It’s a Girl!

The three deadliest words in the world.

Hard to watch, but perhaps you should.

 

Sonogram: A Baby ‘Tebowing’ in the Womb

You don’t think things are now really going too far?

Need any further proof?!

America, America…

Down’s Syndrome Boy Denied Communion

Or so says his mother:

The mother of a boy with a Down’s Syndrome has accused the Catholic faith of letting her down following her parish priest’s refusal to allow her son to make his first Holy Communion.

Clare Ellarby, from the St Mary of the Angels Church in Batley said:

“I believe it is because of his disability that they won’t accept him. I feel very upset my son is being discriminated against and I feel really let down by the Catholic faith.”

The catechetical classes for First Holy Communion began in September but Mrs Ellarby explains that she was unable to attend the first meeting with Denum because he was unwell.

When she approached her parish priest, Father Patrick Mungovin, he explained that the classes were now full and that Denum would have to wait.

When she took her case to Mgr Michael McQuinn of Leeds Diocese, Mrs Ellerby claims that he raised questions concerning Denum’s understanding of the sacrament but agreed to discuss this with Denum’s headteacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Batley.

After several attempts to make contact with Mgr McQuinn, Mrs Ellarby eventually received a letter from the Mgr this month.The letter raised concerns about Denum’s ability to concentrate for long periods of time and his understanding based on what Denum’s head teacher had told the Mgr. He wrote: “While he (Denum) is unable to make preparations this year to the first sacrament he may be able to do in the future when his understanding is better placed.”

But Mrs Ellarby said that she feared her son was being discriminated against due to his disability and that “it was his right to make his First Holy Communion.”

Mrs Ellarby does not attend Mass every week but she said: “I am from a strong Catholic background and I went to Mass every Sunday as a child.  I do go often but not as often as I could because I have Denum and a younger child too.”

In a statement, a Diocese spokesman said: “Often Baptism is celebrated for babies in order to bring them into the life of the Church but they only proceed to the Sacrament of First Communion when they take part in the Church’s life and understand the Church’s faith in regard to these Sacraments. Denum’s family has not participated in the regular life of the Church or in the preparation preceding First Communion. “We hope that this will change as Denum grows and we are working with him and his family to help him achieve this.”

Again (just in case you missed it):

Denum’s family has not participated in the regular life of the Church or in the preparation preceding First Communion…

 

Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam Sacked after Saying Homosexuality is Sinful

The nominal Chief Rabbi signed a statement saying that homosexuality was ‘sinful’ and could be ‘cured’.

Dutch News:

Amsterdam’s Orthodox Jewish community has suspended rabbi Aryeh Ralbag as its nominal chief after the New York-based official signed a statement describing homosexuality as an illness which can be cured.

Ralbag will remain suspended until he and community leaders have spoken about the issue, the Telegraaf said on Tuesday evening.

The declaration, signed by 162 rabbis and mental health practitioners last year, states that ‘homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle’ and that ‘behaviours are changeable’.

Visits

Ralbag, who lives in New York and visits the Netherlands once or twice a year to rule on legal matters, signed the statement using all his official functions, including that of chief rabbi of Amsterdam. That part of his signature has now been removed.

‘Rabbi Ralbag’s signature may give the impression the Orthodox Jewish community of Amsterdam shares his view,’ said a press release by the community’s board NIHS. ‘This is absolutely untrue. Homosexuals are welcome at the Amsterdam Jewish community.’

The Dutch Israel information centre CIDI has also called on Ralbag to stand down from his Amsterdam position, the Telegraaf said.

According to deputy director Esther Voet in the Jerusalem Post, the Dutch Jewish community is unique. ‘We need a chief rabbi who is aware of our traditions and that’s something you cannot fly in two times a year,’ the paper quoted her as saying.

 

2012 World Watch List – Top 50 Worst Persecutors of Christians

Open Doors has the 2012 World Watch List of the Top 50 worst persecutors of Christian believers:

The list is:

1. North Korea
2. Afghanistan
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Somalia
5. Iran
6. Maldives
7. Uzbekistan
8. Yemen
9. Iraq
10. Pakistan
11. Eritrea
12. Laos
13. Northern Nigeria
14. Mauritania
15. Egypt
16. Sudan
17. Bhutan
18. Turkmenistan
19. Vietnam
20. Chechnya
21. China
22. Qatar
23. Algeria
24. Comoros
25. Azerbaijan
26. Libya
27. Oman
28. Brunei
29. Morocco
30. Kuwait
31. Turkey
32. India
33. Burma (Myanmar)
34. Tajikistan
35. Tunisia
36. Syria
37. United Arab Emirates
38. Ethiopia
39. Djibouti
40. Jordan
41. Cuba
42. Belarus
43. Indonesia
44. Palestinian Territories
45. Kazakhstan
46. Bahrain
47. Colombia
48. Kyrgyzstan
49. Bangladesh
50. Malaysia

No surprise that North Korea is again top of the list of oppressors. Note too how many Islamic states are involved (the rest of the Top 10 are) – that great Religion of Peace as we are forever being lied to about told.  Those biased Christians stuck in the comfort of the West, who are ever siding with the ‘poor’ Muslims, should give living in an Islamist state a bash… Yes, see how much freedom you will have to express your religion then. And let’s not even start taking about the persecution exacted upon Jews…

Wake up.

 

No Chewing Gum at Mass

Writes Steve Ray:

Spit Your Gum Here before Mass

We visited Guadalupe Parish in Midland Texas and found this sign at the front door. I thought it was a good idea.

I recalled the girl sitting in front of me last Sunday at Mass chewing like a cow with smacking slurping sounds.

Gum at Communion is not a good idea either — chew, chew, “Body of Christ” chew, smack, chew, “Amen” chew, chew …

And I agree.

Perhaps we should get one of these too…

 

Swallowed By A Whale — A True Tale?

Everyone knows the story of Jonah. But my quest was to find evidence that man, gulped whole, had really survived.

The essay can be read here.

It investigates modern claims that individuals have survived after being swallowed by whales.