Endowments, S.J.

There are 79 private colleges with endowments of more than $250 million that charge low-income students  We found 17—about eight percent of four-year Catholic colleges in the U.S.—that had endowments larger than $250 million in FY 2010. Not one of the 17 appears on Burd’s lists of most charitable colleges for low-income students, measured by percent of students receiving federal Pell Grants and the average cost of attendance (net price) for each low-income student in the 2010-2011 academic year an average net price over $10,000; 51 that charge over $15,000; and 26 that charge over $20,000. That prompted The Cardinal Newman Society to look specifically at Catholic colleges.

.The Jesuits’ Saint Louis University had an even larger endowment—more than $700 million in FY 2010—and yet charged low-income students an average of $23,842.  And Boston College, with one of the nation’s largest endowments of nearly $1.5 billion,still charged needy students an average of $13,128. 

But six wealthy Catholic universities appear on Burd’s list of institutions with relatively low percentages of Pell Grant recipients and high net price for the neediest students—including three Jesuit institutions,despite the Jesuits’ traditional emphasis on social concerns. At Santa Clara University in California, Burd reports, the average price charged to low-income students was a whopping $46,347—more than150 percent of their families’ annual income. And yet Santa Clara’s endowment (more than $600 million) was among the largest 100 for private colleges in the U.S.

Link (here) to The Cardinal Newman Society

Fr. Franz Magnis Suseno, S.J., "Will Indonesia's Condition Worsen?"

Fr. Franz Magnis-Suseno, S.J.

Rev. Franz Magnis Suseno, a philosopher and renowned Jesuit priest, has sent a letter to the Appeal of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for promoting religious tolerance in Indonesia. 
Conscience Foundation (ACF), objecting to its plans to bestow the World Statesman Award to President

"During the eight-and-a-half years of his presidency, Yudhoyono has never told Indonesians to respect minority rights. He obviously does nothing to protect minority groups," Suseno said, as quoted by tempo.co. In his letter, Suseno mentioned that hundreds of Ahmadis and Shiites have been expelled from their hometowns or killed because they were considered heretics. "A question arises: will Indonesia's condition worsen and eventually become like Pakistan and Iraq, where Shiites are killed every month for religious motivations?" wrote Suseno. 

He also mentioned the difficulty faced by local Christians in obtaining church permits. "Intolerance flourishes at the grassroots level," he said, as quoted by tempo.co. Suseno questioned the ACF's deliberations in giving the award to Yudhoyono. "How come they did not ask the Indonesian people's opinion before they decided to give Yudhoyono the award?" he said. 

Link (here) to The Jakarta Post

Today At The University of San Francisco

Barbara Garcia

On Friday, May 17, the (Jesuit) University of San Francisco will hold the 2013 commencement exercises for Barbara Garcia, director of health at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Ms. Garcia was appointed by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2010. She is an open lesbian. Garcia is probably best known to the wider public following national news coverage of a decision of the San Francisco board of supervisors that the city’s Healthy San Francisco  program—that is, the taxpayers—will, in addition to coverage for abortion and contraception, provide free “gender reassignment surgery.” their School of Nursing and Health Professions. The commencement speaker and recipient of an honorary degree will be

As director, Garcia will be in charge of implementing this program. On November 10, 2012 Gay Star News reported “San Francisco will now offer mastectomies (removal of the breasts), genital reconstructions and other surgeries recommended for some transgender people under the city’s 5-year-old universal health care plan.” Garcia justified the procedures: “The community felt the exclusion on Healthy San Francisco was discriminatory and we wanted to change that as the first step.”

As the San Francisco program shows, there are many people who take gender reassignment surgery seriously, rather than seeing it as a mutilation born of mental illness. To put “gender reassignment surgery” into a proper perspective, let’s examine an identical syndrome called Body Integrity Identity Disorder. The noted bioethicist Wesley Smith, writing at the Human Exceptionalism blog at National Review, describes it: “BIID, also known as ‘amputee wannabe,’ is a terrible mental illness in which sufferers obsesses and truly anguish about becoming an amputee–which they perceive as their true identities.” He went on to explain his experience at something called the “transhumanist” conference:

Link (here) to read the rest at California Catholic Daily

Our Invitation

A Boston College spokesman has been forced to defend and justify their selection of Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny as the commencement speaker after hearing criticism from Catholic groups over his stance on Ireland abortion law reform debate. Kenny has become a target for Catholics after expressing his support for legislation that would allow abortions if the circumstances pose a real and substantive threat to the mother’s life. The Boston Globe has reported that the Catholic Action League have expressed and encouraged others to express their outrage for the Jesuit school’s decision.

Executive director of the advocacy group C. J. Doyle asked “How does any rational person reasonably take seriously the Catholic opposition to abortion when a Catholic institution honors someone who is in the process of legalizing abortion in their country?” He added “This is a terrible scandal.”

Boston College defended their choice in saying the selection was made to celebrate the great relationship Ireland and the university share. Spokesman Jack Dunn explained “Boston College invited Prime Minister Kenny a year ago to speak at our commencement in light of our longstanding connection with Ireland and our desire to recognize and celebrate our heritage. Our invitation is independent of the proposed bill that will be debated in the Irish Parliament this summer.” 

The ceremony is scheduled for May 20 at Alumni Stadium where Kenny will reportedly be presented with a Doctor of Laws degree.
Link (here) to Irish Central

Planned Parenthood President On Boston College's Commencement Speaker

Mary Walz President of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts

The multi-billion dollar abortion industry Planned Parenthood has congratulated the Jesuits of Boston College for honouring Enda Kenny with a Doctorate in Law and their invitation to him to give the commencement address.

Marty Walz, the President and CEO of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, called the Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny an “appropriate commencement speaker.” Walz went on to say that “It is disappointing that a measure to provide health care to a woman whose life is in danger would draw protest in Massachusetts.” 

The Catholic Action League called Marty Walz’s remarks “a revealing endorsement, which should, but probably won’t, embarrass the leadership of Boston College. Everything we ever wanted to know about Enda Kenny and his unpersuasive claims that he plans no major changes in Ireland’s abortion laws, has now been explained to us by Marty Walz. As for Boston College, the only thing more threadbare than its Catholic identity is its institutional credibility. Boston College, a school built by and for Catholics, now stands with Planned Parenthood and a pro-abortion government against the Church and the pro-life movement. It is an unconscionable betrayal.”

Link (here) to Protect the Pope

Boston College Prayer Vigil

On Monday, May 20th, Students for Life of America (SFLA) and other local and national pro-life notatbc.com/?page_id=172) outside the Boston College graduation ceremony to protest Ireland's 1st pro-abortion Prime Minister giving the commencement address and receiving an honorary degree at the Catholic institution. SFLA will gather together to stand up for women, show the value and worth of children in the womb, and voice support for keeping Ireland abortion-free. Organizations will host a prayer vigil and public witness

Event Details:
When: Monday, May 20th

8am - Prayer Vigil and Public Witness

9am - Press Conference

Where: Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA -- Corner of Beacon Street and Reservoir Avenue

Link (here) for more information

Maureen Mancuso Earned A Master’s Degree In Divinity In 1996 From The Jesuit School Of Theology

Excommunicated Catholic Maureen Mancuso

A Catholic from birth, Maureen Mancuso has always felt compelled to minister for the Roman Catholic “We feel the call by God, and God for us is a higher authority,” she said. “I think the church has to recognize that it does have the power to ordain women, and that women can be woven into the tradition.” Mancuso, 59, of San Ramon, is a member of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests, an international group that says it has ordained about 150 women as priests, bishops and deacons worldwide — including two priests who work in Los Gatos and San Francisco. 

Church. Now, she’s facing excommunication for what she will do Saturday: become the first woman of her faith ordained a priest in Northern California.

The Catholic Church says the practice goes against the church’s official canon, and women who seek the ordinations automatically are expelled from the church. Mancuso, who was born in San Francisco and is now a teacher, attended seminary and earned a master’s degree in divinity in 1996 from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. 

She had hoped that by the time she was ready, the church would allow women in the priesthood. Instead, the Vatican hardened against the idea. Mancuso joined the Womenpriests group, which began in 2002 when an anonymous Catholic bishop ordained seven women on the Danube River in Germany.

Link (here) to read the full article at California Catholic Daily

More On Cardinal Sean O’Malley Denouncing Boston College

Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s public statement denouncing Boston College for honoring Irish prime minister Enda Kenny was a violation of an informal agreement with the Irish government leader and the Jesuit university, according to an Irish columnist. Niall O’Dowd charges that Cardinal O’Malley reneged on an agreement when he engaged in open criticism of the plan by Boston College to award Kenny an honorary degree. O’Dowd writes:

According to my sources O’Malley had indicated agreement with a plan that would see him absent on the day at Boston College but with a plausible reason not directly related to Kenny for not attending.

The columnist says that the agreement would have allowed the Cardinal to register disapproval for the honorary degree without causing a major public controversy. But last week, as pro-life activists announced plans to demonstrate at the Boston College commencement ceremonies, Cardinal O’Malley said that he would not attend the ceremonies. The cardinal’s public statement clearly indicated that his absence was due to the honor for Kenny, who has strongly supported legislation to allow for legal abortion in Ireland. 

Link (here) to Catholic Culture

The Next President Of The US Jesuit Conference

The Society of Jesus in the United States announces that Father Timothy P. Kesicki, S.J., has been named the next president of the Jesuit Conference. Fr. Kesicki, who was appointed by Father Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus, will assume his new position August 1, 2014. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Jesuit Conference is the liaison office that coordinates the national work of the Society of Jesus, the largest order of priests and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church.

Link (here) to Jesuit.org

Jesuits Of Córdoba

The church of the Jesuits in Córdoba, Argentina

No other Argentine city more completely reflects Jesuit history than Córdoba, with its Unesco-recognized churches and educational structures. Maria Belen Urquiza, Córdoba’s subdirector of tourism, said that with the selection of Cardinal Bergoglio as the first Jesuit pope, “many people asked about Jesuits’ history in Córdoba.” Ms. Urquiza stressed visiting the Manzana Jesuitíca, centered on the National University of Córdoba, Argentina’s oldest university, established by the Jesuits in 1613. The main religious building here is Compañía de Jesús, built in 1676. Other nearby towns, including Alta Gracia, where Ernesto Guevara, better known as Che, had lived for several years, began as Jesuit farms, supporting the church’s educational work. The Museo de la Estancia Jesuítica de Alta Gracia is the most accessible estancia museum

Link (here)

Jesuit Order That Has Been Largely Purged

Former Catholic Priest Matthew Fox

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerges from a Jesuit order that has been largely purged of its independent-minded or left-leaning intellectuals, and his reputation at home in Latin America is decidedly mixed. While Francis seems to be an appealing personality in some ways — albeit one with a shadowy relationship with the former military dictatorship in Argentina, along with a record on gay rights that borders on hate speech — it’s difficult to imagine that he can or will do anything to arrest the church’s long slide into cultural irrelevance and neo-medieval isolation. His papacy, I suspect, comes near the end of a thousand-year history of the Vatican’s global rise to power, ambiguous flourishing and rapid decline. It also comes after 40 years of internal counterrevolution under the previous two popes, during which a group of hardcore right-wing cardinals have consolidated power in the Curia and stamped out nearly all traces of the 1960s liberal reform agenda of Pope John XXIII and Vatican II. A handful of intellectuals, both inside and outside the church, quietly believe that means Pope Francis isn’t a legitimate pope at all.

Link (here) to former dissident Dominican Catholic priest Matthew Fox

A Million Dollars An Acre

Now that the prospective buyer of Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House has been identified as one of Staten Island's most prolific developers, the key question is: What will become of the iconic 15.4-acre property astride the Staten Island Expressway? Savo Brothers, the Prince's Bay development company that's in contract to buy the site for $15 million, isn't saying just yet. Neither is the New York Province of the Society of Jesus, the property owner. Representatives of both parties declined comment Thursday, citing a confidentiality clause in their contract agreement. But their silence concerns many who fear that the site, adjacent to narrow Fingerboard Road, will be glutted with townhouses or other dense development. 

Link (here) to SILive

Boston College Student Lizzie Jekanowski Funnels Money From Pro Abortion Group Into BC Campus

Lizzie Jekanowski posing in a Halloween costume 

The College Fix is reporting that Planned Parenthood has been supplying contraceptives to Boston College Students for Sexual Health, the non-College affiliated student-run group that has run afoul of the school for distributing condoms on campus. 

“We … partner with the Planned Parenthood at the Babcock stop on the B Line; they give us a lot of condoms, information, free swag,” said student group Chairwoman Lizzie Jekanowski in an email to The College Fix. In addition to Planned Parenthood, Boston College Students for Sexual Health receives free condoms from a female condom company called FC2 and also the American Condom Campaign, run by Trojan, which gives 1,000 to 1,500 condoms a semester to the group.

She added they also partner with a national organization called Advocates for Youth, which focuses on youth activism for reproductive and homosexual rights. That organization gives the campus club $400 a semester. Jekanowski admitted that the student-run group is an official Planned Parenthood Vox: College Reproductive Rights Group. Earlier this year, the administration threatened disciplinary action against the students if they continued distributing the condoms on campus. The students have refused to stop. It's not the first time that there's been a link between the Catholic college and Planned Parenthood. In 2010, Boston College Law's website featured contact information for Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts in a list of pro-bono organizations. The link was eventually removed.

Link (here) to Catholic Education Daily

Watch a video of Lizzie Jekanowski on Youtube explain her pro abortion feminism (here)

That Organization Still Exists In The World, And Is Called The Catholic Church.

It is at his mother's knee the Catholic child learns to believe in the Church as "the pillar and ground of truth," (1 Timothy 3:15) and he will usually have already accepted all the Catholic doctrine before he begins to reflect on and examine his ultimate reasons for doing so. But when he does begin to enquire, his reasoning will run along the lines indicated. Now, let us see more in detail the steps of the process whereby a man may work his way to the conclusion that Catholicism is the true religion — just as he may work his way by study and weighing of evidence to the conclusion that William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, or Captain James Cook discovered Botany Bay in 1770. I suggest the following steps as indicating the ordinary method by which the argument proceeds; and remember that these steps or propositions are all to be examined, sifted, and established by ordinary reasoning, apart from any act of religious faith; just as a judge or jury will weigh and examine the evidence placed before them in order to reach a verdict.

First then (and to begin at the very beginning), we know by the light of reason that God exists, Creator of the universe and of our own souls.

Secondly: We are bound (by natural law) to show Him respect, obedience, and service; that is, we are bound to practice religion.

Thirdly: A part of the reverence and submission we owe to God is to accept His statements — in case He should make any to us.

Fourthly: It is neither impossible nor improbable that God should communicate with mankind and deliver to them certain truths and commands, and should make it quite clear that they proceed from Him.

Fifthly: As a matter of historical fact, such divine communications have taken place in the past especially through Jesus of Nazareth.

Sixthly: Jesus of Nazareth was a true Prophet of God — divinely empowered to teach men religious truth.
Seventhly: Jesus claimed to be Himself a Divine Person, and His claim was justified.

Eighthly: He founded a teaching organization, which was to be world-wide in its scope, and was to last for all time.

Ninthly: That organization still exists in the world, and is called the Catholic Church.

The first four of these propositions — about God's existence, the duty of worship, the possibility of Divine Revelation — may, perhaps, for most people be quite obvious, and in no need of proof; but others will wish to have the reasons for them set forth with some fullness — and that is what we now propose to do. In Catholic schools of philosophy and theology, these matters are gone into fully and with the most minute care. Every Catholic Priest before his ordination must spend several years studying these questions. The output of books upon them, especially in Latin, is enormous. The policy of the Catholic Church is not a hush-hush policy. She has no desire to shirk difficulties or throw dust in the eyes of her students. To us it is sometimes amusing enough to watch the proceedings of certain people who are anxious to have a tilt at religion. 

They bring out as a new and original idea some difficulty or other about God's providence, miracles, free-will, et cetera, which is really as old as the hills. It amuses us because we remember in our seminary days discussing these very problems, wrangling for hours over them in class and out. 

And we always remember that they were discussed by Saint Thomas Aquinas seven hundred years or so ago, or by Saint Augustine eight hundred years earlier still. Yet to these modern opponents of religion, who are often quite ignorant of history, especially of the history of Christian thought, the difficulties seem something quite new and original.

Link (here) to CATHOLIC COMMON SENSE. The Existence of God, by Fr. Albert Power, S.J.

He Has Experienced The Rot In Religious Life First-hand

The latest evidence of the widespread rebellion against the Church was found in the effort of Sister Mary Lou Wirtz, President of the International Union of Superiors General, to derail the reform of the Leadership Conference for Women Religious last Tuesday. Sister Mary Lou claimed that the nature of authority and obedience had changed since Vatican II, that the LCWR wanted to focus on what “Gospel leadership” means today, and that the Vatican was clearly not interested in that topic. (See If only the Vatican were open to the Gospel….)

But Pope Francis cannot be fooled in this. He has experienced the rot in religious life first-hand; he was marginalized by his Jesuit Superiors as a young priest, just as true men and women of the Church in so many religious orders have been for the past two generations. This is an open scandal, and one of the key questions surrounding the election of Pope Francis has been whether he would find a way to escalate the fight. To put the question clearly: Will he shift from words to discipline?

We don’t know yet, but it has not taken him long to respond to Sister Mary Lou or to go on the offensive verbally in a tone which sounds suspiciously like he is ready to lay down the law. The Pope received the plenary assembly of the International Union of Superiors General in audience the day after its president gave her ill-conceived interview to Vatican Radio. The complete text is available under a striking title, Careerists and Climbers Doing “Great Harm” to the Church. Francis struck at the very heart of the religious malaise today, while responding pointedly to the leader of the IUSG.

Link (here) to Jeff Mirus's full piece at Catholic Culture

Read Fr. Z's take (here)

Gird Yourself, And Put On Your Sandals

SAINT PETER AND HIS GUARDIAN ANGEL.

(Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 12.)

And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the Church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the azymes. And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending after the Pasch to bring him forth to the people. Peter, therefore, was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the Church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 

And behold an Angel of the Lord stood by him: and a light shined in the room: and he striking Peter on the side raised him up, saying: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands. And the Angel said to him: Gird yourself, and put on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him: Cast your garment about you, and follow me. 

And going out he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the Angel: but thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which of itself opened to them. And going out, they passed on through one street: and immediately the Angel departed from him. And Peter coming to himself, said: Now I know in very deed that the Lord has sent His Angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And considering, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, whose name was Rhoda. And as soon as she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but running in she told that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her: You are mad. But she affirmed that it was so. Then said they it is his Angel. But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened, they saw him, and were astonished. But he, beckoning to them with his hand to hold their peace, told how the Lord had brought him out of prison and he said: Tell these things to James and to the brethren. And going out he went into another place. Now when day was come there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not; having examined the keepers, he commanded they should be put to death: and going down from Judea to Caesarea, he abode there. And he was angry with the Tyrians and the Sidonians. But they with one accord came to him, and having gained Blastus, who was the king's chamberlain, they desired peace, because their countries were nourished by him. And upon a day appointed, Herod being arrayed in kingly apparel, sat in the judgment-seat, and made an oration to them. And the people made acclamation, saying: It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And forthwith an Angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the honour to God: and being eaten up by worms, he gave up the ghost. But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John, who was surnamed Mark.

Link (here) to The Holy Angels of God by Fr. M. J. Watson, S.J.

1968 To 1971

Fr. Theophane Matthias, S.J.

As early as 1968, Theophane Matthias, director of the Jesuit Educational Association of India, had declared that "saving souls from eternal damnation is no longer a valid theology for the worldwide church's missionary effort." Carl J. Ambruster, S.J., in a 1971 report commissioned by the American bishops, demolished all foundation for the Catholic priesthood. Ambruster then left the priesthood. In that same year, 1971, Peter Brugnoli, S.J., became the founder of a new movement of priests and laymen in Rome to oppose the conservative structures and politics of Pope Paul VI "The November 17, 1971 Movement,"

Link (here) to The Jesuits by Malachi Martin

The Fire Of Whole-Hearted Devotion And Loyalty

French cavalry general Jean-Joseph Ange d'Hautpoul

The Trumpet Call.

It happened before the Battle of Eylau, in 1807. Napoleon was driving the Russians before him as he moved forward towards the town of Eylau, when he found himself held up near Landsberg by a strong force of Russian infantry, posted in a defile, with several pieces of cannon in front. They were separated from the French by a deep ravine, crossed by a narrow bridge. Napoleon ordered a body of light hussars to cross the bridge and attack. They did so, but were met by such well-directed fire that they beat a hasty retreat. Napoleon then ordered a body of dragoons to advance and break the Russian square. They also failed. Then the cuirassiers were told to advance. These were the heaviest armed troops in the army. Both horses and riders were encased in heavy plates of steel armour, so that when they charged at full speed the impetus was terrific. 

The General in Command, Jean-Joseph Ange d'Hautpoul, was an enthusiastic admirer of Napoleon, and to be thus entrusted with a special commission was the most prized of distinctions. The cuirassiers charged so furiously that the Russian lines were broken, the square swept away, and the road cleared for Napoleon's advance. 

When General d'Hautpoul rode up to the Emperor to report, Napoleon did a very unusual thing. He dismounted and embraced him before the whole division. Quite overcome by this extraordinary work of the Emperor's gratitude and approval, the general, when he had recovered a little, drew himself up, saluted, and spoke thus: "Sire, there is only one way in which I can show my appreciation of the honour you have conferred upon me today: I must die for your Majesty." Next day he rode into the thickest of the fight at Eylau and fell mortally wounded.

Heroism.

Think of what it meant for a Commander-in-Chief to know he had men like that serving him! With what confidence he issued orders when he knew his followers were longing to prove their devotion by dying for him! It seems extraordinary that men should set so little store on life as to be ready to fling it away like a bauble for a beloved leader; yet that is what the human heart is capable of. And experience has proved that, when a great call comes which stirs men's souls deeply, this spirit of self-sacrifice leaps to life, and men and women go smiling to death for the sake of victory.

Jesus Christ knew this, and He came to appeal to this quality in the human soul. He came to wake to living flame this fire of whole-hearted devotion and loyalty; and the story of the Catholic Church during the past nineteen centuries or so bears witness to the success of His appeal. 

For the Catholic Church subsists age after age, full of life and energy, in the midst of a hostile world, just because of that fire that is kept ever blazing in the hearts of her children by Christ's unique appeal. For His appeal is not merely that of the best and greatest, the wisest and most glorious Leader and Captain the world has ever seen, fighting for the noblest cause it has ever been given to men to fight for — it is all that, too, but it is infinitely more. For, through Christ's lips, God Himself is stooping to ask His creatures for service.

Link (here) to the full article by Fr. Albert Power, S.J.

Cardinal Sean O' Malley, "Abortion A Crime Against Humanity "

Because the Gospel of Life is the centerpiece of the Church’s social doctrine and because we consider abortion a crime against humanity, the Catholic Bishops of the United States have asked that Catholic institutions not honor government officials or politicians who promote abortion with their laws and policies. Recently I learned that the Prime Minister of Ireland, the Hon. Mr. Enda Kenny was slated to receive an honorary degree at Boston College’s graduation this year. I am sure that the invitation was made in good faith, long before it came to the attention of the leadership of Boston College that Mr. Kenny is aggressively promoting abortion legislation.  

 The Irish Bishops have responded to that development by affirming the Church’s teaching that  “the deliberate decision to deprive an innocent human being of life is always morally wrong” and expressed serious concern that the proposed legislation “represents a dramatic and morally unacceptable change to Irish law.” 

Since the university has not withdrawn the invitation and because the Taoiseach has not seen fit to decline, I shall not attend the graduation. It is my ardent hope that Boston College will work to redress the confusion, disappointment and harm caused by not adhering to the Bishops’ directives.  Although I shall not be present to impart the final benediction, I assure the graduates that they are in my prayers on this important day in their lives, and I pray that their studies will prepare them to be heralds of the Church’s Social Gospel and “men and women for others,” especially for the most vulnerable in our midst.

Link (here) to Cardinal Sean O' Malley's Blog

Fr. William Leahy, S.J. Reaffirmation

Bradley Schaeffer, SJ, rector of the Blessed Peter Faber Community; B.C. president William Leahy, SJ; Cardinal Seàn Patrick O'Malley, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Boston; Steven Dillard, SJ, secretary for formation for the US Assistancy; Thomas Smolich, SJ, president of the Jesuit Conference

Boston College has said it will not withdraw its invitation to Taoiseach Enda Kenny to speak at the US university later this month despite protests from pro-life lobbyists. 

Mr Kenny is due to speak at a commencement, or graduation, ceremony at the college on May 20th and will also receive an honorary Doctor of Law degree from college president Rev William Leahy, S.J. 

An online petition has been circulated to anti-abortion groups in the United States urging the Jesuit-run university not to invite Mr Kenny because of the proposals contained in the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill. The campaigners claim the Bill facilitates abortion in Ireland for the first time. Phone numbers and email addresses for US Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Rev Leahy, and even to the Pope, who is a Jesuit, were included in the email. The Catholic Action League executive director C J Doyle, an alumnus of Boston College, said of the college’s decision to invite Mr Kenny: “Even for a university whose Catholic identity is as compromised as that of BC, this decision is shameful and dishonorable. “ However, the university’s spokesman Jack Dunn responded: “Boston College invited Prime Minister Kenny to speak at our Commencement in celebration of our Sesquicentennial anniversary and the historically close relationship Boston College has enjoyed with Ireland. We look forward to having him on May 20.”

Link (here) to the Irish Times

Cardinal O'Malley Says No To Boston College And Prime Minister Edna Kenny And Yes To The Unborn

Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, the archbishop of the Boston Archdiocese, said today he would not attend Boston College’s commencement because the scheduled speaker, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, supports controversial abortion-rights legislation in his country. In a statement released this afternoon, O’Malley said the Catholic Bishops of the United States have urged Catholic institutions not to honor government officials whose views on the issue are inconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic church. The Irish legislation would permit abortions if there is a real and substantial threat to the mother’s life, including from suicide.

“Since the university has not withdrawn the invitation and because the Taoiseach [prime minister] has not seen fit to decline, I shall not attend the graduation,’’ O’Malley said in a statement. “It is my ardent hope that Boston College will work to redress the confusion, disappointment and harm caused by not adhering to the Bishops’ directives.’’

He added, “although I shall not be present to impart the final benediction, I assure the graduates that they are in my prayers on this important day in their lives, and I pray that their studies will prepare them to be heralds of the Church’s Social Gospel and ‘men and women for others,’ especially for the most vulnerable in our midst.’’ By tradition, the Boston archbishop delivers the final benediction at BC’s commencement each spring. The college is scheduled to award Kenny an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the ceremony, which will be held May 20 at Alumni Stadium. 

Link (here) to Boston.com

Favor Of Giving Me Some Counsel

Jesuit priests at the time of their solemn and final profession in the Society of Jesus promise:

I also promise that I will never strive for or ambition any prelacy or dignity outside the Society; and I will to the best of my ability never consent to my election unless I am forced to do so by obedience to him who can order me under penalty of sin. And moreover, if I shall find out that anyone [another Jesuit] is seeking to secure anything of the two aforementioned things or is ambitioning them, I promise that I will communicate his name and the entire matter to the Society or its Superior.

This is based upon the Jesuit Constitutions S.J., (Part X, N°6 [817]), and the experience of St. Ignatius as found in several strong letters in which he fought against Jesuits being made bishops.  But now that we have a Jesuit pope, the question is: knowing our tradition, and knowing how St. Ignatius fought strongly against Jesuits becoming bishops, will the pope appoint Jesuits to be bishops?  The second question: how does a Jesuit  who is made a bishop or cardinal regard the General of the Jesuits? To cover this possibility, the Jesuit promises:

In addition, I promise that if despite the third vow, I should happen to be ordained a bishop, I shall not refuse to listen to the General of the Society, if he, personally or through someone else of the Society, will do me the favor of giving me some counsel.

This, of course, does not deal with the possibility of a Jesuit becoming the pope! And what is his relation to the General of the Society? But as we have already soon, soon after being named pope, Pope Francis contacted and had a very cordial meeting with Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, the General of the Society.

Link (here) to America Magazine to read the post by Fr. Peter Schineller, S.J.

The Pool Of Jesuits With The Right Resume Is Rapidly Shrinking

For 25 years, St. Louis University has been led by the Rev. Lawrence Biondi. And for nearly two centuries,

it has been led by Biondi’s Roman Catholic order, the Jesuits. Soon, it may be led by neither. Biondi recently announced that he intends to retire, and university officials are saying little about the specifics surrounding his departure. But one thing its board of 50-plus trustees will have to consider is whether to replace Biondi with another Jesuit priest. That is, if they can find one to take the job. 

The “biggest challenge” for a Jesuit institution selecting a new president is that the pool of Jesuits with the right resume is rapidly shrinking, said the Rev. Thomas Gaunt, executive director of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Jesuit-run Georgetown University. “You’re looking at a pretty tiny group of guys,” he said. “And the right one might not be available.”  

SLU does not make its bylaws public. But the most recent version — obtained and published online by the university’s faculty senate — makes it clear that the next president can come from outside the order that founded the school. The bylaws were amended either in 2006 or 2010 to eliminate the first sentence in Article III, Section 3: “The President shall be a member of the Society of Jesus.” Striking that requirement likely has a lot to do with simple math. The 1960s saw the peak of Jesuit membership in the U.S., with about 7,000 priests. By 1982, that number had diminished to 5,500. Today there are about 2,500 American Jesuits.

Link (here) to The Huffington Post

Fr. Raymond Schroth, S.J., " But Recently As The “War” President, Barack Obama Has Morphed Into An Indifferent, Pragmatic Utilitarian"

Fr. Raymond A Schroth, S.J.

Barack Obama has changed...In his major speeches — Inaugural Addresses, State of the Union, etc. and in“war” president he has morphed into an indifferent, pragmatic utilitarian. The man who once taught Constitutional law seems to have forgotten the relationship between law and morality, his heart-felt campaign for gun control— he has come across as a Christian humanist, a man of compassion, deep feeling, high democratic ideals. But recently as the

He seems to have shelved the basic Christian principle of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,”....To an almost odd degree, President Obama has assumed responsibility for every drone assassination. I was personally appalled as it became clear that no attempt was made to arrest Osama bin Laden and bring him to trial.

 Even the Navy Seal who personally shot the unarmed Osama again and again told Esquire magazine this was either the greatest or worst moment of his life. In the aftermath the fact that Obama had killed bin Laden was touted as proof that Obama was a strong leader....Following the killing of Osama bin Laden, the White House proceeded down its list of “High Value Targets” to Anwar al-Awlaki, a New Mexico born American, Al Queda propagandist living in Yemen, sentenced to death without trial by President Obama. The president was so anxious to kill— not arrest— him that he would not let “collateral damage” interfere. So on the morning of September 30, as Awlaki and American Pakistani journalist Samir Khan, and cohorts piled into cars and drove out, drones with Hellfire missiles, with other aircraft and helicopters standing by, fired one into Awlaki’s car and a fireball burned their bodies beyond recognition...

Perhaps a year from now Al Queda will have drones that can zero in on prominent or just ordinary Americans. Operated from secret command posts abroad, they will hover over baseball fields, universities, shopping malls, and churches with Hellfire missiles of their own. 

The moral authority we think we once had as a democratic “City on the Hill” will have been compromised perhaps beyond recall. After all, when we kill the enemy’s innocent children, we have invited the enemy to do the same.

Link (here) to read the full opinion piece entitled, Do Unto Others, in the Jesuit publication America Magazine, by Fr. Raymond Schroth, S.J.

Fr. Albert Power, S.J., " The Catholic Church Needs A Much Larger And More Energetic Band Of Fire-fighters"

Fr. Albert Power, S.J.

Encouraging Vocations.

Now, it is clearly our duty to do all we can to help in fostering and developing vocations — both to the priesthood and to religious life — in children and young people under our care. The success of the Church depends greatly on the number and fervour of her priests and religious. Jesus calls them especially to be the salt of the earth. Just as salt preserves food from decay, so, by aiming at a life of holiness, and by making available to others the supernatural means of sanctification provided by Christ, priests and religious help to check the tendency to corruption, which is inherent in fallen human nature. It is true that on every man and woman lies this duty of resisting moral decay and sin, and anyone living a practical, Catholic life does actually and effectively promote this health-giving process. But, still, just as there are doctors and nurses specially devoted to safeguarding the public health, even though each individual has his own personal duty in the matter, so, in the spiritual world, there must be those who specially concentrate on the work of promoting the health of the soul. And what a splendid purpose in life it is! And how many more would take up the toilsome work of Priest or Brother or Nun, if only they understood better the excellence and nobility of the calling! In every human heart, not utterly perverted by self-indulgence and sin, there exists a longing after higher things; as is evidenced by the splendid response made when a sudden call to heroic sacrifice is made — for example, in time of war.

Saint John Bosco said: "I know young people well; a large proportion of them have, in germ, the vocation to a higher life." 

That germ it is our duty to develop. And at no time was it more urgent than today, when such wonderful opportunities are opening up for the conversion of heathen nations. The Catholic Church is at a turning point in her career. Mankind is being gradually linked up into a closer union by new methods of rapid transit and communication, and the barriers that hitherto walled off the uncivilised peoples of the globe are being broken down. Unexampled opportunities for disseminating knowledge are placed at the disposal of all who care to make use of them. 

The enemies of Christianity are making use of them with restless energy, to attack our religion; and the Catholic Church needs a much larger and more energetic band of fire-fighters to check the progress of the conflagration of evil doctrines and evil practices at present sweeping the world and threatening to engulf our civilization.

Those fighters are chiefly Priests, Brothers and Nuns and we should strain every nerve to recruit their ranks, which, especially in certain European countries, have been sadly depleted since the great wars of this century. Catholic parents should be led to consider it their greatest honour and privilege to devote to the service of God and the welfare of society one or more of their children. In no nobler way can they contribute to the extension of God's Kingdom on earth.

Link (here) to the full article entitled, Love Is Calling by Fr. Albert Power, S.J.