tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34929042012-01-29T03:56:47.478-08:00Lethargic IITianMusings of a 20-something lethargic IITian on India and Catholicism.Kensynoreply@blogger.comBlogger4041100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1131053044934883942005-11-03T13:24:00.000-08:002005-11-03T13:24:04.933-08:00What lies ahead for the Catholic Church?Kensynoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1131052830409443982005-11-03T13:20:00.000-08:002005-11-03T13:20:30.460-08:00Catholic document changed historyKensynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1102904130529209862004-12-12T18:14:00.000-08:002004-12-12T18:15:30.530-08:00It's been six months, I know ... but I've decided to start a new blog to combine my old Blogger and Rediff blogs. It's called Two Wings - check it out here.
Kensynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1088009480839024182004-06-23T09:49:00.000-07:002004-06-23T09:51:20.840-07:00The darndest thing happened to me yesterday.
I work for the European division of Capital One, a Virginia-based credit card company. Because of our relationship with Mastercard, we often get free tickets to Mastercard sponsored games (notably, the UEFA Champions League and now, the Euro 2004). I just heard from our Corporate Communications Dept yesterday that I had won tickets to see the Kensynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1087752543446595212004-06-20T10:26:00.000-07:002004-06-20T10:29:03.446-07:00In the past, I have often referred to the discussion boards in IIT-Bombay where topics of religion and politics are often discussed. One of these discussions involved the comparative tolerance of Hinduism (as represented by the Gita) and Christianity (as represented by the "No Salvation Outside the Church" dogma). My reply follows:
Deleep R. Nair wrote on Fri, 18 Jun 2004 12:03:32 +0530
> The Kensynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1085957908228164572004-05-30T15:44:00.000-07:002004-12-12T18:27:48.396-08:00A friend of mine (now a fallen-away Catholic) once told me - "When I get to heaven, God isn't going to ask which church I went to".
That's worth thinking about. And this is for all of us Catholics who are not serious about their faith out there.
If I ever left the faith for another church, I suppose God would ask me:
Why did you leave the Church I established on earth?
Why did you spurn the Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1084404357866769702004-05-12T16:24:00.000-07:002004-05-12T16:25:57.866-07:00At the top of this page, you will find two links - "Why was Christ crucified" and "Christianity in History". I haven't had the chance to check out the first, but the second is clearly not in communion with the Church and I just want to say that this blog has no association with, nor any support for, the latter.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1084404047194557422004-05-12T16:19:00.000-07:002004-05-12T16:20:47.196-07:00I guess I'm too drunk tonight to post anyting. Was the leaving party of one of our most admired and successful boys. Will pick up on Matt 10 tomorrow.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1084314450794072432004-05-11T15:14:00.000-07:002004-05-11T15:27:30.793-07:00Matthew 9
Chapters 8 and 9 comprise the narrative section of the third part of Matthew (which follows a traditional Old Testament-style narration-followed-by-teaching structure).
One verse that might get a little overlooked at the first pass is 9.8:
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings.
In Matt 18:18, Christ entrustsKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1084306596047941912004-05-11T13:15:00.000-07:002004-05-11T13:16:36.046-07:00I'm just playing around with the new Blogger templates here.
In the meanwhile, I'll probably start off a series of Bible meditations/Bible study meditations on this blog as I start exploring the Bible.Kensynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1084023062797493502004-05-08T06:31:00.000-07:002004-05-08T06:34:17.610-07:00Cardinal Ratzinger Tells Why Many Misperceive Christianity
Says It Is Not Seen as an Encounter With Christ
ROME, MAY 7, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Many people perceive Christianity as something institutional -- rather than as an encounter with Christ -- which explains why they don't see it as a source of joy, says Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
"Today, Christianity is seen as an old tradition, weighed Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1084022999266509582004-05-08T06:29:00.000-07:002004-05-08T06:33:14.090-07:00Why Miracles Are Required for Canonizations
Aide With Congregation for Sainthood Causes Explains
VATICAN CITY, MAY 7, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The requirement of miracles in the causes of canonization are crucial because they are a divine confirmation of the holiness of the person invoked, says a Vatican aide.
Monsignor Michele Di Ruberto, the undersecretary of the Congregation for Sainthood Causes,Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1083111242906034172004-04-27T17:14:00.000-07:002004-04-27T17:17:07.450-07:00Brilliant joke I saw on the Ryze Christian message board:
A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, 'Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in.'
Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1083097484276190452004-04-27T13:24:00.000-07:002004-04-27T13:29:45.920-07:00Brilliant piece by Karl Keating in his daily apologetics newsletter. To subscribe, visit the Catholic Answers website.
KARL KEATING'S E-LETTER
April 27, 2004
TOPIC:
JEFFREY HART: AN UNCERTAIN GUIDE
Dear Friend of Catholic Answers:
After several months, I have gone back to one of my favorites, Samuel
Johnson. I am reading through 'The Rambler,' the moral essays he wrote
twice weekly Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1082924459909489412004-04-25T13:20:00.000-07:002004-04-25T13:24:02.263-07:00Her Silent Fight: What Terri Has Taught Us About the Culture of Life: "Next to the sacrament of Our Lord, the person sitting next to you is the holiest thing you will ever set your eyes upon" (quote from C.S. Lewis)Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1082889365201654822004-04-25T03:36:00.000-07:002004-04-25T03:39:06.856-07:00Vatican declares international Kerala shrine - from the Deccan Herald. Well well well!
I've only been to Malayatoor once as a child. It wasn't particularly easy climbing that mountain, and I was very disappointed because I could not see St. Thomas' footprints (there is a rock with a footprint reputed to be that of St. Thomas).Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1082832990726050242004-04-24T11:56:00.000-07:002004-04-24T11:59:32.250-07:00Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum on certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy EucharistKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1082793952887647512004-04-24T01:05:00.000-07:002004-04-24T01:08:53.840-07:00Cool site of the day: LaserMonks.
Real monks selling toner on the Internet - this is so cool. And read the Luxor & Ludwig cartoons at the bottom of the page. Funny!Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1082792437090634222004-04-24T00:40:00.000-07:002004-04-24T00:43:37.530-07:00Why Kerry cannot receive Communion
A spokesperson for Kerry says:
Responding to Arinze, Kerry spokesman David Wade reiterated Kerry's position that there should be a separation of church and state.
"The decisions he will make as president will be guided by his obligation to all the people of our country and to the Constitution of the United States," Wade said in a statement. "Every American --Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1082591624034024752004-04-21T16:53:00.000-07:002004-04-21T16:56:42.763-07:00I'm back!
Now settled in Nottingham - working for Capital One Bank Europe Plc (COBEP - the European subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corp) as a Business Analyst.
Hopefully, should start commenting on Catholicism and India soon!Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1069930526712084432003-11-27T02:55:00.000-08:002003-11-27T02:55:58.623-08:00Is Confession Based on the Bible?
Q: I cannot find anything in the Bible about Christians confessing to another human being, like a priest.
My understanding is that we are to confess our sins to Jesus and ask for his forgiveness, which he gives to those who are truly sorry.
Even though I was brought up Catholic, I haven’t gone to Confession in years because I do not believe in telling my Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1069930427057475812003-11-27T02:53:00.000-08:002003-11-27T02:54:18.983-08:00How Christians Should Celebrate Advent And Christmas
[excerpt]
Did you ever notice that dessert is the first dish in line at many buffet restaurants? Yes, you could eat dinner backwards—starting with dessert, then moving on to the appetizer and main course. In the end you eat all the food, but it’s nowhere near as fulfilling as enjoying each part of the meal in its proper place. Or worse, Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1069930305583448112003-11-27T02:51:00.000-08:002003-11-27T02:52:17.543-08:00Without divine grace, could you have been victorious in all the crises and all the spiritula battles which you have had to face? Open you soul more and more to divine hope, have more trust in the divine mercy which is the only refuge of the soul exposed to a stormy sea.
— Quiet Moments With Padre Pio: 120 Daily Readings Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1069672729900361102003-11-24T03:18:00.000-08:002003-11-24T03:19:19.373-08:00India's Cardinal Dias on Depression and Christian Faith
Address at International Conference at Vatican
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 23, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Here is a summary of an address given by Cardinal Ivan Dias of Bombay, India, at the recent international conference on depression, held at the Vatican. The Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers organized the Nov. 13-14 conference. The summary wasKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1069672384643654392003-11-24T03:13:00.000-08:002003-11-24T03:13:34.170-08:00Marriage and Same-Sex Unions: One and the Same?
Activists Lose Some Battles, But Debate Goes On
NEW YORK, NOV. 22, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Same-sex "marriage" is once more in the headlines after Tuesday's controversial decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled that same-sex couples have a right to civil marriages, according to the provisions of the Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1069430312969475332003-11-21T07:58:00.000-08:002003-11-21T07:58:59.030-08:00Like we didn't know this was going to happen.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1069322319901181782003-11-20T01:58:00.000-08:002003-11-20T01:59:04.750-08:00First Bengali Catholic translation of the Bible published.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1068542358641511282003-11-11T01:19:00.000-08:002003-11-11T01:19:16.173-08:00When Spouses Speak the Truth With Their Bodies
Bishop Victor Galeone on God's Plan for Marriage
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida, NOV. 8, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Here is a pastoral letter in defense of the Church's teaching on contraception, published by Bishop Victor Galeone of St. Augustine. The letter was slightly adapted here.
* * *
Marriage: A Communion of Life and Love
A Pastoral Letter by Bishop Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1066204201303579732003-10-15T00:50:00.000-07:002003-10-15T00:50:00.743-07:0010 Churches in Kerala to be conserved as heritage monuments.
I think this is great news. Kerala has always stood out as the best example of integrating core Christian values with local culture in the subcontinent. That Kerala can boast a Christian population of around 30% is testament to this fact. Not to mention the fact Kerala's long history of communal harmony must really be a thorn in the Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1066204031431225092003-10-15T00:47:00.000-07:002003-10-15T00:47:10.920-07:00Sometimes, one wonders what's up with the Church in Africa. On the one hand, the Catholic Faith is growing in the erstwhile "dark continent"; on the other hand, the Church is getting itself soiled with almost Dark Ages comments on the effectiveness of condoms in preventing HIV/AIDS.
I fear the Church may be about to lose a lot more credibility soon.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1065528918644150752003-10-07T05:15:00.000-07:002003-10-07T05:15:18.660-07:00Who will succeed JPII?
[excerpt]
Following are several main issues facing the next pope.
NORTH-SOUTH RIFT -- The Church's centre of gravity shifted during the last century from Europe to the Third World, with 62 percent of all Catholics now in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
The churches of the "global South" take a more activist stand for social justice and Third World debt relief than Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1065528654524450832003-10-07T05:10:00.000-07:002003-10-07T05:11:14.693-07:00A Keralite church makes history by adopting an (erstwhile) 'Hindu' custom.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1065454784509050772003-10-06T08:39:00.000-07:002003-10-06T08:39:44.103-07:00Archbishop Toppo Would Be India's First Tribal Cardinal
Sees Honor as Recognition of Church's Growth in the Subcontinent
NEW DELHI, India, OCT. 5, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Pope's recent appointment of Archbishop Telesphore Placidus Toppo of Ranchi as one of 31 new cardinals will give the Church its first tribal cardinal of India.
"Our God is a God of surprises," the archbishop told SAR News lastKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1065424186025663842003-10-06T00:09:00.000-07:002003-10-06T05:22:25.020-07:00Seen Any Good Catholic Politicians Lately?
Church's Voice Has a Tougher Time in the Public Square
ROME, OCT. 4, 2003 (Zenit.org).- At the start of his pontificate John Paul II faced a grimacing foe in Communism. Now, on the eve of his 25th anniversary as Pope, the Church is still facing hostility from the secular powers that be -- this time in the West.
In Venezuela, testy relations between Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1063186136573124522003-09-10T02:28:00.000-07:002003-09-10T02:29:52.873-07:00I thought this article on Catholic Exchange was so incredible I just had to reproduce it in full:
More Than Moore
9/10/03
Geology is not a contact sport, but it might become one. The media has decided to focus everyone's attention on five tons of granite in an Alabama courthouse. Conveniently, this has kept our attention away from a nearby Georgia courthouse.
Georgia courthouses are Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1063078383494630912003-09-08T20:33:00.000-07:002003-09-08T20:33:03.520-07:00Zenit has this interesting news story today about Interreligious Dialogue:
Dialogue Is Not a Mixing of Religions, Says Aachen Bishop
AACHEN, Germany, SEPT. 8, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Aachen Bishop Heinrich Mussinghoff inaugurated an international interreligious meeting, stressing that the aim of dialogue is not a mixing of religions, but rather the promotion of mutual respect.
On Sunday the Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1059654609060275932003-07-31T05:30:00.000-07:002003-07-31T05:30:09.023-07:00Finally.
The Catholic Church speaks on Same-Sex Marriages.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1059013891392602542003-07-23T19:31:00.000-07:002003-07-23T19:41:27.603-07:00Happy Birthday Kensy.
And Yet Another Christian's Blasphemy Trial Starts in Pakistan
Jailed Schoolteacher Faces Death Penalty
ISLAMABAD, JULY 23, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Trial proceedings against Christian schoolteacher Pervaiz Masih began on July 17 in northeast Pakistan, two years and three months after the high school principal
was jailed for alleged blasphemy.
Now 35, Masih has been refused Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1056088593291775832003-06-19T22:56:00.000-07:002003-06-19T22:56:33.123-07:00Reading the Bible With the Church Fathers
Interview With Historian Robert Louis Wilken
ROME, JUNE 19, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Interest in the wisdom and writings of the Church fathers has exploded recently among Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians.
In an effort to describe the spiritual and theological vision of the fathers, University of Virginia Church-historian Robert Louis Wilken has Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1055942478876210132003-06-18T06:21:00.000-07:002003-06-18T06:21:18.856-07:00The final verdict on the Ossuary of James, "Brother of Jesus":
An inscription purporting to link an ancient burial box to Jesus' brother James is a modern day forgery with no link to New Testament figures, Israel's Antiquities Authority said Wednesday.
Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1055825800370237372003-06-16T21:56:00.000-07:002003-06-16T21:56:40.390-07:00Update on the Rome Imam:
ROME, JUNE 16, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Islamic Cultural Center of Rome ousted the imam from the city's Great Mosque after he urged the faithful in a sermon to "destroy the enemies of Islam."
On June 6, Abdel-Samie Mahmoud Ibrahim Moussa urged the faithful to mobilize to "ensure the victory of the nation of Islam everywhere in the world," the Italian newspaper La Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1055743377169887412003-06-15T23:02:00.000-07:002003-06-15T23:02:57.190-07:00Today's Meditation
You have to learn humility, because things simply don’t depend on you. Something greater is at work, and you’ll only be able to accomplish something great when you become an instrument.
— Francis for Men: ‘Otherwise, We Need Weapons’ Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1055738711947824242003-06-15T21:45:00.000-07:002003-06-15T21:45:11.956-07:00A Muslim leader's recent call at the Great Mosque of Rome for a "holy war" was "insanity," says a Catholic expert on Islam.
Imam Abdel-Samie Mahmoud Ibrahim Moussa exhorted those present to "annihilate the enemies of Islam and guarantee everywhere in the world the victory of the Nation of Islam," the priest recalled. The Italian newspaper La Repubblica published the imam's sermon the next day.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1055487069652216682003-06-12T23:51:00.000-07:002003-06-12T23:51:09.560-07:00Christians in Kashmir Targeted and Accused of Forcing Conversions
What the heck ... ??
Yet, "today in Kashmir there are many new Christian groups that are very active in missionary work," [Bishop Peter Celestine Elampassery of Jammu-Srinager] said. "These are causing alarm among Hindu and Muslim people and also the local authorities, who fear a sort of 'Christian propaganda.' This has broken Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-1055396231162642942003-06-11T22:37:00.000-07:002003-06-11T22:37:11.086-07:00How the Louisville Archdiocese settlement might kill charity programmes:
A day after the Archdiocese of Louisville struck one of the largest settlements stemming from sexual abuse accusations, Catholics and non-Catholics alike are sifting through the wreckage. It will not be just the church feeling the sting of a payout of $25.7 million but the extensive network of programs and charities that Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-952277552003-06-03T00:43:00.000-07:002003-06-03T00:43:11.210-07:00Delhi Gives Eastern-rite Catholics Leeway
NEW DELHI, India, MAY 30, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Delhi Archdiocese of the Latin rite has instituted new parishes for Eastern-rite Catholics in its territory, in response to their request for greater autonomy.
A decree published May 14 assigns six parishes to Catholics of the Syro-Malabar rite and three to those of the Syro-Malankara rite, Vatican Radio Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-950387792003-05-29T09:07:00.000-07:002003-05-29T09:07:55.886-07:00Church in Gujarat Copes Amid a Growing Hindu Fundamentalism
According to Bishop Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad
ROME, MAY 28, 2003 (ZENIT.org-Fides).- The Catholic Church in the state of Gujarat is facing hard times, but its leader seems undeterred.
"We are not afraid," said Bishop Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad, Gujarat state, in an interview with the Fides new service. "Our mission is to bear witnessKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-949781082003-05-27T23:52:00.000-07:002003-05-27T23:52:03.630-07:00Scott Hahn talks to Zenit about Dei Verbum:
ROME, MAY 27, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Forty years after the Second Vatican Council, ZENIT is asking Church leaders and prominent laity to reflect on the main documents of the council.
Here, ZENIT spoke with Scott Hahn about "Dei Verbum," the dogmatic constitution on divine revelation.
Hahn is professor of Scripture and theology at Franciscan University ofKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-943177512003-05-14T01:46:00.000-07:002003-05-14T01:46:26.090-07:00Here is the address John Paul II delivered to the bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church of India at the conclusion of their "ad Limina Apostolorum" visit.
* * *
Your Eminence, Venerable Major Archbishop,
Dear Brother Bishops,
1. "Peace be with you!" (Jn 20:26). In this Easter Season it is fitting that I greet you, the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church, with the words our Risen Lord used to Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-943163372003-05-14T00:52:00.000-07:002003-05-14T00:52:10.143-07:00Rites Should Not Cause Divisions, Pope Tells Bishops of India:
"Authentic evangelization is sensitive to local culture and customs," John Paul II said when receiving the Catholic bishops of India.
The Indian bishops met the Holy Father before concluding their 'ad limina' visit to Rome in two separate gatherings, one for the Eastern rite Syro-Malabar Churches, the other for the Syro-Malankara Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-941954752003-05-12T03:44:00.000-07:002003-05-12T03:45:03.000-07:00The Knanaya Christians - Part 3
1.5: NATIVE WRITINGS
We have no clear evidences about the native records, except that of
certain mentions about palm leaf records in the writings of Bp. Ros
and so on. It is already mentioned that our ancestors did not pay
much attention on preserving written records. Moreover, most of the
records were written on palm leaves, which might have perished in theKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-941954062003-05-12T03:41:00.000-07:002003-05-12T03:41:33.810-07:00The message sent by the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, to Buddhists on the feast of Vesakh.
Dear Buddhist Friends,
1. As the new President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the office of His Holiness the Pope for relations with people of different religious traditions, I wish to greet you and send this Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-940336212003-05-08T21:43:00.000-07:002003-05-08T21:43:07.376-07:00The Knanaya Christians - Part 2
1:3: TRADITION
The Indians usually transmitted their history through oral tradition.
They did in the forms of legends or in poetic forms and lived through
social customs. In this regard the Knanaites are blessed abundantly.
They have got a much lengthy and strong tradition about their history
and existence.
1:3.1: ANCIENT SONGS
One of the main sources Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-940327812003-05-08T21:23:00.000-07:002003-05-08T21:29:31.000-07:00John Paul II's Address to Youth in Madrid
Dear Young People, Dear Friends:
I am back with you again. We know one another from previous meetings, such as the one in Toronto, Canada. I embrace each one of you.
1. I greet you affectionately, young people of Madrid and Spain! Many of you have come from far away, from all the dioceses and regions of the country, and from America and other countriesKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-940326702003-05-08T21:21:00.000-07:002003-05-08T21:21:44.690-07:00Christian Media Draw Bigger Numbers Than Services Do
Catholics Less Inclined to Tune In, Study Finds
The study, conducted by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), reported that 52% of the nation's adults listened to Christian music or other programming on the radio, while 43% watched Christian TV programming. Among evangelical Christians, 96% counted themselves in the regular Christian TV Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-940324392003-05-08T21:16:00.000-07:002003-05-08T21:16:48.240-07:00Calling the priest a "catechist of catechists," John Paul II urged the clergy not to neglect this task for the sake of secondary duties.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-939136332003-05-07T00:07:00.000-07:002003-05-07T00:07:06.733-07:00More on the Knanaya Christians
My friend Saiju has sent me some material on the history, traditions and customs of the Knanaya Christians of South India. I'll be posting it in parts over the next few days or so. Happy reading!
CHAPTER 1
HISTORICAL IDENTITY
1:1 INTRODUCTION
The existence of any community is closely associated with its
history. In fact, history is that which gives Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-922115532003-04-08T02:43:00.000-07:002003-04-08T02:43:33.920-07:00At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." (Mt 22:21)
When I think of the relationship between the Church and the State (or nation), this is always the verse that sticks in my mind. Why did God make nations? For the benefit of the people.
A ex-classmate of mine asks the question:
People want to be loyal to someone/something. They Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-901657302003-03-05T00:32:00.000-08:002003-03-05T01:13:40.000-08:00Today's gospel reading (Mt 6:1-6,16-18) reminds me of an episode of Charmed I saw on Star World not so long ago. In the episode, the three sisters (which included Pru at the time) face a demon that "infects" them with one of the seven deadly sins. The only way to break free of the sin is to perform a selfless act. Pru (who's infected with "Pride") is the only one unable to shake off her sin - Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-901655582003-03-05T00:26:00.000-08:002003-03-05T00:26:42.280-08:00Title: Pray and Fast Today!
Author: Vatican Information Service
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Pope John Paul asks Catholics worldwide to dedicate today, Ash Wednesday, "to prayer and fasting for the cause of peace, especially in the Middle East."
"For months," he began his reflections, "the international community has lived in great apprehension of the danger of a war that Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-901654792003-03-05T00:23:00.000-08:002003-03-05T00:23:33.466-08:00In today's Gospel, Jesus himself talks about the three "works" of Lent - prayer, fasting and almsgiving.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-901647172003-03-04T23:55:00.000-08:002003-03-04T23:55:33.966-08:00Today's Ash Wednesday. Which means it's time to pray, repent and fast.
Athanasius gives three reasons why we must fast.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-901013902003-03-04T00:08:00.000-08:002003-03-04T00:08:44.060-08:00And ... the US Bishops continue blundering ...Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-901013462003-03-04T00:07:00.000-08:002003-03-04T00:07:25.890-08:00Moral criteria for the war against Iraq:
Q: Among those who oppose the war, there seem to be two different positions: on one side, pacifism, especially among leftist groups, which seems to be more an anti-American political posture -- they condemn the United States, but they have never condemned a Milosevic or a Fidel Castro, for example -- and on the other the Church. Could you clarify what theKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-894971052003-02-21T06:27:00.000-08:002003-02-21T06:27:30.040-08:00Joe Q. Public vs. The Church (on Iraq)
While surfing around the BBC site today, I saw this page containing the views of people around the world on the moral basis for a war in Iraq. While it was heartening to see that most people were staunchly against the war at present, the statements made by some people made me think.
Certainly, a moral case has been made for a war against Iraq. ... As far Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-893683052003-02-19T05:31:00.000-08:002003-02-19T05:31:43.843-08:00How to Access Vatican Archives
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 17, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican Secret Archives contain all the minutes and documents related to the government and pastoral activity of the Pope and the Holy See's organizations.
Their objective, according to a May 1, 1884, letter of Leo XIII, is to offer a service "principally to the Pope and the Curia, that is, the Holy See."
Because Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-893682262003-02-19T05:29:00.000-08:002003-02-19T05:29:01.966-08:00From CatholicExchange:
Words of Encouragement
Title: God of Bounty!
Author: Mark Shea
Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Psalm 33:18-19
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine.
Mother Teresa once observed that the United States was one of the Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-893034002003-02-18T05:29:00.000-08:002003-02-18T05:29:19.573-08:00Sense of War Begins to Dawn for Troops, Civilians in Kuwait
U.S. Buildup Makes Threat of Conflict Harder to Ignore:
This is a time of strange contrasts in Kuwait, a country that during the Persian Gulf War of 1991 desperately awaited the arrival of U.S. troops and now anxiously anticipates the departure into Iraq of massing American forces. Kuwait today is really two countries. One is a Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-892374682003-02-17T05:23:00.000-08:002003-02-17T05:23:40.940-08:00More bullsh** from Andrew Sullivan:
THE VATICAN AND THE THUGS: The Roman Catholic hierarchy is now in full spin behind Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. It was truly sickening to see Tariq Aziz, the instrument of one of the most murderous regimes on earth, using the shrine of St Francis for a photo-op. It's even more sickening to read the comments of Cardinal Etchegaray, informing the world that
Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-890745762003-02-13T21:09:00.000-08:002003-02-13T21:09:36.080-08:00Catholics in the Workplace: Verse for the day
Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others,
knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.
(Col 3:23-24)Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-888949832003-02-10T21:10:00.000-08:002003-02-10T21:10:48.560-08:00From the Catholic News Service:
U.S. theologian Michael Novak made a case for war on Iraq to a skeptical Vatican audience, arguing that military action was justified under traditional self-defense principles and not under some new concept of preventive war.
Atleast an American Catholic is not indulging in shrill anti-Church rhetoric and bringing up the sex scandal, moral authority of Church etcKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-885733042003-02-04T21:01:00.000-08:002003-02-04T21:02:43.000-08:00Breaking News of the Day: The Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue publish Jesus Christ The Bearer of the Water of Life - A Christian Reflection on the "New Age". I haven't been able to read it yet - but as soon as I do, you'll be the first to know!Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-885728792003-02-04T20:53:00.000-08:002003-02-04T20:53:33.726-08:00Simon Blackburn on the futility of moral relativism:
There are philosophers ('absolutists') who like to stress truth, objectivity, rationality, and knowledge. Then there are others ('relativists') who like to stress contingency, mutability, culture, historicity, situatedness. The first group think that the second group have no standards. The second group are accused of encouraging 'postmodernismKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-884610222003-02-02T23:20:00.000-08:002003-02-02T23:27:32.000-08:00First, the tragedy. The world mourns for Columbia, as it did for Challenger a decade and a half ago. And, as President Bush puts it:
In the skies today, we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see, there is comfort and hope.
In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and callsKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-883243792003-01-31T05:25:00.000-08:002003-01-31T05:25:27.616-08:00Christians and Muslims in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have launched a joint appeal for the total banning of nuclear weapons in the subcontinent. Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-883243172003-01-31T05:23:00.000-08:002003-01-31T05:25:34.000-08:00According to Bishop Giuseppe Betori, secretary-general of the episcopal conference (Italy), "[The very concept of preventive war is] unacceptable in itself, because prevention, in fact, has no limit ... Without a concrete situation of threat, actual or possible, no act of war can be justified." Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-883242352003-01-31T05:20:00.000-08:002003-01-31T05:20:54.970-08:00Can the Vatican avert war in Iraq? God alone knows.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-883241842003-01-31T05:19:00.000-08:002003-01-31T05:19:35.826-08:00Arrest of suspects accused of murder of Hindu woman social worker:
Bombay (Fides Service) - "Navleen Kumar crusaded for the rights of tribals, particularly land rights. This is why she was murdered. She was not popular, no one defended her, now we hope for justice." This was how Fr Allwyn D'Silva, director of Bombay archdiocese Commission for Justice and Peace described a 54 year old Hindu womanKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-881457032003-01-27T23:48:00.000-08:002003-01-27T23:50:32.000-08:007 women who were "ordained" as priests have been excommunicated. This is the first time I've read of an excommunication "live"; i.e., as it happened. One can only hope and pray that the Holy Spirit may lead these women back to full communion with the Church.
In the meanwhile, representatives of the early Eastern Churches, separated both from Rome as well as from the Byzantine Orthodox Churches Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-880795232003-01-26T20:50:00.000-08:002003-01-26T20:50:25.030-08:00Disinformation Fuels Ethnic, Religious and Ideological Conflicts, Warns Pope:
The "media often do render courageous service to the truth, but sometimes they function as agents of propaganda and misinformation in the service of narrow interests, national, ethnic, racial and religious prejudices, material greed, and false ideologies of various kinds," the papal message states.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-879392262003-01-23T20:44:00.000-08:002003-01-23T20:53:47.000-08:00Last night's BBC Hardtalk featured Keiren Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton in the UK. The main topic of discussion was, of course, the Church's opposition to the US/UK war in Iraq. In between, Tim Sebastien also touched upon other issues such as the Church's recent messages to politicians and the sex scandals.
First things first - Bishop Keiren cut a sorry sorry figure. He was steamrolled Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-878865382003-01-22T22:46:00.000-08:002003-01-22T22:46:34.116-08:00German Bishops' Statement on Iraq Conflict (Full article; Source: Zenit; Emphases added by me)
Development of the Iraq Conflict
Statement of the German Bishops Conference on the Iraq Conflict
A preventive war would violate ethical standards
The struggle for war and peace in the Middle East goes on. Is the world at the threshold of a new armed conflict or is it still possible to find Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-878861162003-01-22T22:33:00.000-08:002003-01-22T22:33:27.693-08:00Indian Bishops Reject Conversions by Force (Full article; Source: Zenit; Emphases added by me)
MADURAI, India, JAN. 22, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Though charged with the duty to preach the Gospel, the Church does not "believe nor indulge in conversions by force, fraud or allurement," say India's bishops.
Last week 116 archbishops and bishops, members of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-878362712003-01-22T04:05:00.000-08:002003-01-22T04:05:10.000-08:00Seems like I was wrong about Hinduism not being part of the Vatican symposium. A report from the Independent Online.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-878358182003-01-22T03:47:00.000-08:002003-01-22T03:47:41.216-08:00From the pages of Zenit:
War "in the Name of God" Doesn't Exist in Religion, Say Conferees
"We must verify first of all that we are making a correct reading of the sacred texts, which in each religion have principles of love and peace imprinted," [Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, archbishop of Washington] said. "The call to war in the name of God does not belong to any religion."
The symposium Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-877244832003-01-20T04:29:00.000-08:002003-01-20T04:29:23.583-08:00Mark Shea speaks out his ambivalent views on the war against Iraq:
And yet, even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Sometimes war is necessary. I think this is one of those times.
And I beg to disagree. Any perceived "gains" (non-proliferation of possible nukes from Iraq, Iran and N. Korea to groups hostile to the US) of an attack on Iraq would be negated by the imperialist perception of a Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-877168232003-01-19T23:20:00.000-08:002003-01-19T23:20:19.733-08:00A nice collection of links on the history of the Church in India.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-875734012003-01-16T20:43:00.000-08:002003-01-16T20:46:59.000-08:00These are the greatest enemies of Christianity (and humanity) in my homeland.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-874597072003-01-14T21:20:00.000-08:002003-01-14T21:20:47.066-08:00Starting today, I will be shifting all my India-secularism-politics related blogs to the Lethargic IITian blog on Rediff. Check it out!Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-874078362003-01-14T00:10:00.000-08:002003-01-14T00:28:38.000-08:00I hope what the Holy Father has to say about war in Iraq can pacify my "blood-thirsty" American brethren:
"And what are we to say of the threat of war which could strike the people of Iraq, the land of the prophets, a people already sorely tried by more than 12 years of embargo?" ... "War is never just another means that one can choose to employ for settling differences between nations," ... "AsKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-874057522003-01-13T22:59:00.000-08:002003-01-13T22:59:57.726-08:00In the meanwhile, I get a mail from Rediff to beta-test their new blogging service.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-873382902003-01-12T21:17:00.000-08:002003-01-12T21:17:26.736-08:00New week. New day. Same old routine. Sheesh.
Was watching this wonderful programme on BBC called Profiles last night. The featured personality was Saddam Hussein. The programme covered the life and times of Saddam - from his tormented childhood to his bloody rise to power to the Gulf War and beyond. One could almost be convinced W. has a good reason to go in and topple him.
Almost. For why not,Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-872080032003-01-09T23:25:00.000-08:002003-01-09T23:25:10.786-08:00Just what I always thought - the reason my Hotmail inbox's choking with spam is because the boys at Redmond have decided not to do anything about it. Even if they're told.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-872019022003-01-09T20:29:00.000-08:002003-01-09T20:29:12.006-08:00Frost Poem of the Day
6. Stars
HOW countlessly they congregate
O’er our tumultuous snow,
Which flows in shapes as tall as trees
When wintry winds do blow!—
As if with keenness for our fate, 5
Our faltering few steps on
To white rest, and a place of rest
Invisible at dawn,—
And yet with neither love nor hate,
Those stars like some snow-whiteKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-871657882003-01-09T06:28:00.000-08:002003-01-09T06:28:35.130-08:00The new South Korean President is a devout Catholic. I wish him luck.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-871615422003-01-09T04:08:00.000-08:002003-01-09T04:08:06.390-08:00Eric Raymond's essay on Hard SF. A bit long, but worth a read.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-871533682003-01-08T22:31:00.000-08:002003-01-08T22:43:42.000-08:00I've been reading A Boy's Will by Robert Frost online at Bartlebey's. I had not read much of Frost before (except for Mending Wall and The Road Not Taken). However, after accidentally stumbling on Frost's obit on the NY Times site, I decided to give him a read.
After just a couple of poems from A Boy's Will, he's rapidly becoming my favourite poet (after Cecil Day Lewis and Dylan Thomas). Take aKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-871511342003-01-08T21:27:00.000-08:002003-01-08T21:28:06.000-08:00Minute Meditation:
Unburdened
For the ability to drop the past
and sail into the future unencumbered,
I thank you, Lord.
from Prayer for Daybreak and Day’s End: Volume I
Courtesy: AmericanCatholic.orgKensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-871496642003-01-08T20:49:00.000-08:002003-01-08T20:49:48.260-08:00Words of Encouragement:
I believe in miracles and dreams that will come true,
And I believe in happiness and friendship, through and through.
I believe that when you cry your tears are not in vain,
And when you're sad and lonely, someone knows your pain.
I believe that when we laugh a sparkle starts to shine,
And I just know that spark will spread from more hearts than just mine.
I believe Kensynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492904.post-871002442003-01-07T22:25:00.000-08:002003-01-07T22:25:11.756-08:00Remember that survey I wrote of yesterday about which country posed the greatest threat to the US?
Apparently, the public has decided that North Korea is the greater threat now. The latest standings are:
Iran (5%)
Iraq (34%)
North Korea (45%)
Other (16%)
Well, well.Kensynoreply@blogger.com0