Do Catholics favor abortion?

Catholic News Service has a story today regarding a survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) out of Georgetown University. The study purports to reveal where the "average" Catholic stands on political issues (though I'm leery of such studies because you never know exactly where they draw the data set). Some of the report is positive, like 77 percent saying they are very satisfied with their family life. But I found these parts disturbing:

-- Fifty-eight percent said a woman should have the right to choose an abortion.

-- Forty-one percent said they believe all human life, from conception to natural death, is sacred.

and

-- Sixteen percent believe abortion should be legal in all cases, and another 32 percent say it should be legal in most cases. Just 18 percent said it should be illegal in all cases; 27 percent said it should be illegal in most cases.

Does the average Catholic really not believe what the Catholic Church teaches regarding the dignity of human life? I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that the majority of respondents are in favor of abortion. Am I out of step for thinking every Catholic should view abortion as murder in every instance?

Film Review: "Anthony: Warrior of God"

Film review is something our blog will hopefully have more of, so the Herald staff will try to ocassionally share thoughts on current theatrical and DVD releases, including some lesser-known Catholic-related titles that are sent to the Herald for review from time to time. Such is the case with "Anthony: Warrior of God," which I'll try to briefly review below.

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As the DVD's behind-the-scenes featurette points out, practically every Catholic Church around the world has a statue of St. Anthony of Padua. His intercession is often sought when something (or someone) is lost, but outside of that, the Franciscan friar's life is relatively unknown to many Christians. “Anthony: Warrior of God” tries to address some of the it, although the film’s simple scan of Anthony’s years as a friar leaves much for devotees of the popular saint to research.

Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195 and, after becoming a Franciscan friar, spent much of his time serving in Italy. He was an impassioned preacher and challenger of heresies, so effective that the church declared him a “doctor” of the faith in 1946. When his body was exhumed three decades after his death in 1231, it was found decayed except for the tongue, a confirmation to many followers of the truth behind what St. Anthony spoke.

While the film suffers generally from a made-for-TV feel both script and acting-wise, the cinematography is well-done. Popular Spanish actor Jordi Molla is an exception as St. Anthony, effectively presenting him as a man with a strong faith, a burning for justice and a deep compassion for the poor.

While the filmmakers’ reverence to its subject is highly visible, “Anthony” comes across as a bit cluttered in its storytelling. It suffers from poor transitioning of events, as one seems to go into the next without much context despite an overarching narrative by one of the main characters. At times, dramatic elements seem to be added for storytelling effect, such as a friendship Anthony strikes up with a man named Folco, a former thief who was sent by his master to find Anthony and locate treasure from a shipwreck that Anthony survived off the coast of Italy. Oddly, Anthony and famous mathematician Fibonnaci (Leonardo of Pisa) survive the shipwreck, leading to a subplot where Folco’s boss searches for “new math” from Fibonacci that will change the Western world and somehow make the boss rich. Along the way, Anthony challenges Folco to search for the inner treasure that God offers, which spurs Folco’s slow transformation from a man of the world to a man of God.

The film shows St. Anthony as an agent of political change, too, as his impassioned preaching of the Gospel pricks the consciences of usurers, money lenders whose exorbitant interests on debts kept many families poor with no hope of escaping destitution.

While “Anthony: Warrior of God” should not be considered the definitive film on the much-beloved saint (although it's the only one I know of), hopefully it will spur viewers to search out more information about his life and courageous witness to the Gospel.

(There are a few scenes with mild violence from the userers, and a scene where a father hangs himself out of despair from usery. Suitable for adults and mature youth. Not yet rated by the USCCB.)

St. Gabriel the Archangel to host Tridentine Mass

I received confirmation today that ta Tridentine Mass will be celebrated at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in northern Colorado Springs on the Feast of the Assumption Aug. 15. Father Ricardo Coronado-Arrascue, judicial vicar and chancellor for the Diocese of Colorado Springs, will celebrate High Mass at 5 p.m. that day.

There is no word on whether the Tridentine Mass will become a regular celebration at the church.

Local Planned Parenthood gets competition

I received a press release today from a reader that states that a pro-life organization, Life Network, is going to open a pregnancy center across the street from the Planned Parenthood clinic on W. Colorado Ave. There is no official opening date yet, but a Life Network meeting is planned for 6:30 p.m. tomorrow (26th). More information can be had by calling Gordon at 219-5367, ext. 217.

I am not sure what kind of Catholic presence this clinic will have (for example, will contraception be disallowed or exceptions made?), but it is nice to know that there will be an option across the street from PP where abortions will not be performed and women have the chance to be saved of the physical and emotional scars that abortion will leave on them forever.

If anyone has more information on this new clinic, please let us know.

President Bush to convert to Catholicism?

I received an interesting e-mail this morning from Father Jim Williams, vocations director for the Diocese of Colorado Springs and pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Colorado Springs. It appears there's a rumor being circulated by The Telegraph in London that President George W. Bush is considering converting to Catholicism.

Now, I take anything written in The Telegraph with a grain of salt, but it certainly would be interesting. It's not out of the realm of possibility either; remember that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's recently entered the Catholic Church.

Tridentine Mass

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI said he wants the Tridentine Mass celebrated in each Catholic parish in the world, according to a Vatican official.

I can already see many people decrying this as regression on the part of the Catholic Church toward pre-Vatican II days, but I think it signals the willingness of the church to meet the diverse spiritual needs of its flock.

There are benefits to the ordinary rite and the Latin rite. I prefer the Mass in my language, but I appreciate the solmnity of the Latin Mass -- especially the silence and prayer required before and after Mass. If we as Catholics reclaimed the language, perhaps we could fully understand and appreciate the Tridentine Mass.

Ultimately, the Eucharist ties all Masses together, and I think that is the point of Pope Benedict XVI speaking about the Latin Mass.

Friday the 13th

The date on the calendar says June 13, which happens to be a Friday. Catholics are often accused by dectractors of being superstitious (even though superstition is a violation of the First Commandment [Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 2111]). But I wonder what kind of person really believes in the whole Friday the 13th hocus pocus.

If you're given to reading about it, the urban legends site snopes.com, dedicated to debunking myths, has an article about the supposed origins of the unlucky association with this day.

Child Outside of Marriage

Actress Jessica Alba and producer Cash Warren's on-again, off-again relationship has resulted in the birth of daughter Honor Marie Warren. I have noticed that many young couples my age (20) are side-stepping marriage and having children. The Catholic Church teaches that in the context of marriage is when life should be created. I believe that having children outside of marriage does not provide a good example to the child of how a healthy, loving relationship works.

What do you think about having children before marriage?

Good tactic or off track?

I direct you to this piece (via "News of the Weird") from Vacaville, Calif., about residents that tape customers entering an adult shop with the intent of placing them on YouTube.

The pastor of a local church had an interesting viewpoint:

"I'm not trying to embarrass anybody," [Jeremy] White said. "If you have absolutely no question of conscience about entering this store, then by all means shop
away. However, if even only one of the dozens of customers we've deterred from
entering is a married person about to do something shady behind their spouse's
back then - mission accomplished."

Setting aside possible privacy issues, does anyone else think this is a misguided way to accomplish a goal of informing people about the damage of pornography? It appears to me that blugeoning someone to accept your point of view is not effective.

New contributors to the Herald Blog

Starting this week, Herald interns Michelle and Cory will be contributing to the Herald Blog. Look for posts focusing on Catholic youth as well as issues of general interest to our readers.

Bullfights

An interesting question was posed this morning on a media e-mail list I am part of... a Catholic school is taking a student trip to Spain and there is the opportunity to attend a bullfight. Should the students go?

I'll post some reaction from the list after we get some thoughts from you.

Turin Shroud Center featured on Ave Maria Radio

This afternoon, Rebecca and Dr. John Jackon, who run the Turin Shroud Center of Colorado located in Colorado Springs, will be featured on "Kresta in the Afternoon," a radio program on Michigan-based Ave Maria Radio hosted by veteran Al Kresta.

Interest in the shroud has picked up steam since the BBC-commisioned documentary on it in March. The show runs from 2-4 p.m. MT, and the Jacksons should be on from 2:20-2:40.

Take a listen to what should be interesting radio.