Salt + Light Blog

Earlier this year, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged priests to become familiar with new media as a possible tool for evangelization. In light of this, the United States Conference of Bishops have released guidelines for church-personnel on how to use social media-such as blogs and Facebook pages- as part of ministry.

The document said that social communications can offer three principle opportunities and challenges to the the Church and to the world at large:

• Visibility
• Community and
• Accountability

Furthermore, the USCCB said social media can offer increased visibility, a tool to strengthen the community and accountability. Among other things, Church groups are instructed to define boundaries of appropriate communication for their site, include a code of conduct on the site, and provide instruction to users on how to report inappropriate material and block offensive users. When providing links to other website church groups are instructed to provide links to trusted website and be familiar with what is on those sites.

For the full list of guidelines visit www.usccb.org/comm and click on diocesan resources.

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Alicia Ambrosio| Print This Post |

The biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, home to Abraham’s nephew, Lot, were full of sin.  Israelite tradition was unanimous in ascribing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to the wickedness of these cities, but tradition varied in regard to the nature of this wickedness. In many earlier interpretations, the sin of Sodom was homosexuality [Genesis 19:4-5], also known as sodomy; but according to Isaiah [1:9-10; 3:9], it was a lack of social justice.  Ezekiel [16:46-51] described it as a disregard for the poor, whereas Jeremiah [23:14] saw it as general immorality.  Further studies have revealed that the sin of Sodom was the grievous sin of inhospitality in the biblical world – an assault on weak and helpless visitors who, according to justice and tradition ought to have been protected from danger [Ezekiel 16:49].

Biblical bargaining session

Today’s first reading from Genesis [18:20-32] presents the famous bargaining session between God and Abraham over the destruction of the two cities.  When Abraham heard that God was going to judge the cities where his nephew lived, he began with a general question: Will you destroy the innocent along with the guilty [v 23]?   Abraham appeals to God’s better nature, as one does when one is trying to persuade a powerful person to do the right thing!

God starts at fifty, if there are fifty righteous men, Sodom will not be destroyed, and Abraham gradually brings God down to ten. A subtle difference emerges in the way God speaks of the matter: God says that if a certain number of righteous persons are found in the city, God will not destroy it [vv 28-32]. But the first time God speaks, after Abraham has rested his case on the basis of the righteous fifty, God does not say, “I will not destroy it,” but that “I will spare the whole place for their sake.” [v 26].

This intriguing story of Abraham interceding for Sodom is not really about a numbers game but about the significance of salvation for the righteous in a corrupt community.  Abraham’s fervent intercession points to the central theme of biblical faith: the steadfast love of God that refuses to be frustrated even in the context of immoral societies and cultures and sinful people.  Christian theology teaches us that humanity is saved by the life of one righteous person!

Elements of good negotiation

What are the essential elements of good negotiation?  First, demand or request must be clearly articulated and understood. Second, the logic behind the demand or request must be presented and agreed upon. Third, the person requesting or demanding must persist in the negotiation. What are ultimately required are clarity, logic and persistence.  We cannot give up!

Read more…

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Father Thomas Rosica| Print This Post |

Antiques Roadshow is one of my guilty television pleasures.

I find it fascinating how people can have priceless objects just sitting around their homes for years that get passed down through the generations or that they pick up at the odd yard sale for $20.  (Sometimes I even venture down into my basement to see if maybe I have a Ming Vase lying around.)

Antiques Roadshow would have a field day with what the Jesuits of Rome may have had under their noses for hundreds of years.

On the front page of the Vatican Newspaper L’Osservatore Romano is a story about a painting owned by the Jesuits. The headline reads “The New Caravaggio?”

The painting is speculated to have been painted by the Italian Baroque artist who is commonly referred to as il Maestro.  The painting is known as the Martyrdom of San Lorenzo. It depicts a semi-naked man with his mouth open and arms outstretched in desperation as he lies over flames.

The Vatican Newspaper says the painting is undergoing analysis to determine if it was in fact painted by Caravaggio.

It would be a significant discovery if it is indeed proven to be authentic. Celebrations are taking place in Rome to mark the 400th anniversary of the artist’s death. Thousands of people have visited exhibitions of his work throughout the city. Churches with Caravaggio works even stayed open through the night last weekend to allow visitors a chance to see some of art history’s most important masterpieces.

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Alessia Domanico| Print This Post |

A few of Salt+Light’s team celebrated Mass in a different way this Sunday: at the Honda Indy Races. The Indy took place this past weekend at Exhibition Place in Toronto. We were the guests of Father Phil De Rea, MSC, Catholic Chaplain of the Indy Racing League Ministry (IRL).

Father Phil has been a  close friend of the Andrettis, the famous racing family dynasty, for over 50 years — he was a childhood friend to Mario Andretti!  He would visit the race track to celebrate Mass for the Andretti family and over the years, they suggested that he travel with the Indy circuit to celebrate Mass for others at the racetrack.

So began Father Phil’s involvement with the IRL (his work is even under the jurisdiction of the Pontifical Council for People on the Move, or Migrant and Itinerant People!). He along with Bob Hills, the Director and Protestant Chaplain for the IRL Ministry travel religiously with the Indy circuit, literally. It is a wonderful practice of Ecumenism that involves everyone on the circuit, no matter their religious denomination.

I was so impressed with their dedication to their ministry and to the members of the Indy Racing League. It was a privilege to be able to get an insider’s look at how this group comes together on Sunday before the race to be with one another in the presence of God before they immerse themselves into a very tiring and action-packed day of loud cars and screaming fans.

The IRL is one big family traveling throughout the world. It was very humbling to be able to share in their Sunday Mass. We were lucky enough to get an interview with Brazilian racecar driver, Helio Castroneves who ranks 5th in the 2010 Indy racing standards. He spoke about his faith as a Catholic and how much Father Phil’s presence means to him. He never misses a Mass at the races and is happy to have the chance to celebrate his faith before he races.

The IRL Ministry does more than celebrate Mass on Sunday, they are a constant source of spiritual guidance and support for the memebers of the IRL. Fr. Phil has baptised many babies and performed a number of marriages too.

Watch Perspectives, the Daily Edition, tonight with Matthew Harrison to see all of the Indy action Salt + Light took part in on Sunday.

That’s @ 7:00pm and 11:00pm ET or 8:00pm PT.

Read more about Father Phil DeRea HERE.

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Alessia Domanico| Print This Post |

A struggling global economy has contributed to a budget shortfall at the Vatican for the third year in a row. Catholic News Service’s Carol Glatz and John Thavis make sense of the dollars, in this week’s Vatican Report.

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Matthew Harrison| Print This Post |

As you’ve probably read in the last 24 hours, the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith has released new norms concerning serious crimes — which covers such topics as clerical abuse, pornography, discipline, and the Sacraments of Penance, the Eucharist and Holy Orders.

Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, offered an explanatory note on the new norms:

In 2001 the Holy Father John Paul II promulgated a very important document, the Motu Proprio “Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela”, which gave the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith responsibility to deal with and judge a series of particularly serious crimes within the ambit of canon law. This responsibility had previously been attributed also to other dicasteries, or was not completely clear.

Continue reading

For more information on the modifications made in the Normae de gravioribus delictis, including an introduction by the prefect of the congregation, Cardinal Levada, and the actual norms, visit the Vatican website HERE.

You can find similar resources on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website HERE too.

Catholic News Service’s Rome bureau offers this report on the modifications as well:

Vatican says new norms will strengthen efforts against abusive priests
By John Thavis

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican has revised its procedures for handling priestly sex abuse cases, streamlining disciplinary measures, extending the statute of limitations and defining child pornography as an act of sexual abuse of a minor.

Vatican officials said the changes allow the church to deal with such abuse more rapidly and effectively, often through dismissal of the offending cleric from the priesthood.

Continue reading

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CNS photo/Paul Haring

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Matthew Harrison| Print This Post |

Ninety three years ago today the body of Tom Thomson was recovered from Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park.

The death of one of Canada’s most beloved painters is shrouded in mystery.  The official word was that it was an accidental drowning.  An experienced park guide and canoeist, many scoff at that ruling.  They suggest murder over a love interest, or over an unpaid loan.  Others even say he committed suicide.

I remember as a kid being fascinated by all this.  I learned about the ‘mystery’ when visiting Algonquin Park in the summer, and would buy any and all books related to Thomson to learn more about this Canadian icon.

This of course led to a love of his artwork.  Often mentioned in the same breath as the Canadian landscape painters the Group of Seven, Thomson died before the group officially came together, but was friends with a number of the members.  His paintings were instrumental in establishing an identity for Canadian art and even for Canada.

I am always amazed by the way he unearthed beauty in scenes that are so familiar; a forest, a lone tree, a river.  He turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

This is the great gift artists give to us.  Their ability to highlight the simple beauty of everyday life — and of course for us as Catholics, we see the reflection of God in this beauty.

This is an important aspect in the thought of the great Church Doctor St. Bonaventure, whose feast day we celebrate today.  Last September, when visiting Bagnoreggio, the birthplace of the Franciscan saint, Pope Benedict said:

St. Bonaventure presents a positive vision of the world, gift of God’s love to men: He recognizes in it the reflection of the highest Goodness and Beauty that, following St. Augustine and St. Francis, assures us that it is God himself. God has given it all to us. From him, as original source, flow truth, goodness and beauty. … How useful it would be if also today we rediscovered the beauty and value of creation in the light of divine goodness and beauty!

In Thomson’s bold colours, in his blustery brush strokes that capture our rugged Canadian landscape, I see more than just a snapshot of a hidden lake in northern Ontario, but a portrait of Goodness and Beauty, a portrait of God.

The circumstances surrounding Thomson’s disappearance remain a mystery.

But his legacy continues to offer us an opportunity to reflect on an even greater Mystery.

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Portrait Credit: Library and Archives Canada / PA-121719

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Matthew Harrison| Print This Post |

What does it mean to be hospitable?  Biblical stories extol hospitality as both a duty and a work of mercy.  The desert ‘Bedouin’ hospitality is a necessity for survival; and since this necessity falls upon all alike, any guest is entitled to hospitality from any host.  The guest, once accepted by the host, is sacred, and must be protected from any danger even at the cost of the life of members of the family.

The good host makes a feast for his guest as is never prepared for his own family.  The duty of the host to protect the guest is illustrated by the stories of Lot at Sodom [Genesis 19:1,8] and the man of Gibeah [Judges 19:16-24].  Job boasts of hospitality [Job 31:23].  God is certainly the generous host [Psalms 15:1; 23:5].

Many stories from the Books of Kings speak of hospitality.  Each of the four stories of chapter 4 describes in some way the power of God, through the prophet Elisha, breaking into hopeless situations and shattering them with a word of life.  One of those stories is about a couple from the village of Shunem [just over the hill from the New Testament village of Nain in northern Israel] who provide food and lodging for the prophet Elisha; he in turn promises them a son, even though they had been married for a long time and remained childless.

The couple cares for a stranger who had impressed them by his dedication to God, prayer and social concerns.  What the couple does seems quite simple at first– after all, they seem to be influential people.  Nonetheless, they interrupt their ordinary activities and private lives to care for Elisha, first with food at their table, then with overnight accommodations.  And in their giving to him, they received so much more in return– the promise of new life, despite the bitter years of barrenness.  Their own gift to Elisha was magnified beyond their comprehension.

Abraham and Sarah welcome the world

Today’s first reading from Genesis 18:1-10 presents Abraham as the model as the generous and hospitable host.  In the charming biblical story, Abraham and Sarah welcomed the messengers of God with opened arms at the oaks of Mamre.  Abraham is host, bringing water for the washing of feet and providing the shade of a tree for rest. The meal is a banquet, humorously described as “a little bread”: a bushel of flour, curds, milk, and a choice calf!  Sarah remains in the tent; society’s customs forbid her from mingling with the male guests.  She does the cooking, and nine months later the promise is fulfilled in the birth of her son, Isaac.

During the outdoor meal at the oaks of Mamre, God’s word was shared in a carefully staged play.  Hospitality is an art form that requires careful staging!  The strangers at Mamre (who we know are God and angels) come to dinner to deliver a message: God promises Abraham and Sarah that the barren will rejoice.

Abraham’s hospitality may appear to us to be a bit too lavish and excessive, but we must never forget the demanding tradition of the Middle East from which springs the Christian conviction regarding hospitality: in the guest, Christ is seen.  In our every conversation, he is the silent listener.

Read more…

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Father Thomas Rosica| Print This Post |

The name Jacalyn Duffin may not sound familiar.

But if you’re a Canadian Catholic, particularly in Quebec, you’ll probably know of St. Marguerite D’Youville (and if you don’t, get to know her and the other Canadian Saints and Blesseds HERE).

Both Duffin and St. Marguerite are closely connected. Dr. Duffin, a Canadian hematologist, investigated the miracle that resulted in the canonization of St. Marguerite. (Read more about that HERE in an article by Charles Lewis in the National Post.)

The professor of medicine penned a book called Medical Miracles: Doctors, Saints, and Healing in the Modern World (Oxford University Press, December 2008). The book examines 1400 miracles cited in canonizations going back to 1588. Catholic News Service spoke to the doctor in Rome:

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Matthew Harrison| Print This Post |

I admit, I was a little disappointed when Spain beat the Netherlands in yesterday’s World Cup final.

That’s mostly because I was cheering for Germany — and Spain defeated them last week!

At which point I strapped on my willow-wood clogs and pulled out the miniature windmills that are collecting dust in my desk drawer, throwing my temporary support behind the Dutch.  That’s not entirely true.  First, I cooked up a big ‘ol plate of sauerkraut and brätwurst to munch on while cheering for Germany in Saturday’s win over Uruguay.

But I digress…

Spain triumphed, and I’m happy for them.  World Cup champions, a visit from the Pope in November, World Youth Day next year — it’s great for Spanish Catholic soccer, sorry, football fans!

I was also happy to hear about the effect that the World Cup has had on South Africa, and all of Africa.

The Archbishop of Durban, Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier tells Vatican Radio that the World Cup has made Africans feel part of the global community.

Cardinal Napier says to have the World Cup in South Africa is significant “for feeling connected” and for “being recognized by the international community.”

“Now,” he says “the most important thing that must happen will be believing in ourselves, to see that we can do important things without expecting that it will be others doing it for us.”

The Cardinal also says the World Cup did a lot for unity and solidarity among the countries in Africa, much more than could have been done by words from politicians.

Listen to Vatican Radio’s full interview with Cardinal Napier HERE.

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Matthew Harrison| Print This Post |