To God be Glory forever!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Beatification of Servant of God John Paul II
from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (January 14, 2011)
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=9518
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=9518
 |
| An original pencil rendering of Pope John Paul II by Paula Maloney of Osgoode Ontario |
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Pope John Paul II Beatification
Excerpt of Decree for John Paul II's Beatification
"Sign of the Depth of Faith and Invitation to a Fully Christian Life"
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 14, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is an excerpt of the decree written by the Congregation for Saints' Causes regarding the beatification of Servant of God John Paul II, published today by Vatican Radio. The prefect of the saints' causes dicastery is Cardinal Angelo Amato.
The full text can be found on ZENIT's Web page: www.zenit.org/article-31459?l=english
* * *
Beatification: Sign of the depth of faith and invitation to a fully Christian life
The proclamation of a Saint or of a Blessed by the Church is the fruit of putting together various aspects regarding a specific Person. First, it is an act which says something important in the life of the Church herself. It is linked to a "cult," i.e. to the memory of the person, to his full acknowledgment of him in the awareness of the ecclesial community, of the country, of the Universal Church in various countries, continents and cultures. Another aspect is the awareness that the "presentation on the altars" will be an important sign of the depth of the faith, of the diffusion of faith in the path of life of that person, and that this sign will become an invitation, a stimulus for us all towards a Christian life ever more profound and full. Finally, thesine qua non condition is the holiness of the person's life, verified during the precise and formal canonical proceedings. All this provides the material for the decision of the Successor of Peter, of the Pope in view of the proclamation of a Blessed or of a Saint, of the cult in the context of the ecclesial community and of its liturgy.
John Paul II's pontificate was an eloquent and clear sign, not only for Catholics, but also for world public opinion, for people of all color and creed. The world's reaction to his lifestyle, to the development of his apostolic mission, to the way he bore his suffering, to the decision to continue his Petrine mission to the end as willed by divine Providence, and finally, the reaction to his death, the popularity of the acclamation "Saint right now!" which someone made on the day of his funerals, all this has its solid foundation in the experience of having met with the person who was the Pope. The faithful have felt, have experienced that he is "God's man," who really sees the concrete steps and the mechanisms of contemporary world "in God," in God's perspective, with the eyes of a mystic who looks up to God only. He was clearly a man of prayer: so much so that it is from the dynamism of his personal union with God, from the permanent listening to what God wants to say in a concrete situation, that the whole of "Pope John Paul II's activity" flowed. Those who were closest to him have been able to see that, prior to his meetings with his guests, with Heads of State, with Church high officials or ordinary citizens, John Paul II would recollect himself in prayer according to the intentions of the guests and of the meeting that was to come.
1. Karol Wojtyla's contribution to Vatican II Council
After Vatican II, during the pontificates of Paul VI and of John Paul II, the manner of presentation, and thus of self-presentation of the papacy, has become quite expressive. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the pontificate of John Paul II, the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs published in 2004 a book entitled "Go Forth in the Whole World." Giancarlo Zizola, a "vaticanist," remarked on the fact that "the papacy has conquered its citizenship in the realm of public visibility, breaking away from the siege of worship marginalisation where it had been kept by decree of secular society, in the name of a militant vision of the liberal tenet of Separation of Church and State" (p. 17). A German historian, Jesuit Klaus Schatz, speaking of Paul VI and of John Paul II, underlined the meaning of the "papacy on the way" -- thus in conformity with Vatican II -- more in the manner of a missionary movement than as a static pole of unity. Schatz refers to the manner of interpreting the papal mission as a challenge to "confirm the brothers in the faith" (Luke 22:32), in a way tied to structural authority, but with a strong spiritual and charismatic hint, in link with the personal credibility and rooted in God himself.
Let us pause a moment to consider Vatican II. The young archbishop of Cracow was one of the most active Council Fathers. He made a significant contribution to the "Scheme XIII" which was to become the Pastoral Constitution of the Council "Gaudium et Spes" on the Church in the Modern World, and to the Dogmatic Constitution "Lumen Gentium." Thanks to his studies abroad, bishop Wojtyla had a concrete experience of evangelisation and of the mission of the Church, in Western Europe or in other continents, but above all of totalitarian atheism in Poland and in the other countries of the "Soviet Block." He brought all this experience to the Council debates, which were certainly not like drawing-room conversations, extremely courteous but void of contents. Here was a substantial and decisive effort to insert the Gospel's dynamism into the conciliar enthusiasm rooted on the conviction that Christianity is capable of furnishing a "soul" to the development of modernity and to the reality of the social and cultural world.
All this was to be of use in preparing for the future responsibilities of the Successor of Peter. As John Paul II said, he already had in his mind his first encyclical, "Redemptor Hominis," and brought it to Rome from Cracow. All he had to do in Rome was to write down all these ideas. In this encyclical, there is a wide invitation to humankind to rediscover the reality of Redemption in Christ: "Man (…) remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. This, as has already been said, is why Christ the Redeemer 'fully reveals man to himself.' [...] man finds again the greatness, dignity and value that belong to his humanity. In the mystery of the Redemption man becomes newly 'expressed' and, in a way, is newly created. [...] The man who wishes to understand himself thoroughly -- and not just in accordance with immediate, partial, often superficial, and even illusory standards and measures of his being -- he must with his unrest, uncertainty and even his weakness and sinfulness, with his life and death, draw near to Christ. He must, so to speak, enter into him with all his own self, he must 'appropriate' and assimilate the whole of the reality of the Incarnation and Redemption in order to find himself (No. 10). [...]
"This union of Christ with man is in itself a mystery. From the mystery is born 'the new man,' called to become a partaker of God's life, and newly created in Christ for the fullness of grace and truth. [...] Man is transformed inwardly by this power as the source of a new life that does not disappear and pass away but lasts to eternal life. [...] This life, which the Father has promised and offered to each man in Jesus Christ (…) is in a way the fulfilment of the 'destiny' that God has prepared for him from eternity. This 'divine destiny' is advancing, in spite of all the enigmas, the unsolved riddles, the twists and turns of 'human destiny' in the world of time. Indeed, while all this, in spite of all the riches of life in time, necessarily and inevitably leads to the frontier of death and the goal of the destruction of the human body, beyond that goal we see Christ. 'I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me ... shall never die'" (No. 18).
--- --- ---
On ZENIT's Web page:
Full text of decree: www.zenit.org/article-31459?l=english
"Sign of the Depth of Faith and Invitation to a Fully Christian Life"
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 14, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is an excerpt of the decree written by the Congregation for Saints' Causes regarding the beatification of Servant of God John Paul II, published today by Vatican Radio. The prefect of the saints' causes dicastery is Cardinal Angelo Amato.
The full text can be found on ZENIT's Web page: www.zenit.org/article-31459?l=english
* * *
Beatification: Sign of the depth of faith and invitation to a fully Christian life
The proclamation of a Saint or of a Blessed by the Church is the fruit of putting together various aspects regarding a specific Person. First, it is an act which says something important in the life of the Church herself. It is linked to a "cult," i.e. to the memory of the person, to his full acknowledgment of him in the awareness of the ecclesial community, of the country, of the Universal Church in various countries, continents and cultures. Another aspect is the awareness that the "presentation on the altars" will be an important sign of the depth of the faith, of the diffusion of faith in the path of life of that person, and that this sign will become an invitation, a stimulus for us all towards a Christian life ever more profound and full. Finally, thesine qua non condition is the holiness of the person's life, verified during the precise and formal canonical proceedings. All this provides the material for the decision of the Successor of Peter, of the Pope in view of the proclamation of a Blessed or of a Saint, of the cult in the context of the ecclesial community and of its liturgy.
John Paul II's pontificate was an eloquent and clear sign, not only for Catholics, but also for world public opinion, for people of all color and creed. The world's reaction to his lifestyle, to the development of his apostolic mission, to the way he bore his suffering, to the decision to continue his Petrine mission to the end as willed by divine Providence, and finally, the reaction to his death, the popularity of the acclamation "Saint right now!" which someone made on the day of his funerals, all this has its solid foundation in the experience of having met with the person who was the Pope. The faithful have felt, have experienced that he is "God's man," who really sees the concrete steps and the mechanisms of contemporary world "in God," in God's perspective, with the eyes of a mystic who looks up to God only. He was clearly a man of prayer: so much so that it is from the dynamism of his personal union with God, from the permanent listening to what God wants to say in a concrete situation, that the whole of "Pope John Paul II's activity" flowed. Those who were closest to him have been able to see that, prior to his meetings with his guests, with Heads of State, with Church high officials or ordinary citizens, John Paul II would recollect himself in prayer according to the intentions of the guests and of the meeting that was to come.
1. Karol Wojtyla's contribution to Vatican II Council
After Vatican II, during the pontificates of Paul VI and of John Paul II, the manner of presentation, and thus of self-presentation of the papacy, has become quite expressive. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the pontificate of John Paul II, the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs published in 2004 a book entitled "Go Forth in the Whole World." Giancarlo Zizola, a "vaticanist," remarked on the fact that "the papacy has conquered its citizenship in the realm of public visibility, breaking away from the siege of worship marginalisation where it had been kept by decree of secular society, in the name of a militant vision of the liberal tenet of Separation of Church and State" (p. 17). A German historian, Jesuit Klaus Schatz, speaking of Paul VI and of John Paul II, underlined the meaning of the "papacy on the way" -- thus in conformity with Vatican II -- more in the manner of a missionary movement than as a static pole of unity. Schatz refers to the manner of interpreting the papal mission as a challenge to "confirm the brothers in the faith" (Luke 22:32), in a way tied to structural authority, but with a strong spiritual and charismatic hint, in link with the personal credibility and rooted in God himself.
Let us pause a moment to consider Vatican II. The young archbishop of Cracow was one of the most active Council Fathers. He made a significant contribution to the "Scheme XIII" which was to become the Pastoral Constitution of the Council "Gaudium et Spes" on the Church in the Modern World, and to the Dogmatic Constitution "Lumen Gentium." Thanks to his studies abroad, bishop Wojtyla had a concrete experience of evangelisation and of the mission of the Church, in Western Europe or in other continents, but above all of totalitarian atheism in Poland and in the other countries of the "Soviet Block." He brought all this experience to the Council debates, which were certainly not like drawing-room conversations, extremely courteous but void of contents. Here was a substantial and decisive effort to insert the Gospel's dynamism into the conciliar enthusiasm rooted on the conviction that Christianity is capable of furnishing a "soul" to the development of modernity and to the reality of the social and cultural world.
All this was to be of use in preparing for the future responsibilities of the Successor of Peter. As John Paul II said, he already had in his mind his first encyclical, "Redemptor Hominis," and brought it to Rome from Cracow. All he had to do in Rome was to write down all these ideas. In this encyclical, there is a wide invitation to humankind to rediscover the reality of Redemption in Christ: "Man (…) remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. This, as has already been said, is why Christ the Redeemer 'fully reveals man to himself.' [...] man finds again the greatness, dignity and value that belong to his humanity. In the mystery of the Redemption man becomes newly 'expressed' and, in a way, is newly created. [...] The man who wishes to understand himself thoroughly -- and not just in accordance with immediate, partial, often superficial, and even illusory standards and measures of his being -- he must with his unrest, uncertainty and even his weakness and sinfulness, with his life and death, draw near to Christ. He must, so to speak, enter into him with all his own self, he must 'appropriate' and assimilate the whole of the reality of the Incarnation and Redemption in order to find himself (No. 10). [...]
"This union of Christ with man is in itself a mystery. From the mystery is born 'the new man,' called to become a partaker of God's life, and newly created in Christ for the fullness of grace and truth. [...] Man is transformed inwardly by this power as the source of a new life that does not disappear and pass away but lasts to eternal life. [...] This life, which the Father has promised and offered to each man in Jesus Christ (…) is in a way the fulfilment of the 'destiny' that God has prepared for him from eternity. This 'divine destiny' is advancing, in spite of all the enigmas, the unsolved riddles, the twists and turns of 'human destiny' in the world of time. Indeed, while all this, in spite of all the riches of life in time, necessarily and inevitably leads to the frontier of death and the goal of the destruction of the human body, beyond that goal we see Christ. 'I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me ... shall never die'" (No. 18).
--- --- ---
On ZENIT's Web page:
Full text of decree: www.zenit.org/article-31459?l=english
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Homily by Fr. Tony Van Hee, Pro Life Mass, Assumption Parish, January 8, 2011
The Pilgrimage of Masses, January 8, 2011, 10 a.m., Assumption Parish
Homily by Fr. Tony Van Hee
As I see it, worldwide abortion, is the greatest single evil, in all of human history, apart from the death of Christ. Not this abortion, or that abortion, or many abortions, but worldwide abortion. And the greatest external force we are fighting against in this struggle, on the human level, in my opinion, is the mainstream media, which forms public opinion, for good or ill.
In regard to worldwide Christianity, and Western Civilization, the greatest threat seems to be, a lack of faith, a lack of belief in God, atheism in all its forms. But neither the mainstream media, with its lies and propaganda, nor atheists with their unbelief, and their hatred of the God they say does not exist, are the real enemy. The real enemy is Satan, “a murderer from the beginning …[a deceiver] … a liar and the father of lies” (8:44), and with him a whole host of fallen angels.
“For”, as St Paul says, “we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).
The mainstream media, the unbelievers, and all others who are fighting against us, are not the enemy. They are only misguided and deceived pawns, in the hands of Satan and his fallen angels.
So we have to use discernment. We want to encourage and cooperate with all that is good in the mainstream media, and in unbelievers, but firmly oppose and reject all that is not good.
Because this is a cosmic struggle far beyond our very limited capacities, we must remember the greatness of our God, who only allows evil, in order to bring about a greater good. We don’t always see the greater good, so we have to have faith and trust. In order to encourage this faith and trust in God, we must keep in mind the greatness of our God, who created the whole universe, which I am told, has a hundred billion galaxies, such as our Milky Way Galaxy, and in each of these galaxies, a hundred billion stars.
In each of our bodies, I am told, we have a hundred trillion cells, and the Bible tells us, that this great God of ours has numbered the hairs on our head, and the sands on the sea shore.
Yet, God is greater than all of His creation, the whole of the universe, angels and mankind included, so we have nothing to fear, if we have faith and trust in Him. It is His household, so to speak, that is all messed up, and as head of His household, He is not losing sleep over it. He has it all in hand.
He grieves because of our suffering, and our stupidity, and our sinfulness, but He is bringing good out of it all. He has it all in hand. If He can keep an ever expanding universe, a hundred billion galaxies, each with a hundred billion stars, swirling around in space, in mathematical precision, and number the hairs on our head and the sands on the seashore, He can surely bring about good in all that is happening to us here and now, to us, the Mystical Body and Beloved Bride of His Son.
If He allowed the crucifixion of His own Son, the greatest evil in all of human history,in order to bring about the greatest good in all of human history, our redemption and our salvation, He can surely bring good out of “this present darkness”.
And what is our part in all of this? Well, pretty small, but absolutely essential. We, ourselves, are pawns in this cosmic struggle between Satan and his fallen angels, and St Michael and his good angels, including each of our guardian angels. Our part in this cosmic struggle is, as it were, merely to show up for work each day, whatever that work may be, trusting that God will use us and our works, keeping in mind that each and every one of our least thoughts, words and actions, when united with His Son’s, is of infinite value, and will live on eternally, whether it be gathered up in an eternal symphony of love and praise, or whether it be included and preserved insome other magnificent way, eternally.
Nothing is lost to God. Nothing is wasted. And nothing can alter the victory that has already been won for us, over all these evil forces,
Homily by Fr. Tony Van Hee
As I see it, worldwide abortion, is the greatest single evil, in all of human history, apart from the death of Christ. Not this abortion, or that abortion, or many abortions, but worldwide abortion. And the greatest external force we are fighting against in this struggle, on the human level, in my opinion, is the mainstream media, which forms public opinion, for good or ill.
In regard to worldwide Christianity, and Western Civilization, the greatest threat seems to be, a lack of faith, a lack of belief in God, atheism in all its forms. But neither the mainstream media, with its lies and propaganda, nor atheists with their unbelief, and their hatred of the God they say does not exist, are the real enemy. The real enemy is Satan, “a murderer from the beginning …[a deceiver] … a liar and the father of lies” (8:44), and with him a whole host of fallen angels.
“For”, as St Paul says, “we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).
The mainstream media, the unbelievers, and all others who are fighting against us, are not the enemy. They are only misguided and deceived pawns, in the hands of Satan and his fallen angels.
So we have to use discernment. We want to encourage and cooperate with all that is good in the mainstream media, and in unbelievers, but firmly oppose and reject all that is not good.
Because this is a cosmic struggle far beyond our very limited capacities, we must remember the greatness of our God, who only allows evil, in order to bring about a greater good. We don’t always see the greater good, so we have to have faith and trust. In order to encourage this faith and trust in God, we must keep in mind the greatness of our God, who created the whole universe, which I am told, has a hundred billion galaxies, such as our Milky Way Galaxy, and in each of these galaxies, a hundred billion stars.
In each of our bodies, I am told, we have a hundred trillion cells, and the Bible tells us, that this great God of ours has numbered the hairs on our head, and the sands on the sea shore.
Yet, God is greater than all of His creation, the whole of the universe, angels and mankind included, so we have nothing to fear, if we have faith and trust in Him. It is His household, so to speak, that is all messed up, and as head of His household, He is not losing sleep over it. He has it all in hand.
He grieves because of our suffering, and our stupidity, and our sinfulness, but He is bringing good out of it all. He has it all in hand. If He can keep an ever expanding universe, a hundred billion galaxies, each with a hundred billion stars, swirling around in space, in mathematical precision, and number the hairs on our head and the sands on the seashore, He can surely bring about good in all that is happening to us here and now, to us, the Mystical Body and Beloved Bride of His Son.
If He allowed the crucifixion of His own Son, the greatest evil in all of human history,in order to bring about the greatest good in all of human history, our redemption and our salvation, He can surely bring good out of “this present darkness”.
And what is our part in all of this? Well, pretty small, but absolutely essential. We, ourselves, are pawns in this cosmic struggle between Satan and his fallen angels, and St Michael and his good angels, including each of our guardian angels. Our part in this cosmic struggle is, as it were, merely to show up for work each day, whatever that work may be, trusting that God will use us and our works, keeping in mind that each and every one of our least thoughts, words and actions, when united with His Son’s, is of infinite value, and will live on eternally, whether it be gathered up in an eternal symphony of love and praise, or whether it be included and preserved insome other magnificent way, eternally.
Nothing is lost to God. Nothing is wasted. And nothing can alter the victory that has already been won for us, over all these evil forces,
Friday, January 7, 2011
Saint Brother Andre, Mass of Thanksgiving, Notre Dame Cathedral January 6 2011
Well like I said I was so looking forward to taking lots of pictures but unfortunately one of the ushers asked me not to take any pictures during the mass . Since I didn't get very many pictures I included one of my sister at the Restaurant before mass and the last two are a couple of photos I took on my way home of the Christmas Lights on our street.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
January 6th: Feast of the Epiphany and of Saint Brother Andre
Diocesan Celebration of thanksgiving
The Archbishop invites all to attend the diocesan Eucharistic celebration which will be held on the first feast day of St. Brother Andre, on Jan 6, at 7:30 pm at Notre Dame Cathedral.
I am surely going and will take loads of pictures.
The Archbishop invites all to attend the diocesan Eucharistic celebration which will be held on the first feast day of St. Brother Andre, on Jan 6, at 7:30 pm at Notre Dame Cathedral.
I am surely going and will take loads of pictures.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
In the Church Calendar, January 1st marks the Feast Day of Mary the Mother of God. May the words that Mary spoke to Saint Juan Diego give you comfort and hope during this new year.
"Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."
(Words of Our Lady to Juan Diego)
"Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."
(Words of Our Lady to Juan Diego)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Benedict XVI's Christmas Message - Verbum caro factum est" – "The Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14).
ZE10122502 - 2010-12-25
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-31350
Benedict XVI's Christmas Message
"May the Birth of the Savior Open Horizons of Lasting Peace"
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI's Christmas message, which he gave today at noon from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, and before he imparted his traditional blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world).
* * *
Verbum caro factum est" – "The Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14).
Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is "Emmanuel", God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus.
This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most daring hope. First of all, because it is not merely a proclamation: it is an event, a happening, which credible witnesses saw, heard and touched in the person of Jesus of Nazareth! Being in his presence, observing his works and hearing his words, they recognized in Jesus the Messiah; and seeing him risen, after his crucifixion, they were certain that he was true man and true God, the only-begotten Son come from the Father, full of grace and truth (cf. Jn 1:14).
"The Word became flesh". Before this revelation we once more wonder: how can this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually opposed realities; how can the eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal man? There is only one answer: Love. Those who love desire to share with the beloved, they want to be one with the beloved, and Sacred Scripture shows us the great love story of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ.
God in fact does not change: he is faithful to himself. He who created the world is the same one who called Abraham and revealed his name to Moses: "I am who I am … the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … a God merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (cf. Ex 3:14-15; 34:6). God does not change; he is Love, ever and always. In himself he is communion, unity in Trinity, and all his words and works are directed to communion. The Incarnation is the culmination of creation. When Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, was formed in the womb of Mary by the will of the Father and the working of the Holy Spirit, creation reached its high point. The ordering principle of the universe, the Logos, began to exist in the world, in a certain time and space.
"The Word became flesh". The light of this truth is revealed to those who receive it in faith, for it is a mystery of love. Only those who are open to love are enveloped in the light of Christmas. So it was on that night in Bethlehem, and so it is today. The Incarnation of the Son of God is an event which occurred within history, while at the same time transcending history. In the night of the world a new light was kindled, one which lets itself be seen by the simple eyes of faith, by the meek and humble hearts of those who await the Saviour. If the truth were a mere mathematical formula, in some sense it would impose itself by its own power. But if Truth is Love, it calls for faith, for the "yes" of our hearts.
And what do our hearts, in effect, seek, if not a Truth which is also Love? Children seek it with their questions, so disarming and stimulating; young people seek it in their eagerness to discover the deepest meaning of their life; adults seek it in order to guide and sustain their commitments in the family and the workplace; the elderly seek it in order to grant completion to their earthly existence.
"The Word became flesh". The proclamation of Christmas is also a light for all peoples, for the collective journey of humanity. "Emmanuel", God-with-us, has come as King of justice and peace. We know that his Kingdom is not of this world, and yet it is more important than all the kingdoms of this world. It is like the leaven of humanity: were it lacking, the energy to work for true development would flag: the impulse to work together for the common good, in the disinterested service of our neighbour, in the peaceful struggle for justice. Belief in the God who desired to share in our history constantly encourages us in our own commitment to that history, for all its contradictions. It is a source of hope for everyone whose dignity is offended and violated, since the one born in Bethlehem came to set every man and woman free from the source of all enslavement.
May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was born, and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence. May the comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel ease the pain and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East; may it bring them comfort and hope for the future and bring the leaders of nations to show them effective solidarity. May it also be so for those in Haiti who still suffer in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and the recent cholera epidemic. May the same hold true not only for those in Colombia and Venezuela, but also in Guatemala and Costa Rica, who recently suffered natural disasters.
May the birth of the Savior open horizons of lasting peace and authentic progress for the peoples of Somalia, Darfur and Côte d’Ivoire; may it promote political and social stability in Madagascar; may it bring security and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and in Pakistan; may it encourage dialogue between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and may it advance reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.
May the birth of the Savior strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep alive the flame of hope. May the love of "God-with-us" grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all.
Dear brothers and sisters, "the Word became flesh"; he came to dwell among us; he is Emmanuel, the God who became close to us. Together let us contemplate this great mystery of love; let our hearts be filled with the light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem! To everyone, a Merry Christmas!
© Copyright 2010 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-31350
Benedict XVI's Christmas Message
"May the Birth of the Savior Open Horizons of Lasting Peace"
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI's Christmas message, which he gave today at noon from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, and before he imparted his traditional blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world).
* * *
Verbum caro factum est" – "The Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14).
Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is "Emmanuel", God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus.
This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most daring hope. First of all, because it is not merely a proclamation: it is an event, a happening, which credible witnesses saw, heard and touched in the person of Jesus of Nazareth! Being in his presence, observing his works and hearing his words, they recognized in Jesus the Messiah; and seeing him risen, after his crucifixion, they were certain that he was true man and true God, the only-begotten Son come from the Father, full of grace and truth (cf. Jn 1:14).
"The Word became flesh". Before this revelation we once more wonder: how can this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually opposed realities; how can the eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal man? There is only one answer: Love. Those who love desire to share with the beloved, they want to be one with the beloved, and Sacred Scripture shows us the great love story of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ.
God in fact does not change: he is faithful to himself. He who created the world is the same one who called Abraham and revealed his name to Moses: "I am who I am … the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … a God merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (cf. Ex 3:14-15; 34:6). God does not change; he is Love, ever and always. In himself he is communion, unity in Trinity, and all his words and works are directed to communion. The Incarnation is the culmination of creation. When Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, was formed in the womb of Mary by the will of the Father and the working of the Holy Spirit, creation reached its high point. The ordering principle of the universe, the Logos, began to exist in the world, in a certain time and space.
"The Word became flesh". The light of this truth is revealed to those who receive it in faith, for it is a mystery of love. Only those who are open to love are enveloped in the light of Christmas. So it was on that night in Bethlehem, and so it is today. The Incarnation of the Son of God is an event which occurred within history, while at the same time transcending history. In the night of the world a new light was kindled, one which lets itself be seen by the simple eyes of faith, by the meek and humble hearts of those who await the Saviour. If the truth were a mere mathematical formula, in some sense it would impose itself by its own power. But if Truth is Love, it calls for faith, for the "yes" of our hearts.
And what do our hearts, in effect, seek, if not a Truth which is also Love? Children seek it with their questions, so disarming and stimulating; young people seek it in their eagerness to discover the deepest meaning of their life; adults seek it in order to guide and sustain their commitments in the family and the workplace; the elderly seek it in order to grant completion to their earthly existence.
"The Word became flesh". The proclamation of Christmas is also a light for all peoples, for the collective journey of humanity. "Emmanuel", God-with-us, has come as King of justice and peace. We know that his Kingdom is not of this world, and yet it is more important than all the kingdoms of this world. It is like the leaven of humanity: were it lacking, the energy to work for true development would flag: the impulse to work together for the common good, in the disinterested service of our neighbour, in the peaceful struggle for justice. Belief in the God who desired to share in our history constantly encourages us in our own commitment to that history, for all its contradictions. It is a source of hope for everyone whose dignity is offended and violated, since the one born in Bethlehem came to set every man and woman free from the source of all enslavement.
May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was born, and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence. May the comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel ease the pain and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East; may it bring them comfort and hope for the future and bring the leaders of nations to show them effective solidarity. May it also be so for those in Haiti who still suffer in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and the recent cholera epidemic. May the same hold true not only for those in Colombia and Venezuela, but also in Guatemala and Costa Rica, who recently suffered natural disasters.
May the birth of the Savior open horizons of lasting peace and authentic progress for the peoples of Somalia, Darfur and Côte d’Ivoire; may it promote political and social stability in Madagascar; may it bring security and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and in Pakistan; may it encourage dialogue between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and may it advance reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.
May the birth of the Savior strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep alive the flame of hope. May the love of "God-with-us" grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all.
Dear brothers and sisters, "the Word became flesh"; he came to dwell among us; he is Emmanuel, the God who became close to us. Together let us contemplate this great mystery of love; let our hearts be filled with the light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem! To everyone, a Merry Christmas!
© Copyright 2010 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Annunciation...and Us
The Annunciation...and Us
Posted at: Monday, December 20, 2010 10:26:30 AM
Author: James Martin, S.J.
Posted at: Monday, December 20, 2010 10:26:30 AM
Author: James Martin, S.J.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thank you Rod Bruinooge.
Thank you Rod Bruinooge for introducing Roxanne's Law and for all the work that it entailed. Thank you to all those who worked with you on this and all who helped promote it especially the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Priests for Life Canada , 4 MY CANADA, Arpa Canada I know there are other groups and individuals as well but the above are the groups and people who come to my mind that I know worked very hard during the past months promoting bill C-510. And thank you to all our MP's who voted in favour of Roxanne's law.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada launched a stellar campaign over the past few weeks promoting Bill C-510 with their Video Campaign. ARPA Canada and 4MYCanada were extremely active in promoting Roxanne's Law as well. 4MYCanada sent out e-mails with access to all the e-mail addresses of our MP's and set up their website so that one could easily contact one or all MP's in an instant. I used their system and have to say I was extremely impressed. And of Course Priests for Life Canada promoted Roxanne's law for months and Father Tom Lynch gave a strong Endorsement in an Interview with Rod Bruinooge on december 7th. . See Priests for Life's endorsement on my blog Strong Endorsement of Roxanne's Law from Catholic Church Leaders . Thank you too Archbishop Collins for your support.
Disappointing to me was that LifesiteNews failed to report on Priests for Life Canada's interview with Rod Bruinooge on December 7th . I contacted LifesiteNews last week and am still waiting for an explanation. I'm just saying it seems strange.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada launched a stellar campaign over the past few weeks promoting Bill C-510 with their Video Campaign. ARPA Canada and 4MYCanada were extremely active in promoting Roxanne's Law as well. 4MYCanada sent out e-mails with access to all the e-mail addresses of our MP's and set up their website so that one could easily contact one or all MP's in an instant. I used their system and have to say I was extremely impressed. And of Course Priests for Life Canada promoted Roxanne's law for months and Father Tom Lynch gave a strong Endorsement in an Interview with Rod Bruinooge on december 7th. . See Priests for Life's endorsement on my blog Strong Endorsement of Roxanne's Law from Catholic Church Leaders . Thank you too Archbishop Collins for your support.
Disappointing to me was that LifesiteNews failed to report on Priests for Life Canada's interview with Rod Bruinooge on December 7th . I contacted LifesiteNews last week and am still waiting for an explanation. I'm just saying it seems strange.
Roxanne's Law: How our MPs voted
The Vote for Roxanne's Law Bill C510
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=4896153#Int-3688545
YEAS
Members
Abbott
Albrecht
Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac)
Allison
Anders
Anderson
Ashfield
Benoit
Bezan
Block
Boughen
Breitkreuz
Brown (Leeds—Grenville)
Brown (Newmarket—Aurora)
Brown (Barrie)
Bruinooge
Calandra
Calkins
Cannan (Kelowna—Lake Country)
Carrie
Casson
Clarke
Cummins
Davidson
Day
Del Mastro
Devolin
Dhalla
Fast
Galipeau
Gallant
Glover
Goldring
Grewal
Guarnieri
Harris (Cariboo—Prince George)
Hiebert
Hoback
Hoeppner
Jean
Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission)
Karygiannis
Kenney (Calgary Southeast)
Komarnicki
Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings)
Lake
Lamoureux
Lauzon
Lemieux
Lobb
Lukiwski
Lunney
MacAulay
Malhi
Mayes
McColeman
McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood)
McTeague
Merrifield
Miller
Moore (Fundy Royal)
Norlock
O'Neill-Gordon
Payne
Poilievre
Preston
Rajotte
Reid
Richards
Ritz
Scheer
Shea
Shipley
Shory
Smith
Sorenson
Storseth
Strahl
Sweet
Szabo
Toews
Tonks
Trost
Tweed
Uppal
Van Kesteren
Van Loan
Vellacott
Warawa
Warkentin
Watson
Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country)
Weston (Saint John)
Wong
Woodworth
Yelich
Young
Total: -- 97
NAYS
Members
Ablonczy
Allen (Welland)
André
Andrews
Angus
Armstrong
Arthur
Ashton
Asselin
Atamanenko
Bachand
Bagnell
Bains
Baird
Beaudin
Bélanger
Bellavance
Bennett
Bernier
Bevington
Bigras
Blackburn
Blais
Blaney
Bonsant
Bouchard
Boucher
Bourgeois
Braid
Brison
Brunelle
Byrne
Cadman
Cannon (Pontiac)
Carrier
Chong
Chow
Christopherson
Clement
Coady
Coderre
Comartin
Cotler
Crombie
Crowder
Cullen
Cuzner
D'Amours
Davies (Vancouver Kingsway)
Davies (Vancouver East)
DeBellefeuille
Dechert
Demers
Deschamps
Desnoyers
Dewar
Dhaliwal
Dion
Donnelly
Dorion
Dosanjh
Dreeshen
Dryden
Duceppe
Duncan (Etobicoke North)
Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona)
Dykstra
Easter
Eyking
Faille
Fantino
Finley
Flaherty
Fletcher
Foote
Fry
Gagnon
Garneau
Gaudet
Généreux
Godin
Goodale
Goodyear
Gourde
Gravelle
Guay
Guimond (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques)
Guimond (Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord)
Hall Findlay
Harper
Harris (St. John's East)
Hawn
Holder
Holland
Hughes
Julian
Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret's)
Kennedy
Kent
Kerr
Laforest
Laframboise
Lavallée
Layton
Lebel
LeBlanc
Lee
Lemay
Leslie
Lessard
Lévesque
MacKay (Central Nova)
MacKenzie
Malo
Maloway
Marston
Martin (Sault Ste. Marie)
Mathyssen
McCallum
McGuinty
McLeod
Ménard
Mendes
Menzies
Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam)
Mourani
Mulcair
Murphy (Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe)
Murphy (Charlottetown)
Murray
Nadeau
Neville
Nicholson
O'Connor
Obhrai
Oda
Oliphant
Ouellet
Pacetti
Paillé (Hochelaga)
Paquette
Paradis
Patry
Pearson
Petit
Plamondon
Pomerleau
Proulx
Rae
Rafferty
Ratansi
Rathgeber
Regan
Richardson
Rickford
Rodriguez
Rota
Russell
Savage
Savoie
Scarpaleggia
Schellenberger
Sgro
Siksay
Silva
Simson
Sopuck
St-Cyr
Stanton
Stoffer
Thi Lac
Thibeault
Tilson
Trudeau
Valeriote
Verner
Wallace
Zarac
Total: -- 178
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=4896153#Int-3688545
YEAS
Members
Abbott
Albrecht
Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac)
Allison
Anders
Anderson
Ashfield
Benoit
Bezan
Block
Boughen
Breitkreuz
Brown (Leeds—Grenville)
Brown (Newmarket—Aurora)
Brown (Barrie)
Bruinooge
Calandra
Calkins
Cannan (Kelowna—Lake Country)
Carrie
Casson
Clarke
Cummins
Davidson
Day
Del Mastro
Devolin
Dhalla
Fast
Galipeau
Gallant
Glover
Goldring
Grewal
Guarnieri
Harris (Cariboo—Prince George)
Hiebert
Hoback
Hoeppner
Jean
Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission)
Karygiannis
Kenney (Calgary Southeast)
Komarnicki
Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings)
Lake
Lamoureux
Lauzon
Lemieux
Lobb
Lukiwski
Lunney
MacAulay
Malhi
Mayes
McColeman
McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood)
McTeague
Merrifield
Miller
Moore (Fundy Royal)
Norlock
O'Neill-Gordon
Payne
Poilievre
Preston
Rajotte
Reid
Richards
Ritz
Scheer
Shea
Shipley
Shory
Smith
Sorenson
Storseth
Strahl
Sweet
Szabo
Toews
Tonks
Trost
Tweed
Uppal
Van Kesteren
Van Loan
Vellacott
Warawa
Warkentin
Watson
Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country)
Weston (Saint John)
Wong
Woodworth
Yelich
Young
Total: -- 97
NAYS
Members
Ablonczy
Allen (Welland)
André
Andrews
Angus
Armstrong
Arthur
Ashton
Asselin
Atamanenko
Bachand
Bagnell
Bains
Baird
Beaudin
Bélanger
Bellavance
Bennett
Bernier
Bevington
Bigras
Blackburn
Blais
Blaney
Bonsant
Bouchard
Boucher
Bourgeois
Braid
Brison
Brunelle
Byrne
Cadman
Cannon (Pontiac)
Carrier
Chong
Chow
Christopherson
Clement
Coady
Coderre
Comartin
Cotler
Crombie
Crowder
Cullen
Cuzner
D'Amours
Davies (Vancouver Kingsway)
Davies (Vancouver East)
DeBellefeuille
Dechert
Demers
Deschamps
Desnoyers
Dewar
Dhaliwal
Dion
Donnelly
Dorion
Dosanjh
Dreeshen
Dryden
Duceppe
Duncan (Etobicoke North)
Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona)
Dykstra
Easter
Eyking
Faille
Fantino
Finley
Flaherty
Fletcher
Foote
Fry
Gagnon
Garneau
Gaudet
Généreux
Godin
Goodale
Goodyear
Gourde
Gravelle
Guay
Guimond (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques)
Guimond (Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord)
Hall Findlay
Harper
Harris (St. John's East)
Hawn
Holder
Holland
Hughes
Julian
Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret's)
Kennedy
Kent
Kerr
Laforest
Laframboise
Lavallée
Layton
Lebel
LeBlanc
Lee
Lemay
Leslie
Lessard
Lévesque
MacKay (Central Nova)
MacKenzie
Malo
Maloway
Marston
Martin (Sault Ste. Marie)
Mathyssen
McCallum
McGuinty
McLeod
Ménard
Mendes
Menzies
Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam)
Mourani
Mulcair
Murphy (Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe)
Murphy (Charlottetown)
Murray
Nadeau
Neville
Nicholson
O'Connor
Obhrai
Oda
Oliphant
Ouellet
Pacetti
Paillé (Hochelaga)
Paquette
Paradis
Patry
Pearson
Petit
Plamondon
Pomerleau
Proulx
Rae
Rafferty
Ratansi
Rathgeber
Regan
Richardson
Rickford
Rodriguez
Rota
Russell
Savage
Savoie
Scarpaleggia
Schellenberger
Sgro
Siksay
Silva
Simson
Sopuck
St-Cyr
Stanton
Stoffer
Thi Lac
Thibeault
Tilson
Trudeau
Valeriote
Verner
Wallace
Zarac
Total: -- 178
The Debate on Roxanne's Law Dec. 13 and the Vote Dec. 15
Vote: December 15th 2010
Columnist Barbara Kay, National Post, March 23, 2005
Debate On Tuesday December 14th 2010
From Someone who attended the debate
Yesterday's debate on Bill C-510 (Roxanne's Law) was unbelievable! I've never seen anything like it. See full debate here: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=4881391
(See LifeSite News coverage in article copied below.)
The Liberals put up no speakers at all, the NDP and Bloc put up only one speaker each, so the Conservatives had a chance to put up 5 speakers in total (4 of whom were in favour).
In all my time observing debates on issues related to pregnant women (one hour of debate on Leon Benoit's Bill C-291, two hours of debate on Ken Epp's bill C-484, and last months debate on C-510), I've never seen such reluctance (fear?) by opponents to debate. Could it be they realize it can only look bad for them to oppose a bill that protects women from coerced abortions?
Of course, the Conservative government put up a speaker (to represent the government's position), Brent Rathgeber, and he was the only Conservative Member to speak against the bill. And since the other parties didn't put up any more speakers, it cycled around to the Conservatives again, and Bev Shipley got a chance to address Rathgeber's legal arguments against the bill, which were basically the same arguments made during the first hour of debate last month.
So that was 3 speeches against the bill: the usual "back door attempt to criminalize abortion" rhetoric by the Bloc and NDP; and the government's rep who opposed it on legal grounds which were nicely refuted by Shipley and Bruinooge; and 4 speeches in favour: Kelly Block (finishing up her speech from last month's debate--each MP gets 10 minutes, and she used up 5 last time), Bev Shipley, David Anderson, and Rod Bruinooge's final 5-minute "right of reply."
It was truly a wonder to behold! A great day in our House of Commons -- where honourable Members bore witness to the plight of pregnant women who are coerced into aborting their unborn children by third parties who consider them a burden. And it's now all on the public record. See full debate at:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=4881391
The crucial Second Reading vote will be on Wednesday, Dec. 15. If it passes, the bill will go to the Justice Committee for further study, where witnesses will get the chance to testify. If it fails, the bill will die and will no longer by on Parliament's agenda--and a powerful vehicle for educating the public and raising the social and moral consciousness about the injustice of coercing women into unwanted abortions will be gone. There's no way to know how long it will be before we are given another opportunity like this.
If you haven't contacted your MP in support of this bill, there's still time. You can find contact info for your MP at:
http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E
Several MPs still have not yet made up their minds on how they will vote tomorrow. There is still a chance to make a difference.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/abortion-coercion-law-debated-in-parliament-vote-on-wed
STEPHEN HARPER VOTES “NO” TO PROTECTING WOMEN FROM FORCED ABORTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Prime minister Stephen Harper joined 177 other Members of Parliament today and voted against a bill that would protect pregnant women from being coerced into an abortion they did not want.
“This is a scandal of the highest proportion” said John Hof, president of Campaign Life Coalition BC. “"This was common sense legislation that would have protected a vulnerable, pregnant woman's CHOICE to give her baby life." To see the leader of our nation stoop so low as to deny this protection simply to avoid talking about the abortion issue, is atrocious” Hof added.
Bill C-510 placed women first in the decision making process. Their wishes would have been paramount and the free vote in the House has now denied them that legal protection. “this places women at risk of being forced into abortions and not even the most radical of feminist groups came to their defence” said Hof.
This vote, of 178 to 97, will show clearly where dedicated pro-lifers and feminists should direct their support in the next election. This was not about abortion at all. It was about ensuring women were making the decision without pressure. Canada is the only nation with absolutely no laws regarding the termination of pregnancy before birth. The absence of any law, is what prompted this proposed Bill.
Examples of pregnant women being brutalized and killed, like Roxanne Fernando for whom the Bill was named, abound in our nation. “This vote today leaves the survivors of this brutality with no recourse under our law. Stephen Harper has abandoned them and their children yet again, all in the interests of not wanting to raise an uncomfortable issue” concluded Hof.
For more information of this and other pro-life issues please contact:
John Hof
Campaign Life Coalition British Columbia
Box 12045 Murrayville RPO
Langley, BC V3A 9J5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Canada supposedly loves the middle way, compromise and the "big tent" but when it comes to rights issues, other minorities -- First Nations, gays, people of colour -- mill around sipping tea in cozy comfort under a protective canvas, while the unborn are always left outside, heaped forlornly in the rain."
Columnist Barbara Kay, National Post, March 23, 2005
Debate On Tuesday December 14th 2010
From Someone who attended the debate
Yesterday's debate on Bill C-510 (Roxanne's Law) was unbelievable! I've never seen anything like it. See full debate here: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=4881391
(See LifeSite News coverage in article copied below.)
The Liberals put up no speakers at all, the NDP and Bloc put up only one speaker each, so the Conservatives had a chance to put up 5 speakers in total (4 of whom were in favour).
In all my time observing debates on issues related to pregnant women (one hour of debate on Leon Benoit's Bill C-291, two hours of debate on Ken Epp's bill C-484, and last months debate on C-510), I've never seen such reluctance (fear?) by opponents to debate. Could it be they realize it can only look bad for them to oppose a bill that protects women from coerced abortions?
Of course, the Conservative government put up a speaker (to represent the government's position), Brent Rathgeber, and he was the only Conservative Member to speak against the bill. And since the other parties didn't put up any more speakers, it cycled around to the Conservatives again, and Bev Shipley got a chance to address Rathgeber's legal arguments against the bill, which were basically the same arguments made during the first hour of debate last month.
So that was 3 speeches against the bill: the usual "back door attempt to criminalize abortion" rhetoric by the Bloc and NDP; and the government's rep who opposed it on legal grounds which were nicely refuted by Shipley and Bruinooge; and 4 speeches in favour: Kelly Block (finishing up her speech from last month's debate--each MP gets 10 minutes, and she used up 5 last time), Bev Shipley, David Anderson, and Rod Bruinooge's final 5-minute "right of reply."
It was truly a wonder to behold! A great day in our House of Commons -- where honourable Members bore witness to the plight of pregnant women who are coerced into aborting their unborn children by third parties who consider them a burden. And it's now all on the public record. See full debate at:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&DocId=4881391
The crucial Second Reading vote will be on Wednesday, Dec. 15. If it passes, the bill will go to the Justice Committee for further study, where witnesses will get the chance to testify. If it fails, the bill will die and will no longer by on Parliament's agenda--and a powerful vehicle for educating the public and raising the social and moral consciousness about the injustice of coercing women into unwanted abortions will be gone. There's no way to know how long it will be before we are given another opportunity like this.
If you haven't contacted your MP in support of this bill, there's still time. You can find contact info for your MP at:
http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E
Several MPs still have not yet made up their minds on how they will vote tomorrow. There is still a chance to make a difference.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/abortion-coercion-law-debated-in-parliament-vote-on-wed
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