Single Issue: $1.00 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40030139 CATHOLIC JOURNAL Vol. 95 No. 30 January 17, 2018 Fears for priest Belgium’s euthanasia law being abused Jesuit Father Ismael Moreno Conto is in fear By Jonathan Luxmoore cial position is well-known,” he by 27 per cent annually, accord - euthanasia deaths follow proce - for his life said. ing to Health Ministry data. dures written into the law, refer - after being OXFORD, England (CNS) — Euthanasia and assisted dying The federal euthanasia com - ring suspected violations within targeted by Catholics in Belgium are con - were legalized in traditionally mission, headed by Dr. Wim two months to a state prosecutor. supporters cerned the country’s euthanasia Catholic Belgium in 2002, and Distelmans, a euthanasia practi - of Hon du - law is being abused to kill patients euthanasia deaths are increasing tioner, is required to verify that — AUTISM , page 15 ran Presi - without legal checks and safe - dent Juan guards. Orlando Auxiliary Bishop Jean Hernandez for speaking out Kockerols of Mechelen-Brussels against widespread irregu - said “not just the church’s hierar - larities in the Central chy, but doctors and medical pro - American country’s recent fessionals as well” were con - presidential election. cerned. — page 3 On Jan. 9, the Belgian church’s Cathobel news agency published Flying Fathers an article saying the Federal Euthanasia Control and Evaluation The Flying Fathers were a Commission violated its statutes Canadian Catholic tradition by failing to refer suspected legal for 45 years, dating back to abuses for investigation. 1963, until they disbanded “It’s shocking that, 15 years in 2009. Now the team is since its creation, this commis - making a comeback. sion has not referred a single file — page 4 to prosecutors or condemned a The other single doctor,” the Catholic report said. Christmas “It is acting as judge and jury, and not fulfilling its role. It isn’t Jan. 6 was Christmas Eve broadening application of the law, for Ukrainian Catholics who but violating it.” celebrate the feast according Kockerols told Catholic News to the Julian calendar. Service Jan. 11 that the church had Barbara Dedi of Regina says long been aware the commission the “other Christmas” is was “not working as it should.” He about giving presents said the bishops would support “Ours is more spiritual.” any investigation into its activities — page 6 or “any steps to ensure it functions Gerald Schmitz Imported anti- as it’s supposed to. CANADA 150 RINK — The Canada 150 Rink in front of Centre Block on Parliament Hill has been “We’re against euthanasia in bustling since December, offering free skating, special guests, as well as a variety of events. It will be open Semitism every form, and the church’s offi - until Feb. 25, 2018. Germany is rethinking its approach to combating anti- Canada Summer Jobs policy under fire from groups Semitism as waves of immi - grants with anti-Semitic By Deborah Gyapong government on a social issue.” the Canadian Council of Church - offer these services and the com - beliefs flood the country. The Toronto Right to Life es (CCC) have both responded to munities will suffer.” — page 7 OTTAWA (CCN) — Faith- Association had sued the govern - the policy changes and are urging “This is an employment grant,” ‘Religious’ film based groups and pro-life groups ment last year, along with the people to write to the Minister of he said. “We’re trying to under - are mobilizing to fight the govern - Canadian Centre for Bioethical Employment and their local MP. stand how this doesn’t open the The story depicted in the ment’s new Canada Summer Jobs Reform and Guelph Right to Life, The Canadian Council of Chris- door to all kinds of places where film Three policy both in the political arena after these groups were denied tian Charities is also mobilizing the government could say unless Billboards and before the courts. funding under the program. “We its members at www.cccc.org you pass an ideological test we Outside The Toronto Right to Life were successful in that the govern - “A literal reading of this policy don’t have to give you services.” Ebbing, Association has sued the federal ment was forced to settle and gave would prevent churches, summer The timing is “a big concern of government over the new policy us the money we had been denied,” camps, soup kitchens, and many ours,” Guretzki said. “It came the Missouri, is announced just before Christmas Alleyne said. However, because the other Christian and religious week before Christmas and so all one of the requiring all applicants to the government settled, there is no charities from having access to of this has taken place in the last most reli - government program to sign a court ruling on the matter. the Canada Summer Jobs pro - two weeks over the Christmas gious tales statement attesting support for The application deadline for the gram,” said the CCC at its web - break. The MPs are in their rid - you will see on the silver “safe and legal” abortion and gen - program is Feb. 2. “We’re trying site www.councilofchurches.ca ings; Parliament is not sitting.” screen, and for this alone, it der identity theory. to deal with this urgently, but we David Guretzki, the EFC’s In some communities, Christian merits your attention,” “Our conscience compels us to have no idea how quickly this will vice-president and resident the - organizations are the only ones writes Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin. not sign that attestation,” said proceed through the court,” ologian, said they hope to rally an running programs such as summer — page 8 Blaise Alleyne, president of Alleyne said. While Toronto Right interfaith coalition to respond to youth programs. Without the Documentary Toronto Right to Life. “It is a vio - to Life is working with other the change in policy. grant, these programs may not be lation of our freedom of con - groups, Alleyne said Canadians in The Canadian Conference of run and the “whole community excellence science and freedom of expression general should be concerned about Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has suffers,” he said. for the government to compel this issue, no matter where they also released a statement (see The EFC has produced re - The Armenian genocide, speech or else punish us by with - stand on abortion. related story, page 3). sources for people to learn about the devastation of climate holding an unrelated benefit.” “We’re very pleased that this The EFC has received respons - the changes to the Canada Sum mer change on coral reefs, innov - The pro-life educational group educational pro-life group is suing es from at least 120 organizations Jobs program as well as sample ative solutions to the envi - filed a request for a judicial review the government and taking that and businesses that will be affect - letters to MPs at https://www.evan - ronmental challenges and the Jan. 4, asking that the “attestation action,” said Jack Fonseca, a ed by the change in policy, gelicalfellowship.ca/Topics/Religio challenges of everyday peo - be declared unconstitutional,” spokesperson for Campaign Life Guretzki said. They provide a us-Freedom-in-Canada/Canada- ple are some of the topics of based on Charter rights to freedom Coalition, the political arm of the wide range of services, from Summer-Jobs-Grants-Policy- documentaries in a field that of conscience and religious free - pro-life movement. “It’s important youth programming, to work with Change. The EFC is urging people has never been stronger. dom; freedom of expression and when all else fails we go to court.” indigenous populations and the to meet with their MP while they — page 9 equality rights, Alleyne said. “It’s Meanwhile, the Evangelical homeless. “Without that help, are in their ridings before Par lia - not illegal to disagree with the Fellowship of Canada (EFC) and they are not going to be able to ment returns Jan. 29. 2 Prairie Messenger INTERNATIONAL NEWS January 17, 2018 Pope begins visit to Chile by asking for forgiveness

By Junno Arocho Esteves esta contigo ” (“Francis, friend, Chile is with you”). SANTIAGO, Chile (CNS) — Despite the jovial atmosphere Pope Francis arrived in Santiago outside La Moneda , there were Jan. 15, the first stop on a seven- serious signs of protest in San tiago. day, six-city visit to Peru and Chilean media reported van - Chile, where he will take his mes - dalism at Divine Providence sage of hope to people on the Parish, not far from O’Higgins margins of society. Park, where the pope was to cele - Arriving in Santiago after more brate mass later in the morning. than 15 hours in the air, Pope Vandals spray painted the words Francis was greeted by Chilean “complice ” (“accomplice”) and President Michelle Bachelet and a “papa arde ” (“burn, pope”) on young Chilean girl. He told the the facade of the church below a crowd he was happy to be in Chile, banner welcoming Pope Francis. and he blessed the workers at the Three days earlier, several airport before being transported to Chilean churches were fire - the papal nunciature, where he will bombed, and police found other, stay the three nights he is in Chile. unexploded devices at two other In his first formal speech in churches in Santiago. Some of the Chile, Pope Francis asked for - pamphlets included the phrase, giveness from those who were “The next bombs will be in your sexually abused by priests. cassock” and spoke of the cause Addressing government au- of the Mapuche indigenous group. thorities and members of the “How are you? Where you country’s diplomatic corps Jan. able to rest?” Bachelet asked the 16, the pope expressed his “pain pope when he arrived at the CNS/Paul Haring and shame at the irreparable dam - palace. “Perfectly,” he responded. POPE VISITS CHILE — Pope Francis walks with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet after arriving for a age caused to children by some The two leaders stood as the meeting with government authorities, members of civil society and the diplomatic corps Jan. 16 at La ministers of the church.” national anthems of Chile and Moneda presidential palace in Santiago. “I am one with my brother Vatican City State were played bishops, for it is right to ask for before entering the courtyard of of the crimes of sexual abuse date and confirm the dream of “preferential attention to our forgiveness and make every effort the palace where about 700 mem - committed by members of the your founding fathers,” the pope common home.” to support the victims, even as we bers of the country’s government clergy was met with a loud said. The wisdom of the country’s commit ourselves to ensure that authorities and of the diplomatic applause from the government Bachelet is scheduled to hand indigenous population, he added, such things do not happen again,” corps welcomed the pope with a authorities present. the office over to President-elect can help Chilean society “tran - he said. standing ovation. Looking at the country’s social Sebastian Pinera in March. scend a merely consumerist view Preparations for Pope Francis’ In his speech to the country’s and political life, Pope Francis Chile’s future, Pope Francis of life and to adopt a sage attitude visit to Chile Jan. 15 - 18 were political leaders, Pope Francis congratulated the nation for its said, depends on the ability of its to the future.” overshadowed by continuing con - emphasized the need for officials steady growth in democracy since people and leaders to listen to “The wisdom of the native troversy over the pope’s decision to listen to the people and to 1990 when the rule of Gen. those in need and “replace narrow peoples can contribute greatly to in 2015 to give a diocese to a value their experiences, cultures, Augusto Pinochet ended. ideologies with a healthy concern this,” Pope Francis said. “From bishop accused of turning a blind sufferings and hopes. The recent presidential elec - for the common good.” them we can learn that a people eye to the abuse perpetrated by a Included in the pope’s list tions in November, he said, “were The unemployed, native peo - that turns its back on the land, notorious priest. were “children who look out on a demonstration of the solidity ples, migrants, the elderly, young and everything and everyone on Survivors of abuse and their the world with eyes full of and civic maturity that you have people and children all deserve to it, will never experience real supporters planned a conference amazement and innocence and achieved.” be listened to while also giving development.” and protests around the pope’s expect from us concrete answers “That was a particularly im - arrival. for a dignified future.” portant moment, for it shaped Don’t rush through silence But Pope Francis made his way At that point he told the offi - your destiny as a people founded to La Moneda , the presidential cials, “I feel bound to express my on freedom and law, one that has palace, and was welcomed by pain and shame at the irreparable faced moments of turmoil, at at mass, pope tells audience Bachelet. Thousands were gathered damage caused to children by times painful, yet succeeded in in the square outside the palace, some ministers of the church.” surmounting them. In this way, By Junno Arocho Esteves of the fact that they are in God’s chanting “ Francisco, amigo, Chile The pope’s acknowledgment you have been able to consoli - presence and formulate their peti - VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The tions, the pope explained. silence that precedes the opening This silence, he said, is not just Amoris Laetitia needs new approach prayer at mass is an opportunity an absence of words but a time to for Christians to commend to God listen “to other voices: that of our By Carol Glatz tunities for further growth, greater As Vatican secretary of state, the fate of the church and the heart and, above all, the voice of study,” he said. the Italian cardinal is Pope Francis’ world, Pope Francis said. the Holy Spirit.” VATICAN CITY (CNS) — top aide both for internal church Departing from his prepared “Perhaps we come from days Difficulties in embracing “ Amoris matters as well as for relations with text at his weekly general audience of toil, of joy, of sorrow and we Laetitia ,” Pope Francis’ apostolic governments and international Jan. 10, the pope urged priests “to want to tell the Lord, to invoke exhortation on the family, proba - organizations. He also serves on observe this brief silence and not his help, to ask that he be near us; bly are tied to difficulties in the nine-member Council of Car - hurry.” we have family members and accepting its new attitude and dinals that advises the pope on “I recommend this to the priests. friends who are ill or who are approach to providing pastoral church governance and the reform Without this silence, we risk ne - going through difficult trials,” the care, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin. of the Roman Curia. glecting the reflection of the soul,” pope said. “Amoris Laetitia flowed from a When asked about the ongoing he said. The priest’s posture — with new paradigm that Pope Francis is reform of the Curia, Parolin said Continuing his series of audi - hands outstretched in supplication pursuing with wisdom, with pru - the process of change again has ence talks on the mass, Pope — is also an important sign as it dence and with patience,” the less to do with external, “structur - Francis spoke about the Gloria is an imitation of Christ with his Vatican secretary of state said in al” changes and more to do with and the opening prayer. arms open on the cross, the pope an interview with Vatican News an internal call for “conversion.” After the encounter between said. Jan. 11. Reform is not just a series of “human misery and divine mercy” “In the crucifix, we recognize “Probably the difficulties that new laws, rules and appointments experienced in the penitential rite, the priest who offers pleasing arose and still exist in the as much as it is about the kind of the faithful are invited to sing the worship to God; that is, filial obe - church, beyond some points of “deep spirit that must animate ancient hymn of praise that was dience,” he said. view on the content, are due to every reform of the Curia,” he sung by the angels after Christ’s Pope Francis said that ponder - precisely this change in attitude said. birth, the pope said. ing the prayers and gestures, that the pope is asking of us — a Every Christian’s life must be “The feelings of praise that run which are “rich in meaning,” change in paradigm, inherent in a life of conversion, he said, and through the hymn,” he said, “are Christians can make “many beau - the text, that is asked of us, this Curia members, too, should intertwined with the confident tiful meditations” that can benefit new spirit, this new approach,” always be removing “those shad - pleading of divine benevolence” their spiritual lives. he said. ows that may hinder this commit - that characterizes the entire litur - “To go back and meditate on “So, clearly, every change ment and this mission” of the gy and “establishes an opening of the texts, even outside of mass, always entails difficulties, but church so that they may “become earth to heaven.” can help us to learn how to turn to these difficulties are to be pre - a real help to the pope in pro - After the hymn, the priest in - God, what to ask, which words to pared for and are to be faced with claiming the Gospel, for witness - vites the assembly to pray and use,” the pope said. “May the dedication in order to find re - CNS/Bob Roller ing the Gospel, for evangelizing observes a moment of silence so liturgy become for all of us a true sponses that may become oppor - Cardinal Pietro Parolin today’s world.” that the faithful may be conscious school of prayer.” January 17, 2018 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 3 Fears for priest rise following Honduran vote

By Michael Swan investigation into electoral fraud in Central America,” Bisson said in fraud, there is protest, and there’s The Catholic Register the Nov. 26 national vote. an email. violence against people.” On New Year’s Eve, Moreno Canada has a free trade agree - Moreno has tweeted that he TORONTO (CCN) — Cana- tweeted, “I’m receiving accusa - ment with Honduras, and major fears Honduras will become un - da’s Jesuits have written their tions that put my life at risk.” Canadian investors in Honduras governable if a fraudulent elec - second letter in five months to Jesuits and friends hope to join include TSX-listed GoldCorp. tion is allowed to stand. Canadian government officials an observer delegation in Inc. and Gildan Activewear Inc. “The issue is simple. This is asking Ottawa to speak out in Honduras at the end of January With a murder rate above 60 not about ideologies or feelings. defence of a Honduran Jesuit when Hernandez is to be sworn in per 100,000, combined with few Here we have unacceptable whose life is in danger. for a second term as president. and random arrests in a deeply electoral results. And this is a Rev. Ismael Moreno, famous The Jesuits of Central America divided nation, a social media matter for the country. The gov - throughout the region as “Padre have compared threats to Moreno campaign is enough to get some - ernment to be established will Melo,” has been targeted by allies and his Radio Progresso team to body killed in Honduras, said face a factor of maximum con - of President Juan Orlando a 1977 graffiti campaign that Canadian Jesuits International flict. Find a political solution Hernandez after calling for a vote spray painted “Be a patriot — kill director Jenny Cafiso. that avoids ungovernability,” recount and national dialogue fol - a priest” on public buildings “They are setting the stage for Moreno tweeted in Spanish on lowing the president’s re-election. throughout El Salvador. The re- discrediting them ( Radio Progresso New Year’s Day. The attacks on the widely re - sult was the murder of Jesuit mar - staffers) in a way that if somebody Hernandez was declared the spected pastor and human rights tyr Rev. Rutilio Grande and esca - wants to do something to them, winner and recognized by the defender, who is the director of lating violence that eventually there won’t be a popular protest. So Trump administration despite a CNS/Tyler Orsburn Radio Progresso, include an took the life of Archbishop Oscar it’s very, very dangerous right 36-hour delay in vote counting FEARS FOR PRIEST — Jesuit anonymous poster circulating on Romero. now,” Cafiso said. when opposition candidate Sal - Father Ismael Moreno Coto, bet - social media that makes him a The Jesuit concern goes Cafiso also emphasized that vador Nasralla opened up a lead, ter known as “Padre Melo,” poses target by linking him with orga - beyond the danger to Moreno, the Jesuit concern is for more followed by news of an unex - for a 2014 photo in Washington. nized crime. said English Canada’s Jesuit than just the life of one Jesuit, or plained computer glitch, and then The Society of Jesus has The Jesuits are also asking superior, Rev. Peter Bisson. “We even the broadcasters he works an astonishing turn in the vote denounced threats made against Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia are certainly more aware now of with. favouring Hernandez. the outspoken Honduran priest, Freeland to join with the Organiza - the involvement of Canadian “It’s more serious now in the The Organization of American who has highlighted accusations tion of American States in calling mining companies in human sense that he (Hernandez) has States listed a number of irregu - of widespread irregularities in the for an independent, international rights and ecological abuses in taken control of power through larities, including “Deliberate Central American country’s human intrusions in the computer recent presidential election. system,” as reasons for doubting Doctors set to fight global abortion policy the final tally that gave Hernandez Canada can’t just go along 42.95 per cent of the vote versus with such an iffy election, Cafiso By Michael Swan ciation was set up by British doc - not entitle them to impede or deny 41.42 per cent for Nasralla. said. “It makes us complicit.” The Catholic Register tors after the Second World War, access to lawful abortion services largely in response to participa - because it delays care for women, Bishops issue statement TORONTO (CCN) — An tion in Nazi atrocities by some putting their health and life at ethics policy that demands doc - German doctors. The organization risk,” reads the proposed policy. tors refer for abortion, even works on human rights and med - “In such cases, the physician must on summer jobs policy against their conscience, could ical ethics in consultation with refer the woman to a willing and become a global policy at the United Nations bodies such as the trained health professional in the By Deborah Gyapong major questions with ethical, next general assembly of the World Health Organization. same, or another easily accessible moral, social, and personal bear - World Medical Association in The new policy requiring doc - health care facility, in accordance OTTAWA (CCN) — Canada’s ing which determine our under - October. tors to refer seems to echo the with national law. Where referral Catholic bishops say the govern - standing of human dignity and must-refer policy of the Inter - is not possible, the physician who ment’s new Canada Summer Jobs thus appreciation for the meaning national Federation of Gyne col - objects must provide safe abortion policy infringes on freedom of and significance of each and ogy and Obstetrics, known by its or perform whatever procedure is religion and freedom of con - every human life,” the CCCB French acronym FIGO, Worthen necessary to save the woman’s life science (see related story, page 1). said. “This new policy conflicts said. The FIGO policy was used and to prevent serious injury to her On Jan. 11, the Canadian Con- directly with the right to freedom by the College of Physicians and health.” ference of Catholic Bishops pub - of religion and conscience which Surgeons of Ontario to develop The working group’s proposal lished a statement decrying the too are enshrined in the Charter of its forced-referral policy, which would also delete a sentence that new policy that requires appli - Rights and Freedoms as well as in applies to all morally controver - reads, “The WMA requires the cants to attest to both the job and associated case law. sial procedures, including abor - physician to maintain respect for the organization’s “core mandate” “It seriously undermines the tion and assisted suicide. human life.” support the “right to access to safe right to religious freedom since the The CPSO says it has not been Canadian Catholic Bioethics and legal abortions,” and the gov - Government of Canada is directly consulted on the proposed WMA Institute executive director Moira ernments interpretation of rights limiting the right of religious tradi - abortion policy. McQueen has brought the pro - tions to hold, teach and practise “The change to their policy posed guidelines to the attention their principles and values in pub - seems consistent with our current of both the Congregation for the lic,” it said. “In addition to the policy on referral,” said CPSO Doctrine of the Faith and the obvious and regrettable infringe - spokesperson Jill Hefley. Pontifical Academy for Life, but ment of freedom of conscience and The CPSO policy has been is not hopeful the Vatican will be religion in such matters as are Catholic Register challenged in court by the Chris - able to move quickly enough to raised by the new policy, there will Moira McQueen tian Medical and Dental Society influence the process. be unfortunate consequences on in Ontario Superior Court. The “The Vatican is a member of the ground: summer camps will be Catholic and Evangelical doc - court has promised a decision by the WMA and will oppose any forced to close; the services of tors in Canada are organizing to Jan. 31. such move,” she said. numerous non-profit organizations oppose the draft policy before it Hefley confirms that the McQueen also worries about will be reduced; valuable opportu - goes to the WMA council meet - CPSO refers to international poli - the influence the WMA can have nities for apprenticeship will be ings in Latvia April 26 - 28. cies, such as those of the WMA, on legislation and national poli - lost. These effects, to name but a “We have asked our members when developing its own regula - cies around the globe. few, will be felt in Catholic dioce - in the Christian Medical and tions. “I don’t think the WMA does ses and organizations as well as in Dental Society to write to the The WMA policy was due for anything other than reflect current many other faith communities Canadian Medical Society to ask a 10-year review in 2016. WMA trends in these areas, but I think across Canada.” them to lobby on our behalf, to staff recommendations left the that’s important because of the The CCCB also pointed out ensure that that change does not 2006 policy on abortion largely influence it may have on other CCN/D. Gyapong how the new policy “runs counter” get passed,” said Christian Medi - unchanged. It required that doc - countries,” she said CCCB President to recommendations made last cal and Dental Society of Canada tors ensure continuity of care for The WMA refused to answer Bishop Lionel Gendron March by the Con sultation Panel executive director Deacon Larry patients who would choose abor - questions about its draft policy. on the Political Activities of Worthen. tion, but not that doctors refer for Canadian Physicians for Life pertaining to sexual orientation Charities. “These recommenda - While a WMA ethics policy the procedure. has alerted its members about the and gender identity. tions include that charities be would have no legal effect in The working group of com - proposed change, but would not The CCCB said the policy rep - allowed to provide information for Canada, the organization’s poli - mittee members has put the go on the record at this time. resents an attempt to restrict the the purpose of informing and cies are often a template for WMA secretariat’s approach to The members’ “gut sense voices of faith communities in swaying public opinion, and to future legislation and regulation one side and proposes to limit the seems to be that it’s best not to Canadian democracy and limit advocate to keep or change law or of the medical profession around scope of ethical objections to draw media attention to this and their participation in the public policy, either in Canada (any level the world, said Worthen. WMA abortion. to keep this within the medical square. of government) or outside of policies are also influential in “Individual doctors have a right community for strategic purpos - “Faith communities consider Canada,” the bishops said. medical schools. to conscientious objection to pro - es,” said Physicians for Life exec - abortion, sexual orientation, and The World Medical Asso - viding abortion, but that right does utive director Faye Sonier. gender identity or expression as — GOVERNMENT, page 5 4 Prairie Messenger CANADIAN NEWS January 17, 2018 Next generation of hockey priests ready to hit the ice

By Meggie Hoegler The Flying Fathers will play The Catholic Register against the winners of the Father Les Costello Classic, a hockey TORONTO (CCN) — It does tournament in Warsaw, Ont., not get more Canadian, or made up of teams from local high Catholic, than a hockey team schools, parishes and St. made up of priests. Throw in a Augustine’s Seminary. good comeback story and you The idea of priests playing have the makings of a Canadian hockey is uncommon, to say the classic. least. This was especially so The Flying Fathers were a when the Flying Fathers started. Canadian Catholic tradition for “Back then, it was unheard 45 years, dating back to 1963. of,” said Cosentino. “They had a What began as 12 priests playing parish to look after, along with a fundraiser game for local CYO many other duties. But they man - causes turned into a national aged to convince Bishop showcase, sometimes being com - Alexander Carter who dropped pared to the Harlem Globetrotters the ceremonial puck at the first of basketball fame. game. They attracted a crowd of After being forced to disband 3,500 people and raised money in 2009 owing to a lack of players, for both the Catholic Youth the team is making a comeback Organization and a charity for this month, thanks to a chance children with disabilities.” encounter between two hockey- It was the kind of success no loving Catholics, Rev. John one could argue with. The Flying Perdue and former Flying Fathers Fathers played another game the general manager Frank Quinn. Catholic Register file photo following year in North Bay, The original cast of the Flying FLYING FATHERS ARE BACK — The high-flying antics of the Flying Fathers will soon be resurrected in attracting a crowd 5,000. In 1964, it Fathers first took shape when Canadian arenas. was the largest crowd Memorial Rev. Brian McKee, a newly Gardens had ever hosted. ordained priest in North Bay, met dio to develop their story. “I met Frank Quinn while I Fathers, it’s not just hockey, it’s a Perdue says the uncommon - a young boy whose teeth had The story took a tragic turn in was working at St. Peter in real show, from slapstick pies in ness is what makes it so interest - been knocked out while playing 2002 when Costello — whose Chains (Cathedral) in Peter - the face to penalizing an oppo - ing — and crucial for priests to hockey. hockey career included a Stanley borough. He was one of the ush - nents two minutes for being get involved. “It was just him and his single Cup with the Leafs in 1948 — ers there, and one day we got to Protes tant. “Hockey is a major part of mother, and funds were tight,” died at age 74, a week after hit - talking about the Flying Fathers. “The Flying Fathers were Canadian culture, espe cially here said Frank Cosentino, a former ting his head on the ice during a He told me he had been their gen - known for their on-ice antics. in Peterborough. For young peo - CFL quarterback. “He (McKee) game. Slowly, the team began to eral manager. He still had the They once brought out a horse in ple here to see that priests can was a noted athlete before going fizzle out. Most of the original copyrights to the name, the old goalie pads. He played net while play hockey, too, bridges the gap into the seminary, so he decided players were in their 70s and jerseys and flyers. Basically, he the other team tried to score on between us and them. It helps to get a group of priests together were too old to play. In March was what was left of them.” him,” said Perdue. young people see priests as relat - to play a fundraiser game to help 2009, they played their last game Perdue and Quinn were eager to Perdue says the team is still able. It’s patriotic absolutely, but this little boy.” . . . until Perdue came along. resurrect the team. Perdue started planning the entertainment por - it’s also human.” The rest is history. McKee, A Peterborough native, Perdue calling around to his seminary tion of the game. “We’re going to “As priests, we do a lot of sit - along with former Toronto began playing hockey at age six. friends. Before long he had put bring some things back, but we’re ting,” said McCarthy. “This is a Maple Leafs player-turned- When he entered St. Augustine’s together a team of 12 priests from also going to try some new antics. great way for us to get exercise.” priest, Rev. Les Costello, formed Seminary, he played every Friday dioceses across Ontario, including Right now, we’re just trying to The Flying Fathers will play the Flying Fathers, dedicated to night on a team sponsored by the Rev. Matthew McCarthy, an asso - get everyone together for a prac - the Father Les Costello Classic raising money for charity and St. Augustine’s Alumni Associa - ciate pastor at Holy Family Parish tice before the game. It’s been champions on Jan. 29 at the keeping their fans laughing with tion. in Whitby, Ont. Like Perdue, tricky to co-ordinate with some of Robert E. Young Recreation as many outrageous stunts as “I’d heard about the Flying McCarthy grew up playing com - the priests living hours away.” Complex in Ennismore, Ont. they could get away with on the Fathers so I asked my fellow petitive hockey and cheering for ice. They played over 900 games seminarians how to go about join - the Toronto Maple Leafs. across Canada and the United ing the team once I graduated,” “I’m always looking for any States and raised upwards of $4 said Perdue, 32. “Then I found opportunity to play hockey, and million for various causes, out they had gone defunct this is such a great one,” said including $240,000 for cancer because there were no young McCarthy, 30. “Growing up, I research from one game at priests left to play.” never met a hockey-playing priest. Maple Leaf Gardens. At their He put his hockey dreams on Who knows, if I had I might have height, they even signed a con - the back burner until fate inter - joined the seminary a lot sooner.” Retreats & Workshops tract with a Hollywood film stu - vened. When it comes to the Flying WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Thursday, Jan. 25 beginning at noon in the Chapel. Bubble zone law set to come into effect Lunch by donation to follow. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS TWILIGHT RETREAT Mass, presentation and fellowship. Thursday, Feb. 8, beginning at 7 p.m. By Deborah Gyapong 20,000 views, he said. The bill will create a 50-metre News reports in Ottawa of indi - zone preventing protests around TRANSITIONS: Your Journey of Transformation Through OTTAWA(CCN) — Pro-life viduals — plural — “wearing eight abortion facilities in Ontario, Grief and Loss — Sarah Donnelly groups and individual demonstra - sandwich boards” harassing and as well as a 150-metre zone around Thursday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m. until Sunday, Feb. 18 after lunch. Cost: $475. tors are making contingency spitting on women entering the the private homes of doctors and Please call 306-717-3707 to register. plans as the Ontario bubble zone clinic prompted the bubble zone others involved in providing the WHO AM I? A Retreat For Women — Linn Gow around abortion facilities is set to legislation, which was supported service. After Feb. 1, hospitals and Friday, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m. to Saturday, Feb. 17, 4 p.m. Cost $160. come into effect Feb. 1. by all MPPs except one, Jack pharmacies may also apply for Cyril Winter, an individual McLaren of the Trillium Party. zones around their premises. For program details visit www.queenshouse.org To register please call 306-242-1916 who protests outside the door of However, Winter is the only pro - The National March for Life or email: [email protected] the Morgentaler abortion clinic in tester who wears a sandwich has traditionally gone past the Ottawa, says Ottawa police tried board, and he says he has never Morgentaler facility, the only Ongoing programs include: to order him to move from his spit on or harassed a woman enter - location that affects the march. Journey with Scripture: Fr. Paul Fachet. $25 w/lunch. 1st Wed./month at 10 a.m. spot not long after the bill was ing the clinic. Violators of the law could be sub - Women in Ministry Luncheons: One Friday/month, 12 - 1:30 p.m. passed in late October. Sgt. Martin Groulx of the ject to fines of $5,000 and six K of C BROTHERS KEEPER BREAKFAST: 2nd Tuesday/month, 7 a.m. Police “told me to get away Ottawa police’s special events months in jail for first offences. Quiet Day of Prayer: 2nd Wed./month. $25 w/lunch, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. from 65 Bank Street and obey the team said the treatment of Winter While Groulx anticipates an edu - 24-Hour Eucharistic Adoration: 4th Monday of the month, 12 p.m. - Tuesday, 12 p.m. law, otherwise they were going to was the result of a “miscommuni - cational period, those groups that Personal Day(s) of Private Prayer: Book anytime. arrest me,” Winter said in an inter - cation” based on news reports have been informed can expect view. that the “Safe Access Zone” leg - the police to enforce the law. www.facebook.com/Queens-House-Retreat-and-Renewal-Centre Winter, who wears a sandwich islation had passed in late “We’re waiting for Feb. 1,” board featuring graphic pictures of October. “This created confusion” said Chris Murawsky, Campaign 601 Taylor Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0C9 aborted babies, said he “stood his among some officers, he said. Life Coalition’s manager of the tel: (306) 242-1916 fax: (306) 653-5941 ground,” and even videotaped an “We’ve corrected that.” Ottawa office, who obtains the Ottawa police officer yelling and He said all officers will receive licence for the annual march. DO YOU NEED A FACILITY FOR: threatening him. He put the tape on an information packet to guide Inservices, seminars, workshops, retreats, or any occasion? BOOK QUEEN’S HOUSE TODAY! (306) 242-1925 or [email protected] YouTube and it has received over them in enforcing the legislation. — AS USUAL , page 5 January 17, 2018 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 5 Cross on Mount Royal commemorated in ceremony

By Eric Durocher ward off a certain death blow with up the mountain with a band of opening remarks at the nearby In addition to evangelization the onset of their first winter. colonists to erect the cross. chalet. and living harmoniously together, MONTREAL (CCN) — It’s De Maisonneuve made a public Fast forward 375 years, and Ville Marie was founded sole - Montreal’s third commission, doubtful that Montreal would be pledge to erect a cross on Mount another band of believers, led by ly to make Jesus Christ known to Lépine pointed out, was to “love celebrating 375 years of history Royal should divine providence Archbishop Christian Lépine, indigenous peoples and to live the the poor as Christ loved them.” Jan. 6 had floodwaters not receded spare Ville Marie. When the gathered before noon to com - Gospel imperative that all should Personified by Jeanne Mance, in December 1642. Jeanne Mance waters lapping on the threshold of memorate that act of thanksgiv - live harmoniously together, the known as North America’s first and Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de their rudimentary lodgings started ing. In -20 C temperatures, with a archbishop said during his lay nurse, “love and care of the Maisonneuve — the city’s co- to recede on Christmas Eve, they wind chill of about -30 C, more address at the chalet. poor and of all vulnerable people founders — knew as much and knew the colony, its provisions than 200 diocesan leaders and “It’s commonly thought that has always been part of our mis - sought heaven’s intervention to and the mission for which Ville pastoral workers assembled at the because Montreal was part of sion.” The poor must be served Marie was founded would survive. chalet atop Mount Royal to re- New France, Ville Marie was regardless of their beliefs, their True to his word, on Jan. 6, enact the pilgrimage to the sum - founded as a French city,” he circumstances, and without judg - Durocher is editor emeritus, 1643, de Maisonneuve shoul - mit. They were joined by de noted. However, it was not found - ment, he said. Catholic Times Montreal. dered a cross and forged his way Maison neuve, Jeanne Mance, and ed to establish a French city, he The 375th anniversary of their retinue (portrayed by local stressed. Montreal’s founding and the sub - actors) for the 30-minute walk to Montreal “is French in its ori - sequent anniversaries that follow the summit and back, which gins, in its initiatives,” he stated, offer an opportunity “not only to included a short prayer service but its raison d’être was to be a explore our roots,” the archbishop beneath the iconic 31-metre steel city “with an inclusive vision concluded, “but to be inspired by cross towering over the city that where indigenous and French peo - the values that motivated the recalls the event. ple were to live together. It’s in founders of Ville Marie and to There, the Archbishop of Mon - our genetic code, which is why respond to the thirst, which only treal recalled the courage, faith, we, as a diocese, are committed to Jesus Christ can satisfy, that and forbearance of the city’s living together harmoniously.” resides in the hearts of all.” founders in establishing a mis - In that spirit, last September The commemorative event sionary settlement where Euro - then-Mayor Denis Coderre was part of the diocesan Epipha - peans and indigenous peoples unfurled a revised city flag incor - ny celebration, held annually, could live harmoniously together. porating a First Nations’ symbol which included carol singing, This is part of the city’s DNA, — a white pine — in recognition Quebec folk music, prayer, and Lépine had stated earlier in his of the island’s indigenous roots. refreshments. Middle East Christians remain at risk

By Deborah Gyapong going through a transformation of mean Christians will move back to who controls what and who influ - Mosul,” Hétu said. “The city is in OTTAWA (CCN) — As the ences what regime,” Hétu said. In bad shape and rapport with local new year dawns, the prospect of a Egypt, Iraq and Syria, regimes are Muslims is not good.” peaceful future for Christians in “in transition” and two big nations However, half of the Chris tians the Middle East seems as remote — Iran, a Shiite Muslim country who were forced to flee the as ever. and Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim Nineveh Plain have returned to “If there is no peace, the life of country — are vying for power, their villages. “They found desola - Christians is at risk,” says Carl backed by Russia on the side of tion, vandalism, their goods stolen Hétu, national Canadian director Iran and Syria’s Assad régime and and their churches badly dam - of the Catholic Near East Welfare the United States on the side of the aged,” he said. While ISIS has Association (CNEWA), a Holy Saudis. been driven out, there is tension See charity. “Peace is the key to “Life is very complex,” Hétu between the Kurdish-controlled save Christians in the Middle East said. With the proxy wars, “the areas and the Iraqi government. right now.” people being penalized are the Christians have not returned to vil - Eric Durocher The latest incident to shatter general population and minority lages in the contested area between CROSS ON MOUNT ROYAL — Paul de Chomedey and company that hope came over Christmas. groups like Christians.” the Kurds and the government. return 375 years later on Jan. 6 to commemorate the erecting of a cross On Dec. 29, a gunman stormed a Recent mass protests in Iran In Syria, fighting continues. “It’s on Mount Royal in thanksgiving for saving Ville Marie from flooding. Coptic Orthodox church in have contributed to the instability hard to feed yourself, hard to get Helwan, Egypt, killing six parish - in the region, though Hétu said it health care, school for kids; fami - Government to be neutral ioners and a police officer. The is hard to tell what impact the lies lack everything,” Hétu said. Islamic State (ISIS) claimed Iran protests will have in the long Aleppo and Homs, two cities in the responsibility, adding to the toll run. Also destabilizing is U.S. northeast where large numbers of Continued from page 3 The Canada Summer Jobs pro - of more than 100 Christians killed President Trump’s decision to Christians used to live, have been gram gives wage subsidies so by terrorists in 2017. move the American embassy in severely damaged. “We know that “Government is required, at employers can create quality sum - “Right now the Middle East is Israel to Jerusalem. more than 50 per cent of the law, to be neutral in matters of mer jobs for students aged 15 to Both Pope Francis and the Christians have left Syria over the conscience,” Barry Bussey, direc - 30, to give them work experience. ‘We want to arch bishop of the Latin Pa tri - last six years.” tor of legal affairs for the Cana dian On the Canada Summer Jobs web - archate of Jerusalem have warned Before the civil war began in Council of Christian Charities, site, it says faith-based groups, go as usual’ that the move will hurt the peace 2011, Syria was home to about wrote on the organization’s web - non-profits and small business are process in the region. two million Christians in a popu - site: www.cccc.org. “However it welcome to apply for funding. Hétu said the embassy decision lation of 24 million. now appears the government wants “The employer attestation for Continued from page 4 “can only inflame the situation a CNEWA has several programs to direct our consciences against CSJ 2018 is consistent with individ - bit more and, for Chris tians, it to aid Christians in the Middle East. our will. This is simply wrong.” ual human rights in Canada, “We still want to be able to give means more restrictions to go In Egypt, where Copts make up 10 “It is unlikely that the Canada Charter rights and case law, and the our opinion and advice to girls from Jerusalem to Bethle hem or per of the population, it helps with Summer Jobs program will be the Government of Canada’s commit - going into the clinic,” he said. from one town to another.” church renovations and repairs, as end of this mindset,” he warned. ment to human rights, which in - They will be meeting the With security walls and securi - well as security systems for protec - “The quid pro quo is if you want clude women’s rights and women’s police once the regulations come ty checks, “it’s even more diffi - tion against attacks, Hétu said. government ‘benefits’ or ‘licens - reproductive rights, and the rights into effect. “We want to go as cult for Christians to visit families CNEWA also helps churches ing’ then you must agree with the of gender-diverse and transgender usual and do our regular march,” and celebrate sacred times like with pastoral projects such as run - government’s ideology.” Canadians,” the website says. he said, noting that last year pro - Lent or Easter,” Hétu said. “It’s ning schools, dispensaries, skills testers made the police reroute the easier for people coming from training, and programs for youth, march so it couldn’t pass by the outside like Canada to visit holy “not just for Christians but for the Human Rights Monument. sites than it is for Palestinians.” full communities, Muslims and “We are in ongoing discussion Even in countries like Lebanon Christians together,” Hétu said. PleaseAre let usyou know aMoving? month in advance. with our lawyers,” said Matt and Jordan, where there is rela - In Iraq, CNEWA’s programs Wojciechowski at Campaign Life Write to: Prairie Messenger tive stability, there are concerns include aid for families who Circulation Dept. Box 190, Coalition headquarters in Toronto. about “a certain fanaticism and remain displaced or are returning Muenster, Sask. S0K 2Y0 “Our outreach to pregnant radicalization in overall society,” to their villages. e-mail: [email protected] women considering an abortion he said. Christians are “starting to CNEWA also supports catech - Undeliverable papers cost twice as much to return. will continue through our street feel a change of attitude from esis for children, training for sem - activists and prayer vigils like the brother Muslims, in Jordan in inarians and priests, helping reli - annual Life Chain and the 40 Days particular. That worries people.” gious sisters, and in lay forma - for Life Campaign,” he said. “We In Iraq, for the first time in four tion, “so the church can remain a will just have to be a bit more cre - years, a Christmas mass was cele - church,” Hétu said. “People need ative with our pro-life witnessing.” brated in Mosul, “but that doesn’t to be fed spiritually.” 6 Prairie Messenger LOCAL NEWS January 17, 2018 Ukrainian Christmas Eve celebrated January 6

By Frank Flegel suddenly filled with guests, and except for one: “I make one dish in its 20th year. This year a present to offer a blessing, as “we there is a rush to get everyone seat - with sausage because some of the woman from Kazakhstan and a are on Treaty Four territory, you REGINA — The traditional ed as the meal is about to begin. men said they need meat.” First Nations woman took part in know.” Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper Tradition dictates that as soon as She learned some of the tradi - the preparation and cooking, and This year Lorna Standingready was a little different for the Dedi the first evening star is spotted the tions from her baba (grandmother), Barbara learned something of offers the blessing, after which household this year: they had just celebration begins. This year, how - but over time she lost some of the their culture. NDP leadership can - Barbara invites anyone who 40 guests instead of the usual 50- ever, the sky is cloudy so the meal knowledge. Then she married a didate Trent Weatherspoon also would like to offer a blessing in plus they’ve been hosting for the will begin shortly after sunset at man whose parents came from showed up and did some cooking. their own language to do so, and past 20 years. 5:12 p.m.. Ukraine, and she relearned the tra - “He told me he would like to only then does the meal begin. “We decided to cut back a lit - Preparation for the meal actu - ditions from her mother-in-law. She learn about the cooking,” Barbara Guests are invited to walk tle this year,” said Bryan Dedi as ally began in the summer when began practising them again when explained, “so I invited him this among the tables and take some he sat at the kitchen table taking a Barbara Dedi planted the seeds her own children began to arrive, year.” food from each until all have break from the hustle and bustle for the ingredients she will use in and is now instructing her children A First Nations elder is always eaten. going on in the house. Reno va - the 12 meatless dishes that tradi - in making the same recipes. tions to the basement left little tion dictates are to be served. Barbara says the “other Christ- room for the large table that had “Some of what I make I can - mas” is about giving presents. previously occupied the space, not get at the grocery store, so I “Ours is more spiritual. We go and this called for a reduction in grow the ingredients, make the back to the original with the birth the guest list. dishes and freeze them for use at of Jesus, and Mary and Joseph.” January 6 is Christmas Eve for Christmas,” said Barbara. Barbara is president of the those who celebrate according to “The 12 dishes represent the Saskatchewan Human Rights the Julian calendar. At 5 p.m. a few 12 apostles,” she explains to her Association and works with peo - guests are already in the house, guests at the beginning of the ple from many cultures. “I’m including Regina Mayor Michael meal, “and it’s important to at often invited to cultural events Fougere and Regina Coronation least taste each one.” and thought it would be nice if I Park MLA Mark Docherty. Lt.- The meatless foods honour the could share my own culture,” she Gov. Vaughn Solomon Schofield is various animals that were present said, “and Ukrainian Christmas is at the door, and Barbara Dedi at the time of Christ’s birth. our big event of the year.” leaves the kitchen to welcome her Twenty-seven dishes have been Thus began what has become with a hug. The modest house is prepared this year — all meatless an annual event of sharing, now Water an image of the grace of God

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski and how our life story connects to to reflect, and to try to see in ret - God’s story — in particular the rospect where God has been at SASKATOON — Water as an Paschal Mystery of life, death, work. image of the grace of God and the and resurrection. “Grace expands our cup,” she presence of the Holy Spirit, even “In the fullness of time we will said, using the image of water Frank Flegel in the most difficult moments of be redeemed by that Jesus who pouring out more than can be UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVE — Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Vaughn life, was the focus of a parish came to live in the mess with us,” held, and urging her listeners to Solomon Schofield is welcomed at the door as she arrives to celebrate mission held on a cold January she said, sharing everyday experi - be attentive to the “Holy Spirit Ukrainian Christmas Eve in the home of Bryan and Barbara Dedi in weekend at St. John Bosco Parish ences and struggles where she has hovering over our lives.” Regina Jan. 6. in Saskatoon. encountered the love and pres - “Just Add Water” was the ence of God. theme of the mission led by Leah “God didn’t show up to fix all Foodgrains Bank commits to $2.75 million our problems, but he shows up By Amanda Thorsteinsson Farming traditions and knowl - dertaken with support from the and is radically edge have broken down over the government of Canada through present to us in WINNIPEG — Over 99,000 years, owing to conflict. Ongoing Global Affairs Canada. our suffering,” people in six countries will benefit drought means many people have The organization is a partner - said Perrault, from eight projects totalling $2.75 left their homes to try their luck ship of 15 churches and church describing her million committed by the Canadian in urban areas. In addition, many agencies working together to end own struggles Foodgrains Bank in December. households are strained as they global hunger. In the 2016 - 17 to accept that The projects are implemented take in relatives from other, more budget year, the Foodgrains Bank truth in mo- by Foodgrains Bank members violent parts of the country. provided over $41 million of ments of pain, ADRA Canada (Adventist Devel - There are 640 households assistance for over 900,000 peo - grief, and loss. opment and Relief Agency), (some 3,800 people) participating ple in 35 countries. Assistance She pointed to Canadian Lutheran World Relief, in the project, which totals from the Foodgrains Bank is pro - Jesus Christ as and the Mennonite Central Com - $314,000. vided through its member agen - the model for mittee Canada, in collaboration Projects supported by the Ca - cies, which work with local part - how to “walk with their local partners. nadian Foodgrains Bank are un- ners in the developing world. willingly into One project, through ADRA the mess of it.” Canada, is responding to drought In moments in Bubanza province, Burundi. of suffering, Burundi is one of the poorest sickness, countries in the world, with a depression, loss, troubled history. Ongoing politi - or death in her cal violence has contributed to own life, she instability, inflation, and high has not always unemployment. wanted to give Most of the population relies Kiply Yaworski space to the on small-scale agriculture for Holy Spirit, she PARISH MISSION — Leah Perrault was guest their livelihoods. In Bubanza speaker at a parish mission Jan. 12 - 13 at St. John admitted. “But province, inadequate rainfall has Bosco Parish in Saskatoon, using water as an image the Spirit points resulted in poor harvests. As a of God’s grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit. us to Jesus as result, hunger is widespread. “Grace expands our cup,” she said, urging partici - the Way, as the ADRA Canada is responding pants to be attentive to the “Holy Spirit hovering one who by supporting ADRA Burundi in over our lives.” showed us how providing 1,300 families (some to open our 8,000 people) with four monthly Perrault of Emmanuel Care, the heart just a little bit more.” emergency food baskets of maize, health ministry owned by the Like Jesus in the Garden of beans, oil, salt, sugar, and soy - Cath olic bishops of Saskatche - Gethsemane, we pray that we will bean flour. The project is worth wan. Perrault had stepped in at be spared our particular cross, she $490,000. the last minute for scheduled said. But if that is not possible, In Iraq, through another project, speaker Christy Dupuis, who was then, like Jesus, we are called to farmers in Kurdistan are being sup - unable to facilitate the Jan. 12 - “trust that the Spirit is indeed at ported by Mennonite Central Canadian Foodgrains Bank 13 retreat because of illness. work in our lives — that God is Committee Canada partner DROUGHT — Niyonizigiye Ladepende walks through the hills of In Scripture and story, Perrault there, whether we see it or not.” REACH (Rehabilitation, Ed - Makembe, Burundi. In response to drought in Burundi, the Canadian described how we are called to be Perrault encouraged partici - ucation, and Community Health) in Foodgrains Bank, headquartered in Winnipeg, is providing emergency attentive to what God is doing, pants to take time to check back, improving farms and livelihoods. food to families who are unable to harvest a crop this season. January 17, 2018 FEATURE Prairie Messenger 7 Germans debate combating ‘imported anti-Semitism’

By Tom Heneghan In Germany, the official outcry flict better, to discuss conspiracy missioner on anti-Semitism who Jewish communities in Europe, ©2018 Religion News Service to the anti-Semitic protests recalled theories and teach youth how to could be the government’s go-to but it took the Berlin protests to the one that followed reports two think critically about such (preju - person for all issues dealing with prompt German Interior Minister Germany is rethinking its years ago from hundreds of diced) views?” hate speech and crimes against Thomas de Maiziere — a key approach to combating anti- women who said they were Politicians are looking for Jews. Merkel ally — to call for one to Semitism after a protest against groped, sexually assaulted and quicker solutions. The European Commission be named in the next government. President Trump’s recognition of robbed by men of Arab appearance One idea with wide support is appointed a commissioner in Jerusalem as Israel’s capital at outdoor New Year’s Eve festivi - the appointment of a federal com - 2015, after years of appeals from — EMPHASIzE , page 12 turned the anti-Jewish prejudices ties in Cologne. of some Muslim immigrants into After initially welcoming waves a national issue. of Middle Eastern refugees that In the month since immigrants summer, a backlash against “for - burned an Israeli flag at Berlin’s eign infiltration” set in. One of the Brandenburg Gate and chanted results was the rise of the anti- anti-Semitic slogans, politicians immigrant Alternative for Germany have proposed appointing a feder - (AfD) party, which is now the al commissioner on hate crimes third-largest in the Bundestag. against Jews, making Auschwitz By adding Jews to the immi - visits obligatory for newcomers gration debate, last month’s pro test and requiring German history tests touched Germany’s most sensitive in cultural integration courses. wound and prompted politicians to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ask how to counter a new “Islamic struggle to form a government anti-Semitism” less responsive to after an inconclusive general their traditional strategies. election on Sept. 24 has held up After the Second World War, any clear decisions on the issue. West Germany sought to fight But with Holocaust Memorial anti-Semitism by educating its Day coming up on Jan. 27, the an - people about racism in their ni versary of the 1945 liberation of nation’s past. As the decades Auschwitz, her Christian Demo - passed, schools added meetings crats have decided to wait no with Holocaust survivors and class longer. They want the Bundestag, visits to death camps to awaken the German parliament, to pass a younger generations to the issue. resolution calling for migrants who But those strategies were all RNS/Adam Ihse/TT News Agency via AP promote hatred of Jews to be directed at fellow Germans. With IMPORTED ANTI-SEMITISM — A view of a site where a synagogue was attacked in Gothenburg, expelled. the rapid arrival of over a million Sweden, late Dec. 9, 2017. Three people were arrested and accused of throwing firebombs at the synagogue. “Whoever rejects Jewish life in migrants, mostly Muslims from No one was injured in the attack during a youth event at the synagogue and the adjacent Jewish centre in Sweden’s second-largest city. Germany or questions Israel’s the Middle East and Africa, right to exist can have no place in Germany faces newcomers from our country,” their draft resolution societies that tolerated and even Called to love in all circumstances says, adding that Germany’s states encouraged hatred of Jews. should apply the current expulsion Last month, a study commis - law more strictly in cases of hate - sioned by the American Jewish demanding and painful and some - ful speech or acts against Jews. Committee in Berlin confirmed times distasteful. Dorothy Day, “We must resolutely confront what many Germans — especially founder of the Catholic Worker the anti-Semitism of migrants German Jews — already knew. movement, used to echo St. Teresa with an Arab background and Interviews with dozens of Iraqi Double of Avila when she’d tell Jesus: “No from African countries,” Stephan and Syrian migrants showed that wonder you have so few friends!” Harbarth, the Christian Demo - anti-Semitic and anti-Israel preju - Belonging Yet Jesus loves each of us, sinful crats’ deputy parliamentary leader, dice was widespread among them. creatures who, by God’s crazy told the daily Die Welt , which first Interviewers found that the Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier design, nevertheless walk around reported on the planned resolution migrants hated Jews both for polit - with God’s dream imprinted on our against “imported anti-Semitism.” ical and religious reasons and that souls. Loving in Jesus’ name Several protests in Berlin over migrants also believed rich Jews In the western world we live in Rev. Raniero Cantalamessa, the involves deep listening — why the weekend after Trump’s Jeru - controlled the world thanks to “a a socio-political cultural climate Vatican’s papal preacher, stated in else do we have two ears and only salem decision on Dec. 6 triggered conspiracy theory frame of mind that now considers same-sex rela - his homily at the Church of one mouth? Divine loving requires the official response be cause the that also explained the wars in tionships to be normal. Those who England’s General Synod in 2015: living humbly and open-mindedly, demonstrators — many waving Syria and Iraq,” said historian struggle to accept this are often “The Anglican Church has a spe - patiently and graciously with flags, including those of the Günther Jikeli, author of the study. considered homophobic and judg - cial role. . . . It has often defined everyone (Ephesians 4:2-3), but Palestinians and the Hamas move - Many were ignorant about the mental, deficient and grossly out - itself as a via media (a Middle especially with those whose lives ment — burned Israel’s flag and Nazi murder of six million Jews dated. Such labelling can easily Way) between Roman Catholicism are most different from our own. shouted, in Arabic, “Jews, remem - in Europe during the Second create a reverse discrimination of and Reformed Christianity. From In his report to the Council of ber (the battle of) Khaybar, the World War, he said. sorts, with a certain relief that the being a via media in a static sense, General Synod, Archbishop Hiltz army of Muhammad is returning.” Germany’s Jewish minority, shoe’s on the other foot now. Is it it must now become more and said, “More than ever we need to In neighbouring Sweden, which estimated at around 200,000, has still possible, therefore, to engage more a via media in a dynamic be mindful of who we are and is second only to Germany in the been warning about growing anti- in compassionate and respectful sense, exercising an active function what we are about — who we are number of Syrian migrants it has Semitism in recent years, but conversations without sliding into as a bridge between the churches.” as the Body of Christ, and what taken in, Prime Minister Stefan politicians have reacted slowly. emotional mud-slinging or risking While discussions on same-sex that means for our regard for one Löfven responded to criticism — Few tackled the essential question glib yet unhelpful labels and judg - marriage/relationships are taking another, how we work together, after the Dec. 9 firebombing of a of how to get migrants to embrace ments on both sides? place in both traditions, they how we enable the church’s com - synagogue in Gothenburg by the country’s postwar taboos. Anglican Archbishop Fred occur of necessity below the radar mitment to God’s mission in the Syrian and Palestinian immigrants Long-established German Hiltz has pointed out that the in Roman Catholic circles while world” ( Anglican Journal, Nov. — that the government was not Muslim leaders agree that many Anglican instinct of inclusiveness they occur in the Anglican public 10, 2017). Citing Ephesians 4:2-3, taking anti-Semitism by Muslims newly arrived Muslims are openly and embracing diversity is being square. However messy and Hiltz mused how the apostle Paul seriously, by proposing increased anti-Semitic and these leaders sup - tested severely at this time chaotic, painful and challenging would look at Christ’s followers funding for trips to Auschwitz for port calls for tougher measures, (Anglican Journal , Nov. 10, that is, I wonder if there is some - today with a penetrating eye. students in Swedish schools. but they chafe under the polarized 2017). This particular Anglican thing healthy about the open Falling and rising, we can “We should not close our eyes “us versus them” atmosphere the expression of discipleship consti - nature of such discussions, chal - only do our best with what each to the fact that many people have debate could foster. tutes one of the Anglican gifts to lenging all parties into a demand - of us has been given according come here from the Middle East, “Sometimes I think we should the Christian family. But every ing, mature loving. to our own circumstances, cul - where anti-Semitism is a wide - put up a giant sign along the denominational charism also Love is an orientation, the ture and situation in life. Can we spread belief, almost a part of the refugee route to Germany that says comes with its accompanying foundational orientation: God is rise to the belief that the ideology” that is prevalent, he told ‘Welcome, you are now in Europe, weakness, its shadow side. love, and those who live in love, demanding God-style loving has the Swedish Jewish magazine such and such is not acceptable live in God (1 John 4:16). Such the power to reveal truth, to heal Judisk Krönika. “Although Mus- here,’ ” said psychologist Ahmad is truth — a relationship of love: wounds, to reconcile differences, lims are a vulnerable group, that Mansour, an Israeli Palestinian liv - Ternier, an Anglican priest, “Truth is a relationship. As such, to increase understanding and doesn’t make it any more legiti - ing in Germany since 2004. serves the Anglican and Lutheran each one of us receives the truth respect? Claiming to follow the mate for them to be anti-Semites.” “Of course we need better parishes in Watrous, Sask. This and expresses it from within, that One who revealed God’s reckless police and better laws, but not column is co-published with the is to say, according to one’s own loving, we have already signed only that,” he told DLF radio. Saskatchewan Anglican. She circumstances, culture, and situa - up for this in baptism: to love in Heneghan is a Paris-based “Why aren’t we helping teachers blogs at http://graceatsixty.word - tion in life.” — Pope Francis all circumstances, in all relation - correspondent. to explain the Middle East con - press.com Loving as Christ loves is ships and in all conversations. 8 Prairie Messenger ARTS & CULTURE January 17, 2018 Nones, and nuns, all right in Gerwig’s Lady Bird

By Emily McFarlan Miller that everybody approach each gathering together and the being ©2018 Religion News Service other with the same level of present in the moment. I think empathy. cinema is another version of that. Lady Bird — about a girl in her While the setting of the film I don’t really have an explana - final year at Catholic high school is religious, the story isn’t nec - tion, but I don’t think that need navigating relationships with essarily. Neither is the main goes away. boyfriends, friends and her mother character. It’s set in 2002, even There seems to be something — won two Golden Globes on before the “nones” were a hot almost divine about family in Jan. 7: best motion picture, musi - topic. How does that comment this movie. As she leaves the cal or comedy, and best performer on the presence of religion in church, Lady Bird is calling her by a female actor, musical or com - our lives? parents, and there’s something edy for Saoirse Ronan, who plays It’s funny because the charac - about the way she begs her “Lady Bird.” Laurie Metcalf (who ter of Lady Bird is rejecting so mother to respond to her that’s plays Lady Bird’s mother) earned much of it because she’s sort of reminiscent of prayer or crying a best supporting actress nod. rejecting everything. She’s in that out to a God that seems silent. Though writer and director moment of being 17 and saying, Was that intentional? Greta Gerwig was inexplicably “What are you rebelling against?” In other movies that I’ve writ - left off the ballot for best director, “What have you got?” ten and in this one, I always have it is widely believed she will be Grace Hill Media For me, something that is — and I do think honestly it nominated for an Academy AWARD-WINNING FILM — Saoirse Ronan, left, and director and important is that at the end of the reflects my four years of theology Award when they are announced writer Greta Gerwig, are seen on the set of Lady Bird. movie when she’s gotten to the — I always have some religious Jan. 23. Gerwig, who grew up place where she thinks she wants story threaded underneath that Unitarian Universalist but attend - lowing kid. But I encountered so nuns, the priests — say about to be, she finds her way back into people can pick up on or not pick ed Catholic high school, received many adults there who really how people of different faiths a church and listens to a choir and up on. I don’t need them to, but it a Golden Globe nomination for impacted my life so positively. and no faith can interact with lets that wash over her. I can’t helps me as an organizing princi - best screenplay. There were priests and nuns who and respect one another? speak to individually how people ple because even if you don’t Gerwig, who never went to were just compassionate and For me, as a person who was feel, but I do think that there is believe in the stories, they are film school and pulled much of funny and empathetic and not raised Catholic, the warmth for me personally something very old stories, and they do the script from her own experi - thoughtful, and they really with which I was included in deeply connecting about commu - speak really deeply to people and ence, recently spoke to RNS engaged with the students as peo - everything was deeply moving to nal places and also communal rit - their psychologies and how they about the religious setting and ple, not figureheads. And that me. To me, it’s something that uals, and I think if you were deal with life. subtext of the film. This interview was also true of the lay people even if you don’t share a back - raised with any kind of religion, For example, when she denies has been edited for length and who were teachers — theology ground with someone, or even if there’s a way that ends up feeling that she’s from Sacramento, that clarity. teachers or choir teachers and all you believe something different, like home in some deep way. I was, in my mind, sort of when the You’ve described this movie these different parts of the school. there can be a quality of kindness think that there’s a hunger for apostles deny Jesus and say, “I as a “love letter to Sacra - I felt, as a moviegoer, kind of and compassion that you can treat that, whether or not you can go in don’t know that man. I have no mento,” your hometown. But is making fun of Catholic school one another with — and respect. for the whole enchilada. I do idea who he is.” And they say it also a love letter to Catholic has been covered. There’s lots of You can hold a space for them. think there’s a sense this is a they won’t, and they do, because schools? movies that have this idea of The brother school to ours was place that we take time every you would. And also you’re for - Definitely. I wasn’t raised making it into kind of a joke, and a Jesuit school, and one of the week and we’re here all together. given. I think that some of those Catholic, but I loved Catholic I wanted to do something that things that St. Ignatius said was I don’t think that’s a thing people themes that I like having in there, high school, and I loved my reflected more like the genuine you have to find God in all have lost. I think they’ve just put it’s not the text, but it is the sub - Catholic high school, St. Francis. guidance and interest and com - things. The idea was, you know, it in other areas. text. I think those stories are very I was actually very different passion I found in those people, every person, every rock, every My first love was theatre, and potent in talking about the human than Lady Bird. I wasn’t a rebel. I and I didn’t want it to feel like tree, everything — you have to that’s another gathering of people condition and human impulses never made anybody call me by a they were just a nun with a ruler find the divine in it, and I think I in a room that suspends disbelief that sometimes aren’t as noble as different name or dyed my hair or something. was treated that way. That doesn’t and emotionally invests in other we would like them to be, and bright red. I never challenged What does your depiction of require that everybody think the people onstage. That’s not very that doesn’t make you unworthy. authority. I was a very rule-fol - the religious characters — the same thing, but it does require dissimilar in the sense of the That makes you human. ‘Three Billboards’ could be winner of the ‘best religious film’

By Jeffrey Salkin Or, as one of my colleagues ethical will to the Jewish people.) Right. Love. That Christian That is the subtext — or, per - ©2018 Religion News Service said, it was deeply Christian. * The tradition continues with thing, you are saying. haps, the real text — of the movie. Yes — but it is also deeply King David who, on his You would be right, but you Yes, that’s Christian. And it is I know, I know: “Best Jewish. deathbed, instructs his son and would be only half right. also Jewish. It lies at the heart of Religious Film” is not a Golden Let me try hard not to put any successor, Solomon, in how he Because what Willoughby is any number of other religious tra - Globes category. Neither is it an spoilers out there. would want him to live, as well as telling Dixon to do is to develop ditions I would not have the Academy Awards category. A mother (Mildred Hayes, a laundry list of the people who the capacity for hesed , which is chutzpah to pretend to know. Perhaps it should be. played by Frances McDormand), deserve David’s posthumous less about love as affection, as it is Three Billboards Outside Three Billboards Outside whose daughter had been raped vengeance. about love that comes from a deep Ebbing, Missouri is about Ebbing, Missouri got a lot of love and killed. Her quest for justice. One of the police chief’s mes - place within you, and which trans - unspeakable violence. It is about Jan. 7 at the Golden Globes — Her relationships with the local sages lands in the hands of the lates from the Hebrew into com - judgment. It is about justice. It is best motion picture, drama; best police, and a town that seems racist, homophobic, violent loser passion, and which then translates about forgiveness. actress in a motion picture, drama eager to not help her. cop (Jason Dixon, played by Sam into a kind of covenant that exists When it comes to the once dis - (Frances McDormand); best sup - But then the text opens up for Rockwell). Dixon is nothing short between God’s creatures. gusting Dixon, it is about the porting actor in a motion picture us. of a bastard. embodiment of two great Jewish (Sam Rockwell); best screenplay The police chief (Bill There seems teachings. — motion picture (Martin Willoughby, played by Woody to be no re - * “In a place where there are McDonagh). Harrelson), is dying. He leaves demptive no men (which I would choose to I personally believe that it letters around town for those who value in him. translate as menschen , people of deserved every award it got. I had would survive him. They are But Chief moral depth), strive to be a man” seen the movie the night before; it beautiful, eloquent, personal mes - Willoughby’s (Pirkei Avot, the ethical maxims was utterly entrancing. It was per - sages. They speak to the heart of from-beyond- of the ancient sages). haps the best movie I have seen each person, letting that person the-grave ethi - * “Until the day of your death, in the past year. know how the police chief would cal will ca - God waits for you” (High Holy Yes, great acting (seriously — want them to live their lives. joles Dixon Day liturgy). has Frances McDormand ever In Jewish tradition, we would into under - The ultimate message of Three made a bad movie?). A great call such messages ethical wills. standing a Billboards Outside Ebbing, screenplay. * The tradition starts with profound Missouri: Given the right circum - But, the story itself is one of Jacob on his deathbed, at the end truth: He will stances and the right kind of sup - the most religious tales you will of Genesis, addressing each of his never live up port and encouragement, deeply see on the silver screen, and for sons. (It is less of an ethical will to his personal wounded people can engage in this alone, it merits your attention. as a prediction of what would and profes - what Judaism would call tikkun Simply put: The movie is happen to the tribes in the future.) sional goals ha-nefesh , the repair of their inner about sin, forgiveness, and * The tradition continues with until he learns lives — and transcend themselves, redemption. Moses, again, addressing each of to love. Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for BFI and become deeper, holier people. the tribes in the final moments of That, pre - FILM PREMIERE — Actors Frances McDormand That, it seems to me, is the ulti - the Torah. (Actually, you could cisely, is what and Sam Rockwell attend the U.K. fall premiere of mate religious message there is. Salkin is the rabbi of Temple argue that most of the book of Dixon learns Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri , at the Go see “Three Billboards.” It’s Solel in Hollywood, Fla. Deuteronomy is, in fact, Moses’ to do. London Film Festival. simply that good. January 17, 2018 ARTS & CULTURE Prairie Messenger 9 Documentary excellence abounded throughout 2017

Screenings & Meanings

Gerald Schmitz

The documentary field has mental and socio-economic chal - never been stronger, with digital lenges through innovative locally technologies putting the means of based solutions was only released production into the hands of more in North America in 2017 after people, and streaming services winning the French “César” (Netflix, Amazon and others) award in 2016 for best documen - putting significant sums into cre - tary feature. As the filmmakers ating content and making it avail - explore practical examples in a able across expanding online plat - number of countries, anyone forms. At the same time the field looking for positive alternatives is increasingly crowded. I will be inspired. watched several hundred in 2017 Chasing Coral (U.S.) ©Armenian Genocide Museum Institute and almost every day brought INTENT TO DESTROY — Digging up remains of Armenian victims in Der zor in 1938. In the documen - The deepening climate crisis news of yet another title of inter - tary Intent to Destroy master documentarian Joe Berlinger presents a multi-layered perspective on these est. That said, some clearly stood continues to be an important sub - terrible events and the subsequent denials by the Turkish state and its apologists. out as reflected in the following ject as in Al Gore’s An choices. Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to hopes to earn enough to buy med - riots that afflicted parts of Los world’s great cities. There is far Faces Places (Visages Power which tempered its cri - icine for a sick child. Every step Angeles in the summer of 1992, more to appreciate in the cats fol - Villages, France) tique with optimism about a is an immersion in the kind of triggered by an all-white jury’s lowed by director Ceyda Torun renewable energy revolution. hard realities still faced by many acquittal of five police officers — truly a cat’s-eye view of that Recipient of numerous awards, (See also the James Redford’s of the world’s poor. despite the graphic video evi - world — than you will ever find including the “golden eye” at HBO film Happening: A Clean Rumble: The Indians Who dence of their savage beating of a in all of the innumerable silly cat Cannes, this delightful collabora - Energy Revolution: https://hap - Rocked the World (Canada) young black man. In this Netflix videos on YouTube or other tion between octogenarian master peningthemovie.com/). Another production writer-director John social media sites. filmmaker Agnès Varda and selection of the 2017 Sundance Co-directors Catherine Bain - Ridley presents the most compre - Honourable Mentions gonzo photographer “JR” cap - festival’s inaugural “New bridge and Alfonso Maiorana pre - hensive account of those events, tures images of ordinary French Climate” program, recipient of sent a revealing and enlightening the decade that led up to it, and 500 Years (U.S.) : Veteran doc - people and their life, then cele - the documentary audience award, portrait of renowned musicians the aftermath that is of continuing umentary filmmaker Pamela brates these through large-format was this extraordinary explo - with indigenous roots who shaped relevance in a racially divided Yates tells the story of the indige - black-and-white prints put on ration of the damaging effects of the history of North American country. nous Mayan people of Guatemala striking display, the process ocean temperature rise and acidi - popular music. That includes Human Flow (Germany) and their resistance to systematic enlivened by the impromptu ban - fication on coral reefs around the seminal guitarists like Link Wray oppression, with a focus on ter between Varda, JR, and their world. Using time-lapse photog - and rock stars like Jimi Hendrix. Renowned Chinese artist- courageous women leaders and subjects. raphy, director Jeff Orlowski and Often their indigenous ancestry activist Ai Weiwei’s stirring 26- their fight to bring the perpetra - Last Men in Aleppo his team (Chasing Ice) capture was little known or ignored. This country exploration of the human tors of genocide to justice. (Denmark/Syria) some of the most stunning under - film, which received a special face of the global refugee crisis Dawson City: Frozen Time sea images ever put on the screen, jury award at Sundance and an received five awards at the (Canada/U.S.): In the hands of Another multiple award win - and the scientific implications for audience award at HotDocs, is the Venice film festival. In going to writer-director Bill Morrison, the ner, notably the Sundance grand the planet are equally compelling. most engaging of several recent the frontlines to meet and talk to amazing discovery of a frozen jury prize for world cinema docu - It’s available on Netflix, which is films acknowledging, exploring the people involved, the desperate archive of old nitrate film reels mentary, directors Firas Fayyad also streaming all episodes of the and celebrating indigenous artis - migrants seeking safety and those and stills brings back to the and Steen Johannessen provide an awesome BBC series Planet tic expression. trying to help, Ai shines a spot - screen the brief but fascinating extraordinary window on the Earth II narrated by Sir David Let it Fall: Los Angeles light on the challenge to our com - drama of how the Klondike gold Attenborough. mon humanity at a time when rush briefly transformed this death-defying work of Syrian Makala (France) 1982 - 1992 “white helmets” — unarmed more barriers and walls are being Yukon outpost. erected. Bombshell: The Hedi civilian first responders — trying A number of recent films, both Director Emmanuel Gras was Kedi (Turkey/U.S.) Lamarr Story (U.S.): Writer- to save lives in the besieged areas narrative and documentary, have awarded the Cannes festival’s director Alexandra Dean vividly of the city of Aleppo (which was addressed police and racial vio - critics’ week grand prize for this “Kedi” is the Turkish word for recalls the incredible life story of Syria’s largest) during bombard - lence in America past and present close-up observation of the ardu - cat and this quite amazing tribute the Austrian actress of part- ment from regime and Russian (e.g., Detroit, The Blood is at the ous life of a young man in the to the free-ranging cats of Jewish ancestry who left Nazi forces. It’s the most devastatingly Democratic Republic of Congo. Doorstep, Strong Island, Whose Istanbul will not only appeal to affecting of the recent films on Streets?, Do Not Resist, Europe before the war, became a We watch his labours as he makes feline lovers but provide a unique glamourous Hollywood star, the Syrian civil war, inter alia: Baltimore Rising ). Several ( Gook, charcoal, then travels on foot with perspective of their social and invented a “frequency hopping” The White Helmets (Oscar-win - a huge load to the city where he LA 92 ) are about the devastating cultural contribution to one of the ning short film); Cries from communications technique (her Syria; City of Ghosts; Hell on scientific curiosity supported by Earth: The Fall of Syria and the billionaire Howard Hughes), but Rise of ISIS. died a forgotten recluse. Intent to Destroy (U.S.) The Work (U.S.): Co-direc - tors Jairus McLeary and Gethin The first great genocide of the Aldous received the South By 20th century was that of Southwest festival’s grand jury Armenians in the crumbling award for this remarkable emo - Ottoman Empire, beginning 1915 tionally raw account of a four-day during the First World War. group therapy session inside Through both observing the film - Folsom prison in which inmates ing of Terry George’s dramatic interact with members of the narrative The Promise and con - community. ducting a searching probe of the A Better Man (Canada): Co- disputed historical record, master directors Lawrence Jackman and documentarian Joe Berlinger pre - Attiya Khan tackle the issues of sents a multi-layered perspective gender violence through an inti - on these terrible events and the mate personal lens as Attiya con - subsequent denials by the Turkish fronts an abusive former boy - state and its apologists. friend and challenges him to Tomorrow ( Demain , acknowledge and work through France) the consequences of his actions. In these as in other human rela - Co-directed by Cyril Dion and tionships accepting the truth of Mélanie Laurent, this enlighten - Courtesy of Cannes film festival what happened, however painful, ing and empowering 2015 film MAKALA — Director Emmanuel Gras was awarded the Cannes festival’s critics’ week grand prize for this is necessary before healing and about meeting global environ - close-up observation of the arduous life of a young man in the Democratic Republic of Congo. reconciliation can begin. 10 Prairie Messenger DEEPENING OUR FAITH January 17, 2018 God breathes the Word into everything that lives

intimacy, repentance, conversion and hope. Today’s with all the right questions: Who is this that heals? Who is reading from Deuteronomy comes as Moses is seeing this that speaks with authority? Who is this that has power the end of his role as God’s prophet. The people had over unclean spirits? What a way to start the story of Liturgy grudgingly accepted Moses as their leader. But what Jesus! would happen with Moses gone? God promises them All of the Gospels will tell a story that asks for a and Life another prophet, another leader who will transmit God’s response from us. At the beginning of the story we under - will and direction for the people. Along with this stand the question as “Who is Jesus?” However, as we promise comes the challenge to accept this prophet’s delve deeper into the story, we are compelled to answer a Deacon Bob Williston leadership and inspiration. more personal question, a question that begs for a deeper In today’s Gospel, Mark is describing the early stages of answer: “Who am I after I have seen and heard Jesus of Jesus’ ministry as he visits the synagogue in Capernaum. It Nazareth?” The Word embeds itself in our psyche and in The Word of God is not a single utterance once spoken, begins with Jesus teaching with authority and ends with the our hearts. once heard and then passed on by Tradition. The Word is expulsion of an unclean spirit from a man. The response to If we are honest, we can look at our sin history and our ever being spoken. As long as creation exists, God is this “word” is noteworthy. All are amazed at this man and grace history as a response to this deeper question. breathing the Word into everything that lives. It is not con - contrasts his message with that of the scribes. His fame is Sometimes the word amazes us. Sometimes we are skepti - fined to church liturgy nor limited to bounded books of the about to spread throughout Judea. This dramatic beginning cal and sometimes we are just too distracted to even hear Bible. As John says: “The Word of God became flesh and it. There is a spectrum of responses to that word that is pitched his tent among us.” That tent is still pitched, still a Deuteronomy 18:15-20 spoken to us. But we continue to hear the prayer of the Fourth Sunday living and breathing Word proclaimed for our hearing in Psalm 95 psalmist: “Harden not your hearts!” in Ordinary Time so many ways. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 Alan Light has written a whole book on the life of January 28, 2018 While hearing that Word and holding fast to it is the Mark 1:21-28 Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah.” He describes one vocation of every Christian, the dynamic relationship we Jewish rabbi’s reaction to its use in Jewish prayers: “In the are called into by God requires an open, listening heart. So of his ministry puts Jesus in the place of a prophet of God. beginning of the Kol Nidre service, we say three times al today we pray in our psalm for an openness to that voice: Even the unclean spirits recognize who he is: “I know who da’at ha-Makom — a prayer saying we hereby make it “O that today you would listen to God’s voice. Harden not you are, the Holy One of God.” permissible to pray with the wrongdoers. It doesn’t mean your hearts!” The scribes and Pharisees are less convinced and, while there are some black sheep and they can come too. It The story of God’s relationship with us is a story of his popularity is on the rise, their position of authority is means bringing our whole self, including the wrongdoer hot and cold responses to a word of love and a call to somehow threatened. Jesus’ teaching is something new, inside ourself, even the piece that maybe doesn’t want to something fresh, something exhilarating. He not only be there or doesn’t believe.” speaks with words of wisdom, but he acts with the loving Into the night of our dark soul, into the light of our Williston gives parish missions and is a missionary with energy of God: healing, curing illness and dispelling evil inspired spirit, into the greyness of everyday routine, a the Redemptorists. He is also a song writer and recording spirits. word is spoken by God . . . to us. “Do not harden your artist. Mark is a wonderful storyteller and begins his Gospel hearts!” God’s unimaginable power and love to eventually make all things well

What Julian wants us to draw not be offended, is incapable of take vengeance, and does meet out from this is not the idea that anger, holds nothing against any - sin with wrath. Such a God is In sin and evil are of little conse - one no matter what evil he or she incapable of making all manner quence, but rather that God, being may have perpetrated, and who of things well. But such a God is so unimaginable in love and (as Julian describes God) is com - also not the God whom Jesus Exile power, is able to draw good out of pletely relaxed and has a face revealed. evil, happiness out of suffering, like a marvellous symphony. The Were we to look into the eyes and redemption out of sin in ways God of our imagination, rein - of God’s, says Julian, what we Ron Rolheiser, OMI that we cannot yet grasp. forced by certain false interpreta - would see there would “melt our This is Julian’s answer to the tions of Scripture, does get hearts with love and break them question: Why does God allow offended, does get angry, does in two with ecstasy.” There’s a line in the writings namely, that God allows it evil? She answers by not answer - of Julian of Norwich, the famous because God gave us the great ing because, in essence, no ade - 14th-century mystic and perhaps gift of freedom. With that comes quate answer can ever be imag - the first theologian to write in the inevitability of sin and all its ined. Rather, she sets the ques - English, which is endlessly quot - sad consequences. That’s a valid tion into a theology of God with - ed by preachers, poets, and writ - answer, though one that’s often in which, beyond what we can BOSCO FOUNDATION ers: But all shall be well, and all seen as too abstract to offer much imagine at present and beyond John Bosco shall be well, and all manner of consolation to us when we are what theology can really account Child & Family Services Foundation things shall be well. It’s her sig - suffering. But Julian, despite for, God’s power and love will nature teaching. being a loyal daughter of the eventually make all things well, The John Bosco Child and Family Services Foundation (Bosco We all have an intuitive grasp church and having been schooled dry every tear, redeem every evil, Foundation) is a public foundation dedicated to the provision of of what that means. It’s our basis in that answer, doesn’t go there. erase every bad memory, buildings and facilities used for the treatment, education and for hope. In the end, the good will She offers something different. unfreeze every cold heart, and housing of children, adolescents and adults who are in need of triumph. But the phrase takes on For her, God allows evil, sin, turn every manner of suffering added meaning when it’s seen in and suffering because God will into happiness. There’s even a support. its original context. What was use them in the end to create for hint in this that the final triumph Bosco Foundation believes in assisting non-profit and charitable Julian trying to say when she everyone a deeper mode of happi - of God will be to empty hell organizations who provide vital services which aid vulnerable coined that phrase? ness than they would have experi - itself so that, indeed, absolutely people in our society. We do this by providing our facilities to She was struggling with the enced if sin, evil, and suffering every manner of being will be problem of evil, sin, and suffer - hadn’t been there. In the end, well. various non-profit and charitable agencies at below market level ing: Why does God allow them? these negatives will work toward In a subsequent vision, Julian rental rates. If God is both all-loving and all- creating some deeper positives. received a five-fold assurance Our facilities are used for social services group care, foster powerful, what possible explana - Let me quote Julian in the from God that God may, can, care, adult mental health care, the St. Francis Food Bank, two tion can there be for the fact that original (the Middle English will, and shall make all things God lets us suffer, lets us sin, and within which she wrote): Jesus, in well and we ourselves will see it . AA groups and a NE Edmonton cadet core among others. lets evil be present all over the this vision, informed me of all All of this is predicated, of In addition, we provide volunteer services to assist two small non- world? Why didn’t God create a that I needed answered by this course, on a particular concept of profit organizations working with low income seniors and victims world without sin, where we word and said: Sinne is behovely, God. The God that Julian of of stroke with fundraising and volunteer recruitment assistance. would all be perfectly happy from but alle shalle be wele, and alle Norwich invites us to believe in is birth onward? shalle be wele, and all manner of a God who is precisely beyond The Bosco Foundation is currently working with a large service Julian had heard enough ser - thing shalle be wele. our imagination both in power organization on a joint project with the aim of providing mons in church to know the stan - She shares that Jesus says that and in love. Any God we can affordable housing for low-income seniors. dard apologetic answer for that, sin is “behovely.” In Middle imagine is incapable of making English, behovely has these con - all manner of being well (as many 100% of donations go toward charitable purposes. notations: “useful,” “advanta - atheistic critics have already Administrative expenses are covered by other sources. Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, geous,” “necessary.” In her pointed out). This is not just true and award-winning author, is vision, sin, evil, and suffering are in terms of trying to imagine Please forward your donation to: president of the Oblate School of ultimately advantageous and even God’s power, it’s particularly true Bosco Foundation Theology in San Antonio, Texas. necessary in bringing us to deeper in terms of trying to imagine 315-6770 129 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T5C 1V7 He can be contacted through his meaning and greater happiness. God’s love. N website: www.ronrolheiser.com. (Not unlike what we sing in our It’s unimaginable in our pre - Tel: (780) 809-8585 Fax: (780) 809-8586 Now on Facebook: www.face - great Easter hymn: O happy fault, sent human condition to picture www.boscofoundation.com *Charitable Tax Number: 85985 8664 RT0001* book.com/ronrolheiser O necessary sin of Adam. ) anyone, God or human, who can - January 17, 2018 FEATURE Prairie Messenger 11 Prisoner’s reflections offered glimpse of loneliness

Over the next four months the Prairie Messenger will occasionally feature writing from past contributors and editors. The following fea - ture is reprinted from the Dec. 23, 1973, issue of the Prairie Messenger .

By Randy Sigurdson months prior to release. I must be Prince Albert Penitentiary gradually phased out of prison routine, unlearning what I have, If I were asked what I missed through habit, come to accept as most while being in prison, I being quite normal. This process wouldn’t answer freedom or sex. of re-entry will allow me to adjust No. What I miss most is love and myself, gear down in prepared - affection. Plain and simple. Very ness for the real society. But in few men inside prison, or outside order to do this, I need co-opera - for that matter, will “cop out” to tion from the outside community such an unmanly thing as missing and from the prison system. love and the occasional warmth The prison system is trying, of affection. but it is making a mistake by Certainly I miss freedom. I attempting to duplicate societal miss it very much. And sex, so situations within a penitentiary. It often used in society as a sensual can’t be done. Society refuses to substitute for love, I, a physically be duplicated or set upon a stage normal person, also miss. But the to be poorly represented. The opportunity to give and receive a only way I can become familiar little love and affection ranks first with society is to live within it. I on the long list of needed entities can be readied in some ways to that I carry printed across my function acceptably upon release, Phil Harvey mind. but I need the practical experi - A GLIMPSE OF LONELINESS — “What I miss most is love and affection. Plain and simple . . . the Jail is a bleak, desolate cham - ence. opportunity to give and receive a little love and affection ranks first on the long list of needed entities that I ber of loneliness, as wide as the The process of obtaining prac - carry printed across my mind.” outstretched arms and as deep as tical experience can best be the sorrow loneliness creates. accomplished through such meth - expect to be confronted with involvement is indirectly forced One of the questions remain - Consequently, and as a result of ods as “pre-release employment” upon his release. upon a prisoner through his desire ing is whether or not society feels trying desperately to forget about and “temporary leaves of What have we learned here? to escape the unpleasantness of that I, and others like me, am what kind of love might wait my absence” from prison. Both of We see that involvement in pro - loneliness. worth the effort involved in par - eventual release, I am over- these methods require outside jects within the prison is no guar - We see, too, that a man must ticipating in pre-release and involved in clubs and projects community participation as well antee that the prisoner will be be gradually taken away from leaves-of-absence programs. No within this confined, if not con - as prison system approval. able to function acceptably in prison routine, not abruptly one will know the answer until founded community. But in my Pre-release employment is a society, especially when that slapped into society’s hands. they become involved. desperation to forget, I am unwit - process which allows a prisoner tingly cheated by habit; my to leave the penitentiary during escape into superfluous involve - the day to work in a normal job We all, together, are the Body of Christ ment needs a constructive balance situation within the outside com - and I find myself dependent upon munity, then return to the prison By Peter Oliver each pew, he made his way to a before DNA evidence exonerated mental and physical action — after work each evening. This seat. We said the prayers, knelt, him. Subsequently, Larry Fisher action which fills the void left by method of gradual re-entry into, The identification of the sat and stood as we always do. was arrested and convicted of the the lack of love, affection and or reorientation with society, Catholic Church’s social teaching At communion I joined the crime. Father Andre was the companionship. gives the prisoner an opportunity with liberalism is a most unfortu - back of the line (at some masses chaplain at the Saskatoon Cor - I will be cheated because when to adjust himself for gainful nate turn of events. It is a blight there are upward of a hundred rectional Centre when Fisher was I am finally released from prison employment. As well, the prison - that is well matched by the identi - people praying) and noticed the arrested. I will be geared for action and er is able to earn enough money fication of the church’s teaching man who had come in late. Again As an expression of accep - involvement. And what is before he is released to support on sexuality with conservatism. he was inching forward and lean - tance, care and compassion, involvement in the outside com - himself once he is left on his These fractious loyalties point to ing on the pews as he went. Andre was committed to shaking munity if it is not something that own. an ecclesial divisiveness the Father Ciro had forgotten to turn hands with every inmate in the is weighed in terms of friendship Having enough money when I result of which is a cacophony of his microphone off and as he dis - centre without reservation . . . and dollars and cents, two items am released is very important cantankerous complaining and tributed communion the words until Larry Fisher was incarcerat - that, unfortunately, I will be because all is lost if I don’t have paranoid finger-pointing. Christ “the Body of Christ” echoed ed at the centre. The obscene somewhat short of. sufficient funds with which to has been divided: integrity is the through the church. nature of Fisher’s crime, together I have been forcing myself for meet costs of room and board the loser; chastity is defeated; an The man inched forward — with his flagrant abdication of a number of years to be busy first month I am in society. If I abortion of personhood is the “the Body of Christ” — the man responsibility and the consequent every waking moment, but when have no friends, from whom will result; wretchedness is the gar - inched forward — “the Body of hardships endured by Milgaard, I am released from prison I will I borrow money on which to get ment we’ve handed the poor. We Christ.” Looking up, I perceived provoked a crisis. For six months have less than $200 in my pocket. by? are better than this! Lived well, the other people in the line: an old Andre refused Fisher the generos - With that money I am expected to Temporary leaves of absence Christianity is beautiful, harmo - woman bent with age — “the ity he had shown the other pay my own way back into soci - passes are nearly as important as nious, courageous and imagina - Body of Christ” — a younger girl inmates, but the impasse had to ety. It is almost impossible for me pre-release employment passes tive. in sweat pants — “the Body of be bridged. As Andre says, “I had to become involved in communi - since then the prisoner is given On most weekday mornings Christ” — the lady who prays for to recognize I was not his judge. ty affairs, service clubs, sports the opportunity to become you will find me celebrating the souls in purgatory at every He is a human like everyone functions or the like without accustomed to the type of people eucharist at St. Mary’s Church. At mass — “the Body of Christ” — else.” He shook Fisher’s hand, friends or financial means or with whom he will be working. times the worship there is tedious my friend’s father — “the Body perhaps not gladly, but genuinely. both. He is allowed to live away from and irksome, just as doing the of Christ.” How delicious is hate! How I need involvement while I am prison for up to five days on dishes can be tiresome and exer - The great mediator of splendid is the self-righteousness serving time, but it must be a these passes. In this way he is cise isn’t always spine-tingling. Christian community Jean Vanier of our convictions. Reconciling realistic and constructive involve - able to “feel out” the communi - But there is necessity in virtue observed that “the human heart the left and the right involves ment, not a means of escape. As ty. Pre-release employment and and there is a certain wholeness- and its need for communion . . . heart-rending, nerve-fraying, ego- well, I must prepare myself for temporary leaves of absence making in the prayer at St. weakens the walls of ideology killing decisions. It always means the “street.” work hand in hand to supply the Mary’s. and prejudice. It leads us from imaginative dying. The deter - The re-entry into society must prisoner with an all-around All manner of persons attend closedness to openness, from illu - mined pro-lifer must speak the be a gradual process begun a few understanding of what he can the morning service. Many are sion of superiority to vulnerabili - Catholic pro-choicer’s name with old, some are sisters from the ty and humility.” reverence, and the Catholic femi - local convent, some are struggling The church is a communion of nist must find kind words for the financially, there is a former pro - persons. Together, we are the traditionalist who sees no fault in fessor and a former high school Body of Christ. His real presence a male-dominated church. teacher. On one particularly ordi - in the sacrament is also a pres - There is no winning this one Advertise in the nary morning an elderly crippled ence made real among us in our without forward-inching vulnera - indigenous man came in late. vulnerability. But reconciling vul - bility, no communion without Inching forward on the toes of his nerability takes commitment. seeing the beauty of each person Prairie Messenger shoes and leaning on the mast of A second story, about Rev. as a treasured member of the Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5 p.m. Andre Poiliévre, illustrates the Body of Christ. It is hard, yes, but Ph. 306-682-1772 Fax 306-682-5285 point. In 1969 David Milgaard we are at our best when we coura - Oliver works in chaplaincy was wrongfully convicted for the geously choose handshakes over email: [email protected] and development for The Micah rape and murder of Gail Miller. finger-pointing, vulnerability and Mission in Saskatoon. Milgaard spent 23 years in prison humility over superiority. 12 Prairie Messenger FEATURE January 17, 2018 Choosing to walk into a new year practising peace

do we do the countdown, Mom?” Olsen at myoneword.org) I usually lies before me, to receive it as God’s (Thank you, Jesus, for Netflix resist any trend that is not my idea; gift, to walk into this year in peace. and the anytime count.) my openness to peace must be So much lies before me these Barefoot I am nine days into January growth away from self-righteous days. Baskets of ordinary and and about 20 years past making stubbornness, obviously. baby laundry. Meals and snacks and Preaching resolutions I will not keep any - Speaking to his disciples at the for five most days. Work — paid way. And the word peace has Last Supper, right before the chaos, and unpaid, fun and not. Big feel - been echoing around me since denials, and pain of the crucifixion ings and school concerts and Christmas. in the Gospel of John, Jesus said to unscheduled 90-minute tantrums Leah Perrault Several friends and a number of his disciples, “Peace I leave with from a persistent toddler. These I writers I follow have been choos - you; my peace I give to you. I do signed up for and planned, even There was an easy peace and About three minutes past mid - ing a word for the year for the last not give as the world gives” (Jn though I am not in charge of how lots of laughter when the clocks night, my six-year-old, staying up several years. (You can read more 14:27). Weeks away from birthing they play out most days. rolled into 2018 totally unnoticed. for the first time, asked, “When about the trend started by Rachel a new baby, I am nesting my way Then there are the pieces I do from one room to another in a not participate in planning. A big whirlwind. I have enough life ex- dump of snow when my husband is perience to know that adding a working a long shift and the shovel - fourth child to our household is ling needs to be done. The trage dies unlikely to be described as the epit - being carried by my people — a ome of peace. And still. It is the house fire, childhood cancer, death longing of my heart. of a parent. A pending court pro - By chance this week I stum - ceeding and trial, eventually some - bled across a quote attributed to time. I could seek more inten tion - an unknown author. It reads: ally to find peace in these places. “Peace does not mean to be in a When I have tasted this peace, place where there is no noise, never having feasted on it or had it trouble, or hard work. Peace as regular fare, it has come from means to be in the midst of all beyond me. I have experienced it those things and still be calm in as a gift, open enough to receive it your heart.” A bit of digging sug - — at least for the time it lasts. It is gests it may come from a Hindu a feeling, but also more than a text, but I was not able to find a feeling. It is a reality that exists definite source. Whoever spoke it always, with the certainty of the first has been speaking to my sun’s daily rising, and the frost heart, and deepening my appreci - that comes with winter. God’s con - ation of Jesus’ promised peace. stant peace is the foundation of the Oh, to find peace in whatever world, and I’m running on top of it instead of sinking in. This year I want to practise receiving the gift. Perrault is a wife and mom, a And more, I want to walk grateful employee of Emmanuel through the world more peaceful - Ken Thorson Care, and a speaker, writer and ly. Gandhi wrote that “There is no WALKING INTO A NEW YEAR OF PEACE — “ Oh, to find peace in whatever lies before me, to con sultant at www.leahperrault. path to peace. Peace is the path.” receive it as God’s gift, to walk into this year in peace,” writes Leah Perrault. com My littlest — until the new little arrives — is stretching the limits of her power. When I went to dress Business lobby alarmist on Ontario minimum wage her this morning she insisted on downstairs, and then after break - diately in the local economy. completely wrong when the econ - fast, and then in the living room. It Fast and furious omy took off soon after. They is easy for me to get fed up, to use were wrong again in B.C. in 2011 my size and sense of time to get my Still, the response to wage when the provincial government own way. And it was possible to Pulpit increase has been fast and furious. raised the minimum wage by an parent her well, to have good The business lobby has used its amount equivalent to Ontario’s boundaries, to insist on kind words, & Politics privileged access to newspapers current increase. Despite the fore - and still get out the door together and the media to peddle its mes - boding of lobbyists, in the follow - peacefully. I want more of that. sage that the increased wage will ing year B.C. added 50,000 jobs. The world is full of distractions, Dennis Gruending mean layoffs and other cutbacks Will they confess? and my life is unlikely to slow that will actually hurt the employ - down. And it is full of good things ees it is supposed to help. The Jobs and economic growth worthy of my time. For now, peace The minimum wage in Ontario dents. Beyond that the study used chief economist for the Canadian depend on many factors, and has been echoing in my heart and was increased from $11.40 to $14 a proprietary economic model Federation of Independent Busi- wages are just one of them. But my world. It is moving from an an hour on Jan. 1 and will rise to which lacked transparency and ness (CBIF) wrote sarcastically don’t expect the business lobby to echo to an intention, and it doesn’t $15 a year from now and that could not be peer reviewed. In about Premier Katherine Wynn in confess to alarmism and self-inter - matter if everyone or anyone else means that the sky is falling, other words, they threw out num - The Globe and Mail. Essentially, est if in the case of Ontario they is doing it. I am going to spend the according to a coalition of business bers but did not back them up. he accused her of being a liar who are proven wrong once again. year practising peace. groups called Keep Ontario The KOW document focused created “unfulfillable expectations” Working (KOW). The name im - almost entirely on the costs to busi - with the minimum wage hike. plies everything — by raising the ness while ignoring the beneficial Time is never right Emphasize Holocaust minimum wage Premier Kathleen effects of raising the in comes of Wynn will kill jobs. Alberta will 1.5 million Ontario workers, a We have heard all of this be - Continued from page 7 gested that all migrants be required increase its wage to $15 in October number equivalent to 25 - 30 per fore. In 20 years of journalism, to visit a concentration camp. 2018 and there have been similar cent of the workforce. The vast communications work and in poli - Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel “This generation (of migrants) predictions of doom there. majority of these workers are not, tics, I do not recall even once and Defence Minister Ursula von has a harder time identifying with Flawed analysis as the business lobby implies, when the CFIB, the Canadian Tax- der Leyen have said burning an Germany than mine did,” she teenagers living at home, but rather payers’ Federation or the Fraser Israeli flag should be banned. said. The memory of Nazi crimes In Ontario, KOW released a a variety of adults and a demo - Institute supported a hike in the Justice Minister Heiko Maas could help unite all people in flawed analysis which claimed graphic skewed toward women minimum wage in any province. looked to the integration courses Germany in the fight against dis - that the increases would lead to and new immigrants. For them, the time is never right. for migrants, which help them crimination, she explained. $23 billion in new business costs, Enormous importance Nor is it ever right for improve - learn German and qualify for a While welcoming these state - place 185,000 jobs “at risk,” and ments to the Canada Pension Plan, more rapid naturalization, to ments, the head of the Central cost each Ontario household Even at the newly minted rate of in which employers and their counter “imported anti-Semitism.” Council of Jews in Germany said $1,300 a year. The latter figure $15 an hour, a full-time worker will workers would contribute jointly “It’s urgently necessary for inte - the older anti-Semitism of the far turned out to be a basic calculat - in 2019 make only $600 a week, or toward retirement security. gration courses to emphasize the right was just as dangerous as the ing error which would have been $31,000 a year. However, this The business lobby insists on Holocaust and its meaning for our new version. caught by most high school stu - amounts to a raise of about $5,000 each occasion that improved society even more than they do “Most attacks actually come a year and is of enormous impor - wages or pensions are “job now, and include questions about it from the right-wing extremists, tance to the individuals and fami - killers” and they predict ruin and in their final exams,” he said. while the most anti-Jewish demon - Gruending is an Ottawa-based lies involved. It will have beneficial woe as they did when Finance Sawsan Chebli, the daughter of strations and the loudest anti- writer and a former member of effects beyond that as well, because Minister Paul Martin improved Palestinian immigrants who is now Semitic insults have been coming Parliament. His blog can be found almost everything low-income the Canada Pension Plan in the Berlin’s state secretary for relations recently from the Muslims,” at http://www.dennisgruending.ca earners make is spent almost imme - 1990s. The lobby was proven with the federal government, sug - Josef Schuster told Die Welt.

January 17, 2018 CHURCH AT HOME Prairie Messenger 13 An ancestral homeland: wonder in the rubble

Around the Kitchen Table

Lloyd Ratzlaff

I know a good place. By day I place goes dark, the spooks driven tramp around its trails and off by city lights congregate, and through its bushes, stoop like one if I’m alone I hear them, too. of Gideon’s failed soldiers to Five generations of my family drink water at its creek, gaze at have known this place. My old things that flap and fly there, and ones used to see the indigenous listen to others that chirp or peoples dragging their travois shriek or thump. Sometimes I talk across the other end of the valley, to these creatures as if I were a and here my grandfather’s plow child, and sometimes they reply. unearthed the skulls of the bison But when the sun sinks below they had once hunted. My parents the hills across the river, stillness lived here before I was born; and pervades and the dark closes in, when they moved to a less lonely lively critters withdraw to their place uphill, they continued farm - thickets and nests and holes, and I ing the land while I played here Lloyd Ratzlaff am alone. There are no conve - through childhood’s slow days. ANCESTRAL HOMELAND — Five generations of my family have known this place. My parents lived here niences and no diversions — no Later I worked with them, lend - before I was born; and when they moved to a less lonely place uphill, they continued farming the land while I television, no music, no toilet but ing adolescent strength to the played here through childhood’s slow days. . . . I’m older now, and still go there in quest of magic. an outhouse huddled in a distant hauling of stumps and stones so black clump of trees; and if I our wheat could grow beside the 10- and 12-year-old daughters; a a blanket with me for warmth, Long after midnight I blew out don’t take a bottle of brandy with river. Most of my youthful mem - legion of inward demons sneered like a hopeful elder seeking a the flame and crawled into bed. me, no insulation of any kind ories are daytime images of about wretchedness and guilt; and vision; but that evening I parked a Good night world and women, against the vastness and silence. springs and coverts, and the I learned something about the trailer under a bent maple tree, good night children and church. Here I become a boy again. In ancient river, and fabulous wild blues I hadn’t known before. which had felt friendly since my Now I lay me down to sleep. daylight, adventures beckon: things like the bats we roused Often I fled the city to visit my childhood, and sat beside an old During the night something spreading trees are familiar spirits, from the vacant house by beating ancestral place, invoking its sun - stone firepit. came. I heard it through a shroud no creature fails to announce the on its crumbling walls. shine and calm, pursuing child- A breeze floated from the hills of sleep, advancing slowly and world’s wonders. But when the I’m older now, and still go gone paths through old terrain, behind me and along the creek beginning to circle. As waking there in quest of magic. Once in a sitting long and vacantly on big bed, roaming its way toward the widened to a crawling skin, and while I stay overnight — to scare rocks, imploring the land to river. A few clouds hung on the eyes to saucers and a mind to Ratzlaff is a former minister, myself, to conjure another kind of restore some innocence amid the horizon as the sun went down, huge imaginings, I heard that it counsellor, and university lectur - enchantment, the shuddering and rubble of fallen dreams. But when and white wisps overhead patched was a throat. It breathed the way er. He has authored three books creeping and knowing again that evenings came I hastened back to themselves into a grey blanket a throat breathes when no human of literary non-fiction published vastness contains all manner of the city, to its lights and crowds, between land and stars. Songbirds voice orders it. It circled in the by Thistledown Press, and edited things. Something in me wonders to a bar where one night an old fell silent, busy drones ceased, night so far from the city, voicing an anthology of seniors’ writings where the wonder has gone, and black musician said, “The blues is poplar leaves waited. While I itself at the border of two worlds published by READ Saskatoon. the place pulls me back. just a good man feelin’ bad,” and could still see, I went scavenging and coming into this one. Jesus, I He has been short-listed for three My marriage of nearly 20 man, I knew what he meant. for sticks and branches and prayed, and God and Mother, Saskatchewan Books Awards, years expired. She wished for the One day I made up my mind to dragged them thankfully to my help, while somewhere another won two Saskatchewan Writers old-time religion, while I (as I stay at the river, and for once stone circle, and lighted a light. old bluesman sang You can call Guild literary non-fiction supposed) was far along in recov - encounter the night, to peel off And I sipped some brandy, a on your mother, but your mother awards, and served on local, ering from it. My 10-year voca - some insulations and feel the little medication against the ele - cain’t do you no good. I lay fend - provincial, and national writing tion as a clergyman ended with place alone in the dark. I wish I mental things. I had ways of justi - ing off the sound, admitting it, organization boards. the separation. I feared for my could say I had taken nothing but fying the insulations. The Christ exorcising, listening again. I had in whose name my life was wanted something, and now it PRAIRIE MESSENGER PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY steeped had refused even a swal - was here. It breathed another cir - low from the wine-soaked sponge cle, circumference closing in, fetched up to him, in his anguish, deep-throated spook an octave MCKERCHER LLP BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS at the end of an olive stick; but I below the blues, circling too KAPOOR, SELNES, & wasn’t him. And who was I, slowly and tearing something as KLIMM SASKATOON: John Schachtel then? it went breathing in the night. Barristers & Solicitors (306) 653-2000 I sat with thoughts about chil - At the boundary between L.J.(Dick) Batten, QC 1201 - 8th St. East W. Selnes, B.A., LL.B.; dren and church, marriage and worlds, time is a fiction stretching G. Klimm, B.A., LL.B.; Michel G. Thibault Saskatoon, Sask. David M.A. Stack,QC (306) 978-5200 ministry, the world and its on forever or packing half a life Phone (306) 752-5777, P.O. Box 2200 Curtis J. Onishenko Melfort, Saskatchewan S0E 1A0 women. From time to time, some - into minutes. Alone and with frail Galen R. Richardson   
  Phone (306) 873-4535, P.O. Box 760 thing made me venture out insulations, there is no choice Tisdale, Saskatchewan S0E 1T0 REGINA:     306.565.6500 toward a dimly divined circum - about listening. David E. Thera, QC 
     ference between the camp and the Finally I crept to a window night. I didn’t know where the and peeped under the curtain. A WEBER Committed to serving the legal    & GASPER     
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Changing Christmas traditions “Nine in 10 U.S. adults say they celebrate the “Before the 13th century, Christmas was no big holiday, which is nearly identical to the share who deal. The emphasis was on the high holy days of In the last few decades a controversy has arisen said this in 2013,” said the Pew survey. “About eight Holy Week and Easter, as it seems it should be. But over the proper greeting during the Christmas season. in 10 will gather with family and friends.” for Francis, incarnation was already redemption . For “Happy Holidays” is replacing the traditional “Merry Among Catholics, 65 per cent said they cele - God to become a human being among the poor, born Christmas.” brate Christmas as a religious holiday, down from in a stable among the animals, meant that it’s good to Some American polls indicate recent trends. 68 per cent in 2013 — and 51 per cent see it as be a human being, that flesh is good, and that the A majority of Americans — 59 per cent — say more religious than cultural. Almost seven out of 10 world is good — in its most simple and humble they prefer the greeting “Merry Christmas” to “Happy said they would go to church, down from 76 per forms. Holidays,” according to a Knights of Columbus- cent. “In Jesus, God was given a face and a heart. God Marist poll. The nearly six in 10 preferring “Merry While the decline in Christmas greetings is a became someone we could love. While God can be Christmas” is slightly higher than last year’s 57 per sign of today’s more diverse society, a look back at described as a moral force, as consciousness, and as cent. This year 39 per cent said they preferred “Happy history shows that Christmas greetings are a recent high vibrational energy, the truth is, we don’t (or Holidays.” The poll was conducted by Marist tradition. can’t?) fall in love with abstractions. So God became Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, New In his Jan. 15 Daily Meditation, Franciscan a person ‘that we could hear, see with our eyes, look York. Father Richard Rohr of the Center for Action and at, and touch with our hands’ (1 John 1:1). A study by Pew Research Center asked Americans Contemplation gives this historical record: “The brilliant Jewish philosopher Emmanuel how they think store clerks should greet customers. “It was probably St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1182 - Levinas (1905 - 1995) said the only thing that really “Merry Christmas” is the preferred choice of 32 per 1226) who first brought attention to the humanity of converts people is ‘an encounter with the face of the cent, down from 43 per cent in 2012, the last time Pew Jesus within organized Christianity. During its first other,’ and I think he learned that from his own asked the question. The generic “Happy holidays” or thousand years, the church was mainly concerned Hebrew Scriptures.” “Season’s greetings,” went up from 12 to 15 per cent, with proving that Jesus was God. Prior to St. In our commercialized Christmas celebrations, while 62 per cent said it didn’t matter. Francis, paintings of Jesus largely emphasized it’s good to remember the real reason for our greet - Meanwhile, the percentage of Americans who Jesus’ divinity, as they still do in most Eastern icons. ing: to give God a face and a heart. It’s more than a see Christmas as a religious holiday continues to Francis is said to have created the first live nativity trite greeting. It’s a sign of our own conversion and slide across nearly all demographic lines. scene. transformation. — PWN Walls come tumbling down between respect life, social justice camps

By Dennis Sadowski from conception to natural death. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t “Our number one passion is educational material on unjust You have to be consistent in occasionally get pushback from violence against humans,” said wars and military conflicts, abor - WASHINGTON (CNS) — upholding dignity of that life,” one side or the other. He writes a Murphy, who was a leader in the tion, euthanasia, suicide, human When Cardinal Joseph L. Wurzelbacher said. “Whether monthly column on social con - pro-life group at her alma mater, trafficking, poverty, sexual assault, Bernardin offered the idea that born with handicaps or born to cerns for the archdiocese. He Carnegie Mellon University. embryonic stem-cell research, cap - the church could approach its illegal immigrants, we still care described how one month he’ll be “We wanted an organization ital punishment and torture. concern for protecting human about that child as they grow up praised for a position he espoused that could address not only the life There’s even the current “Nukes dignity in tackling abortion, to become adults. That spreads by some readers and then criti - of a child in the womb but also the Are Not Pro-Life” campaign. euthanasia, poverty and peace into all the areas of social justice. cized the next by the same readers life of the child behind enemy The integration of respect life under a “seamless garment” dur - We can’t give off the appearance on another issue. He said he lines or the life of an inmate in and social justice concerns is a ing a 1983 speech at Fordham that we only care about babies.” makes clear to the critics that the prison or the life of a refugee, the welcome development among University, there were doubters In the Archdiocese of Port - stances taken come directly from life of any human being in any cir - two staff members of the U.S. who said the concept was flawed. land, Oregon, Matt Cato has been Catholic social teaching. cumstance,” she explained. Conference of Catholic Bishops. For years, the ideological rift the director of the Office of Life, “It’s just Catholic. It’s just the While Rehumanize Inter - Jonathan Reyes, assistant gen - between respect life adherents on Justice and Peace for eight years. way it is,” he told CNS. “I’m national is non-partisan and non - eral secretary for integral human the “right” and the peace and jus - He described all of his efforts as hoping more and more people secular, Murphy acknowledged development, and Tom Grenchik, tice advocates on the “left” felt working for social justice. understand this.” that its work is strongly influ - executive director of the Secre - wider than the Grand Canyon and Soon after he started in the The consistent life ethic is the enced by Catholic social teaching tariat of Pro-Life Activities, told nigh impossible to bridge. position, Cato learned about the focus of the Pittsburgh-based Re - and that those values also are CNS such integration is key to It was, some concluded, one long-simmering divide, which he humanize International. Execu tive shared by many other faiths. In the life of the church. church, two camps. So the work said he never realized existed. Director Aimee Murphy, who is the broadest sense, she said, the People have varying interests of both continued, largely with Prior to joining the archdiocese, he Catholic, helped found the organi - work focuses on human rights. and areas of expertise and sharing limited collaboration. and his wife headed their parish zation after graduating from col - “Among young people, this them with society is what it means Such divisions just may be social justice ministry and for lege in 2011 to fill a “niche” and human rights paradigm is catch - to be Catholic, Grenchik said. breaking down. years they melded respect life con - address the many human actions ing on,” Murphy said. “It’s the dignity of the human The desire to protect human cerns with justice and peace work. that destroy human dignity. The organization has developed person that motivates the church, dignity from conception to natur - that motivates Catholics to re spond al death is increasingly being with love,” he said. “Whether it’s embraced by Catholics, bringing the child in the womb or the home - together the respect life advocates less person or the person with a dis - and the social justice advocates to ability, it’s that God-given dignity carry out the church’s call to mis - that motivates us to respond.” sionary discipleship. Reyes said the long-existing Such collaboration is evident divide along left/liberal and in some dioceses where tradition - right/conservative lines means lit - al respect life and social justice tle to young people especially. offices now operate as one. What matters most is upholding Where they remain separate, col - human dignity, he said. laboration is strong across the This shrinking of the gulf is wide spectrum of social concerns. “more important than ever be cause “It’s so unfortunate in our the challenges to human dignity American culture, we’ve divided are remarkable, whether it’s in the the respect life issue from other protection of human life or provid - social justice issues and vice ing people with health care. There versa,” Tony Stieritz, director of are real threats to human dignity the Catholic Social Action Office right now,” he told CNS. in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, People also may be seeking told Catholic News Service. answers to basic questions about “We want to exemplify as life and their place in the world in much as we can in this archdio - the face of deep polarization and cese that we go beyond those ide - that it may be the Holy Spirit ological separations. To be pro- which has inspired people to set life, to work for social justice, all aside differences in response to comes from the same. There are Pope Francis’ call to be people of not real political boundaries on mercy for the world. any of this,” Stieritz said. “It’s really very much Pope Stieritz’s office at the archdio - Francis’ message,” Grenchik cese’s downtown headquarters is CNS/Kenneth Song, Santa Barbara News-Press via Reuters agreed. “We’re supposed to be a next to that of Bob Wurzelbacher, DEADLY MUDSLIDES IN CALIFORNIA — Floodwaters and debris surround the Montecito Inn Jan. 9 hospital and we’re supposed to be director of the Office for Respect after a mudslide in California. Weeks after devastating fires tore through Southern California, heavy rains in the healing business.” Life Ministries. Both regularly sent mudslides rolling down hillsides in Santa Barbara County, leaving at least 17 people dead, dozens More information about Re - work together. injured and dozens of homes destroyed. Those killed ranged in age from three to 89, and all lived in Santa humanize International is online “Obviously, we care for life Barbara County, northwest of Los Angeles. at www.rehumanizeintl.org/ January 17, 2018 Prairie Messenger 15 Summer employment program now a testing ground

By Peter Stockland What I’ve heard from both ing about it originated in right- “We need to know there is a An invented “right” existing Troy Media groups justifies alarm over recent wing conspiracy fantasies. Wrong. difference between freedom of nowhere in the charter becomes a changes to the Canada Summer A government media release con - expression and acting on those “charter value,” miraculously dis - It’s tough work to imagine two Jobs program. firmed it. And Prime Minister expressions and beliefs,” the PM tilled. The “value” becomes justi - groups more radically different “We’re seriously evaluating a Justin Trudeau has now vigorous - told university students in Hamil - fication to deny public funds to than the Canadian Council of legal challenge,” says the Four Cs’ ly defended it. ton, expressing the belief his gov - groups the government wants Christian Charities and the gays legal affairs director, Barry Applicants must now endorse a ernment acted upon. suppressed. The feedback loop rights network LGBTory. Bussey. “It confirms the group covenant to uphold “charter val - The implications for democra - swaps out law for ideology. So when both join the rising think in government halls (against) ues” that, in the not-so-fine print, cy roil both the libertarian in Lorenzen says Canada’s sexual chorus opposing changes to what religious groups (with) opinions require accepting current govern - Lorenzen and the social conserva - minorities, in particular, must see should be among Ottawa’s most the government doesn’t like.” ment positions on abortion, sexual tive in Bussey. the threat. What if, he wonders, innocuous programs, it’s a signal “Funding should not be used minority advocacy and various pro - “We can’t have cabinet minis - future governments hostile to something significant is going on. as a tool to silence critics,” says gressive causes. Those who can’t, ters deciding what Canadians can LGBT rights adopt the Liberals’ The Four Cs, as the council is Eric Lorenzen, vice-president of in good faith, toe the Liberal line and cannot believe,” Lorenzen tactic of punishing politically known, is Canada’s largest group communications for LGBTory. are advised to avoid wasting ink said in an interview even before those seeking to turn belief in of Christian charities. It’s firmly “In a nutshell, it’s a free-speech, applying. Summer employment is the PM’s remarks. democratic action? evangelical. Its mission is ad - free-thought issue for us.” Group now a testing ground for ideologi - Bussey goes further. He sees “Within my lifetime, you vancing gospel ministry. think? Silencing critics? Legal cal adhesion, obedience and purity. the changes denying summer job couldn’t work for certain branches LGBTory is an affiliation of action? Student summer jobs? So, churches that teach mar - help to those the government dis - of the federal civil service if you gay Canadians advocating for One of these things doesn’t be - riage is a heterosexual institution? likes but, much worse, also co- were gay,” he says. “We know the individual liberty and free mar - long with the others. Well, until a No sale. Charities that believe in vertly undermining Canada’s shoe could easily be on the other kets: libertarians rather than social few weeks ago it didn’t. further public debate before giving Charter of Rights and Freedoms foot (again).” conservatives. The group started Then in late December, under teenagers life-changing surgery to with nebulous, politically charged No wonder unimaginably differ - in 2015 to ensure gay small-c con - the obscuring fog of Christmas, advance transgender rights? Out of “charter values.” ent groups of Canadians are raising servatives could march in the federal Liberal government luck. Pro-life groups? No. Such “values,” Bussey says, their voices to oppose the changes. Toronto’s Pride Parade. announced a new application Nor is the shift mere skuldug - turn language cherry-picked from What’s at work, they agree, affects process for the funding used to gery by faceless bureaucrats or a charter case law into pretexts to Canada’s future even more than help small business, non-profits, rogue cabinet minister’s fever pander to political preference. students having summer jobs. Stockland is senior writer with charities and faith groups employ dream. The prime minister says it think-tank Cardus and publisher students for summer projects. fully reflects his view of democ - of Convivium.ca I initially suspected the report - ratic politics. Americans differ on ‘Merry Christmas’

By Mark Pattison Christmas or does not believe that mainline Protestants,” it said. the emphasis on the religious ele - Millennials, including Chris - WASHINGTON (CNS) — ments of Christmas is waning,” it tian millennials, also are less like - The percentage of Americans added. ly to believe in each of the four who see Christmas as a religious One flashpoint is how Amer- elements in the biblical account. holiday continues to slide across icans think store clerks should Among Catholics, 70 per cent nearly all demographic lines. greet customers at this time of the said it is not OK to display Chris - In a telephone survey of 1,503 year. “Merry Christmas” is the pre - tian symbols such as Na tivity U.S. adults conducted Nov. 28 - ferred choice of 32 per cent, down scenes on government property, Dec. 4 for the Pew Research from 43 per cent in 2012, the last down from 75 per cent in 2014. Center, 55 per cent said they time Pew asked the question. The Thirty-five per cent said it was OK mark Christmas as a religious generic “Happy holidays” or but only if accompanied by other holiday. The figure in 2013, when “Season’s greetings,” went up from religious symbols such as Hanuk - Pew last asked this question, was 12 per cent to 15 per cent, while 62 kah candles, up from 32 per cent. Gently he calls me 59 per cent. per cent said it doesn’t matter, up Also, 35 per cent said it is not OK I stand, face uplifted, eyes closed. “Nine in 10 U.S. adults say they from 45 per cent in 2012. even if accompanied by other reli - celebrate the holiday, which is “One of the most striking gious symbols, down from 43 per Swirling snow surrounds me, nearly identical to the share who changes in recent years involves cent. And 19 per cent said no reli - a benediction of love. said this in 2013,” said the survey, the share of Americans who say gious symbols should be allowed whose results were re leased Dec. they believe the birth of Jesus on government property, un- Mouth open I receive 12. “About eight in 10 will gather occurred as depicted in the changed from 2014. His gift of crystal eucharist. with family and friends. And half Bible,” the Pew survey said. Regarding their Christmas By Diane Bauer say they plan to attend church on “Today, 66 per cent say they observances, 65 per cent of Cath- Christmas Eve or Christmas Day,” believe Jesus was born to a virgin, olics said they celebrate it as a it said. Those numbers, Pew added, down from 73 per cent in 2014,” the religious holiday, down from 68 are roughly the same as those of last year this question was asked, it per cent in a 2013 survey, and 51 Autism sufferer killed 2013. noted. “Likewise, 68 per cent of per cent see it as more religious “Most respondents in the new U.S. adults now say they believe than cultural, down from 59 per poll say they think religious that the wise men were guided by a cent. Eighty-nine per cent said Continued from page 1 than resigning themselves to them. aspects of Christmas are empha - star and brought gifts for baby Jesus, they would gather with family He added that public support sized less in American society down from 75 per cent. And there and friends, up from 85 per cent, However, in its report, Cathobel for euthanasia remained wide - today than in the past. But rela - are similar declines in the shares of and 68 per cent they would go to said a commission member had spread, especially in the country’s tively few Americans both per - Ameri cans who believe that Jesus’ church, down from 76 per cent. recently resigned when the case of Flemish-speaking regions, but ceive this trend and are bothered birth was heralded by an angel of Catholics are not immune from a dementia patient, killed without said it was important the “moral by it,” the Pew survey said. the Lord, and that Jesus was laid in a the decline in belief about the bib - consent, was not referred to prose - dangers” were better recognized. “Overall, 31 per cent of adults manger as an infant.” lical account of Jesus’s birth. In cutors. “Even if there’s little chance for say they are bothered at least “Overall, 57 per cent of Amer- 2017, 83 per cent said they believe It added that the commission now of legal changes, the church ‘some’ by the declining emphasis icans now believe in all four of in the virgin birth (86 per cent in had failed to refer complaints by can work on a moral and pastoral on religion in the way the U.S. these elements of the Christmas 2014), 82 per cent said an angel the family of a 38-year autism suf - level with medical staff and support commemorates Christmas, includ - story, down from 65 per cent in announced Jesus’ birth to shep - ferer, when she was killed by re - critical voices,” the bishop said. ing 18 per cent who say they are 2014,” the Pew survey added, herds (90 per cent), 80 per cent quest without the required docu - “We’ve been discussing tough er bothered ‘a lot’ by this. But the re - including a decline from 81 per said wise men guided by a star mentation after ending a love affair. application of church rules to those maining two-thirds of the U.S. cent to 76 per cent among Chris - brought Jesus gifts (84 per cent) Kockerols said he was pleased who endorse euthanasia. But we public either is not bothered by a tians. “This decline has been par - and 87 per cent said Jesus was laid prominent Belgians were now de - also have to be prudent, considering perceived decline in religion in ticularly pronounced among white in a manger (92 per cent). bating euthanasia practices, rather each situation with its nuances.”

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By Junno Arocho Esteves pope’s visit to Peru, the Vatican include a meeting with sexual cated and blocked any eventual Many were outraged by the Congregation for Institutes of abuse victims or with the people path to offering a year’s sabbati - pope’s assessment of the situa - VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Consecrated Life and Societies of still protesting Barros’ appoint - cal,” the pope wrote without fur - tion, including several of Kara - When Pope Francis embarks on Apostolic Life named a Colom - ment. Sexual abuse is “clearly an ther clarification. dima’s victims, who organized an his fourth visit to South America, bian bishop to be the trustee of important theme,” Burke said, Barros was installed as bishop event to coincide with Pope he will face the enormous task of the scandal-plagued movement. adding “the best meetings are pri - of Osorno March 21, 2015. Francis’ arrival in the country. restoring trust and encouraging The Vatican said Jan. 10 that vate meetings.” The protests against the appoint - The conference, titled “Sexual healing after scandals in Chile Pope Francis followed the case The Associated Press Jan. 11 ment gained steam when a video of Abuse in an Ecclesiastical Con - and Peru left many wounded and “with concern” and “insistently published what it said was a letter Pope Francis defending the ap - text,” is sponsored by the Foun - angry at the Catholic Church. requested” the congregation to from Pope Francis to members of pointment was published in Sep - dation for Trust and will feature Pope Francis planned the Jan. act. the permanent committee of the tember 2015 by the Chilean news several notable speakers, including 15 - 21 trip as an opportunity to Despite his actions to address Chilean bishops’ conference just channel, Ahora Noticias . Filmed Peter Saunders, a former member take a message of hope and com - the issue of sexual abuse in Peru, three weeks after Barros’ appoint - during a general audience a few of the Pontifical Com mission for fort to people on the margins of his decision to appoint a bishop ment to Osorno was announced. months earlier, the video showed the Protection of Minors. society, particularly the indige - accused of turning a blind eye to The Vatican would not comment the pope telling a group of Chilean “The fact that the pope is com - nous people. abuse drew outrage in Chile. on the letter. pilgrims that Catholics protesting ing and we are having this semi - However, the challenges fac - The pope’s appointment of In it, Pope Francis thanked the the appointment were “judging a nar is because many people are ing the church in both Chile and Bishop Juan Barros as head of the committee members for express - bishop without any proof.” coming to show their commit - Peru will make this visit different Diocese of Osorno in January ing their “concern” over the “Think with your head; don’t ment to the rights of children as from his previous trips to South 2015 sparked several protests — appointment as well as for their let yourself be led by all the lefties well as their anger at the lack of America. most notably at the bishop’s instal - “prudent and constructive” sug - who are the ones that started all of reaction and the mistaken words In Peru, young members of lation mass — due to the bishop’s gestions made to him in February this,” the pope said. “Yes, Osorno the pope gave,” Jose Andres Sodalitium Christianae Vitae , a connection to Rev. Fernando 2014. is suffering but for being foolish Murillo, director of the founda - Catholic movement, were sub - Karadima, his former mentor. According to the letter, Arch - because it doesn’t open its heart to tion for people who suffered jected to psychological and sexu - Karadima was sentenced to a bishop Ivo Scapolo, the nuncio to what God says and allows itself to abuse at the hands of Karadima, al abuse by group leaders, includ - life of prayer and penance by the Chile, asked Barros to resign as be led by all this silliness that all said in an interview with Chilean ing the founder, Luis Fernando Vatican after he was found guilty military ordinary and take a sab - those people say.” news website, El Mostrador . Figari. An internal Sodalitium of sexually abusing boys. batical. The nuncio, the letter investigation confirmed the abuse Greg Burke, director of the Va ti - said, told Barros that two other of children, teens and young adult can press office, told reporters Jan. bishops connected to Karadima members of the movement. 11 that Pope Francis’ formal sched - would be asked to do the same. Less than a week before the ule for Chile and Peru does not “The nuncio’s comment compli - U.S. decision on Jerusalem opposed

By Dale Gavlak the Latin Patriarchate of Jeru - Pope Francis also urged a two- salem, told CNS, “Nothing state solution for Palestinians and AMMAN, Jordan (CNS) — should prevent Jerusalem from Israelis, saying: “Despite the dif - Church and political leaders in being a national symbol for the ficulties, a willingness to engage the Middle East are intensifying two peoples.” in dialogue and to resume negoti - efforts to combat U.S. President “Any unilateral decision is not ations remains the clearest way to Donald Trump’s unilateral deci - a solution,” Pizzaballa said. achieving at last a peaceful coex - CNS/Sony Pictures Classics sion declaring Jerusalem as “Jerusalem cannot be reduced to a istence between the two peoples.” TRAPPIST MONKS RECOGNIzED AS MARTYRS — In a scene Israel’s capital and plans to move dispute. It is something much “The pope emphasized that from the 2011 movie Of Gods and Men , seven Trappist monks depicted the U.S. embassy there. more than that.” Jerusalem must be respected for in the film are among the victims of Algeria’s civil war. A bishop, seven “The two-state solution is ac - In his annual “state of the all three religions,” said Rev. Trappist monks and 11 other religious men and women killed by cepted by all the world, including world address” Jan. 8 to diplo - Rifat Bader of the Catholic extremists in Algeria in the 1990s will soon be recognized as martyrs, the Vatican. It corresponds to the mats from more than 180 coun - Centre for Media and Studies in the postulator for their causes said. A 10-year-long armed conflict legitimate resolutions passed by tries, Pope Francis urged coun - Amman. “That respect must be between government forces and extremist Islamic rebel groups left tens the United Nations,” Auxiliary tries once again to respect the sta - made not just in political affairs, of thousands of people dead, making the deaths of the 19 religious “a Bishop William Shomali of Jeru - tus quo of Jerusalem. but religious matters.” martyrdom in the midst of a sea of violence that devastated Algeria,” salem, patriarchal vicar for Jor- He reiterated the church’s call He said that, shortly after Rev. Thomas Georgeon said. dan, told Catholic News Service. “for a common commitment to Trump’s Dec. 6 declaration, He spoke of how the church respect, in conformity with the “Jordan’s King Abdullah II met German bishop urges church sees the way to end the simmer - relevant United Nations resolu - with the pope with great emotion, ing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. tions, the status quo of Jerusalem, focusing on the status quo of debate on same-sex blessing Archbishop Pierbattista Pizza - a city sacred to Christians, Jews Jerusalem, how international balla, apostolic administrator of and Muslims.” decisions need to be respected, and how to maintain the custodi - OSNABRUCK, Germany good and right in this? Should we anship of Jordan’s Hashemite (CNS) — The vice-president of not, for example, consider a bless - monarchy over the Muslim and the German bishops’ conference ing — something not to be con - Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.” has urged a debate on whether fused with a wedding ceremony?” Later, Christian and Muslim Catholic clergy should bless He said the church should dis - leaders from Jordan and the Pal - same-sex unions. cuss same-sex unions in more estinian territories met at the Bap - “I’m concerned with funda - detail and recognize “silence and tismal Site on the Jordan River mental questions of how we deal taboo” settled nothing. and agreed to fight the decision. with each other; although ‘mar - Canons 1055 - 1057 of the “They all agreed to support the riage for all’ differs clearly from church’s Code of Canon Law de - king and his diplomatic efforts the church’s concept of marriage, fine marriage as an indissoluble calling for justice for Jerusalem it’s now a political reality,” said union between a man and woman. as well as recognizing the king’s Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of The June vote to allow same- Hashemite custodianship over the Osnabruck. sex marriage was condemned by Muslim and Christian holy sites “We have to ask ourselves how German church leaders, including there,” Bader said. we’re encountering those who Archbishop Heiner Koch of Ber lin, Jordan’s king is recognized as form such relationships and are chair of the church’s Marriage and the custodian of Muslim and also involved in the church, how Family Commission, who said in a Christian sacred places under a we’re accompanying them pas - statement same-sex co habitation signed 1994 peace treaty with torally and liturgically.” could be “valued through other CNS/Jose Cabezas, Reuters Israel. In the fall, the first gay wed - institutional arrangements.” dings were conducted in Ger - However, it was approved by U.S. DEPORTEE TO EL SALVADOR — Deportees get off a bus at an “Jerusalem is very important for immigration facility Jan. 11 after a flight arrived in San Salvador, El us as Jordanians. Jordan’s Hashe - many, following a June 30 vote by the country’s Protestant church. Salvador, with immigrants who were in the U.S. without documents. mite kings have supported restora - the parliament to allow full same- Some lay Catholic groups, includ - UN officials said Jan. 12 that U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported tions in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while sex marriage. ing the We Are Church organiza - use of an expletive to describe El Salvador and other countries could King Abdullah II also aided the “Same-sex relationships are tion, have called for same-sex cou - “potentially damage and disrupt the lives of many people.” restoration of the Holy Sepulcher generally classified as a grave sin ples to be offered church blessings. Church (with) his own money. This in the church, but we need to think In May 2015, the German Hashemite custodianship is not how we can differentiate,” Bode church amended its employment Let me fall if I must. The one I will become will rhetorical, but realized by real sup - said in a Jan. 10 interview with the rules to permit lay staffers to keep catch me. port, including finances, for Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung daily. their jobs after they were divorced — BAAL SHEM TOV Jerusalem, which is also the future “Shouldn’t we be fairer, given and remarried without an annul - capital of Pales tine,” Bader said. that there is much that’s positive, ment or if they formed a gay union.