on a respectable paper as effectively as her sensationalist misreading of an Anglican document about prospects for unity with Rome a couple of years ago. She really ought to get a job more suited to her talents.
H-T to Holy Smoke.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Tablet attacks Catholic blogs
Comment: it takes a stunning lack of self-knowledge for The Tablet to accuse others of 'straight poison-pen character assassination without reference to any requirements of accuracy or balance.' (leader, 1/4/09) Wasn't The Tablet being accused of something along these lines, and with good reason, just a few weeks ago?
Only the hauteur of the liberal establishment makes possible the lambasting of a conspiracy among its opponents, one of whose principle characteristics is supposed to be 'paranoia' and conspiracy theories.
It may be news to Catherine Pepinster, whose mixture of denial and paranoia is revealing itself in her leading articles, but most Catholic blogs pay little attention to The Tablet. It comes onto the radar screen only when it takes to poison-pen character assassination.
Naturally, Catholic blogs take up the contrary position to The Tablet much of the time. When The Tablet attacks the Holy Father, we defend him. When it attacks Archbishop Nichols, or Bishop O'Donaghue, or Catholic teachings, we defend them. But don't make yourself feel too important: it's not a conspiracy against The Tablet: we'd be defending these people and things anyway.
But since you raise the question in the week the Bishops are having their annual meeting, who is doing damage to the Catholic cause? And who gets the implicit approval of bishops and parish priests? The Tablet is stocked in churches throughout the land, yet never ceases to undermine the Church, its institutions and its teachings alike.The Bishops would do well to end this anomaly.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Archbishop Nichols calls for protests over abortion and condom ads
Action: please answer the Archbishop's call. The consultation has not been made very user-friendly but please take a moment to send something in.
The Archbishop also called on Catholics to make their opposition known to proposals to relax rules restricting the advertising of condoms on television.
Appointed as the new Archbishop of Westminster by the Pope last Friday, he said current television advertising for condoms 'demeaned' young people by depicting 'casual sex on the street corner' and 'drunken sex'.
He urged Catholics to respond to a consultation exercise on the proposed changes, saying that the country would not expect abortion to be advertised 'alongside a packet of crisps'.
Archbishop Nichols said: 'I would appeal to Catholics to respond to the consultation and two of the principles put forward are that advertisements should be truthful and tasteful.
'I doubt that any intended adverts about abortion would be fully truthful and tell the whole truth of the effects of abortion in a woman's life. I seriously wonder if any advertisements for the use of condoms would be tasteful because the ones we have at the moment are demeaning of the young people of this country.
'They depict casual sex on the street corner and drunken sex. I do not think these things do anything to genuinely help young people to understand themselves in their own dignity and in the proper meaning of what human sexuality is about.'
Under the terms of the proposals, adverts for pregnancy advisory services could be allowed in prime-time evening slots on the major channels and radio but advertisers would have to stipulate if the service does not refer women directly for abortion.
Condoms could be advertised on television before the 9pm watershed.
Currently Channel 4 is the only channel with permission to advertise condoms from 7pm.
The proposals would mean that for the first time pregnancy advisory services advertisements that were not Government approved would be permitted on broadcast media. [Telegraph]
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Petition in support of Pope Benedict
Action: please sign up!
Here is the petition text: We, the undersigned, declare our full solidarity with the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI and his teachings.
We strongly object to the irresponsible attacks in the media on the person of the Holy Father in the context of his pilgrimage to Africa. His words of truth have become a pretext for further attempts to undermine the teachings of the Catholic Church, and especially the Encyclical “Humanae Vitae”.
We wish to express our great gratitude to the Holy Father for his uncompromising proclamation of the Truth, which the modern world needs so much.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Abortionists to advertise on TV?
Briefing.
John Smeaton, national director of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), said: "The ASA's proposal threatens to further commercialise the killing of unborn children. It would completely disregard the adverse effect of abortion on women's health. Agencies with a financial interest in abortion will be in a position to buy expensive broadcast advertising, whereas groups which provide objective information about abortion and its impact on women's health will be unlikely to afford to advertise.
"We note the proposed requirement that any group advertising counselling services for pregnant women must make clear if the group does not refer women for abortion. We will be scrutinising the ASA's proposals closely for any similar signs of potential discrimination against pro-life groups. The ASA already demonstrated a bias against pro-life groups when it attempted to ban advertisements which stated correctly that morning-after pills may cause early abortions.
"We are also concerned about the proposal to allow advertisements on television for condoms before the 9pm watershed. Such a move would only serve to sexualise young people, and the resulting promiscuity would lead to more abortions, more teenage pregnancies and more sexually transmitted infections."
Monday, March 23, 2009
Joanno Bogle with Jon Snow
Comment. Joanna Bogle was ambushed: yes, but it was so obvious she would be, on this topic with this interviewer, that she must have seen it coming. Her response was reasoned but comes accross as shrill.
We have a problem here: too few people are prepared to defend the Church in public. Who is going to second Mrs Bogle? We need people who are cool under fire, and can put their opponents on the back foot with quick and unexpected responses. Knowing lots of facts isn't enough: Joanna should have leant that in the school debating society.
See the comments on Snow's blog.
Pope correct on condoms and AIDS, says expert
Briefing.
'The pope is correct,' Green told National Review Online Wednesday, 'or put it a better way, the best evidence we have supports the pope's comments.'
'There is,' Green added, 'a consistent association shown by our best studies, including the U.S.-funded 'Demographic Health Surveys,' between greater availability and use of condoms and higher (not lower) HIV-infection rates. This may be due in part to a phenomenon known as risk compensation, meaning that when one uses a risk-reduction 'technology' such as condoms, one often loses the benefit (reduction in risk) by 'compensating' or taking greater chances than one would take without the risk-reduction technology.'
The Harvard AIDS Project's webpage on Green lists his book 'Rethinking AIDS Prevention: Learning from Successes in Developing Countries'. It is stated that Green reveals, 'The largely medical solutions funded by major donors have had little impact in Africa, the continent hardest hit by AIDS. Instead, relatively simple, low-cost behavioral change programs--stressing increased monogamy and delayed sexual activity for young people--have made the greatest headway in fighting or preventing the disease's spread.'
The full text of Pope Benedict XVI's exchange with the reporter, which has set off a firestorm around the world in the media, has been released by the Vatican press office.
The pope was asked, 'Holy Father among the many evils that affect Africa there is also the particular problem of the spread of AIDS. The position of the Catholic Church for fighting this evil is frequently considered unrealistic and ineffective.?'
Benedict XVI replied, 'I would say the opposite.
'It is my belief that the most effective presence on the front in the battle against HIV/AIDS is precisely the Catholic Church and her institutions. I think of the Community of Sant' Egidio, which does so much, visibly and invisibly to fight AIDS, of the Camillians, of all the nuns that are at the service of the sick.
'I would say that this problem of AIDS cannot be overcome with advertising slogans. If the soul is lacking, if Africans do not help one another, the scourge cannot be resolved by distributing condoms; quite the contrary, we risk worsening the problem. The solution can only come through a twofold commitment: firstly, the humanization of sexuality, in other words a spiritual and human renewal bringing a new way of behaving towards one another; and secondly, true friendship, above all with those who are suffering, a readiness - even through personal sacrifice - to be present with those who suffer. And these are the factors that help and bring visible progress.
'Therefore, I would say that our double effort is to renew the human person internally, to give spiritual and human strength to a way of behaving that is just towards our own body and the other person's body; and this capacity of suffering with those who suffer, to remain present in trying situations.
'I believe that this is the first response [to AIDS] and that this is what the Church does, and thus, she offers a great and important contribution. And we are grateful to those that do this.' [LSN]
Friday, March 20, 2009
Reactions to attacks on the Pope
Comment: some good letters appeared in The Times, including this excellent one from Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor:
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor
Archbishop of Westminster
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Pope attacked over condoms
However the Code has little to say about hate speech, since it is covered by the law of the land, including the 2007 Racial and Religious Hatred Act, which outlaws incitement to hatred, though not ridicule and insult. How these two principles are supposed to work together is anyone's guess.
Nevertheless the PCC is the obvious first place to go for redress, so please make the point that this cartoon is insulting to Catholics and denigrates their religion and beliefs. Just imagine how long it would be tolerated if it insulted the Chief Rabbi, an Iman, or a homosexual.
"I would say the opposite. I think that the reality that is most effective, the most present and the strongest in the fight against AIDS, is precisely that of the Catholic Church, with its programs and its diversity. I think of the Sant'Egidio Community, which does so much visibly and invisibly in the fight against AIDS ... and of all the sisters at the service of the sick.
"I would say that one cannot overcome this problem of AIDS only with money -- which is important, but if there is no soul, no people who know how to use it, (money) doesn't help.
"One cannot overcome the problem with the distribution of condoms. On the contrary, they increase the problem.
"The solution can only be a double one: first, a humanization of sexuality, that is, a spiritual human renewal that brings with it a new way of behaving with one another; second, a true friendship even and especially with those who suffer, and a willingness to make personal sacrifices and to be with the suffering. And these are factors that help and that result in real and visible progress.
"Therefore I would say this is our double strength -- to renew the human being from the inside, to give him spiritual human strength for proper behavior regarding one's own body and toward the other person, and the capacity to suffer with the suffering. ... I think this is the proper response and the church is doing this, and so it offers a great and important contribution. I thank all those who are doing this."
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Teen mags sexualising children
Parents: you have been warned!
From CFNews: Teenage magazines are to blame for the 'early sexualisation' of their young readers and are failing to uphold their own guidelines on content, the Government's consumer watchdog has claimed. Ed Mayo, chief executive of Consumer Focus, said the magazines were 'pushing the envelope' and warned that parents would be shocked by much of their content.
A study by The Sunday Telegraph of several magazines aimed at teenage girls found that they contained sexually-explicit material which was potentially in breach of the industry's editorial code.
Campaigners have attacked the magazines' self-regulatory body as 'toothless' and have called for an independent organisation to monitor the publications, which are read by children as young as 11.
The move comes after Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, ordered a review into whether young girls are being sexualised through fashion, music, computer games and other industries.
Bliss magazine, whose readers have an average age of 15, features on the front of this month's issue the cover lines 'The Sex Factor, your questions answered on p46' and 'Gang raped - for a mobile phone.'
April's Sugar magazine, with readers aged 14 on average, features a spread entitled 'Is it a crush or are you gay?'. This month's Top of the Pops Magazine, with readers aged 11 to 15, is sold with a set of 'Kiss Me!' stickers.
It features photos of shirtless male celebrities and a picture of Justin Gaston, an underwear model, who appears to be naked except for a panel covering his private parts.
Bliss's website has previously invited girls to send in photographs of themselves to be marked on 'looks and pullability' in a contest called 'How Sexy Am I?' while Sugar has an annual modelling competition for girls asking: 'Want fame, freebies and fit lads?'
The Teenage Magazine Arbitration Panel (TMAP), the industry's self-regulatory body whose members include publishers and editors, is supposed to ensure that 'the sexual content of teenage magazines is presented in a responsible and appropriate manner'.
Its guidelines, which apply to magazines who have more than 25 per cent of their readership aged under 16, state that 'readers will always be encouraged to take a responsible attitude to sex' and that 'editorial content of the magazines will reflect the typical concerns of the magazine's readership'.
However, critics say that few parents know about TMAP. Since it was launched in 1996, to head off the threat of legislation clamping down on the magazines' sexual content, it has ruled on only three complaints, and in the past three years it has received only one.
Mr Mayo said: 'Teenage magazines do have a role to play in guiding teenagers through difficult issues, but when it comes to what is responsible and what is not, clearly the envelope is being pushed and parents would be shocked by much of their content.
'There is no doubt that some of these magazines are responsible for the early sexualisation of children. If you let industry set the rules, the industry will often find a way through. The answer is not always new rules, but I would welcome the current guidelines actually being enforced.'
Michael Gove, the shadow children's secretary, said: 'These magazines are pushing the boundaries of what parents would consider acceptable. Their publishers have to explain why publications aimed at girls below the age of consent carry this sort of material. The industry needs to look again at how it regulates itself.'
Sue Palmer, an educational consultant and the author of Toxic Childhood, said: 'The reality is that children as young as 10 read these magazines, and what they are being exposed to is often horrific and entirely inappropriate.
'The very blatantly sexual ethos expressed in them is becoming normalised among young girls. Then we wonder why we have such high teenage pregnancy rates and a booming ladette culture.
'The regulatory body is clearly a toothless watchdog. Magazines are blatantly flouting the guidelines, which need to be tightened up and have a real force of law behind them, with a watchdog that is independent of the industry.'
Dr Fleur Fisher, the chairman of TMAP, said: 'The magazines should be cross-checking their features with our guidelines, and if they are not, then that is where we come in. Any complaints we receive from readers are carefully checked against our guidelines, and we respond accordingly. Many of the features within these magazines are written in response to queries they receive from their readers [Sunday Telegraph]
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Petition for Tablet apology to Fr Finnigan
Action: please sign the petition.
The purpose of this petition is to demand an apology from Catherine Pepinster (Editor) and Elena Curti (Deputy Editor) to Fr Timothy Finigan for the article entitled, 'That was not my Mass' in the 21st February 2009 edition of your journal. The reason for this demand is the unethical journalism used by Ms Curti to publish the article. The apology can come in either a private letter to Fr Finigan or printed in the next edition of The Tablet.
Sincerely, [the undersigned]
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tablet attack on Fr Tim Finnigan
Comment: Catholic priest found in South London wearing a cassock! Shock! Traditional Mass provided to those who desire it without depriving anyone of the New Mass! Horror! Money spent on decent vestments as well the church roof, the floor, the heating, the PA system, and the parish hall kitchen! Who'd beleive it?
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Petition to support the Pope
Action: please sign up here. Support the Pope against the extraordinary campaigns of the international media, which seems determined to stop him doing or saying anything contrary to the liberal agenda.
Text of the petition:
Appeal from plain Catholic faithful.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Bishop Williamson: 'Throw me into the sea'
Briefing: While The Times and other secular news outlets are venting their incomprehending fury on the Holy Father for lifting the excommunications, Bishop Williamson has sent the following letter of apology to Cardinal Hoyos. It is a truly astonishing act of humility on the part of a man who does not have the reputation for this particular virtue. Frankly on a human level this is impossible, but the Pope's act of pastoral concern and generosity has opened hearts to grace. Let us pray for all the parties involved, that remaining difficulties be resolved with truth, justice, and charity.
H-t Rorate Caeli. To His Eminence Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos
Your Eminence
Amidst this tremendous media storm stirred up by imprudent remarks of mine on Swedish television, I beg of you to accept, only as is properly respectful, my sincere regrets for having caused to yourself and to the Holy Father so much unnecessary distress and problems.
For me, all that matters is the Truth Incarnate, and the interests of His one true Church, through which alone we can save our souls and give eternal glory, in our little way, to Almighty God. So I have only one comment, from the prophet Jonas, I, 12:
"Take me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you."
Please also accept, and convey to the Holy Father, my sincere personal thanks for the document signed last Wednesday and made public on Saturday. Most humbly I will offer a Mass for both of you.
Sincerely yours in Christ
+Richard Williamson
Written to Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos on January 28, 2009.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
BBC demonises pro-lifers
Action: complaints, please, about 'Hunter'. You can see the relevant material on the internet here. Pro-lifers are portrayed an violent fanatics, kidnapping and killing children. As John Smeaton quotes one SPUC activist, 'They would never dare portray other groups in this way'. Catholics and Pro-Lifers are fair game.
SSPX news
Comment: it has been widely reported that the excommunications of the SSPX bishops, to which they were subject automatically on being ordained without the Vatican's permission in 1988, is to be lifted today.
