Official Warns Against Idolizing Nature

Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said this last Friday

"Nature is for the human person and the human person is for God," Cardinal Martino said. "In considering the problems associated with climate change, one must look to the social doctrine of the Church," which "neither supports the absolutization of nature, nor the reduction of nature to a mere instrument."

"Nature is not an absolute, but a wealth that is placed in the person's responsible and prudent hands," he added.

Read more here

It was good to read this article.

Though climate change is an issue at the moment (whether liegitimatley or not is another matter) it is worth reminding that it is not the greatest and most important issue in our society. This is true of all things in a sense.

There is an underlying and sinister feel to the media's current obsession with climate change.

I do find, however, a paradox in climate change. Environmentalists believe that we are the ultimate cause of problems in the world and thus are the ultimate beings on earth, i.e: we cause problems and we are in charge of solving them because a frog cannot.

But at the same time they believe that we are simply animals and have no special place (except to save other animals).

Its kind of a twisted mirroring of the incarnation.

New Chancellor, New Bishops

I just noticed that there is to be a new Chancellor for the University of Sydney.
I'm not really sure of Bashir's ideology so wouldn't want to commen there.

I do wonder if this is covert 'affirmative action' as she is after all, the University's first female Chancellor (and first female Govenor of NSW). I also wonder if there is actually a female quivalent of the word Chancellor. Before our PC times she would have been termed 'Governess' for her role at government house. Then again, in pre-PC times she probably would have been overlooked because she is a woman.

MEANWHILE and probably more meaningfully, check out www.coo-eesfromthecloister.blogspot.com for the news on Australia's new Bishops.

I know one of them is absolutely brilliant- don't know the other and don't particularly like his tie .

BXVI BIRTHDAY AND ERMINE

Apparently the Pope has lacked Christian Charity by wearing fur on his Camuro and Mozetta. Its probably fake fur anyway. In any event I'm sure the rabbits or whoever gave up their skin would be happy to see it on the Pope's head and shoulders.


Ermine is cool! Popes have worn the emine trimmed mozetta and camuro for centuries, though Paul VI, JPI and JPII scrapped it.

Check out Benedict XIV.



If the Pope is an animal killer then what can we say about this Cathedral Canon from Germany?



I like Ermine too!

Only in the USA (we hope)

This guy has a hand in electing the Pope.



Compare that to this



I know which one God would choose

King's College Quire, Cambridge

This is an awesome quire (the old Anglican spelling of choir). I just stumbled upon a video of them singing my favorite processional, Parry's "I was Glad" which is based on Psalm 121(122).

The words are as follows:

"I was glad when they said unto me,'we will go into the house of the Lord.' (verse 1)
Our feet shall stand in thy gates, O Jerusalem. (verse 2)
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is at unity in itself. (verse 3)
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee. (verse 6)
Peace be within thy walls, and plenteousness within thy palaces." (verse 7)



Its originally a coronation anthem but would go really well in a wedding, as the text goes very well with the vocation of Fatherhood. Its also good for a Crusade.


This quire is very old, check out this video from the fifties.

HAPPY CANDLEMAS

I apologise to all my readers for not blogging much recently.

I have just started work at Refield College as a teacher and Campion Collge as Master of Students. Once I have sorted out everything I'll be back on the blog.



Until then check out The New Liturgical Movement for the very beautiful sequence for Candlemas day.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

Since it is Australia Day, I have had an idea to do a long series on Australian National Symbols, which I will blog, hopefully, on Mondays. I'll look at interesting facts about the history of the Australian Flag, Coat of Arms and Anthem, and whatever other small potatoes take my fancy. Until then, have a look at the picture below which explains the dimensions and meanings of the fully official national Flag.