The Seal of Confession and Canadian Law

Seal of Confession and Canadian Law.jpgThe Seal of Confession and Canadian Law by Gregory
Zubacz (Wilson & Lafleur, 2009)


This book is a study on the seal of
confession. This topic goes to the root of the relationship between
Church and State, which has challenged and troubled law makers, politicians,
judges and scholars since the Reformation of the 16th century. It traces
the development of the sacrament of confession from its beginnings in the early
Christian Church both in the East and the West. The author follows the
developments of the historical Church Councils, Pontiffs and scholars,
directing confessors to maintain absolute confidentiality, privacy and silence
concerning what is heard in confession from a penitent. Civilly, the work
explores the threads from the English speaking legal jurisdictions around the
world. This book is a compelling read for every student of the law and human
nature.


About the Author

Rev. Dr. Gregory J. Zubacz has taught several courses
on canon law at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute at Saint Paul
University in Canada. His work experience includes work for the
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and other federal branches of
government. In canon law, he had served as the Defender of the Bond for
the Marriage Tribunals of Ottawa and Winnipeg. 

From the Author

“Not only
does the secular world need to have a clear understanding of the canon law; the
Church and its clergy also need an accurate perspective on their rights and
obligations at civil law with regard to the seal of confession.”

Covering statues, images & crucifixes in Passiontide

My friend George asked me the other day about the
tradition of covering the statues, images and crucifixes (sacred images) -but
not the Stations of the Cross–before Holy Week. He told me that the nuns told
him that the Church covered sacred items because Christ went into hiding before
his arrest. Well, that’s true but incomplete. The tradition of veiling finds
its source in John 8:46-59 where the Jews attempt to stone Jesus because of his
claims of being the Son of God, but he hides from view. As point of comparison,
you will notice in Mark’s gospel our focus is on the Lord’s crucifixion because
it is there that we learn the true identity of Jesus as being man and divine.
The covering of sacred images, therefore, is to illustrate the increasing
tension we find ourselves in the Liturgy as we move toward of the Lord’s own
Paschal Mystery. The veiling actually reinforces the verifiable fact of the
Incarnation.


Continue reading Covering statues, images & crucifixes in Passiontide

Paul Marx, monk & priest RIP

Paul Marx.jpgSaturday morning the great Benedictine monk and priest and Pro-life advocate died at the age of 90. Pray for Father Paul, his monastic community and the on-going work of the Culture of Life.

O God, Who did raise Thy servant Dom Paul Benno Marx to the dignity of priest in the apostolic priesthood, grant, we beseech Thee, that he may be joined in fellowship with Thine Apostles forevermore.

Father Paul Benno Marx’s obit from Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN
A brief piece on Father Paul Benno Marx, OSB.
He was a fascinating man and priest. May God have mercy on him.
PAX

Newman beatification to happen at Coventry Airport

Britain’s Catholic Herald reports today that John Henry Newman’s beatification ceremony, conducted by the Holy Father himself, will happen at Coventry Airport, while the pope is visiting England and Scotland from 16-19 September 2010. As we all know, the Pope is dispensing himself of his own rule for beatification ceremonies. Newman’s beatification is a great grace not only for the Congregation of the Oratory (Oratorians) but for England and the theological world.

To you, O blessed Joseph (Ad te, beate Ioseph)

Thumbnail image for San Jose El Greco.jpgTo you, O Blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we seek with confidence thy patronage also. By that affection wherewith you were united to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God; by the fatherly love with which you did embrace the Child Jesus, we humbly beseech you to look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased for us by His Blood, and to help us in our need by your powerful intercession.


Defend, O you most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, O you our most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old you did rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under thy patronage, so that imitating thy example and strengthened by your help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in heaven. Amen.

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who invoke Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a duly approved prayer (e.g., Ad te, beate Ioseph).

Catholic doctors oppose pending healthcare reform bill

In contrast to the various dissenting sisters’ statement in support of the 153 page HR 3590, the group representing American Catholic physicians spoke against the US Congress proposal to reform of healthcare in the United States. Read what is proposed in this bill.

The doctors who belong to the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) say that HR 3590 is “substantially flawed and [a] unacceptable piece of legislation” because it provides various ways to fund abortion, it introduces new ways to restrict the freedom of conscience clause as it is applied by healthcare workers and the bill is financially problematic, to say the least. Please don’t confuse this organization with the Catholic Health Association which holds opinions contrary to the Church.
Furthermore, the CMA also contends that the Obama administration’s healthcare reform bill will take away from healthcare providers the ability to make sound decisions on a patient’s healthcare. And insult to the American taxpayer, the HR 3590 gives healthcare to illegal immigrants without weighing the cost that would be sustainable and reasonable for the average worker. Healthcare expenses will rise!!!!
What are Catholics for? The bishops have wanted healthcare reform for decades, especially healthcare that assists the common good, that is accessible, affordable, and that has respect for life at every stage of life. Catholics want conscience protection and no funding of abortions. Catholics want the Hyde Amendment to  remain in place. In this case it’s not about the legal status of abortion –because all reasonable people would say that abortion should be reduced– but the point is to not have the taxpayer fund abortions; an abortion is not healthcare, it is killing a person. 
Catholics ought to properly form their consciences with genuine information (from informed news sources) and make voices heard. Catholics make up 20% of voting America!!!
The US Bishops’ analysis of the healthcare bill states:
1. there is an appropriation of $7 billion for community health services that can be used for  elective abortions;
2. there are federal funds to subsidize health programs that cover abortions which can expand in time;
3. the bill has the power to over-ride taxpayers’ desires not to fund abortions. 
Read Archbishop Charles Chaput’s insight/leadership in the healthcare reform debate.

Blessing of Saint Joseph’s Altar

(The Blessing of the Altar frequently takes place the
evening before the feast, March 18th. If there is a procession to the Altar, a
hymn may be sung on the way.)

Celebrant

Crowning of St Joseph.jpeg

O, glorious Saint Joseph, we stand
before this Altar with joyful and grateful hearts. We lovingly present to you
the labor of our hands and the dedication of our hearts that have fashioned
this Altar in your honor. We again place ourselves under your powerful
protection. Help us follow your example of complete trust and faith in Divine
Providence. Open our minds and hearts to love and serve the poor, the suffering
and those rejected or ignored by society. As a family, teach us to love and
honor each member of our families with the love and reverence you had for Jesus
and Mary. As a nation, inspire in us the will and the way to live in peace with
all nations of the world that in our day we can experience the fulfillment of
Jesus’ prayer–“Peace be to you.” Grant this through Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. 

V. O, Glorious Saint Joseph,
through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and the glory of His name,

R. Hear
our prayers and obtain our petitions.

Celebrant

Lord Jesus, bless this Altar,
all this food, the candles and all those who visit it. We ask this in the name of
the Father, + and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(As the Altar is being
blessed and incensed, the Litany of St. Joseph is said or a hymn is sung.)

All

Remember, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my sweet protector,
Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or implored your
aid without obtaining relief. Confiding therefore in your goodness, I come
before you and humbly supplicate you. O, despise not my petitions, foster
father of our Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.

(Now that the Altar
is blessed, guests are invited to visit the Altar and offer their own prayers
to Saint Joseph.)

Some nuns are against bishops in support of Obama’s healthcare bill

Yesterday, Network: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, released a letter in support of Obama’s bill (HR 3590) to overhaul US healthcare. Obama proposal and the bill put forward is morally flawed.

The signatories claim that they represent 59,000 –an overstated number– religious sisters while they join the Catholic Health Association which has 1200 healthcare related organizations and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) directly oppose the Catholic teaching. The letter advocating the passing of the healthcare bill is being delivered to each member of Congress today. The text of the letter can be read here.

The Council of major Superiors of Women Religious rejects the position of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and all other groups who stand against the Church and her bishops.

This is not about mere differing views on a hot topic. It is about faith AND reason, doing justice in an effort to safeguard the dignity of each person, from conception to natural death. No healthcare bill can be supported with provisions for abortion or any other medical procedure that offends life. We have a right to good healthcare but not at the expense of the unborn and morally unsound principles. This is a matter concerning the well-being of those who are vulnerable, poor and everyone else because they have a right to life and a right healthcare. What the Church wants most of all is a healthcare bill that protects life, dignity and freedom of conscience of each person with an ethically sound judgment on healthcare.
The letter the sisters are giving today to Congress is an act of disobedience toward the leadership of the US Bishops and against solid, verifiable Catholic teaching. The sisters neither represent the Church nor are they charged with the salvation of souls as ordained bishops are and therefore are purposely misleading the faithful and any other person of good will. Do not be fooled into thinking that the congregations of sisters think with the Church for the good of salvation. These religious orders of sisters have set themselves against communion with the Catholic Church and against the US bishops position for a comprehensive, wholistic healthcare package that is affordable.
The US Catholic Conference statement on the healthcare bill under consideration
Family Life & Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of New York has a good plan of action.