‘Origins’ this week on climate change, theologians
Global climate change and the relationship between theologians and bishops are the two topics addressed in the latest edition of Origins, the CNS Documentary Service:
- The U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works invited religious groups to share their views on the moral and ethical dimensions of global climate change. Origins presents the testimony from three of them: the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (subscribers: click here), Reform Judaism’s Religious Action Center (subscribers: click here), and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (subscribers: click here).
- Theologian Daniel Finn, outgoing president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, urges a re-examination of the society’s relations with conservative theologians, U.S. bishops and the Vatican in a reflection on the need for a theology of power (subscribers: click here).
God’s hand touched actor, film
This is a week or two old, but still worth a look: The star has been called “the Brad Pitt of Mexico,” but the subject is serious. You may not have heard of “Bella” yet, so let the Western Catholic Reporter in Edmonton, Alberta, introduce you to the movie, to the film company with the aim of changing minds and hearts, and to Eduardo Verastegui.
Less whining, more action needed to open government ears to church views
Here’s a story from north of the border that should be of interest to U.S. church leaders: The Catholic Register in Toronto reports on a session at the Canadian Council of Churches’ annual meeting at which one delegate criticized doomsayers who say the church is losing influence and that the media are ignoring religion.
Cardinal urges support be withdrawn for Amnesty International
Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, made headlines when he told the National Catholic Register that Catholics should no longer support Amnesty International because of the organization’s recent policy shift on abortion. Here’s a link to the original story by the Register’s Tom McFeely.
Wanted: youth ministers, will train
The Florida Catholic reports that the Archdiocese of Miami wants to “get serious about reaching young people” and has created a program to train and certify youth ministers. “We can no longer afford to have people doing this just out of good will and good intentions,” said Claretian Sister Ondina Cortés, director of youth and young adult ministry for the archdiocese.
Born in Vietnam, Hawaiian nun calls her trip back a blessing
A Hawaiian nun who fled communist Vietnam with her family 30 years ago returned to her homeland for a 16-day visit with relatives and members of her religious community, according to the Hawaii Catholic Herald. “For me it was a graceful moment, just a blessing to go back,” said Sister Gioan Linh Nguyen.
‘Origins’ on homosexual ministry, G-8, parish leadership, Brazil trip, and more
At Catholic News Service, we’ve always said that Origins, the CNS Documentary Service, is more than just a publication — it’s an ongoing, ever-accumulating resource. Even though many documents in Origins can be found at no charge on the Internet, no other publication — oops, I mean resource — is as easy to use and as complete for anyone doing research on church issues, whether it’s a homilist trying to develop a theme that ties into the day’s readings or a journalist trying to understand the nuances of church teaching on a particular topic.
This week’s edition (sorry, that link only works for subscribers) is another perfect example. Sure, some of these texts are already on the Internet, but why go there when you can have these and thousands of related items at your fingertips through an online subscription?
Here’s the rundown on the latest Origins edition:
- What is the place of homosexuals in the Catholic Church? Tucson’s Bishop Gerald Kicanas looks at what the church can offer people with same-sex orientation. (Subscribers: click here)
- Cardinal Sean O’Malley explains that despite the sale of much of its remaining property to Boston College, St. John’s Seminary remains an essential element of the Boston Archdiocese’s future. (Subscribers: click here)
- Presidents of seven Catholic bishops’ conferences urge the heads of seven of the world’s wealthiest nations to take bold steps on global poverty, health care, climate change, and peace and security during the G-8 summit. (Subscribers: click here)
- Bishop Stephen Blaire exhorts newly ordained priests in Stockton, Calif., to “look forward in hope with the eyes of faith” lest a misguided nostalgia turn them into pillars of salt instead of “salt of the earth.” (Subscribers: click here)
- Archbishop Andre Gaumond, president of Canada’s bishops’ conference, reviews the 40-year history and continuing relevance of the Canadian church’s international development agency. “The social challenges of justice and peace can never be kept at arm’s length from one’s life as a Christian,” he says. (Subscribers: click here)
- Pope Benedict XVI continues his discussion, begun during his recent visit to Brazil, of Christianity’s impact on the peoples and cultures of the Americas. (Subscribers: click here)
- Father Robert Duggan describes to a “better practices” conference the leadership-development model his former parish designed. (Subscribers: click here)
- Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone expresses condolences on the pope’s behalf to the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Iraq on the murder of a priest and three subdeacons. (Subscribers: click here)
Maryland bishops write pastoral letter on care of sick and dying
The nine active Catholic bishops serving Maryland have issued moral guidance on questions relating to medical care and treatment, nutrition and hydration, pain-relieving medication, pregnancy and imminent death from terminal illness. The Catholic Review in Baltimore has the details and also has a separate story on the thinking behind the document and the hope that many Catholics will read it.