No, not those Lesbians. The real Lesbians who live on the Greek island of Lesbos. They are suing to have a homosexual group remove the term "Lesbian" from its name in what is likely to be a fruitless effort to disassociate their name from female homosexuals. The island got their reputation from the ancient poet Sappho, who wrote of passionate love between women.
I wonder if someone might try to start a group in Lesbos called "Lesbian Lesbians".
(Thanks to RC)
The Brazilian navy has called off their search for the "balloon priest" (see earlier entries). There are still some people searching for him but the chances of finding him alive are "remote".
I received the following from a man who has been accepted as a seminarian but needs to pay off his debts to be able to enter. He's selling copies of his CD to pay it off. Read his plea and check out his music.
Christ is Risen!Dear Eric,
My name is Neven Pesa.
First – I want to say that I am a fan of your blog.
I hope they find that balloon riding priest! Otherwise he’ll be coming back with Enoch and Elijah!
You do not know me but the reason I am writing you is because I need your help. We may be neighbors soon.
I recently got accepted to the Melkite order of Basilian Salvatorians in Methuen, Massachussetts (whom you probably already know about.) I belong to the Melkite Church of the Virgin Mary in Brooklyn, NYC.
I am supposed to start my Novitiate this September 2008, but I first need to pay off the large college student-loan debt I’ve incurred from attending Franciscan University of Steubenville for 4 years.
To remedy my student loan debt - I just finished recording an original Catholic album to help raise money so that I become debt free in order that I may freely pursue my vocation, financially unhindered towards the priesthood.
I'm writing to you because I need all the help that I can get! And I think you and your blog can help me greatly by possibly posting my story or link on your site. You may not have a billion readers but I am more impressed by the quality of your readers than quantity. And I would think that your readers would at least find it very interesting.My story was recently featured on the Catholic Exchange
and RealClearReligion.com (one of my favorite Catholic blogs) that you can read here.
Also please check out my personal website:
I've also attached a Letter of Affiliation with the Basilians [omitted —eje] that legitimizes my cause on paper.
Eric, any feedback and advice from you would be greatly appreciated. I am grateful for your help and support and please note that you are included in my prayers!
Thanks and God Bless!
Eucharistically Yours,Neven Pesa
The balloon priest is missing. A cluster of balloons was found floating in the ocean. He was prepared for a lot of things but apparently not for falling into the ocean. You'd think he'd at least have worn a life jacket. They've lost contact with him, and boats are searching for him (or his body). He did report that he would be unable to make the flight.
Maggie Gallagher has an excellent opinion piece on Planned Parenthood highlighting their recent exposure for accepting donations for aborting black babies and instructing underage children how to avoid reporting laws. Good to see this covered in the mainstream press.
(Thanks to PittCaleb)
A priest in Brazil who took off under a cluster of helium balloons is missing off the coast. No word as to whether he carried a BB gun, but he did carry a parachute.
A guy tried to do this in the US many years ago with a lawn chair (he did bring a BB gun) but ran afoul of air traffic control laws. He survived the trip but met a sad and untimely death.
Most Americans are pleased with the pope. I think that's a good sign given the way the media instilled fear of him when he was elected. (Wouldn't it be nice to just once see a headline that says, "Media wrong about pope"?) The article also has some other good poll numbers, though some as reported are uselessly vague ("An overwhelming majority of Catholic believe Christ is present in the Eucharist").
"If I conceived a theological idea that had never occurred to anyone in the past, I would have every reason to think myself mistaken." —Avery Cardinal Dulles, 39th McGinley Lecture
(Thanks to John D.)
A "Roman Catholic museum" (whatever that is) in Austria briefly displayed an etching that portrayed Jesus and his disciples having an orgy at the Last Supper. Some are comparing it to the cartoons of Mohammad (indeed apparently there were threats issued) but I'd argue there is no comparison between drawing a cartoon of someone and portraying them in an orgy. (Not that this justifies violence.) What I want to know is how it got into the museum in the first place?
NPR is soliciting stories from Catholics on what the Catholic faith means to them, what they find solace in, what they find beautiful, and so forth. Let's contribute some positive stories to them that reflect a solid faith.
(Thanks to Bob L.)
John Paul's cause for beatification is advancing. The documentation of his "heroic virtues" is nearly complete. It's a critical step in the process, a stepping stone to being declared Venerable.
I got the following in a Family Research Council newsletter that was worth noting:
'One of the common myths about marriage in America is that "50% of all marriages end in divorce." But that figure is derived not from long-term analysis but from the fact that the raw number of new divorces each year is roughly 50% of the raw number of new marriages. These numbers are distorted by the fact that people with successful marriages usually marry only once, while people with failed marriages have often married and divorced multiple times. Fortunately, new data from pollster George Barna included a more meaningful statistic. Of all Americans who have ever married, only one-third have ever been divorced. This two-to-one ratio of marital success should encourage young people who may actually fear the "50-50" marriage myth. Another misconception is that a person's religion and values have nothing to do with marital success. Barna found that the percentage of people who have been divorced after marrying is lower among Catholics, evangelicals, and conservatives than it is among non-Christians and liberals. That's not to mention the fact that more born-again Christians (84%) have been married in the first place than atheists and agnostics (65%). For those just embarking on the adventure of marriage, be encouraged—your chances of making it "until death do you part" may be better than you've been told.'
Here is the press release on it.
