On belief

The Church sets aside 50 days to celebrate the miracle of Easter, and I've always wondered about why they do this. In fact it's human beings who need the time to look at the miracle of the resurrection and start to understand it as it pertains to us. When we're little children, Easter is all about chocolate, Easter egg hunts and holidays from school, but as we grow into adulthood and take on the responsibility of families of our own, our understanding of this season changes - that's a good thing.

Easter is about resurrection. It's about the story of a man who we believe overcame the power of death (something none of us is able to do on our own). In fact, death takes on a completely different meaning when we see it as an invitation to life. Human beings who see death as a defeat or as an end to life often are afraid of its finality, but those who see it as an invitation to life can tend to be comforted by the knowledge that there's something else to go to - new life.

At times such as Christmas and Easter, I am drawn to the reality of death. Perhaps this seems strange at first glance, but it seems to make sense in the light of new life that is celebrated at the time of Christ's birth and His resurrection. Easter then becomes one of the times in the year when we are reminded that much of the violence that seems to be all around us is not the final word on the subject. Instead, there is hope of a new life yet to come.

For more on this subject, listen to or read the text of my homily for today.

For the beauty of the earth

In recent years, there has been mounting interest in ecological friendliness and concern for preserving the gifts of creation. Far different from the days when all the refuse from daily living found its way onto the common trash heap, the tendency these days - in some cases mandated by local laws - is to recycle, reuse and reduce the amount of trash we accumulate.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops recently published a pastoral letter on the environment. This was done during the United Nations International Year of Planet Earth, and is a call for the fostering of a collective consciousness to face critical environmental problems affecting the earth.

Our friends down under have been leaps and bounds ahead of many of the rest of when it comes to being ecologically aware. In fact, they even introduced the practice of Earth Hour in 2007. What began as a local endeavor to make a difference in a few people's lives has continued to snowball into what has become a world-wide effort this year. From Sydney to Toronto and all points in between, efforts have been combined with the World Wildlife Foundation.

Earth Hour has actually created such a stir that people all over the world are talking about it, and various blogs about it have also been created. The place is abuz with conversation, ideas and methods to observe just one hour of being aware of our use of power and the gifts of the earth. The proposal is actually very simple - turn off the lights, and unplug all expendable sources of power for one hour, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Saturday, March 29. The dip in the power grids might be somewhat reminiscent of the blackout of 2003 which left many parts of Ontario and New York State in the dark for up to 24 hours, but this time it will be done on purpose as a conscious effort to make a difference in reducing our ecological footprint.

This might not be that bad of an experience. Not relying on electricity, we might actually have to sit and face each other. Rather than staring at television or computer screens, we might actually have to talk to one another, just for a little while ... and we might actually be surprised to find that we like what we see about others and about ourselves.

Chaldeans in mourning

Chaldean Catholics all over the world are still in shock as they mourn the death of Archbishop Paulos Rahho of Mosul (Iraq). The Archbishop was kidnapped on February 29 of this year, immediately following the recitation of the Stations of the Cross. Despite urgent pleas for his release, three others who were kidnapped with him, including his driver were killed and his kidnappers waited more than two weeks before they disclosed the location where they burried him.

Archbishop Rahho's funeral, held in Mosul on March 14 was an emotional experience for all Chaldean Catholics who gathered to mourn his loss, including Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly who told Iraqis that they must follow a path of peace in the shadow of the grievous news of the kidnapping and martyrdom of Archbishop Rahho.

The news of this slaying has shaken Iraqi Christians as far away as Canada. On the same day as the funeral held in Iraq, more than 1,000 Chaldean Catholics gathered in the church of the Good Shepherd in Toronto to mourn his loss. Archbishop Rahho was no stranger to the unrest that has characterized his homeland, especially when it comes to tensions caused by religious differences. The fact that his attackers were not deterred by his office have caused many of his followers to fear for the future of Christians in Iraq, but such martyrdom is not new in the Church; in fact it often leads to a resurgence of faith and commitment.

May he rest in peace, and may those who mourn his loss know the deep and abiding presence of the Father who welcomes him home.

From catechumen to Catholic

This past weekend, adults who have been preparing for entry into the Catholic Church for a number of months and possibly even years were baptised or received into full communion with the Church.

This is not always an easy journey. It necessitates many levels of questioning on the part of the one who is considering the change, and at least a few dedicated souls are required to answer the myriad of questions that often accompany such a change in life, belief and value structure. In some cases, conversions can not only be traumatic for family and friends who try to understand the process with the intellect. Conversion can even mean the probability of estrangement from one's family members due to the extreme differences in value systems that result.

Take for example the journey of Magdi Allam, a Muslim who was baptised this past weekend during the liturgy of the Easter Vigil held in the Vatican. Mr. Allam is the deputy director of the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Serra and explained his conversion in a letter he addressed to the director of that same newspaper.

Originally from Egypt, Mr. Allam was one of seven people who were baptised by Benedict XVI during the Easter Vigil. In additon, these seve n also received the Eucharist for the first time on Saturday evening. In fact, the Holy Father spoke of the reality of baptism as the gift of a new identity during his homily at the Easter Vigil. This new identity is shared with all who are baptised, but may particulary be a propos for Mr. Allam who has faced persecution and even death threats from Muslim authorities in the past.

In the weeks following their baptism and reception into full communion with the Catholic Church, it is customary that neophyte Catholics are invited to participate in at least one encounter to discuss, explore and deepen their understanding of the mysteries they lived during the Easter Triduum. We refer to such meetings as part of the Mystagogia or 'unpacking' of the experience.

Alleluias all round

Happy Easter!

This is a day of great rejoicing. The drama that is fulfilled on this day actually began in an upper room where a man was gathered with his closest friends to share a meal. He did some pretty strange and confusing things like washing his friends' feet, and then he spoke about the fact that he was setting an example. Did he actually mean that he wanted his friends to literally wash each other's feet, or were his comments meant to be interpreted in a much wider fashion?

Just a few hours later, this man found himself back in his familiar surroundings. There were olive trees in that garden, and he knew them well. Was he comforted by their presence, even though he was in such mental and emotional agony? ... and then the soldiers came and the next chapter unfolded. By the time the sun rose, he was already well on the way to being convicted ... of what? ... we really don't know, but the strange part was that he was silent through most of this commotion.

Reports are that he walked to his own death. Were there crowds gathered around or was it just a few who gazed sympathetically on the situation? The soldiers apparently had to break the legs of the other two who were crucified with him, but he himself was already dead by the time they got to him. What a rush there must have been in those final hours before sunset. They had to take his body down, wrap it in the burial cloths and find a tomb, all before the Sabbath candles were lit at sunset! Whew!

And early this morning, there is breaking news that some women have been to the tomb and found the rock rolled back. They say that the body is missing, but that the burial cloths are all there. Why would the bandits have unwrapped him? ... and WHY would they have taken the time to fold the cloth that was over his face? Something strange has indeed occurred.

• Read or listen to more details about these strange occurences

Celebrating passion

Around the world today, Roman Catholics celebrated Good Friday. This is the day when we remember Jesus' suffering and death.

You may think that today should be a day of sadness and mourning, but it actually is a day of great hope. Father Raniero Cantalamessa for instance spoke of proclaiming glad tidings on Good Friday. Who is Father Cantalamessa? you may ask. Well, his title is Preacher of the Papal Household, so he gets to provide food for thought to the Holy Father and his staff. Imagine that!

Good Friday is a day that many remember from their earliest days of childhood. Whether it's the liturgy or some other custom that does the trick, this is always a day that makes us stop and think. Speaking of liturgy, we invited eight children to proclaim the traditional passion narrative in a not-so-traditional way this year, and all reports thus far are that it was a resounding success. There's something about hearing the passion read by children that makes adults sit up and take notice, and not just because their kids are doing the reading.

When all is said and done, the sacrifice of Christ which is remembered on this day gives us pause to consider the things and people we take for granted. At the heart of it all, the message proclaimed today is one of love. This message was proclaimed around the world today, from the voice of the Holy Father himself, to the gatherings in churches like ours.

Perhaps you too have experienced a new challenge to love lately. Want to share it with us, or with someone you love?

Lesser-known saints

Yesterday morning, I responded to a phone call from one of the local radio stations. Little did I realize that by the end of the day I would be taking part in a live radio broadcast (or at least part of one). The subject to be discussed was 'The Lesser-known Saints'.

The Roman Church observes Holy Week this week, so actually the normal routine of observing a series of feast days in honor of the various saints has been put on hold. In radio lingo, these celebrations have been pre-empted. If this was a normal week, we would have been celebrating the liturgical feasts of such well-known saints as Patrick, the apostle to Ireland (March 17) and Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus (March 19).

In addition, there are a series of lesser-known saints who also have their day in the sun during this week, including Saint Cyril of Jerusalem who is a Doctor of the Church and celebrated in the Eastern and Western Church alike. Then there's Saint Salvator of Horta, Blessed John of Parma, Saint Nicholas Owen and of course Saint Turibius of Mongrovejo, the Spanish-born professor of Law who ended up a bishop in Peru.

Even today, as the public seems to be negating the importance of organized religion in many ways, the lives of the Saints continue to provide inspiration. We all need heroes - people to look up to. These are people whose example helps us to continue striving for perfection (in whatever way we may choose to define it). The saints are examples of virtue. They help us to believe that despite our own weakness, God continues to do good things, and holiness is not just a pipe dream.

During his pontificate, John Paul II created more than 480 saints, and beatified thousands. It was his firm belief that we need these examples of commitment and faith to inspire us and to help us face the challenges of today with courage and commitment.

Image: Saint Cyril of Jerusalem

Conflict at the top of the world

This past week has seen a not-so-new drama unfolding at the top of the world. It was actually 57 years ago that the Chinese army invaded the country of Tibet, diposing its ruler, the Dalai Lama, and imposing the force that has characterized the system of governance in that country at least in the 'modern era'. Since that time, Tibetans have been in a constant struggle for the return of their freedom.

The Dalai Lama, a leader in exile has spent the past almost six decades traveling throughout the world, speaking with those who will listen about the ideals of peace and reconciliation. For the Tibetans in the diaspora, he continues to be a symbol of hope that one day their homeland will be restored. For the Chinese government, he is no doubt a constant reminder of the resiliance of people who don't easily relinquish that for which they have lived and worked, or that which they have inherited thanks to the dedication of their ancestors.

Only a few days after the historic meeting of Catholic Church leaders in Rome last week to discuss the implementation of the Holy Father's pastoral message to Catholics in China, the media began reporting that the Chinese authorities were once again clamping down on Tibetans who are resident in the annexed territory and the surrounding areas.

Reports about the violence in Tibet have been reaching western countries for the past week, and the fingers of blame are being pointed in all directions, and especially in the walls of the Vatican, the situation in Western China is being monitored closely. At the end of his public address during the weekly General Audience held today, Pope Benedict XVI issued a call for dialogue and tolerance in Tibet. "I follow with deep unrest the news that in these days is coming from Tibet. My fatherly heart feels sadness and sorrow at the suffering of so many people," he said.

In light of the fact that the upcoming Olympic Games are scheduled to take place this summer in Beijing, Chinese authorities announced today that they are ready and willing to establish dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Whether this meeting will take place remains yet to be determined. Regardless of whether or not they do, it is important that China appear at least to be eager about re-establishing peace before the Olympic flame, a long-standing sign of peace, is lit.

Green light for KofC founder

Father Michael McGivney, the founder of the fraternal organization known as the Knights of Columbus was declared venerable by His Holiness, Benedict XVI on Saturday. This clears the way for the American-born priest to be examined for possible 'elevation to the altar' as the saying goes. The Knights of Columbus are hoping that someday Father McGivney may be declared a Saint, but before this happens, he must be declared Blessed.

The process for canonization (the official procedure followed by the Church to declare someone a Saint) involves years of investigation, the compilation of documentation, testimony attesting to the fact that a given candiate lived an exemplary life, and even the possibility of miracles being performed thanks to the intercession of the potential high flyer him-herself.

Michael McGivney was born in 1852 in Connecticut (USA) to parents who were Irish immigrants. By the way, this is perhaps providential since today is the traditional Feast Day of Saint Patrick. The Church actually transferred the observance of Saint Patrick's Day to March 15 this year because today is Monday of Holy Week, but most traditional Irishmen (and women) may choose to celebrate today in any case.

Father McGivney was ordained in 1877 in Baltimore, Maryland and started the Knights of Columbus while he was assigned at his home parish of Saint Mary's in New Haven, CT. To this day, the headquarters of the Knights of Columbus is situated in New Haven, and Saint Mary's church still figures prominently in the spiritual history of the Order.

• Read more about the declaration concerning the Venerable Servant of God, Michael McGivney

What started out as a parish project to unite men of faith in the work of caring for widows and orphans has become a world-wide organization which prides itself on the promotion of charity, family values and defending the Catholic faith. The Knights of Columbus have one of the most successful insurance programs currently available to its members and their families.

More information about the Knights of Columbus or about the process for canonization of its founder can be found on the website of the KofC.

The week in review

Why is it that Christmas is always celebrated on the same day, but Easter changes dates every year? The answer admittedly takes a bit of time to understand.

The date for the celebration of Christmas varied during the first years of the existence of the Church. It was not until the fifth century that the date was fixed as December 25, but since that time, the Roman Church has always celebrated the Birth of Christ on that day.

As to the calculation for the Solemnity of Easter, that takes a bit more mental gymnastics. As with the calculation of Christmas Day, there was some dispute in the first years of the Church's existence as to the method to be used for the determination of Easter day, but it wasn't long before the entire Church agreed to follow the example set by the Coptics who first agreed that Easter should be celebrated on 'the first Sunday after the first fourteenth day of the moon that is on or after March 21'. In modern-day parlance, Easter is thus calculated as the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the Spring Equinox. Confused yet?

This year (2008), Easter falls on March 23. This is the second earliest day that it can possibly happen. In fact, this year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts:

• The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).


• The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!

All Christian faith traditions that follow this dating for the calculation of Easter Day will be busy in the coming days. Holy Week is one of the fullest weeks from a liturgical point of view that is possible, and the events that we read about and live during Holy Week are also at the heart of what we do as Christians.

As always, the text of my homily for this weekend is available on the parish website, and the podcast is also available for those who would rather listen to it. If you choose the second option, be aware that the scripture readings for this weekend are also part of the podcast, as they were recorded during one of the Masses celebrated at my parish this weekend.

Whereever you are this week, welcome the events of Holy Week as an invitation to grow in love, compassion and forgiveness ... and to celebrate these divine gifts given freely by One who loves you deeper than you can possibly imagine.

In praise of the pioneers

Among the often unsung heros today there are a group of women who were true pioneers. Arriving with the first human beings to see and discover our land, religious women such as Marguerite D'Youville were anything but quiet bystanders.

Credited with the foundation of some of the first schools for girls, and with the provision of health care - rudimentary though it was, Mother D'Youville and her band of sisters faced the same harsh weather, hostile welcome and difficult conditions that their male counterparts did. Yet, in the view of many historical accounts, while Jacques Cartier and others figure prominently, the true pioneers of basic services such as schools and health care often go unnoticed.

Even in modern-day these pioneers still live among us. The memory of Catholic priests in many of our schools is only a memory in the minds of those who have long-since completed the regimen of secondary school studies. How many hospitals and schools actually take time today to recognize that their history is owed to the presence, devotion and commitment of religious sisters? In the current-day culture which seems to be calling for amalgamation of resources particularly where hospitals are concerned, it's easy to see how the faith element of health care can be relegated to the shadows.

Enter the voice of Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, permanent observer of the Holy See to the Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions in Geneva. In a speech delivered yesterday, he urged the United Nations to recognize the key role that faith-based organizations play in health care, and to protect these groups' right to share in resources.

• read more about Archbishop Tomasi's comments on faith-based health care

News from down under

Speaking of something new for the celebration of World Youth Day, have you heard the latest from down under. There is more than a little excitement brewing in the Archdiocese of Sydney, and 'across the pond' in New Zealand.

The other day, I received an email from a friend who lives in Sydney. 'I noticed when we drove past St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney the other day there is a big sign there with 129 days until (the 23rd) WYD...' and the city seems to be all abuz about young people, faith and the wonderful things that happen when human hearts are moulded by the values of love, joy and forgiveness.

Take for example the initiative of the Archbishop of Sydney. His Grace personally participates in monthly meetings with youth ... held in pubs. He calls these gatherings Theology on Tap. They are frank conversations, challenging youth today to explore the issues of the day in the light of faith.

“Not everyone is called to be a politician, thanks be to God!” Cardinal Pell said recently amid knowing laughter from the youth. “But I would like to encourage you to each seriously think about participating in politics as we desperately need more good men, and especially women, in there.”

Three and a half hours by plane to the east of Australia lies the country of New Zealand. The kiwis (as New Zealanders refer to themselves) will participate in hosting Days in the Diocese in anticipation of the World Youth Day events scheduled to take place in Sydney. This is the first time in history that two countries are cooperating in hosting jointly the activities for a WYD encounter. Preparations for the local youth include a mini pilgrimage on the South Island of New Zealand and even web blogs to encourage faith sharing among the youth of that country.

Each time that World Youth Day takes place on an international level, there are many different things to prepare. Cardinals, bishops, priests and deacons who attend all receive themed vestments which are used for the celebration of Mass during the week. So far, 700 chasubles have been produced and more than 3,000 stoles are in production. They are an earthy red in colour, reflecting Australia's unique landscape, and bear indigenous images and the Southern Cross as reminders of the land down under.

• read more about the preparations taking place down under

Previous international gatherings of World Youth Days have taken place in Rome, Italy (1986); Buenos Aires, Argentina (1987); Santiago de Compostela, Spain (1989); Czestochowa, Poland (1991); Denver, USA (1993); Manila, Philippines (1995); Paris, France (1997); Rome, Italy (2000); Toronto, Canada (2002); and Cologne, Germany (2005).

The 23rd World Youth Day, an international gathering of youth who celebrate faith will take place in Sydney, Australia from July 15 to 20, 2008 .... 123 days to go!

Something new

Since the early years of the pontificate of John Paul II, gatherings of young people have taken place. Perhaps the most well known of these encounters is known as World Youth Days, a period of five days each two to three years when youth aged 18 to 35 years old are invited to gather in a designated place somewhere in the world. These international gatherings are actually chapter 2 in the story.

Chapter 1, the original meetings proposed by the Holy Father, are annual events meant to gather the youth of a particular diocese. John Paul began by inviting the youth of the Diocese of Rome (since the Pope is the Bishop of Rome) to a gathering which was held in St. Peter's Square. These annual gatherings are encouraged also in all dioceses throughout the world.

Pope Benedict XVI has continued the tradition of these annual gatherings which happen on Palm Sunday - this coming weekend, but this year he has asked for a slightly different twist to be added. According to an article published today by ZENIT, the Holy Father has expressed a desire for this traditional meeting with youth, which 'is a sort of party,' to be transformed into 'a real celebration, not only an external' one.

Today in Rome, the Holy Father is hosting a penitential liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica, in preparation for this weekend's celebration of World Youth Day. More than 20,000 young people have signed up for this event, a testament to the fact that at least in Rome.

Through this liturgy, the organizers hope to facilitate a meeting between the participants and God who is love. The Father's divine love is experienced perhaps most poignantly in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so what better way to invite youth to discover the tender mercy of the Lord!

• Read more about Benedict's invitation to celebrate

In a world where fewer and fewer people find relevance in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, perhaps this gathering will enflame the youth of Rome to discover the tender heart of the loving God who reaches out to all of us, offering us the gift of his forgiveness.

Not so fast

Earlier this week, some media sources reported that the Vatican had issued revisions to it's list of 'the seven deadly sins' and thus were providing more fodder for confessions.

• See Vatican puts new spin on the definition of sin, in the Globe and Mail (March 11, 2008)

In reality, the story is based on an interview conducted by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano with Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, regent of the tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican office that is responsible for matters pertaining to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, among others.

The issues discussed in this interview are personal reflections on the part of Bishop Girotti and not official edicts of the Apostolic Penitentiary. L'Osservatore asked him to comment on new forms of social sins in the age of globalization, and he offered a few suggestions of modern-day thinking as it might apply to the rhelm of one's personal responsibility for care of the earth.

• Check out the commentary on this issue published by the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales in the on-line magazine ZENIT (March 12, 2008)

Stewardship of creation seems to be all the rage these days. Even young children are being sensitized to the fact that if we don't take care of the earth, we will have to deal with the ravages of global warming and other major climate changes. From recycling to eco-friendly tourism, the trend is going green, so why should it be so surprising that some of the officials of the Church should be thinking along the same lines?

Perhaps as we prepare for the approaching celebrations of Holy Week and Easter, it might do us all good to consider how we conciously or unconciously contribute to the desensitization of human thought, especially as it pertains to issues such as the environment.

Considering the Church in China

This week, there are really important meetings going on in Vatican City. Yesterday, representatives from various dicasteries (administrative offices within the governance of the Church) along with some bishops and members of the religious communities of priests who are presently serving in China began their deliberations.

The impetus for this gathering was the Holy Father's message to Catholics in China, published last May.

For some time now, the Church has had a special interest in demonstrating the special care with which we care for the Catholics of China who have been all but lost in the overwhelming majority of non-Christian religions which are present there. In addition, practice of the Roman Catholic faith has happened thanks to the devotion of very few, despite the fact that many freedoms which are taken for granted in other parts of the world are absolutely denied.

This meeting in Rome demonstrates the continued interest in putting the words of His Holiness into practice. The process begins with examining the situation as it now is in that land, and then considering the implementation of the hopes and dreams voiced in the Pope's letter.

The press release issued by the Vatican Press Office yesterday says that 'This first meeting will examine the reactions to the Letter which the Holy Father sent to Chinese Catholics on 27 May 2007. The rich contents of the pontifical document will be analysed in-depth and, in the light thereof, the principal aspects of the life of the Church in China will be considered'.

China has one of the oldest recorded histories. It is also one of the few places where the message of Christ and his gospel has encountered the most obstacles, but the strange thing about the Catholic Church is that it seems to thrive in places where questions of faith are denied or repressed. Stay tuned for further developments ...

• a commentary on freedom for Chinese Catholics

Restoring life

The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace was established by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1969 as a means of providing tangible assistance to the people of God, especially outside the country.

Each year, Development and Peace calls the attention of Canadian Catholics to the plight of other Christians throughout the world. In addition, this organization is among the first to respond when disaster strikes. From the tsunami of Southwestern Asia to the earthquakes which have devastated parts of South America in recent years, the Church is there providing help for all those who find themselves facing these challenges.

Today is referred to as Solidarity Sunday, traditionally a time for all Catholics in Canada to remember the work of Development and Peace, and to be spiritually united with the actions adanced toward those who are most in need. To mark this day, special messages are issued by the president of the CCCB and by many other bishops in Canada.

My homily for this weekend, available in text or podcast format, is meant to educate about the Share Lent campaign and to prepare the hearer-reader for the upcoming Share Lent collection which traditionally takes place on Good Friday.

On the in-side

For many who worship according to other religious traditions, the Roman Catholic Church can sometimes appear to be full of secret codes and signs. Ask anyone from the Protestant traditions who has ever attended a Catholic funeral whether they truly understand how everyone around them knows when to sit, kneel, stand .... all without any verbal announcement being made.

Finally, here are some of the so-called 'secrets' of the Catholic Church. Believe it or not, some of the long-time Roman Catholics may not understand these either, but instead of publishing an entire dictionary of Catholic understandings, how's this for a kind of 'Coles Notes' version?

The list was published last week by a Canadian church periodical known as The New Catholic Times. They have just recently introduced an on-line version of their long-standing publication. Thanks to our friends for the work they have done to assemble these references for us.

When east meets west

History is in the making.

During the first millenium of Chiristianity, thinigs were going rather well, but in 1066 there occurred what is referred to as the great schism. Since that time, the Church of the East (known also as the Oriental Church) and the Church of the West (referred to by most as the Roman Church) have been separated.

While the Western Church recognizes the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, meaning he is seen as the head of the Church, the Eastern Church (those we refer to as the Orthodox) do not. Instead their leader is the Patriarch of Constantinople.

For almost a millenium, the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Bishop of Rome (who by the way once also held the title Patriarch of the West), weren't on speaking terms. Only during the pontificate of John Paul II did the ice seem to melt a bit, and the two finally met face to face. Since that time, discussion has taken place from time to time between the two, thanks to lots of politics which is no doubt going on in the back rooms of the respective Churches.

Yesterday, the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople met with Benedict XVI in the Vatican. This is the third such meeting during the current pope's pontificate. Discussions such as these are encouraging signs of promise that some day there might be hope of reunification. How long this process will take is still unknown, but little by little, steps are being taken. Like most negotiations, this is a fragile process and must be handled with care. The possibilities are encouraging but there is still a long road ahead.

• Read more about the meeting of Pope Benedict XVI and the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople

Six years a saint

It seems like only the other day, but six years have already gone by since Padre Pio, the beloved Capuchin friar from Pietreclina was declared a saint. Padre Pio as he is known among the millions of pilgrims who have visited his burial site at San Giovani Rotondo (Italy), was baptised with the name Francesco Forgione.

Born in 1887, he joined the Capuhin Friary in his hometown of Pietroclina and became famous thoroughout Italy as a beloved confessor and preacher. For many years, he also bore stigmata, the wounds of Christ's crucifixion on his hands and feet.

He died September 23, 1968. Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1999 and canonized him in 2002. According to a long-standing tradition in the Church, the bodies of saints can be exhumed and then prepared for public viewing. Work to exhume the saint's body began this past Sunday and has now been completed. In the coming weeks, it will be prepared for public viewing and then displayed in the church of San Giovani Rotondo where pilgrims will be able to pray in his presence.

• Read more about the exhumation of Padre Pio's mortal remains

Other saints whose bodies have been exhumed and are available for public viewing include Saint Theresa of Lisieux whose body is preserved in a glass coffin in the Carmel of Lisieux (France) and the bodies of several popes, including Saint Pius X and Blessed John XXIII whose bodies are found in the Vatican basilica.

On the move again

Freshly returned from his visit to Cuba just a few weeks ago, the Vatican Secretary of State departed yesterday for a short visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
There has certainly been at least a smattering of worry about the safety of such a move and indeed the Vatican did postpone the visit for two days due to the current unrest in Armenia. However the work of the Holy See's envoys continues especially in places where there is unrest.

Elections held in Armenia on February 19 of this year have provided an opportunity for protesters and police to clash on at least one occasion, establishing an atmosphere of inistability which might prove not the least unsettling for foreign visitors, muchless for dignitaries who are visiting at the invitation of the government and-or the Church. In fact, the Armenian government even declared a 20-day state of emergency.

Cardinal Bertone is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan tomorrow, where he will meet with Muslim leaders and other religious superiors, expressing the desire of the Roman Catholic Church to promoting peace, agreement among people and the good of all. He will then attend the dedication of a new Roman Catholic church which has been built on land previously donated by the father of the current Azerbaijani head of state.

• Statement on meeting of Armenian Patriarch and Cardinal Bertone

Taunting tradition

There's discussion going on in various circles about some long-standing traditions and the wisdom behind them. For instance, the practice of priestly celibacy in the Western Church (read the Roman Catholic Church) has been a constant practice since the middle-ages. The reasons for this depend on the sources you consult, but the reality is that although the wisdom of celibacy as a requirement for priesthood has been questioned, it remains in effect and there doesn't seem to be any indication that it will change in the near future.

The present Holy Father, Benedict XVI reaffirmed this practice in his Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, number 24. His confirmation reads, 'In continuity with the great ecclesial tradition ... (priestly celibacy) ... 'remains obligatory in the Latin tradition.' In so doing, he has continued the teaching that has been affirmed by his predecessors for the past 1300 years.

The recent change in leadership of the German Bishops Conference, the administrative body which unites the voices of the bishops of that country has introduced a newcomer to the post of President of that body. His Excellency, Robert Zollitsch, Archbishop of Freiburg, was elected on February 12, 2008, and has already voiced his opinion that celibacy as a discipline for priests should not be an unquestioned discipline. On February 29 of this year, the newly re-organized Catholic New Times - Sensus Fidelium, an online version of the now defunct print media, published an editorial about Archbishop Zollitsch's comments.

In contrast to his predecessor, Cardinal Lehmann, who held the position of President of the German Bishops Conference for the past number of years, the Archbishop of Freiburg weighs in on the more progressive side of the argument. Knowing that the Church is usually very slow to make any changes, especially of this magnitude, the debate may well rage on for quite some time yet.

Rejoice in the light

Springtime is fast approaching in the Northern Hemisphere. The daylight hours continue to lengthen in a slow but steady procession that heralds the sure arrival of new life. It is fitting then that we should hear an invitation today to emerge from darkness and rejoice in new light.

There are many darknesses and blindnesses in our world. Even in a society where we have everything we could possibly want for, many around us are still suffering and wanting for much. Are we blind to this desire? Does our blindness show itself in our lack of ability or desire at times to make a difference?

Perhaps this week, we should dare to make a difference among the members of our families, or among the people we work with. Perhaps we can make a difference in the life of a friend, or perhaps we can reach out to uncharted territory and find a total stranger who asks for our help. In small and not so small ways, there are untold numbers of ways that we can bring light to our world, one person at a time.

As always, the text of my homily for this week is available on our parish website, and the podcast of this homily is also posted for those who prefer to listen to a live version. Dare to enlighten someone's life this week ... Jesus asks us all to do the same.

(Photo by Andy Stevens, Wawa, ON)

When the earth trembles

There are threats of schism around. For the past couple of years, faith commuities in Canada have tried to respond in various ways to the question of what some would call same-sex unions. While the Roman Catholic Church has maintained its stand against blessing such unions, other Christian denominations such as the United Church of Canada and the Anglican Church in Canada have responded favorably to this newly minted possibility ... but not all of them.

According to a special report published on the website of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, ten Anglican congregations in Canada renounced their connection to the Anglican communion in Canada and have chosen instead to operate under the leadership of Anglican Archbishop Gregory Venables.

The movement that is afoot within the Anglican communion shows that the question of same-sex unions and our openness to recognize them is indeed a thorny issue. Some may say that the apparent silence on the part of the Roman Church in this regard represents disagreement, but history has shown that the Roman Church is very slow to make difinitive judgements. Although there has been a fair amount of publicity over this issue in the past number of years, I believe that the issue is not going away. Whether the Roman Church will be seen to be wise for its hesitation or be left 'in the dust' as the common coloquialism goes, remains to be seen.

(Image: Archbishop Gregory Venables, originally printed in Saint Luke Wordpress)