Archbishop Wuerl's dereliction of duty is atrocious. His refusal to deny Communion to pro-abortion politicians as well as ignoring the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's ruling of disallowing distribution of Communion to pro-abortion politicians borders almost on disobedience to Pope Benedict XVI's celebration of Mass at National's Stadium. Robert Novak in the New York Post this morning pointed this out of the heterodoxy on Archbishop Wuerl's position. Just because practicing Catholics watched House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senators John Kerry, Christopher Dodd and Edward M. Kennedy received Communion at National's Stadium during the Pope's Mass doesn't mean that it is o.k. to ignore Church teaching and mock our Catholic faith. Archbishop Wuerl invited all three pro-choice politicians knowing they would step forward to receive Communion in front of the Pope.

Vatican sources say the pope has not retreated from his long-held position that pro-choice politicians should be deprived of Communion, but the decisions in Washington and New York were not his. Benedict did not reiterate that position in Washington and New York, because a pope traveling abroad is influenced by the stance of local church authorities - and American bishops are divided. . . . Wuerl is averse to colliding with powerful laymen. He could have avoided any confrontation at Nationals Park by simply not inviting the pro-choice politicians to a mass where there was no room for the vast majority of Catholics who wanted to attend.

In the fourth century A.D. Roman Emperor Theodosius was visiting the Bishop of Milan St. Ambrose. St. Ambrose remembered The Roman Emperor's crime of the willful killing of 7,000 rioting citizens. Because of this the good bishop asked the Emperor to repair his crime by an exemplary penance. With "religious humility", says St. Augustine (De Civ. Dei., V, xxvi), Theodosius submitted; "and, being laid hold of by the discipline of the Church, did penance in such a way that the sight of his imperial loftiness prostrated made the people who were interceding for him weep more than the consciousness of offence had made them fear it when enraged". "Stripping himself of every emblem of royalty", says Ambrose in his funeral oration (c. 34), "he publicly in church bewailed his sin. That public penance, which private individuals shrink from, an Emperor was not ashamed to perform; nor was there afterwards a day on which he did not grieve for his mistake." The three pro-abortion politicians that Archbishop Wuerl willfully invited, those three that have been participants in the greatest slaughter of unborn innocent children clearly have not learned the grave mortal sins they are creating with their legislation. Archbishop Wuerl is clearly no St. Ambrose when he cannot himself even keep pro-abortion politicians from receiving Communion much less be an example of a good shepherd to his flock. For Robert Novak's New York Post article click here. For the Catholic Encyclopedia entry on St. Ambrose click here.

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION Papal Primary Season Open: Pope Sick? - John Allen, All Things Cthlc Speculation Over Pope's Health, Next Pope - Tom Heneghan, FthWrld More Scripture from Pelosi's Personal Bible - Matthew Archbold, CMR A Jewish Woman Covers the Pope - Dc. Kandra, The Deacons Bench Psychology: The Truth About a Soft Science - Selwyn Duke, Am Thnkr Saint Gianna Beretta Molla - JayBird, Per Christum O'Reilly & Planned Parenthood's Racism - Brad Wilmouth, NwsBstrs People Can Change - California Catholic Daily Chesterton's Ghost Appears - Maureen Martin, Inside Catholic Bonus News: Gorbachev Signed JP2 KGB Death Warrant - The News (Poland) Bonus Commentary: Eco-Spirituality - Christopher Zender, California Catholic Daily Video of the Day: Padre Pio's Saintly Return - Time (Biretta Tips: PewSitter & Kevin Knight)

CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION Benedict and Beauty - Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, First Things The Island of Saints - Joanna Bogle, Inside Catholic Yes, Benedict's Visit Will Boost Vocations - Dc. Kandra, Dcns Bnch Pelosi's Fake Bible Joins Fake Catholicism - Patrick Archbold, CMR Italians and the Death Penalty - John Allen, All Things Catholic No Thanks: Italy and Abortion - Chuck Colson, Townhall The Darfur of America - California Catholic Daily "Gay" Bishop Plans His Civil Union "Rite" - Laurie Goodstein, NYT Bonus Commentary: Obama Supports "Gay Marriage" - Matthew Archbold, Crtv Mnrty Rprt The Pope’s ‘Mandatum’ - Time Drake, National Catholic Register Secular News Item of the Day: The Lust in Jimmy Carter's Heart by Peggy Shapiro of American Thinker Quote of the Day: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -- Edmund Burke (Biretta Tip: Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION US Hoping Papal Visit Leads to More Priests - Brad Watkins, RC Vctns Singing Priests to Become Chart Stars - Anita Singh, Daily Telegraph Victims Recall Their Meeting with the Pope - Dc. Kandra, Dcns Bnch Secularism Makes You Stupid - Patrick Archbold, Creative Mnrty Rprt The Truth About Obama - Tito, Custos Fidei Eucharist as Moral Fission - Fr. Philip Neri Powell, Domine! Is Missing Mass a Mortal Sin? - The Black Cordelias Secular News Item of the Day: Jimmy Carter Disgraced for Many Reasons by Joel J. Sprayregen of American Thinker Quote of the Day: "In all things charity." -- Padre Pio

Selwyn Duke of American Thinker wrote a pretty dark article concerning Democratic Party front runner and liberal Barack Obama. Reading it nearly made my stomach turn. It's important to read because number one, we will be electing a new president this November and number two, too many Catholics have been swayed by his honey sweet rhetoric disguising this very bad man. [Selwyn's article is in black, my comments are in blue and emphasis as well] . . . In 2002, President Bush signed into law a bill titled the "Born Alive Infants Protection Act" (BAIPA). This law was necessary because, believe it or not, infants were being born alive during attempted abortions and then, ancient Spartan style, left to die. Jill Stanek wrote about this last year, saying:

"As a nurse at an Illinois hospital in 1999, I discovered babies were being aborted alive and shelved to die in soiled utility rooms. I discovered infanticide."

The act was so vile that even staunch abortion advocates would not oppose BAIPA. Stanek tells us that it passed the Senate by unanimous vote, garnering the support of senators Kerry, Kennedy and Clinton [the liberal stalwarts of America voted for this, but not Obama]. She then pointed out:

"The bill also passed overwhelmingly in the House. NARAL went neutral on it. Abortion enthusiasts publicly agreed that fighting BAIPA would appear extreme."

But the state version of BAIPA failed for years in Illinois. Any guesses as to why? Stanek goes on to explain:

I testified in 2001 and 2002 before a committee of which Obama was a member.

Obama articulately worried that legislation protecting live aborted babies might infringe on women's rights or abortionists' rights. Obama's clinical discourse, his lack of mercy, shocked me. I was naive back then. Obama voted against the measure, twice. It ultimately failed. ['Obama's clinical discourse and lack of mercy' concerning babies that survived abortion attempts is very cold and calculating if you ask me. Sounds too much like a regular Josef Mengele.] There are his damnable associations. We know about William Ayers[Tony Rezko comes to mind also], the college professor and "education advisor" who, as a Weather Underground terrorist in the 1970s, planted bombs in a campaign against our government. You might point out that this was three decades ago, but know that Ayers is unrepentant and wishes that he had planted more bombs. Barack Obama launched his campaign for the state senate with a fundraiser at the house of Ayers and his fellow terrorist wife Bernadine Dohrn. . . . given Obama's cordial dealings with Ayers -- a man with whom many wouldn't break bread -- I'm left to wonder how much terrorism really bothers the senator on a visceral level. If his tolerance for the Weathermen is any indication, we have to ask: As president, would his zeal match that of our Islamist foes?[Obama has already stated publicly that he would meet with terrorists that both Bill Clinton & Bush wouldn't have met with] Then there is the now infamous Reverend Wright[sic], the man of the cloth poised to move into a 10,000 square ft. house with a 10-million-dollar line of credit. His bigoted, virulently anti-American bile has received enough press so that I don't have to provide a complete run-down, but this is a man who equated America with al-Qaeda, said we deserved 9/11, made anti-white statements, and called our nation "the US of KKKA.". . . Obama called Wright a friend, mentor and uncle; he had a 20-year relationship with him, during which time he attended Wright's church; he was married and had his child baptized by the reverend; and last year he donated $26,000 to the church. Yet some would give Obama credit for not casting his friend to the winds. After all, the interviewee said that he "cannot disown him." But my question is: Why, Mr. Obama, did you ever own him in the first place? So we again have to wonder about his emotional constitution, his heart[his lack of judgement]. Even if he doesn't share Wright's passion for the hate, he certainly was tolerant of it -- and I suspect sympathetic to it. And a man is known by the company he keeps. The woman he marries is some indication, too. Michelle Obama vigorously advocated partial-birth abortion (which is also infanticide) in 2004, and we all know about her notorious pronouncement: "For the first time in my adult life, I'm proud of my country." As for the comment, it has caused many to question her patriotism and apologists to counsel against rash judgment. Then we have Obama's moment of honesty in San Francisco. As a refresher, here is what he said:

"You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years . . . . And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Many have labeled these comments elitist, and Obama has been trying to explain them away. But, again, the truth is plain. [The truth is plain to see. Barack Obama lacks a backbone to leave a bigoted pastor and the compassion for the most vulnerable in society.] . . . The truth about Obama is that he is not a good man. He is a bad man[that says it all right there]. [the following paragraph summarizes the entire article quite well]Good men don't turn a blind eye to unrepentant ex-terrorists; support vile, anti-American bigots; lie about their core beliefs; and look down on traditional Americans. Most significantly, good men don't allow beautiful babies -- the least among us -- to be discarded like refuse and die miserable, lonely deaths in dark utility rooms. In fact, if we cannot call Obama a bad man, there is no such thing as a bad man. And calling him a good man doesn't just strain credulity, it puts it in the hospital in traction. Ah, yes, hope, change, unity, infanticide, bigotry, terrorism, Obama . . . good? We all know what is wrong with this picture. There is an alternative and that is John McCain. Granted he doesn't stand up to what we as Catholics want in a candidate, but he certainly has everything we want (pro-life) in the character of a man and that is something that Obama has none of, in addition to many other things. To read the article in its entirety click here.

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION What Is David Ortiz Wearing on His Arm? - Simple Sinner, Blck Crdls Benedict, the Shepherd Who Is Led - The Anchoress, Pajamas Media Benedict and the Scandal - Mark Shea, Inside Catholic Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor's Waffle - Damian Thompson, Holy Smoke The Comfort About a Stubborn Pope' - Dc. Kandra, Dcns Bnch Italian Doctors Refusing to Abort - Thaddeus Baklinski, LifeSiteNews On the Banality of Abortion as Art - Ian Marcus Corbin, First Things Film Director: Jesus Was Son of Rapist - Warner Huston, NewsBusters Pope Challenges Conservatives - Christopher Chantrill, Am Thnkr Architecture, Ideas, & Faith - George Weigel, Denver Cthlc Register Former Bishop Wins Presidency of Paraguay - Hilary Burke, FthWrld ...Former Bishop's election brings up Canon Law 1405... Bonus Commentary: Studies Show Abstinence Ed Works - John Jalsevac, LifeSiteNews Bonus News: John Henry Cardinal Newman to be Beatified - Catholic News Agency Faithful Await Display of Padre Pio’s body - Reuters Quote of the Day: "The Truth is Absolute." -- Pope Benedict XVI (Biretta Tips: WDTPRS, Kevin Knight, & The Deacons Bench)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION The Roots of Terror & the Source of Freedom - Robert Reilly, Insd Cth Earth First! (People Later) - David Bueche, American Thinker USCCB (CNS) Disses Pope - Jay Anderson, Pro Ecclesia Yale Threatens to Ban Abortion "Art" Display - Hilary White, LfStNws Amazon’s Religion Forum: Bash Christians - Terry Trippany, NwsBstrs That 'Insulting' Pope - Editorial, Wall Street Journal Contraception & The Environment - Iain Murray, Nat'l Review Online Mass Outrage: No EM's! - Patrick Archbold, Creative Minority Report Blog Entry: Should We Ask for Bill Maher's Head - Tito, Custos Fidei Bonus Commentary: USAToday: Religion is Killing the Planet - Jay Anderson, Pro Ecclesia Bonus News: Arinze Backs 1 Million Rosaries for Unborn Event - LifeSiteNews Secular News Item of the Day: Madness and Political Life by Bruce Walker of American Thinker Shameless Blog Plug of the Day: Inside Catholic Quote of the Day: "Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible." -- Søren Kierkegaard (Biretta Tips: MCJ & Lucianne)

When Bill Maher first said that juvenile and vile diatribe concerning our beloved Pope on HBO I just rolled my eyes in disgust. I was not upset, but I did have this feeling of disgust and a little shock. Because of this I first let it go, then I felt that I shouldn't let it go at all. Why? Maybe because of the Sin of Omission. The Catholic Encyclopedia states that "omission" is here taken to be the failure to do something one can and ought to do. If this happens advertently and freely a sin is committed (New Advent). So I prayed that Bill Maher would have a change of heart. Then I posted some comments on various Catholic and secular blogs. Now I'm blogging about it. Here is my dilema. I also don't want Bill Maher to lose his job because of my account or anyone else's. I'll say that it is my compassion for the unemployed and my Christian charity that makes me feel this way. There is also a part of me that would deliciously enjoy his public firing though. But that would be wrong. I hate to see anyone lose their job for any reason other than mala praxis. What to do? Do I sin if I do nothing? Or if I do something that contributes (directly or indirectly) to his firing, does that mean I lack Christian charity? What am I to do or think for that matter? I posted a link to FireBillMaher.com in my news edition last night and now I'm having second thoughts about it. He probably should be disciplined, but not fired. In addition I'll pray for his change of heart. That's my conclusion (for now), what do you all think?

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION The Pope's Power: His Message - Alicia Colon, New York Sun Brick by Brick... Ring Kiss by Ring Kiss - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS Benedict's Gospel to the United Nations - Ronald Rychlak, Inside Cthlc One Difference Between Muslims and Catholics - Andrew Cochran, CB Political "Chasm" on Faith in Public Square - Jay Anderson, Pr Eccls "Gay" Sex Kills - J. Matt Barber, LifeSiteNews Prophetic at the Expense of Christianity - David Bennet, Pr Chrstm WaPo Faults Church Teaching for Poverty - Matthew Balan, NwsBstrs EU refuses help to Christians in Iraq - Mornac, Rorate Cæli Bonus Commentary: Kathryn Lopez on Nat'l Cthlc Prayer B'fast - Jay Anderson, Pr Eccls The Face of Pope Benedict XVI - Deal W. Hudson, Inside Catholic Slate on How the Right Sees Benedict - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS Secular News Item of the Hour: Barack Obama & the Wisdom of Forrest Gump by Lee Cary of American Thinker Odd News Item of the Day: Brazilian priest missing after stunt goes wrong Carried aloft by Helium Balloons by the Associated Press Movie Review: That Horton Movie Is Actually Pretty Pro-Life by Colin Mason of LifeSiteNews Grass Roots Drive to have HBO fire Bill Maher: Fire Bill Maher Website: FireBillMaher.com ...A.L.L. Calls for firing of HBO's Bill Maher... Shameless Blog Plug of the Day: The Black Cordelias Quote of the Day: "The value of life does not depend upon the place we occupy. It depends upon the way we occupy that place." -- St. Therese of Lisieux (Biretta Tips: PewSitter & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION The Papal Week That Was - Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, First Things A Quiet Pope . . . With a Sword - Rich Leonardi, Ten Reasons The Gospel of St. Matthew - Joel, The Black Cordelias Benedictions: He Came. He Spoke. He Conquered - NY Daily News In Praise of Criticism - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS MSM Papal Trip Postmortem - Ken Shepherd, NewsBusters The Triumph of Liberation Theology - New Catholic, Rorate Cæli Tancredo Trashes Pope - Jay Anderson, Pro Ecclesia The Lefebvrists Choose Sectarianism - Damian Thompson, Holy Smoke California Bishops Drop Pro-Life Agenda - California Catholic Daily The End of the End of History - Robert Kagan, The New Republic Bonus Commentary: Does the Catholic Church Still Believe in Purgatory? - Black Cordelias Obama Advisor's Video of Gay Jesus - Warner T. Huston, NewsBusters Fr. McBrien Award Goes To . . . - Rich Leonardi, Ten Reasons Who Needs the Pope When We've Got Fr. McBrien? - Cal Cth Dly Secular News Item of the Day: Can Barack Obama survive his remarks? by Janet Daley of the London Daily Telegraph Shameless Blog Plug of the Day: The Black Cordelias Quote of the Day: "The value of life does not depend upon the place we occupy. It depends upon the way we occupy that place." -- St. Therese of Lisieux (Biretta Tips:The Deacon's Bench & RealClearPolitics)

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION Authentic Freedom = Jesus Christ - Fr. Philip Neri Powell, Domine Straight Talk About Casual Sex - Janice Shaw Crouse, Amrcn Thnkr SSPX Disappointed by Benedict - Tom Heneghan, FaithWorld Russia & Constantinople Fight Over China - Simple Sinner, Blck Crdls Time Mags New Age Catholic Reporting - Ken Shepherd, NwsBstrs Ex-Bishop Wins Paraguay Presidency - Hilary Burke, Reuters Ex-Homosexual Fights for Child in Virginia Case - CBNNews For today's latest Papal commentary & news click here. Quote of the Day: "One filled with joy preaches without preaching." -- Blessed Mother Teresa Movie Review: Ben Stein's Expelled by Bruce Walker of American Thinker Shameless Blog Plug of the Day: Whispers in the Loggia by Rocco Palmo Obituary: Alfonso Cardinal Trujillo (Biretta Tips: The Deacon's Bench & Conservapedia)

CVSTOS FIDEI PAPAL EDITION The Triumph of B16 - Rocco Palmo, Whispers in the Loggia 'There's a Humility About This Man...' - Carl Olson, Insight Scoop Charisma of Sincerity - Peggy Noonan, New York Post Benedict's Sermon in the Bronx - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS Pope Explains Why Christians Are Divided - Sandro Magister, Chiesa Benedict Ends Visit at Yankee Stadium - Paul Vitello, NY Times Pope Wraps Up Six-Day U.S. Trip - Kevin McCoy, USA Today No Hard Line on Communion to Pro-Aborts - Christopher, CitPS Another View on Communion to Pro-Aborts - John Allen, N.C. Rprtr What I Wish the Pope Had Done - Paul, Regular Guy (Biretta Tips: Pro Ecclesia, Kevin Knight, & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION Bush Lets His Love for the Pope Show - John-Henry Westen, LfStNws Fr. Z Breaksdown Pope's UN Speech - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS In Praise of Papal Criticism - Kathleen Parker, Real Clear Politics A Papal Exhortation & Closing Schools - David Bennet, Per Christum Pope Wants to Bring Back Catholic Culture - David Gibson, WSJ Welcome to N.Y., Your Holiness - Alicia Colon, New York Sun The Indispensable Church - Michael Gerson, Washington Post Liberal Media Twisting Pope's UN Speech - Jay Anderson, Pro Ecclesia Children Hold Us Back - A Simple Sinner, The Black Cordelias Adult Stem Cells Treating Wounded Soldiers - Wesley Smith, 2nd Smk Review: Obama Equates Terrorist to Pro-Lifer - Catholic News Agency Shameless Blog Plug of the Day: The Black Cordelias Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Friday Afternoon, April 18, click here. For Thursday Afternoon, April 17, click here. For Thursday Morning, April 17, click here. (Biretta Tips: National Catholic Register, PewSitter, Kevin Knight, & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION A Great Day for Catholic Higher Education - Patrick Reilly, Insd Cth Friday of Good Shepherd Sunday - Fr. Richard Neuhaus, 1st Things Expelled Film: Ben Stein vs. Atheists - Brent Bozell, NewsBusters Pope Chastises Pro-Abort Politicians - John-Henry Westen, LfStNws Pope Benedict Shames US Bishops - Damian Thompson, Holy Smoke The Pope's Third Day in the U.S. - Sandro Magister, Chiesa Brownback Caves in to Boxer on Pope's Bill - California Cthlc Daily Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Thursday Afternoon, April 17, click here. For Thursday Morning, April 17, click here. For Wednesday, April 16, click here.

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Pope's Birthday At The White House - Deal Hudson, Inside Catholic Pope's Homily at Mass Today - New Catholic, Rorate Cæli Pro-Aborts Politicizing the Eucharist - Jay Anderson, Pro Ecclesia Commentary on Today's Papal Mass - Father Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS Co-ed Gets Pregnant & Aborts for Art Project - J.H. Westen, LSN Nancy Pelosi & Benedict - A Simple Sinner, The Black Cordelia's Newsweek Insults the Pope - Ken Shepherd, NewsBusters Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Thursday Morning, April 17, click here. For Wednesday, April 16, click here. For Sunday, April 6, click here.

CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION Bush to Pope: "Awesome speech your Holiness" - Thomas Peters, AmP Pope Praises U.S., Warns of Secular Challenges - Jay Anderson, PE The Real Catholic Songbook - Jeffrey Tucker, Inside Catholic Washington Papal Vesper Pics - Gregor Kollmorgen, Nw Ltrgcl Mvmnt Bl. Tekakwitha’s Cause for Sainthood goes to Rome - Cth Nws Agncy Biblical Interpretation in Crisis - Cardinal Ratzinger, First Things Custos Fidei 2.0 . . . - Tito, Custos Fidei Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Wednesday, April 16, click here. For Sunday, April 6, click here. For Saturday, April 5, click here.

UPDATED: Bear with me as I spiff up (or more correctly, fix up) my blog. If you are experiencing any problems viewing my blog or if the columns are fluid and not fixed, please tell me (or just messed up). I made the mistake of changing templates without saving the widgets (they're actually saved in text format, but it seems I will have to re-enter the widgets by hand--I'm having difficulty cutting and pasting into my HTML in blogger). I am probably going to dramatically change the look and feel of the blog, but I will still keep the same format of gathering my favorite postings from various Catholic blogs and the occasional posting myself. I would like to ask all you programming experts about the format of my header. I've tried a 256 color bmp and a 24 color bmp and I am currently using a GIF format for the header. Are there any suggestions that anyone could provide as to which format would provide a crisp and clear header? I personally like New Liturgical Movement's header because theirs are very clean and crisp, unlike mine. Also I've been dabbling a bit with WordPress and it's been highly recommended to use instead of blogger, I'd like to know what my fellow readers opinions are on this. Finally, I want to add a second sidebar but blogger doesn't have a template for it. Does anyone have one I could use? That would be the main reason why I would be switching over to WordPress, among many other minor issues. Thanks to Kevin Knight over at New Advent for picking up my Pope & Obama posting (and Jay over at Pro Ecclesia), I have had the greatest number of hits in one day ever... 820! I apologize for my lack of postings these past 10 days, I've been in the middle of some major personal changes and only now is my head coming back down to earth (joyful bliss, thanks Holy Spirit!) And lastly thank you all for continuing to check my blog even when I have been posting sporadically lately. Any other suggestions would also be gladly accepted to any possible changes (or requests to remain the same) to my blog (thanks Simple Sinner). I hope that everyone is enjoying their Easter Season!

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION Pope's Discourse from the White House Today - Fr. Z, WDTPRS Magnificent Bloggery - Deacon Greg Kandra, The Deacon's Bench Paper Miters & Yellow Cupcakes - Rich Leonardi, 10 Reasons Origins of the Popemobile - Catholic News Agency Pope: US Secularism is a Model for Europe - J.H. Westen, LSN The Pope's First Day in the U.S. - Sandro Magister, Chiesa The Pope Versus the Media - David Warren, Inside Catholic Liberal 'Catholics' Go Balistic - Feddie, Vox Nova Pelosi, Kerry to Take Communion at Papal Mass - T. Graham, NB Ruether's Liberal Papal Agenda - Jeff Miller, Curt Jester 'I have forbidden Communion in the hands' - Rorate Cæli Straight A's for Expelled - Barbara Nicolosi, Church of the Masses Review: When Your Little Brother Is the Pope - Robert Rauhut, N.C. Rgstr Blog Entry: Pope Benedict & Obama's Bitter Comments - Tito, Custos Fidei Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Sunday, April 6, click here. For Saturday, April 5, click here. For Friday, April 4, click here. (Biretta Tips: Southern Appeal & Kevin Knight)

It's amazing how the Holy Spirit works isn't it? I've been struggling for the longest time in what direction I want to go in my career. In addition to this my courtship of a friend has been weighing heavy on my mind. For the past three years in Houston I have resisted taking offers to work in other cities and I have put courting aside for even longer until recently. I was worried about these two pressing issues. I've come to a point after Easter realizing that I have been trying to attain the perfect balance in life and have hardly come any closer to my goal since when I began. And by balance I mean having the right job and courting the right girl. The only variable that has changed has been the exponential growth in my faith in God. Without noticing it until now, my anxieties have decreased as my faith increased. Certainly a lot of prayer, reception of the Eucharist, and frequent confession has transformed my interior life from one of directionless babble to peace (or something close to it). Taking on a Spiritual Advisor is still relatively new for me (almost three years running) and his simple advice to me when I disposed of my career and courtship issues to him was to pray to the Holy Spirit for discernment. I did just that and within the week of praying for discernment to the Holy Spirit I was able to come to two important decisions in my life. They weren't easy decisions, but the Holy Spirit somehow brought certain events to come together that allowed for me to make them without hesitation. I accepted a permanent job here in Houston, thus resolving and ending my contracting career of three years. That seemed to me the easier of the two decision, wanting relative security over money to be able to remain here in Houston. The other decision concerning a beautiful, happy, and pious lady I have been courting came to an amicable end. I prayed to the Holy Spirit and in one fateful week my life plotted its course for the near (and probably forseeable) future. This brings to mind two verses from the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew (6:25-26).

[25] "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

"Are you not of more value than they?" Of course we are. I have come one step closer to letting go more of my anxieties in life and trusting Him even more. But what does this have to do with discernment? I think it means do what you can do and leave everything to God. Pray that you are following His will and all will be for the better. Basically trust Him that knows best for you. I think I have found a new devotion to the Holy Spirit.

This video is an indictment on the atheists and to a lesser extent liberals. I came across this from Mark Shea at Inside Catholic. It's a creative and fascinating video put out by the advertisers of Expelled (a documentary film by Ben Stein to be released on April 18). It may be difficult at first for some to discern if the video is paroding atheists or believers, but if you watch carefully there is no doubt that it is mocking Richard Dawkins and the New Atheists. Starring: Richard Dawkins as the M.C. (wearing a backwards cap with a Darwin fish logo) The Science (or Scientific Method?) as 'the Machine'. Christopher Hitchens as part of the posse (with the 'I love alcohol' bandanna) Charles Darwin as himself. Andrew Carnegie as himself (wearing no shirt and a huge dollar sign on a chain and a pimp hat). Eugenie Scott as a dancing harlot. Special appearance by Aristotle. Sam Harris (I think it's him and he also wears a backwards cap with a Darwin fish logo). Daniel Dennett

The Lyrics:

My name is D to the I to C to the K, Yeah I'm the Dickie D, I gots my PhD and comin' your way on the Youtube to bust your world view so just listen to me and don't you argue.

You see, this battle's been ragin' since Zeus was on the bottle, 'tween Science like Democritus and Faith like Aristotle,who said the mover was unmovin' like some magic trick but that's no good logic, my posse is far too quick for this religious sthick.

Cos science is the only way to know y'all, you stand with me y'all, or you can fall y'all

So go ahead and take your pick...

ES: Yeah you tell him Rick ...

Darwin: Cos if you don't know me ...

RD: YOU DON'T KNOW DICK!!

Chorus : Yeah he's the Dick to the Dawk to the PhD,he's smarter than you he's got a science degree! Yeah he's the Dick to the Dawk to the PhD, he's smarter than you he's got a science degree!

SH: On the shoulders of midgets we built up this machine,

DD: YEAH!!!

RD: Science silenced that watchdog wingnut Paleygrowing stronger and harder almost daily, storming Wilber by force as we framed the discourse that faith and science are split in schismatic divorce.

Then Darwin took to the seas to see what no one had seen, and ever since then we've been increasingly keen, they may never adore us, but they'll no longer ignore us,

give it to 'em PZ hit these BLEEP with the chorus!!!

Chorus: Yeah he's the Dick to the Dawk to the PhD, he's smarter than you he's got a science degree! The Dick to the Dawk to the PhD, he's still smarter than you he studied biology!

Then there was Darrow dukin' it out with the straight and the narrow, a ragin' bull in the ring, he did his thing, and took it on the chin like he was Bobby De Niro.

We might have lost at Scopes, beaten down by the dopes, and the stooges of popes, but in losin' we coped, becomin' more than we hoped, creationists slipped on the soap of their own slippery slope.

What was impossible, improbable, is now wholly unstoppable untoppleable, the Dick Doc'll roll up as you creationists foldup

you haters talkin' bull, don't you know that this Dick is un-cock-frickin' blockable ...

Chorus: Yeah he's the Dick to the Dawk to the PhD, he's smarter than you he's got a science degree! The Dick to the Dawk to the PhD, he's still smarter than you he studied biology!

Now the machine of our making, sees culture ripe for the taking,

Cos I'm the rappinest, rabidest atheist who unlike the Catholic, Muslim or even the Jew, believes that no God but science could ever be true, hell if I was dyslexic I'd even hate "dog" too.

Time to open your eyes, get yourself wise, the age of science will rise to be religion's demise, and while you churchies all cry, shouting 'why God oh why,' I'll still be poppin' my collar earning more dollars than Allah.

Hollah!

Chorus : Yeah he's the Dick to the Dawk to the PhD, he's smarter than you he's got a science degree! The Dick to the Dawk to the PhD, he's still smarter than you he studied biology!

Chorus : Yeah he's the Dick to the Dawk to the PhD,he's smarter than you he's got a science degree! The Dick to the Dawk to the PhD, he's still smarter than you he studied biology!

(Biretta Tip: Inside Catholic)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITIONMoses Passes Away, Requiescat in Pace - Mike Clark, USA Today Three Kids? You Showoffs. - Pamela Paul, Washington Post Monk Finds Christ After Years of Darkness - Lisa Maxson, CNA The Scandal of Being Flaky - David Bennett, Per Christum Papal Dress Code - Michael McGough, Los Angeles Times Japan's Dwindling Catholics - Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times Visiting Vatican is Beyond Belief - Jane Wooldridge, Miami Hrld “Until Death Do You Part?” - California Catholic Daily Decalogue Against Temptation - Father John Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS Toward a More Just Law - Gerald J. Russo, Inside Catholic Was Starvation of the Kulaks Genocide - Rick Moran, Am Thnkr Nun of 91 Years of Vocation Passes Away at 109 - FDL Reporter Secular News Item of the Day: Russia's Baby Boom Associated Press Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Saturday, April 5, click here. For Friday, April 4, click here. For Thursday Evening, April 3, click here. (Biretta Tips: PewSitter, Kevin Knight, & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Thoughts on Making the Journey - David Bennett, Per Christum The World Over & Card. Ratzinger - Rich Leonardi, Ten Reasons Reflections on Marriage - Janice Shaw Crouse, American Thinker Vatican: Pro-Abort Politicians Must Be Denied Communion - LSN Pope: Abortion & Divorce "Grave Sins" - Associated Press Pro-Life Film Festival 'Cinema Vita' a Success - Clfrn Cth Daily The Continuing Eradication of Christianity in Iraq - AFP Ave Maria Town Draws Tourists - Liam Dillon, Naples Daily News Myth of Religion-Neutral Classroom - Brian Melton, Intlctl Cnsrtv The Left's Good Warriors - Daniel J. Flynn, American Spectator Gay Marriage & Fr. Keenan, Once Again - George Weigel, ArchDen EWTN Girds for U.S. Papal Coverage - Tim Drake, Natl Cth Regstr Secular News Item of the Day: Doublethink and the Liberal Mind By Ed Kaitz of American Thinker Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Friday, April 4, click here. For Thursday Evening, April 3, click here. For Thursday Afternoon, April 3, click here. (Biretta Tips: PewSitter, Kevin Knight, & Conservapedia)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Benedict's America, a Model for Europe - Sandro Magister, Chiesa Mixed Reviews on Vatican-Jewish Relations - John Allen, NCR Cafe ...Vatican Communique on New Prayer for the Jews... The Kitchen Madonna - Jennifer, Per Christum Spirit of Vatican II at LA Religious Ed Convention - Diogenes, OtR Remembering & Misremembering MLK - Fr. Neuhaus, First Things The Incredible Growth of a Congregation (video)- H20 News Planned Parenthood: We Abort Black Babies - Michael Baggot, LSN Fr. Andrew Greeley Rips on Anti-Obama Pundits - W. Huston, NB Cohabitation is a Trial Divorce - Ed Thomas, OneNewsNow Peter Kreeft: "We are Living in a Spiritual Hiroshima" - Cth Ctzns Opus Dei at 25 - Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register Political News Item of the Day: 2008 Beijing Olympics Promotional Poster By Tito of Custos Fidei Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Thursday Evening, April 3, click here. For Thursday Afternoon, April 3, click here. For Wednesday Evening, April 2, click here. (Biretta Tips: PewSitter & Kevin Knight)