John Bruton is correct:suicide threat is not sufficient grounds for legislation

Ex Taoiseach John Bruton in an article in today's Irish Independent articulates the views of 90% of FG voters on this issue. Abortion is NOT a cure for suicidal ideation. Brian Walsh FG TD for Galway West has articulated similar views.

The former Fine Gael leader proposes an alternative way to handle the legislation, which does not involve catering for the suicide grounds. "The only way out of the present dilemma is either to address the medical decision-making process relating to physical threats to the life of the mother, but leave suicidal intent out as a ground for abortion, and let anyone, who wants to test the present constitutionality of this aspect of the X Case, apply directly to the courts; or an option I do not favour, have a constitutional amendment to remove the equal right to life of the unborn from the constitution," he says. "Some may argue against these options on the ground that the X Case is settled law, and thus is a reliable basis for proceeding with legislation to allow abortion where suicide is threatened. I believe this is wrong." Irish Independent

FG backbenchers can cripple this proposal by banding together as a group and standing up to the liberal clique of Reilly, Shatter, Fitzgerald and the Labour party. There is strength in numbers. 20/25 TDs can bury the suicide proposal. The FG Party could not deprive 20/25 TDs of the party whip. Any such attempt would put Kenny's job on the line. Reilly would be toast. FG is a Christian Democratic Party. It is not a secular humanist organisation. It is time for Enda Kenny to stand for Christian Democratic principles and stand by the promises made in Phil Hogan's letter in the course of the 2011 general election campaign. If Kenny cannot do this then he should do the honourable thing and resign. Kenny, Reilly, Fitzgerald and Shatter have created this mess by ignoring the wishes of most FG supporters. It is a monumental misjudgement to allow abortion as a "solution" for suicidal ideation. Kenny has failed miserably to stand up to Labour on this. He is thereby weakened as leader.

Abortion:Lucinda Creighton Blog Post Demolishes Olivia O'Leary on Abortion issue

Minister for State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton in a blog post comprehensively demolished Olivia O'Leary on the abortion issue. This is a brilliant exposition of her pro-lfe stance:

The debate on abortion became a bit surreal this week. Olivia O Leary in a radio piece on Tuesday urged that we “kick the Taliban out of our constitution” while proclaiming that “Ireland is no country for young women.”

I beg to disagree. I am a relatively young woman and I consider Ireland to be a fantastic, safe, free and open country in which to live. I am proud of my country and I will defend Ireland to the last. We are extremely fortunate to live in a country where human rights are protected by a constitutional and legislative system which is second to none.

To compare Ireland or our Constitution to the Taliban is grossly misleading. Olivia O’Leary should, and I’m fairly sure does, know better. Could she really believe that the Shia women of Mazar-e-Sharif, whose husbands were executed and had their throats slit before their eyes and those of their children, would agree that Ireland is a terrible, oppressive place to live? Many of those same women saw their children stuffed into containers and sent to unknown destinations, left to suffocate in a slow and painful death. Would those women, I wonder, condemn the Irish legal system which strives to protect the lives of all children? CONTINUE READING at Lucinda Creighton TD

Pope Francis unblocks Archbishop Romero beatification process

A Vatican official responsible for the sainthood cause of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador announced Sunday that the cause has been "unblocked" by Pope Francis, suggesting that beatification of the assassinated prelate could come swiftly. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia spoke Sunday in the Italian city of Molfetta at a Mass honoring the 20th anniversary of the death of Bishop Antonio "Tonino" Bello, known as one of Italy's premier "peace bishops." In addition to being the president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family, Paglia also serves as the postulator for Romero's sainthood cause. (Continue reading at the National Catholic Reporter)

Pope John Paul II could be declared a saint by October

The late Pope John Paul II could be proclaimed a saint by October because Vatican medical experts have confirmed that a miracle has taken place through the intercession of the late pontiff.( Read the full story at Vatican Insider)

Medjugorje Visionaries Marija and Jakov at day of prayer in Milan on April 21, 2013

Thousands of the faithful gathered at Fiera di Rho-Pero just outside Milan for a day of prayer dedicated to Our Lady of Medjugorje. Medjugorje visionaries Marija and Jakov were present to witness to their encounters with the Queen of Peace. Father Ljubo, concelebrated the Holy Mass with 50 priests.(Images La Republica)

Video:Medjugorje is a fortress against Satan

This video lasts 17 minutes and 9 seconds. It is sometimes slow to download.

Sr Lucia of Fatima and the Rosary

Medjugorje film “Queen of Peace” by filmmaker Christina Georgotas

Filmmaker Christina Georgotas is pictured on Cross Mountain in Medjugorje in the former Yugoslavia.

Experienced conversion at age 22

Born into a Greek Orthodox family, Georgotas as a teen rebelled against religion and even questioned God’s existence before experiencing, at age 22, the kind of conversion she portrays in “Queen of Peace.” She describes Oct. 12, 2008, as “the day my life changed.” Taking the weekend off from a Manhattan lifestyle befitting a rising star on Ripa’s creative team to attend a family christening, she returned to her childhood home in the suburban bedroom community of Ridgewood, N.J. On her mother’s laptop, she viewed a video of a woman and surrounding multitudes lost in prayer. “Her breathing quickened, and she clasped her heart,” Georgotas recalled. “When she looked up toward the vision, I instantaneously knew this was really true and that God really exists.”

This introduction to Medjugorje had immediate impact. That evening, the former skeptic resolved to make a pilgrimage to the village. The next day, she entered church “for the first time really believing and wanting to be there.” As the ceremony commenced, her cousin asked her to step in as her daughter’s godmother.... Read the full story at Catholic San Francisco

"QUEEN OF PEACE" TRAILER - MEDJUGORJE DOCUMENTARY

The film may be purchased HERE

Jimmy Swaggart Channel Attacks on Catholicism must be countered by Catholics

Today while flicking the channels I happened upon the Jimmy Swaggart Channel(SBN). It featured an ex Catholic having a right go at the Catholic religion. He seemed to be speaking as if he thought himself infallible. I forwarded an email-the text of which appears below. Needless to say it was not read out. Just one Catholic phone caller appeared on the show to valiantly defend the Catholic position on the Virgin Mary. However a succession of allegedly ex Catholics appeared. Catholics need to remember that can get the FULL TRUTH at EWTN or other Catholic networks such as Catholic TV Network or Salt and Light. These Catholic Channels give the FULL TRUTH not SBN. I am basically sick of so called Born Again Christians attacking Catholicism. They are disseminating their doctrinal errors throughout the world.

Text of email re Catholicism- to SBN:

• Catholics do not worship the Blessed Virgin. They honour Mary as the Mother of Jesus. They ask Mary to intercede with God for them. Similarly they ask saints to intercede with God for them. Catholics do not worship statues.
• The Rosary: Read Our Lady's 15 Promises for Praying the Rosary
• Re Born Again: It is much too easy to say you are born again. Born again Christians have a nice simple formula. You just cannot go along and tell people that they are saved. All mortal sin must be confessed to a priest: The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20:20-23). Hence Catholic Confession. It is not sufficient to just say to God I am sorry. You must confess all mortal sins. The minute you commit a mortal sin of course you say sorry to God. But that is not sufficient. You must then confess the sin in Confession as soon as possible.
• Re the Eucharist: I suggest that you read with an open mind Eucharistic Miracles
• The Catholic Church was the Church founded by Jesus Christ: “ Thou art Peter and upon this rock I build MY Church and I give to thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven” . The Pope is the direct descendant of St. Peter. There is an unbroken line of Popes from St. Peter. The Catholic Church has the Apostolic Succession. The bishops are the successors of the Apostles in an unbroken line. Ipso facto the Catholic Church is the true church.
• Re Blessed Virgin: Study the Apparitions at Fatima and Lourdes.
• Re Protestantism: There are a several thousand versions. Which one do you claim is the true one? No two Protestants that I discuss religion with have the same beliefs. This can't be right.
• To claim that anybody is saved is the sin of presumption- a fatal flaw in born again Christianity. God judges us on our death. God decides whether we are saved or not. If we die in the state of mortal sin we are damned.
• Re Martin Luther : Luther said in Letter 501 to Melanchthon: "Pecca fortiter, sed crede fortius." "Sin boldly (or bravely) but believe still more boldly (or bravely)." That’s Martin Luther for you.

All Ireland Win- Dungarvan Colleges Coaches Peter Power and Darragh Duggan interviewed by Oisin Langan( also Matthew Ruth of Kilkenny CBS interview)

Congrats to Dungarvan Colleges who defeated Kilkenny CBS by 1-12 to 1-7 in the Masita GAA All-Ireland Colleges Senior ‘A’ Hurling Final on Saturday in Semple Stadium Thurles. Port Lairge abu. Below are interviews conducted by Oisin Langan with Dungavan Colleges coaches Peter Power and Darragh Duggan and Matthew Ruth coach of Kilkenny CBS.(Pat Collins and Shane McGrath were the two other members of the Dungarvan Colleges coaching team)

Coach Peter Power is a bit of a Waterford legend and today he was involved in the Dungarvan Colleges side that beat Kilkenny CBS in the All Ireland final, 1-12 to 1-7 the final score.

Dungarvan Colleges coach Darragh Duggan speaks to Oisin Langan in the aftermath of their All Ireland Colleges final win over Kilkenny CBS, 1-12 to 1-7 the foal score
Kilkenny CBS management team member and Kilkenny senior player Matthew Ruth speaking to Oisin Langan after today's 1-12 to 1-7 loss to Dungarvan Colleges in the All Ireland final

MEDJUGORJE: Video of Apparition to Mirjana on April 2, 2013

Message from the Blessed Virgin to Mirjana Soldo - April 2nd, 2013

"Dear children;I am calling you to be one with my Son in spirit. I am calling you, through prayer, and the Holy Mass when my Son unites Himself with you in a special way, to try to be like Him; that, like Him, you may always be ready to carry out God's will and not seek the fulfillment of your own. Because, my children, it is according to God's will that you are and that you exist, and without God's will you are nothing.

As a mother I am asking you to speak about the glory of God with your life, because in that way you will also glorify yourself in accordance to His will. Show humility and love for your neighbour to everyone. Through such humility and love, my Son saved you and opened the way for you to the Heavenly Father. I implore you to keep opening the way to the Heavenly Father for all those who have not come to know Him and have not opened their hearts to His love. By your life, open the way to all those who still wander in search of the truth.

My children, be my apostles who have not lived in vain. Do not forget that you will come before the Heavenly Father and tell Him about yourself. Be ready! Again I am warning you, pray for those whom my Son called, whose hands He blessed and whom He gave as a gift to you. Pray, pray, pray for your shepherds. Thank you."

Pope Francis: Urbi et Orbi Message, Easter, 2013 [Full text]

(Vatican Radio) Below we publish the full text of the Holy Father’s Urbi et Orbi Message, Easter 2013.

Dear brothers and sisters in Rome and throughout the world, Happy Easter!

What a joy it is for me to announce this message: Christ is risen! I would like it to go out to every house and every family, especially where the suffering is greatest, in hospitals, in prisons …

Most of all, I would like it to enter every heart, for it is there that God wants to sow this Good News: Jesus is risen, there is hope for you, you are no longer in the power of sin, of evil! Love has triumphed, mercy has been victorious!

We too, like the women who were Jesus’ disciples, who went to the tomb and found it empty, may wonder what this event means (cf. Lk 24:4). What does it mean that Jesus is risen? It means that the love of God is stronger than evil and death itself; it means that the love of God can transform our lives and let those desert places in our hearts bloom.

This same love for which the Son of God became man and followed the way of humility and self-giving to the very end, down to hell - to the abyss of separation from God - this same merciful love has flooded with light the dead body of Jesus and transfigured it, has made it pass into eternal life. Jesus did not return to his former life, to earthly life, but entered into the glorious life of God and he entered there with our humanity, opening us to a future of hope.

This is what Easter is: it is the exodus, the passage of human beings from slavery to sin and evil to the freedom of love and goodness. Because God is life, life alone, and his glory is the living man (cf. Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses, 4,20,5-7).

Dear brothers and sisters, Christ died and rose once for all, and for everyone, but the power of the Resurrection, this passover from slavery to evil to the freedom of goodness, must be accomplished in every age, in our concrete existence, in our everyday lives. How many deserts, even today, do human beings need to cross! Above all, the desert within, when we have no love for God or neighbour, when we fail to realize that we are guardians of all that the Creator has given us and continues to give us. God’s mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones (cf. Ez 37:1-14).

So this is the invitation which I address to everyone: Let us accept the grace of Christ’s Resurrection! Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish.

And so we ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace. Yes, Christ is our peace, and through him we implore peace for all the world.

Peace for the Middle East, and particularly between Israelis and Palestinians, who struggle to find the road of agreement, that they may willingly and courageously resume negotiations to end a conflict that has lasted all too long. Peace in Iraq, that every act of violence may end, and above all for dear Syria, for its people torn by conflict and for the many refugees who await help and comfort. How much blood has been shed! And how much suffering must there still be before a political solution to the crisis will be found?

Peace for Africa, still the scene of violent conflicts. In Mali, may unity and stability be restored; in Nigeria, where attacks sadly continue, gravely threatening the lives of many innocent people, and where great numbers of persons, including children, are held hostage by terrorist groups. Peace in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in the Central African Republic, where many have been forced to leave their homes and continue to live in fear.

Peace in Asia, above all on the Korean peninsula: may disagreements be overcome and a renewed spirit of reconciliation grow.

Peace in the whole world, still divided by greed looking for easy gain, wounded by the selfishness which threatens human life and the family, selfishness that continues in human trafficking, the most extensive form of slavery in this twenty-first century. Peace to the whole world, torn apart by violence linked to drug trafficking and by the iniquitous exploitation of natural resources! Peace to this our Earth! Made the risen Jesus bring comfort to the victims of natural disasters and make us responsible guardians of creation.

Dear brothers and sisters, to all of you who are listening to me, from Rome and from all over of the world, I address the invitation of the Psalm: “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever. Let Israel say: ‘His steadfast love endures for ever’” (Ps 117:1-2).

Dear brothers and sisters, who have come from all over the world to this Square, the heart of Christianity, and all of you joining us via communications media, I renew my wishes for a Happy Easter! Bring to your families and your nations the message of joy of hope and peace that each year is powerfully renewed on this day. May the Risen Lord, who defeated sin and death, support us all especially the weakest and those most in need. Thank you for your presence and the witness of your faith. A thought and a particular thanks for the gift of these beautiful flowers from the Netherlands. I affectionately repeat to all of you: May the Risen Christ guide you and all humanity on the paths of justice, love and peace!
Via Vatican Radio