Deacon Dan Wright

Mere Vandalism, Hate Crime, or Persecution?

Police said they will decide by Wednesday whether to press charges against three Mormon missionaries who allegedly vandalized a Catholic shrine in the San Luis Valley.

One of the missionaries working in southern Colorado was dismissed and sent home to Idaho last weekend. The missionaries were seen in photos - apparently taken in August 2006 - at the Shrine of the Mexican Martyrs at the Chapel of All Saints, across the street from Sangre de Cristo parish in San Luis.

The five photos, posted on Photobucket.com and now removed, include images of one missionary holding a head broken off a statue with the caption "Hannemann broke the head off a saint," said Alonzo Payne, a parishioner and spokesman for Sangre de Cristo, which paid for the shrine.

Another photo shows a missionary apparently preaching from the Book of Mormon at the altar inside the chapel, and a third shows a missionary pretending to sacrifice another.

The parish council voted Sunday to refer the incident to the Costilla County Sheriff's Office, Payne said.

Source

I know that I'm only getting part of the story here, but why do the police have to wait until Wednesday to decide whether or not to press charges?  Clearly a crime has been committed, and perhaps in other circumstances such behavior might even receive the label of being a hate crime.

I will allow that Mormon missionaries--though not all--are young, and certainly as such they are capable of acting on impulse and showing poor judgment.  Interestingly, I've noticed that these young proselytizing missionaries are referred to as "elders."  Certainly the expectation for an elder would not be to create havoc in a community where they are a guest.

However, I think there is more going on than simple youthful mischief.  When a member of a faith somehow misses the importance of respecting the holy places of other religions, we have have to question what exactly they are being taught about other faiths.

I recall years ago having a Protestant minister tell me that his idea of celebrating Good Friday was filling up on pork and going out with a hammer to smash idols.  I really doubt that he was serious, but we need to be aware.  Our times are filled with hatred for the Church, and whether intended or not such acts are in essence a form of persecution. 

Indeed a crime has been committed, one that transcends mere criminal mischief or even the likes of a hate crime.  In acts of persecution against the Church the true crime is committed against Christ.

Baptist Climate Change

I wonder if this means they're preaching "hot hell" again?

(CNN) -- Several prominent leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention said Monday that Baptists have a moral responsibility to combat climate change -- a major shift within a denomination that just last year cast doubt on human responsibility for global warming.

Forty-six influential members of the Southern Baptist Convention, including three of its last four presidents, criticized their denomination in a statement Monday for being "too timid" in confronting global warming.

"Our cautious response to these issues in the face of mounting evidence may be seen by the world as uncaring, reckless and ill-informed," the statement says. "We can do better."

The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, adopted a resolution last year urging Baptists to "proceed cautiously in the human-induced global warming debate in light of conflicting scientific research." The resolution said "many scientists reject the idea of catastrophic human-induced global warming."

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I've heard several different positions on where Catholics stand on this, which I will explore later.  Today I'm taking a short "spring break."  I'll be back tomorrow with more news and reflections.

Free to Worship Without Fear?

I didn't intend to include the story below as a comment on my previous post, though it's hard not to make some comparisons, and to draw conclusions.  The truth is that in our times Christians--especially Catholics--stand a better chance for persecution than in a long time.

BARTELLA, Iraq - The bullets lay on the desk amid Bibles and rosaries. They're for two pistols owned by Father Ayman Danna.

"The only solution left for our people is to bear arms. We either live or die. We must be strong," says the Syriac Catholic priest at the Church of Saint George in Bartella, a northern Iraqi town in a swath of fertile land called the Nineveh Plain that now has the largest concentration of a dwindling Christian community.

The Christians who fled sectarian persecution that followed the US invasion in 2003 are now battling to hold onto one of their final refuges. They are increasingly besieged by Sunni Arab militants on one side and by Kurdish ultranationalists on the other – both of whom have different agendas for the area.

In a sign of how grim the situation has become, Paulos Faraj Rahho, archbishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church in nearby Mosul, was kidnapped last Friday and three of his companions were killed.

On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said everything must be done to secure Archbishop Rahho's release, days after Pope Benedict XVI described his abduction as "abominable." Sources in the Nineveh Plain say the kidnappers are asking for $1 million in exchange for Rahho's release.

Rahho is among nearly a dozen priests who have been kidnapped in Mosul since 2003. Many more ordinary Christians have been abducted. In most cases, a ransom was paid to free the priests, the sources say. Three priests were assassinated.

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Of course it would be wrong to blame Islam itself for persecution and violence against Christians.  However, the problem of violence carried out in the name of Islam is real.  Also, "murderers dressed as Muslims" are not the only source of persecution.  Any hatred or bigotry carried out against the Church is also a form of persecution, and left to itself, left to grow unchecked and without rebuke, it will grow into violence.  Such is simply the nature of ignorance and hatred--and these present us with an even better cause for dialogue.

More on Mecca Meets Rome

VATICAN CITY (AFP) — Pope Benedict XVI gave his approval Wednesday to the creation of a permanent Catholic-Muslim interfaith forum that will hold it inaugural meeting this November in Rome, the Vatican said.

The initiative was sparked by the pope's own controversial speech at a German university in 2006, where he appeared to link Islam with violence.

The dispute inspired by his remarks led last year to 138 leading Muslim scholars calling for a dialogue with the leader of the Roman Catholic church, and eventually to today's accord.

The first summit of the "Catholic-Muslim forum" will be on November 4-6 in Rome, on the theme of "the love of God, love of neighbour," according to a joint statement issued after the meeting between the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and a delegation of the so-called Group of 138.

November's meeting will be attended personally by the pope, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran confirmed in a statement. The Muslim side will be represented Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad, president of Britain's Muslim Academic Trust.

A second follow-up conference has already been scheduled for 2010, to be held in a Muslim country, Ali Aref Nayed, director of the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman, said.

The structure put in place Wednesday could also be activated in case of a crisis such as the global uproar that followed the publication of cartoons of Mohammed in 2006, according to Nayed.

Nayed told a press conference in Rome he was delighted with the "incredibly positive response" to the Group of 138's call for dialogue, which had already led to a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury amongst others.

The goal is to "return to the roots of the faith and what we have in common" -- far from the image of violence too often attached to Islam, Nayed said.

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I wanted to include this story as a follow up to a post that I did last month--on February 21--to comment on a similar story.  By now it's been pushed to page two below. 

While what may come forth from official dialogue with Islam is intriguing, it'll be disappointing if all we end up hearing is how important mutual respect is for peaceful coexistence.  We don't need a pontifical council to tell us what is obvious--actually, the mutual respect line might even be viewed as lacking substance or even soft on real issues if it fails to go much beyond that. 

Nevertheless, arriving at a place of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence is an important starting place.  It's also obvious that there are places in the world where respect and coexistence would receive a great welcome.   

In terms of dialogue, what will be much more important--and interesting--is if the dialogue explores the theological underpinnings of both Islam and Christianity and addresses the problem of violence committed in the name of religion.  Honest and straightforward dialogue stands only to strengthen Catholic commitment to evangelization, and it will certainly send a highly publicized message to the world in regard to the Church's position concerning the truths of the faith and our resolve to peacemaking in the world. 

On Sacred Art

I've seen plenty of good sacred art in a lot of places, and I've been places that have left me feeling empty.  After my visit last week at the Hindu temple, I felt a little inspired to show what we have at home.  For years I've been blessed to watch the art at my own parish grow, change, and sometimes be moved around here and there.  Not that it has a life of its own, but sometimes we get a better idea of where to display it.

Because of the often stark representation, I feel that much of the art and architecture at my parish was born with Lent in mind.  I'm including just a few photos on this post, but in the future I may add more to others.

There was a time in my life, in the past, which seems like another world now, in which art and architecture meant everything to me.  As a younger man I spent a great deal of time painting before I found in myself an equally strong desire to capture images in photography. Although for many years the time and the desire to produce art faded.  However, as I mature I do find it resurfacing.  Art was always a big part of my worship life--both visual art and music.

In fact it was the art of the local parish--wherever I might have been at the time--and of the liturgy that were the big attractions for where I wanted to worship, and thus to some degree to my becoming Catholic also.  However, at first I didn't find many Catholic parishes that were necessarily designed with beauty in mind.  Rather some of my first experiences of the Church made it clear to me that things were made on a budget, and that beauty wasn't important.  Sure, it's okay to be in a temporary building that is less than attractive, but after 20 years the building is no longer temporary. 

Prior to converting, my exposure to visual sacred art was limited.  After all, evangelicalism prides itself in what one might call an iconoclast revival.  Nevertheless, I was keen on what those buildings looked like too.  I had Pentecostal pastor warn me that outward beauty is sure to fade and reminded me that the tabernacle in the wilderness was--in his opinion--not a good looking thing to behold.  He also said that the tabernacle in the wilderness served as a good analogy for the Pentecostal dress code.

Probably the greatest damage we as a people of faith can do to ourselves is to neglect sacred art, or to cut corners when it comes to the expressing ourselves spiritually in the created order. For me it doesn't matter so much whether it's a highly traditional expression of sacred art or a more contemporary expression, as is evident in my parish.  The most important thing is to find the medium that reflects the beauty of worship and shows the hand of God in it.

McCain, Hagee, and "the Apostate Church"

SEDONA, Ariz. (AP) — Endorsed by an influential Texas televangelist, Republican John McCain endeared himself to one group of voters but risked alienating another with the pastor's anti-Catholic views.

The controversy has been mild so far, but still, every vote counts in a presidential election that is expected to be closely contested.

Evangelical or born-again Christian voters were key to George W. Bush's victories, but so were Roman Catholics, who chose Bush over their fellow Catholic John Kerry in 2004 and over Al Gore in 2000.

The televangelist, San Antonio megachurch leader John Hagee, has referred to the Roman Catholic Church as "the great whore" and called it a "false cult system" and "the apostate church"; the word "apostate" means someone who has forsaken his religion.

He also has linked Adolf Hitler to the Catholic church, suggesting it helped shape his anti-Semitism.

McCain said he does not agree with some of Hagee's past comments. "It's simply not accurate to say that because someone endorses me that I therefore embrace their views," McCain told reporters at a news conference Monday in Phoenix.

Catholic groups are pressuring McCain to go further and reject the endorsement, which he announced at a news conference with Hagee last week. The Democratic National Committee also is publicizing Hagee's views.

"Indeed, for the past few decades, he has waged an unrelenting war against the Catholic Church," said Catholic League President Bill Donohue.

"Senator Obama has repudiated the endorsement of Louis Farrakhan, another bigot," Donohue said. "McCain should follow suit and retract his embrace of Hagee."

He was referring to Barack Obama, who said he would "reject and denounce" any help from Farrakhan when pressed in last week's Democratic presidential debate.

It remains to be seen how much Hagee's views may hurt McCain's standing among Catholics, a group that can hardly be considered monolithic. Though they lean Republican, their views span the political spectrum and split nearly evenly along party lines.

Despite the recent publicity, Hagee is not well-known outside his sphere of influence, which includes a congregation in the tens of thousands and an even wider television audience.

"What he holds about Catholicism in my mind is despicable," said the Rev. James Heft, religion professor at the University of Southern California. "I totally reject Hagee's view of Catholicism, but I don't know how widely known it is."

If Hagee's views become well-known, the endorsement could hurt McCain among some Catholics.

"If you offend even a small percentage, that could make the difference in an election," Donohue said in an interview Sunday.

Democrats are doing their best to keep the fracas alive, with Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean raising it Sunday on CNN's "Late Edition."

"What about a guy who is a vicious anti-Catholic, who is supporting John McCain, and John McCain does not denounce or reject him?" Dean said.

So far, McCain has enjoyed strong support from Catholics, who make up about a quarter of the electorate.

Continue reading

When I commented last week on the Hagee endorsement of McCain, I was unaware of Hagee's being a religious bigot when it comes to the Catholic Church.  I simply trusted my gut feeling in the comments I made.

While in my part of the world John Hagee is perhaps better known, being based in nearby San Antonio, I doubt that his views on Catholicism have thus far been all that widespread.  However, I have often found such extremism--and even hatred--in regard to the Catholic Church to be a common view among certain so-called evangelical groups.  It only surprises me a little to find out that Hagee has such views.

However, keep in mind that Hagee is the fellow of whom McCain said that he is "very proud" to have his support.  Emphatically I believe that the thing for McCain to do is to rescind his acceptance of Hagee's support.

The evangelicalism that I recall of my pre-Catholic youth did not include such narrow-minded ignorance, though I do recall it among some groups.  I was quick to disassociate myself with what didn't feel right, and for me the rejection and hatred of Catholicism never felt right.  Moreover, I rejoice that I came to embrace the faith. 

Our Catholic understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ should make something clear: those who reject the Church also reject the lordship--and perhaps even the person--of Jesus Christ.  Indeed John McCain should take note of what Catholic groups are saying in regard to his continued acceptance of Hagee's support.   

Sunday Homily: The Balm of Salvation

In our readings today we are given strong contrasting images: darkness and light, sight and blindness, sin and sanctity. I am reminded some of Advent, which wasn't all that long ago. Yet as the opening prayer proclaims, "Easter hastens." The scripture invites us to reflect on contrasting ways of life, and to consider that God gives us a true season of grace in which the Holy Spirit may transform our lives actually to contrast other possible ways of living or being. The scripture today serves to call us forth into the light and vision of a new life.

There are many ways that today's gospel would be the perfect gospel to read for a baptism. It presents us the opportunity to reflect upon and consider the grace we receive in the sacrament—whether it's the upcoming baptism of the catechumens at Easter or perhaps the baptism of a new member of the family. We also may recall and reflect upon the meaning of our own baptism.

Essentially, the scripture invites us to reflect upon the ways of salvation, and for some it may be offering the invitation to partake in the goodness and grace of God for the first time.

In a true way, we are like the man born blind in the gospel story. He stands for each and every person who comes into this world. Although we arrive in this world innocent of personal sin, we nevertheless arrive with the need to be made new in our humanity—we arrive with a certain inherited blindness. It's common to all of us that from the moment of our birth we are ready to be sent to the pool of baptism. Yet, like the man of today's gospel, we are able to stand near the Lord of newness and receive his good favor. A key phrase to our understanding is "not as man sees does God see."

It may be that we are accustomed to thinking of Lent as a season of penance, as a time to do without something, a time to discipline ourselves. Certainly, all of this is true. Lent is indeed a time for repentance, and a time for self-denial and discipline, but it may be that we do ourselves something of a disservice if we fail to see Lent as a season of grace, as a time to receive the Lord's merciful healing and renewal.

Lent is a season of salvation. It is a time for putting away old things and putting on newness—if I were a Pentecostal or Evangelical I might call it a time of revival, and there is a certain truth in this way of thinking. The season of Lent speaks to us of the journey of salvation—of being set free from sin. Interestingly our readings today include the image of anointing, which of course is strongly symbolic in the Catholic rite of baptism. In the first reading Samuel poured his horn of oil over David before the witness of his kinsmen and the scripture tells us that "from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David."

We also share in the anointing, and our hope too is that the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon us; that is, we are to look for the visible signs of the presence of God in our lives. Coming to right relationship with God, as well as coming to right relationship with one another—with spouses, children, siblings, and parents—is brought about by following the way of Jesus. We've all probably heard something like that before, but maybe we didn't reflect on what following truly implies. Indeed it does imply healing in our relationships, and this is one of the things that make our faith attractive.

There was something in the gospel today that helped me to understand a little better. The man born blind went to the Pharisees and upon interrogation he told them that Jesus had made clay and anointed his eyes. Coming to the newness of life in baptism demands first that we follow Jesus to being covered with the earth. The healing that we desire in our lives and in our families, in our everyday existence—in facing our jobs, our tasks and responsibilities—comes to us when we learn to follow. We learn, not simply to put up with life, but to rejoice in its newness though the process itself involves letting go.

Our Lenten journey—following Jesus—inevitably takes us to Good Friday. To be washed, to be cleaned, and to be saved we must also be anointed with the earth, as Jesus was also anointed. He had the power to anoint with earth because was to be anointed with earth in his death. The holy balm is made ready for us. Whether by saliva or the tears of Gethsemane, in the Pool of Siloam or at the font of baptism, following Jesus to his death necessitates resurrection; thus, it also necessitates our anointing and our cleansing.

Like the man born blind, we come to believe—it is faith that saves us ultimately—and we must say, just as the man told Jesus, "I do believe Lord." The gospel today is perhaps one of the most important readings to us as Christians because it speaks to us of our salvation. Indeed we must identify with the man born blind because allegorically he is exactly who we are.