See http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SPAIN_CIVIL_WAR_BEATIFICATIONS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
Priest quit Mater board over right to religious ethos
From http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/priest-quit-mater-board-over-right-to-religious-ethos-29637492.html
He maintains the Dublin hospital should have said no to carrying out terminations on women who were suicidal, because the direct taking of life is prohibited under the Mater's ethical code.
He believes the hospital's authorities should have defied Minister for Health James Reilly, refused to comply, and faced the consequences.
And he accused the minister of having a lack of respect for Catholic hospitals' religious beliefs.
Said Fr Doran: "The day the act was published in its final form, he said he did not see a problem with Catholic hospitals. He said no hospital in receipt of State funding could opt out and that while an individual could have their right to conscience, an institution couldn't.
"In doing so, he was setting at nought the whole possibility of an organisation having an ethos, be it Catholic, Church of Ireland, Quaker, be it a hospital or a school.
"He was basically saying 'if we pay you, we own you. We make the rules and irrespective of your ethos, you keep our rules'."
He said the "hardline" attitude fails to recognise that the original investment of resources over the years into the Mater was by the original founders, the Sisters of Mercy.
Fr Doran, administrator of the Sacred Heart church in Donnybrook, Dublin, said Minister Reilly has failed to realise the issue is "not an exercise in accountancy".
"For many years, the church and State have worked together in partnership on healthcare, education and social services," he said. "The present Minister for Health showed he had very little respect for the ethos of Catholic hospitals, making the statement that he made.
"Ireland is not a secular State, it is a pluralist society in which people are entitled to freedom of religion and it is perfectly legitimate for people like the Sisters of Mercy to engage in partnership in healthcare with the State and expect their values to be respected, in the same way as values of civil society are respected."
THE priest who resigned from a Catholic hospital board after it confirmed it would comply with new abortion laws has said he did so because he believes a religious organisation has a right to an ethos.
Fr Kevin Doran said he stepped down from Dublin's Mater Hospital board of directors and governors in protest last week "as a matter of conscience".He maintains the Dublin hospital should have said no to carrying out terminations on women who were suicidal, because the direct taking of life is prohibited under the Mater's ethical code.
He believes the hospital's authorities should have defied Minister for Health James Reilly, refused to comply, and faced the consequences.
And he accused the minister of having a lack of respect for Catholic hospitals' religious beliefs.
Said Fr Doran: "The day the act was published in its final form, he said he did not see a problem with Catholic hospitals. He said no hospital in receipt of State funding could opt out and that while an individual could have their right to conscience, an institution couldn't.
"In doing so, he was setting at nought the whole possibility of an organisation having an ethos, be it Catholic, Church of Ireland, Quaker, be it a hospital or a school.
"He was basically saying 'if we pay you, we own you. We make the rules and irrespective of your ethos, you keep our rules'."
He said the "hardline" attitude fails to recognise that the original investment of resources over the years into the Mater was by the original founders, the Sisters of Mercy.
Fr Doran, administrator of the Sacred Heart church in Donnybrook, Dublin, said Minister Reilly has failed to realise the issue is "not an exercise in accountancy".
"For many years, the church and State have worked together in partnership on healthcare, education and social services," he said. "The present Minister for Health showed he had very little respect for the ethos of Catholic hospitals, making the statement that he made.
"Ireland is not a secular State, it is a pluralist society in which people are entitled to freedom of religion and it is perfectly legitimate for people like the Sisters of Mercy to engage in partnership in healthcare with the State and expect their values to be respected, in the same way as values of civil society are respected."
Fr
Doran said he never had any issue of providing medical treatment to
save a mother, even if it unintentionally caused an unborn's death.
His only concern was around Section 9 of the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill, which allows abortion in cases where there is a real risk of the mother committing suicide.
"The
key issue for me is the provision in Section 9 where there can be a
direct intervention to terminate a life to possibly save a woman from
committing suicide. It is the direct taking of a human life as distinct
of the loss of a life of an unborn as a side-effect of a treatment. The
Catholic ethos does not permit the direct taking of life. The principal
is you may never deliberately do evil so that good may come about."
He said he was "surprised and disappointed" the Mater issued an "unqualified" statement.
"It
specifically indicated a willingness to abide by the terms of the
Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act in an unqualified way.
"It
was reasonable enough that I should expect a Catholic hospital, which
has in its ethical code a specific prohibition against direct abortion,
would have problems with the Act.
"I would be a
hypocrite, that's what it boiled down to. As a priest, had I continued
to be a member of the board in light of [that] statement, I would
undermine the confidence of people in the church's teaching ministry.
"I
am sad to end it in this way, having worked with he Mater for 10 years.
I wrote in my resignation, which was graciously accepted, I don't bear
any kind of resentment."
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Irish Catholic hospital overrules objections and decides to comply with abortion law
From http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/mater-hospital-to-comply-with-legislation-1.1539781
The Mater Hospital in Dublin has said it will comply with the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013.
In
a brief statement issued yesterday the hospital said it would comply
with the Act, which sets out the circumstances where a termination of
pregnancy may be performed.
The statement says:
“The Mater Hospital has carefully considered the Act. The Hospital’s
priority is to be at the frontier of compassion, concern and clinical
care for all our patients. Having regard to that duty, the Hospital will
comply with the law as provided for in the act.”
The hospital’s compliance with the
legislation came into question during the summer when a member of its
board of directors said it could “not comply” with the legislation as it
ran counter to its Catholic ethos. Fr Kevin Doran,
who sits on both the board of directors and the board of governors
would not comment this afternoon on the hospital’s decision or his
future involvement in it.
The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is a Catholic voluntary hospital and was founded by the Sisters
of Mercy in 1861. In its mission statement, the hospital says that by
caring for the sick, “we participate in the healing ministry of Jesus
Christ”.
Though it is named in the Act as one of
25 “appropriate institutions” for the termination of pregnancy, Fr Doran
said during the summer: “The Mater can’t carry out abortions because it
goes against its ethos. I would be very concerned that the Minister
[for Health, James Reilly] sees fit to make it impossible for hospitals
to have their own ethos.
“The issue is broader
than just abortion. What’s happening is the Minister is saying hospitals
are not entitled to have an ethos.”
A spokesman
said the hospital’s board and management had consulted “widely across
the hospital” since the enactment of the legislation in July. The issue
had also been discussed at board level.
When
asked yesterday about the hospital’s decision, Fr Doran said: “I’m not
going to comment on anything. This has just happened.”
Asked
if he was going to remain on as a member of the hospital’s boards of
governors and directors, again said: “I am not going to comment on
anything.”
He had said in August that if the
hospital were to decide to comply with the legislation he assumed there
“would be very serious discussion between the Archbishop [of Dublin Dr
Diarmuid Martin] and the management of the hospital.”
The Mater hospital is a single-member company.
Its parent company is the Mater Misericordiae and the Children’s University Hospitals (Temple St) Ltd.
Its
website says the majority of the members of the parent company are
Sisters of Mercy and the remaining members represent the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin, the Catholic Nurses’ Guild of Ireland,
the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the medical consultants of Mater
Misericordiae University Hospital and the Children’s University
Hospital.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Vatican: 100,000 attend Syria peace vigil
From http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_VATICAN_SYRIA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-09-07-17-17-36
VATICAN CITY
(AP) -- Tens of thousands of people filled St. Peter's Square for a
four-hour Syria peace vigil late Saturday, answering Pope Francis' call
for a grassroots cry for peace that was echoed by Christians and
non-Christians alike in Syria and in vigils around the world.
The
Vatican estimated about 100,000 took part in the Rome event, making it
one of the largest rallies in the West against proposed U.S.-led
military action against the Syrian regime following the Aug. 21 chemical
weapons attack near Damascus.
Francis spent
most of the vigil in silent prayer, but during his speech he issued a
heartfelt plea for peace, denouncing those who are "captivated by the
idols of dominion and power" and destroy God's creation through war.
"This
evening, I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and
sisters of other religions and every man and woman of good will, cry out
forcefully: Violence and war are never the way to peace!" he said.
"May the noise of weapons cease!" he said. "War always marks the failure of peace, it is always a defeat for humanity."
In
Damascus, a few dozen Syrian Christians attended a service in the
al-Zaytoun Church, joining Francis' invitation for a global
participation in the day of fasting and prayer and to oppose outside
military intervention in the conflict.
Greek
Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III Laham of Antioch and All East presided,
saying most countries supported a political solution to the crisis in
Syria and few wanted military action. "This is the start of the
victory," he told the Damascus faithful. "No to war. Yes for peace."
In
Washington, at least 150 protesters picketed in front of the White
House and marched to Capitol Hill to voice their opposition to a U.S.
military strike in Syria. Anti-war protests were also held in other
U.S. cities, including one in New York City's Times Squares and a prayer
vigil in Boston that echoed Saturday's massive gathering at the
Vatican.
Medea Benjamin, a founder of the
anti-war group Code Pink, said a cross-section of Americans, many of
whom disagree on a variety of issues, are united against military
intervention.
"We have suddenly found
ourselves united as Americans, overwhelmingly saying we will not let you
drag us into another war," Benjamin shouted into a megaphone in front
of the White House.
Francis announced the day
of fasting and prayer Sept. 1, alarmed at the acceleration of U.S.
threats to strike Syria after the chemical weapons attack.
Since
then, the Vatican has ramped up its peace message, summoning
ambassadors for a briefing by the Holy See foreign minister this week.
Francis appealed directly to world powers at the Group of 20 meeting in
Russia, urging them to abandon the "futile pursuit" of a military
solution in Syria and work instead for a negotiated settlement.
Bishops
around the world joined Francis in the daylong fast and organized
similar vigils in their home dioceses. In Francis' native Argentina,
human rights and religious groups held a vigil in Buenos Aires' Plaza de
Mayo and in cities across the country. Vatican Radio reported similar
initiatives were taking place throughout Italy, in Cuba and elsewhere.
Even the grand mufti of Damascus, who thanked the pope for his
initiative in a letter earlier this week, invited Muslims to join the
fast in solidarity.
Vatican officials have
stressed that Saturday's event was religious, not political. But the
gathering nevertheless took on the air of an anti-war rally, with
protesters holding up Syrian flags and banners in the square reading
"Don't attack Syria" and "Obama you don't have a dream, you have a
nightmare." A few rainbow "Peace" flags fluttered in the breeze.
But
by the time the vigil got underway, the posters and flags had mainly
disappeared as a more religious tone took over, with leaders from a
variety of Christian and non-Christian denominations joining cardinals,
politicians and ordinary folk for the evening of prayer, hymns and
meditation.
"This is already a success, the
fact that all of us are here, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, atheists," a
Hindu believer named Anata said. Pilgrims "made an effort to fast, not
to do many things, and come here from all over Italy and Europe. This is
already a success."
The pope entered the
square from the basilica steps, foregoing his usual high-spirited drive
through in his open car - an indication of the sobriety of the evening,
which capped a day of fasting for the pontiff.
The
76-year-old pope held up well throughout the four hours - lasting
longer than many who by the vigil's 11 p.m. conclusion had already gone
home. He thanked those who had stayed to the end for their company, and
wished them a good night's sleep.
The peace
vigil marked something of a novelty for the Vatican: Nothing of its kind
has ever taken place in St. Peter's Square, though popes past have
participated in daylong peace prayers in places like Assisi, known for
its peace-loving native son and the pope's namesake, St. Francis.
That's
not to say popes haven't taken vigorous anti-war positions in the past:
Pope Paul VI famously uttered the words "War never again, never again
war" at the United Nations in 1965 as the Vietnam War raged, a refrain
that has been repeated by every pope since. Pope John Paul II sent an
envoy to President George W. Bush on the eve of the 2003 U.S.-led
invasion of Iraq urging him to stand down - to no avail.
Francis
has condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but has been
careful not to lay blame on any one side, exhorting world leaders
instead to focus on the plight of Syrian civilians and the need in
general to end the violence.
Other church
officials, both at the Vatican and in dioceses, have been more pointed
in their criticism of any internationalization of the conflict, saying
U.S.-French military strikes will only exacerbate the situation for
civilians, particularly Christian minorities.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Pope: Angelus appeal for peace. Asks for Day of Prayer and Fasting on September 7th
From http://en.radiovaticana.va/articolo.asp?c=724673
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the entire Mideast region, and throughout the whole world to be held this coming Saturday, September 7th, 2013. The Pope made the announcement during the course of remarks ahead of the traditional Angelus prayer this Sunday. Below, please find the full text of the Holy Father's Angelus appeal.
*******************************************
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Hello!
Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to make add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected.
There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.
I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from the deep within me. How much suffering, how much devastation, how much pain has the use of arms carried in its wake in that martyred country, especially among civilians and the unarmed! I think of many children will not see the light of the future! With utmost firmness I condemn the use of chemical weapons: I tell you that those terrible images from recent days are burned into my mind and heart. There is a judgment of God and of history upon our actions which are inescapable! Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war, violence begets violence.
With all my strength, I ask each party in this conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to close themselves in solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers and decisively and courageously to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and so overcome blind conflict. With similar vigour I exhort the international community to make every effort to promote clear proposals for peace in that country without further delay, a peace based on dialogue and negotiation, for the good of the entire Syrian people.
May no effort be spared in guaranteeing humanitarian assistance to those wounded by this terrible conflict, in particular those forced to flee and the many refugees in nearby countries. May humanitarian workers, charged with the task of alleviating the sufferings of these people, be granted access so as to provide the necessary aid.
What can we do to make peace in the world? As Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love (cf. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, [11 April 1963]: AAS 55, [1963], 301-302).
All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace. I make a forceful and urgent call to the entire Catholic Church, and also to every Christian of other confessions, as well as to followers of every religion and to those brothers and sisters who do not believe: peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs all of humanity!
I repeat forcefully: it is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace.
May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone so that they may lay down their weapons and be let themselves be led by the desire for peace.
To this end, brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.
On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 19:00 until 24:00, we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world. Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention.
Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mat, Queen of Peace, pray for us!
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the entire Mideast region, and throughout the whole world to be held this coming Saturday, September 7th, 2013. The Pope made the announcement during the course of remarks ahead of the traditional Angelus prayer this Sunday. Below, please find the full text of the Holy Father's Angelus appeal.
*******************************************
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Hello!
Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to make add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected.
There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.
I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from the deep within me. How much suffering, how much devastation, how much pain has the use of arms carried in its wake in that martyred country, especially among civilians and the unarmed! I think of many children will not see the light of the future! With utmost firmness I condemn the use of chemical weapons: I tell you that those terrible images from recent days are burned into my mind and heart. There is a judgment of God and of history upon our actions which are inescapable! Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war, violence begets violence.
With all my strength, I ask each party in this conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to close themselves in solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers and decisively and courageously to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and so overcome blind conflict. With similar vigour I exhort the international community to make every effort to promote clear proposals for peace in that country without further delay, a peace based on dialogue and negotiation, for the good of the entire Syrian people.
May no effort be spared in guaranteeing humanitarian assistance to those wounded by this terrible conflict, in particular those forced to flee and the many refugees in nearby countries. May humanitarian workers, charged with the task of alleviating the sufferings of these people, be granted access so as to provide the necessary aid.
What can we do to make peace in the world? As Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love (cf. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, [11 April 1963]: AAS 55, [1963], 301-302).
All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace. I make a forceful and urgent call to the entire Catholic Church, and also to every Christian of other confessions, as well as to followers of every religion and to those brothers and sisters who do not believe: peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs all of humanity!
I repeat forcefully: it is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace.
May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone so that they may lay down their weapons and be let themselves be led by the desire for peace.
To this end, brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.
On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 19:00 until 24:00, we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world. Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention.
Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mat, Queen of Peace, pray for us!
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