Vivificat's News TidBits for the week of January 21

Vivificat! News, opinion, commentary, reflections, and prayer from a personal Catholic perspective ^ | 21 January 2008 | Teófilo

[Teófilo]

Folks, though today I am off from work, a busy week looms ahead. Nevertheless, this is what I am going to be watching, commenting, and praying about in the next few days.

• Today we observe the memory of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. According to the Saint of the Day Page, "Almost nothing is known of this saint except that she was very young—12 or 13—when she was martyred in the last half of the third century. Various modes of death have been suggested—beheading, burning, strangling. Legend has it she was a beautiful girl whom many young men wanted to marry. Among those she refused, one reported her to the authorities as being a Christian. She was arrested and confined to a house of prostitution. The legend continues that a man who looked upon her lustfully lost his sight and had it restored by her prayer. She was condemned, executed and buried near Rome in a catacomb that eventually was named after her. The daughter of Constantine built a basilica in her honor." Today, women are encouraged to "empower themselves" by using their sexuality as a weapon; back then, women claimed their autonomy and their personhoods by defending their integrity against a society that saw them as mere objects. Frankly, the society hasn't changed much except for the methods of resistance. What passes today for resistance is merely a surrender in disguise. St. Agnes reminds us that it ought not to be that way.

• Today we also celebrate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King. Obviously, a few lines on this blog will not nearly exhaust the richness of his contribution to the life of our country. One thing that we ought to remember is this: the gentleman was a Christian. Many seem to forget or gloss over that basic fact. Christians are better able to effect social change; atheists and antichristians, if of good will are mostly followers; if of ill-will a la Hitchens or Dawkins, just talk talk talk. Thank God for Dr. Martin Luther King and those like him.

• Tomorrow is the March for Life. Thomas Peters, my better known blogging colleague from The American Papist, will be reporting from the ground in Washington, DC starting tonight and through tomorrow. Don't miss his coverage!

• News coverage of this year's March for Life seems to be mostly local or regional at first glance; no mention yet on the big networks.

• Bush spiritual adviser endorses Obama says AP/via ABC: "The Reverend Kirbyjon Caldwell -- senior pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church -- said yesterday that he's backing the Illinois senator because of Obama's 'character, confidence and courage.' He says Obama, a Democrat, is electable and would bring people together. Caldwell says his support is personal and not connected to his role as pastor of the 14,000-member church." It always riles me how Protestant ministers can get away with "personal endorsements" and inviting candidates to their churches and no one question their tax status. But have a Catholic bishop, priest, or minister state some general remarks in favor of the Culture of Life and the obligation for Catholic politicians to conform their consciences to Church teaching and all hell breaks loose. Pundits and critics will hand Pastor Caldwell a free pass, but Catholic pastors will not get the same privilege - unless, of course, they dissent from Church teaching in this matter. These go on to become media darlings. The hypocrisy of the whole thing is sickening.

• The same-sex marriage debate reached Puerto Rico a while ago and pro-Family Puerto Ricans have reached a new level of militancy. Having defeated a measure in the new Civil Code that would've legalized this so-called "marriage," citizens are now pushing an amendment to Puerto Rico's Constutition outlawing the practice in the island and refusing recognition from such unions effected elsewhere. The measure has a wide array of support from the Puerto Rican electorate and contrary voices are very fearful that the measure can pass. Solana Larsen, for Global Voices Online, records what the naysayers are saying in Puerto Rico: Sexual Politics. I've left my own comments, perhaps you should leave your own.

This is a wrap!

[Teófilo]

PING!

[rrstar96]

Thanks for the ping, Teófilo. The truth be told, it does not surprise me that a minister with the United Methodist Church is endorsing a liberal the likes of Obama.

This election year, the cause of life does not have appear to have a consistent champion within the Republican Party. I guess we are having another campaign with plenty of lip service. Roe vs. Wade, 35 years old tomorrow, and still murdering.