How’s that again?

By Dr. Jeff Mirus ( bio - articles - email ) | Sep 28, 2010

The Ukrainian Orthodox Archdiocese of Odessa protests the plans of Eastern-rite Ukrainian Catholics to build a cathedral: “There is no visible presence of Greek Catholics in Odessa. It’s quite evident that there’s no ground for building a Greek Catholic church in Odessa.”

No visible presence, and we intend to keep it that way.

Coptic Pope Shenouda III apologizes for a subordinate bishop’s criticism of the Qu’ran’s denial of the divinity of Christ: “The simple fact of bringing up the subject was inappropriate, and escalating the matter is inappropriate. Debating religious beliefs is a red line, a deep red line. I am sorry if our Muslim brothers’ feelings were hurt.”

One understands the need to reduce tensions, but is a bishop who affirms the Divinity of Christ merely looking for trouble?

Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster denies Catholic opposition to the homosexual agenda following Pope Benedict’s visit: “That’s not true. In this country, we were very nuanced…. I think it’s very interesting, and I don’t think for one minute it’s accidental, that when the pope wanted to raise this question, where are the moral standards on which we base our activity, he chose as his example the financial crisis…. The times we interfere most in British politics are either to do with poverty or to do with education. The media is obsessed with certain questions. But if you want to know what we’re really passionate about, it’s about the fight against poverty and the education of young people.”

Seems safe enough to me. Perhaps Nichols believes that debating religious beliefs is a red line.

First Lady Michelle Obama, speaking to the Salesians, whose patroness is Mary Help of Christians, affirms: The First Family has a great devotion to Mary Help of Christians and President Obama “always carries a picture of Mary Help of Christians in his wallet.”

That’s nice, dear.