Church & society threatened by humanist ideologies, Benedict XVI states in his biography |SW News116

Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI in his new biography published in German on May 4, warns about "worldwide dictatorship of seemingly humanistic ideologies.” The biography was written by Peter Seewald and published by Drömer Knaur, a Munich-based publisher. In the interview given to Peter Seewald in 2018, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI said that “worldwide dictatorship of seemingly humanist ideologies” is a threat to the Catholic Church. He said, “A hundred years ago, everyone would have thought it absurd to speak of homosexual marriage. Today whoever opposes it is socially excommunicated. The same applies to abortion and the production of human beings in the laboratory.” Commenting on social ex-communication faced by people who uphold Catholic teachings, the emeritus Pope said that, "Modern society is in the process of formulating an 'anti-Christian creed,' and resisting it is punishable by social excommunication. The fear of this spiritual power of the Antichrist is therefore only too natural, and it truly takes the prayers of a whole diocese and the universal Church to resist it." Speaking about his relationship with Pope Francis, his successor, he said that their friendship has “not only remained but grown.” Congress members file amicus brief 137 members of the U.S. Congress have filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court supporting the states’ authority to choose Medicaid providers and defund Planned Parenthood from receiving taxpayer’s money. Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina in 2018 had ordered the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) to defund abortion clinics unqualified to receive Medicaid funding, which includes Planned Parenthood. An individual and Planned Parenthood filed suit against this order in the district court and the court had put the order on an injunction. Later the decision was upheld by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case is currently under the appeal of the U.S. Supreme Court. The amicus brief signed by the congressmen supports South Carolina’s right to determine its Medicaid providers. Bishops of England and Wales lend support and guidance to domestic violence victims In response to the rise in domestic violence amidst lockdown, the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) has called on parishes to lend support to victims of domestic violence. The UK has reported a 49% increase in domestic violence since the beginning of national lockdown on March 23. To help the victims and create awareness, the National Catholic Safeguard Commission has issued guidance with helpline numbers of supporting agencies. The guidance lists out numerous support services available for victims including legal and housing services. The British government last month rolled out a campaign under the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone to reach out to people suffering violence and abuse. Springfield Diocese welcomes eight new priests The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is witnessing the ordination of the largest group of deacons in the diocese since 1964.The average number of priests ordained every year were about three throughout the past six decades.This is therefore a significant number for the diocese. Out of the eight, Deacon Piotr Kosk and Deacon Pawel Luczak have already been ordained on May 2nd.The other six soon-to-be ordained are Deacon David Beagles, Deacon Michael Berndt, Deacon Peter Chineke, Deacon Michael Meinhart, Deacon Michael Trummer and Deacon Dominic Vahling. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has been encouraging vocations in his diocese and made it an integral part of his ministry. Pope Francis requests prayer for deacons On Tuesday, Pope Francis requested the Church to join him in prayers for permanent deacons. In the latest, “Pope Video” announcing the universal monthly prayer intention, Pope Francis prayed for the deacons that through their service to the Word and the poor, they may become an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.The Holy Father requested special prayers for deacons who “are part of the clergy and live their vocation in and with their family.” Calling deacons “guardians of service in the Church,” the Holy Father reminded that “deacons are not second-level priests.” Pope Francis prays for media workers On Wednesday, before celebrating Mass at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis prayed for media workers. Pope Francis said that in this time of pandemic they risk and work a lot. In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on the day’s Gospel reading (Jn 12:44-50), in which Jesus says: “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” The Holy Father said it is not easy to live in the light because it makes us see the ugly things inside that we do not want to see: our sins. Pope Francis stressed that we should have the courage to see our darkness so that the light of the Lord may come in and save us.