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Cardinal Biffi's seat in the Archdiocese of Bologna, is the Basilica of San Petronio which features a 1415 fresco of Mohammed the founder of Islam, in Hell. In 2002 a group of terrorists connected to Al-Qaeda were planning on bombing the church, but there plot was foiled by police. Moslems in Italy continue to demand the destruction or removal of the fresco. That is really interesting. I wonder if there are any pictures of the fresco. I am guessing that there are many hard feelings against Muslims among the locals in Balogna. I can understand why Muslims would be upset. What would Christians say if, in Jerusalem, the government of Israel put up a fresco of Jesus as one who led the Jews astray (as He is pictured in the Talmud)? I don't approve of any sort of bombing of anyone or anything, but I can understand why the Muslims would be upset. I still am trying to figure out what Cardinal Biffi means when he says that Moslems are "outside of our humanity." Is he suggesting that they are not human? that they have no souls? I'm sure he does not mean that literally, but the rhetoric suggests it. Joe
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I think we might have a living Saint in Cardinal Biffi.
God Grant Him Many Years! Ray, I have just erased what I was in the process of writing. I'll just say that if the Time magazine article is right, then I must confess that I find the good Cardinal's pastoral style and sense of priorities to be disconcerting. Joe
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Here's an article about the plot to blow up the Basilica.
Al-Qaida plot to blow up Bologna church fresco
Philip Willan in Rome
Monday June 24, 2002
The Guardian
An Islamist terror group linked to al-Qaida is suspected of plotting to blow up Bologna's most important church to erase the offence of a 15th-century Gothic fresco showing Mohammed being tormented by devils in hell.
A key alleged figure known as "Amsa the Libyan", who was arrested in Britain three weeks ago for possessing false papers, is suspected of having passed orders from al-Qaida leaders in Afghanistan and Iran to terrorist cells in Europe.
The Milan daily Corriere della Sera reported that in a telephone call intercepted by police in February, one of the suspect's alleged associates discussed plans for an attack on the Church of San Petronio, which has a large fresco by Giovanni da Modena showing the founder of the Islamic religion in hell.
The painter was inspired by Dante, who consigned Mohammed to the ninth circle of hell - reserved for religious schismatics - in his Divine Comedy. The fresco, held in a side-chapel, is seen by many Muslims as a symbol of Christian intransigence.
Amsa was monitored as he allegedly passed instructions to al-Qaida cells in Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. In one intercepted telephone call he apparently discussed an attack on the US embassy in Amsterdam.
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,11711,742914,00.html
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The Jews had a set of Christian values before Christ came along and they had prophets too. Christ was an improvement or religion is insanity. I believe the former. It is antichrist to believe the latter as an unbeliver.
I agree that to reduce Christianity to a set of values while not having prophets is the reverse of what Christ did. I have an athiest relative who gave up religion for moral values. He is so pro abortion that when he learned that I was having a child that he tried to force her to have an abortion. Feeling that it was immoral to have a child while being low income. This same relative told his own father not to talk about religion or pray in his house and reminded his father who's house he was in. Father never saw him again and died that year. He told me of his five children this one was 5th on his preferance list.
Last edited by Richard Anthony; 03/04/07 03:31 PM.
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This sounds in line with the way the Churches and society in general are heading today.
1. Peace - that is peace at any cost because they fail to recognise that the Church needs to contend for the truth in season and out of season. No truth, believe what you want, no conflict because "everything" has to be tolerated.
2. Ecologist - this movement embraces the new age pagan worship of deifying nature.
3. Ecumentist - truth is no longer relevant or objective,
believe as you will.
Stephanos I
God save us from the spirit of the antichrist.
Last edited by Stephanos I; 03/04/07 07:14 PM.
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Joe, I'll just say that if the Time magazine article is right, then I must confess that I find the good Cardinal's pastoral style and sense of priorities to be disconcerting. I happen also to believe Pope Urban II to be saint. I guess this is were you and I differ.
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At first my mouth nearly dropped to the floor reading the title of this thread, since I assumed it meant Father Cantalamessa (the Preacher of the Papal Household). Not to trash Father Cantalamessa, but he would never say such things, and is generally of a slightly more "progressive" bent.
The fact that it was, indeed, not he who gave this speech only confirms my convictions about him (neither good nor bad, necessarily).
Logos - Alexis
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Dear Ray S.,
The following is the last part of the prophecy of Saint John Kronstadt. It mentions the anti-christ. It appears that he will unite all the religions of the world under him. The five pointed star on people's lips shows that New Age will be spoken. That it is on their hands shows that their 'works' will be New Age, and on their elbow shows that it will be embraced:http://www.stvladimirs.ca/library/stjohn-kronstadt-vision.html... then saw a group of people, both old and young, all of whom were terribly dressed, and who were raising a large, five pointed star. On each corner were twelve demons and in the middle was Satan himself with terrifying horns and a straw head. He emitted a noxious foam onto the people while pronouncing these words, 'Arise you accursed ones with the seal of �..' Suddenly many demons appeared with branding irons and on all the people they placed the seal: on their lips, above the elbow and on their right hands. I asked the starets, 'What is the meaning of this?' He responded, This is the mark of the Antichrist!' I made the sign of the cross and followed after the starets.
He suddenly stopped and pointed to the east with his hand. I saw a large gathering of people with joyous faces carrying crosses and candles in their hands. In their midst stood a large altar as white as snow. On the altar was the cross and the Holy Gospel and over the altar was the vosduch with golden imperial crown on which was written in golden letter, 'For the short term.' Patriarchs, bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and laymen stood around the altar. They were all singing, 'Glory to God in the highest and peace on Earth' Out of great joy I made the sign of the cross and praised God. Suddenly the starets waved his cross upwards three times, and I saw mountain of corpses covered in human blood and above them Angels were flying. They were taking the souls of those murdered for the Word of God to heaven while they sang, Alleluia!' I observed all this and cried loudly.
The starets took me by the hand and forbade me to cry. 'What is pleasing to God is that Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and shed His precious blood for us. Such ones will become martyrs who do not accept the seal of the antichrist, and all who shed their blood will receive heavenly crowns.' The starets then prayed for these servants of God and pointed to the east as the words of the Prophet Daniel came true, 'Abomination of desolation.' Finally, I saw the cupola of Jerusalem. Above it was a star. Within the church millions of people thronged and still many more were trying to enter inside. I wanted to make the sign of the cross, but the starets grabbed my hand and said, 'Here is the abomination of desolation!'
So we entered into the church, and it was full of people. I saw an altar on which tallow candles were burning. On the altar was a king in red, blazing, porphyry. On his head was a golden cr own with a star. I asked the starets, 'Who is this?' He replied, 'The Antichrist!' He wa s very tall with eyes like fire, black eyebrows, a wedge-shaped beard, a ferocious, cunning, evil, and terrible face. He alone was on the altar and he reached his hands out to the people. He had claws as those of a tiger for hands and he shouted, 'I am King. I am God. I am the Leader. He who does not have my seal will be put to death.' All the people fell down and worshipped him, and he began to place his seal on their lips and on their hands in order that they should receive some bread and not die from hunger and thirst.
Around the Antichrist his servants were leading several people whose hands were bound as they had not bowed down to worship him. They said, "We are Christians, and we all believe in our Lord Jesus Christ!' The Antichrist ripped off their heads in a flash and Christian blood began to flow A child was then led to the altar of the Antichrist to worship him, but he boldly proclaimed, 'I am a Christian and believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, but you are a minister, a servant of Satan!' 'Death to him!' exclaimed the Antichrist. Others who accepted the seal of the Antichrist fell down and worshipped him. Suddenly roar of thunder resounded and thousand lightning flashes began to sparkle. Arrows began to strike the servants of the Antichrist. Then a large flaming arrow flashed by and hit the Antichrist himself on the head. As he waved his hand, his crown fell and was crushed into the ground. Then millions of birds flew in and perched on the servants of the Antichrist.
I felt the starets take me by the hand. We walked further on, and I again saw much Christian blood. It was here that I remembered the words of Saint John the Theologian in the book of Revelation that blood would 'be up to the horse's bridle.' I thought, Oh my God, save us! At that time I saw Angels flying and singing, 'Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord of Sabbaoth!' The starets looked back and went on to say, 'Do not grieve, for soon, very soon, will come the end of the world! Pray to the Lord. God be merciful to His servants!' Time was drawing near to close. He pointed to the east, fell to his knees and began to pray So I prayed with him. Then the starets began to quickly depart from the earth to the heights of heaven. As he did so I remembered that I did not know his name, so cried out loudly, 'Father, what is your name?' He tenderly replied, 'Seraphim of Sarov!'
That is what 'saw, and this is what ' have recorded for Orthodox Christians. A large bell rang above my head, and I heard the sound and arose from bed. 'Lord, bless and help me through the prayers of the great starets! You have enlightened me, the sinful servant, the priest John of Kronstadt."
(Translated by Priestmonk Orestes
Christ the Saviour Orthodox Seminary)
Zenovia
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Joe, I'll just say that if the Time magazine article is right, then I must confess that I find the good Cardinal's pastoral style and sense of priorities to be disconcerting. I happen also to believe Pope Urban II to be saint. I guess this is were you and I differ. Ray, I don't mean to suggest that Cardinal Biffi is not a living saint. It is not my place to judge. Also, I do understand what he was, in essence, getting at. I just find that taking such a concrete position on something like immigration and emphasizing the need to preserve Italian nationality and culture, while in the same breath, giving a very general and unequivocal condemnation of all Muslims ("outside our humanity" seems rhetoridally unnecessary) to be potentially dangerous. Speaking the truth with love and prudence is not an easy thing, I know. I am just concerned that this kind of preaching can easily lead to demonizing and scapegoating non-Christians and middle easterners. Joe
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Za myr z'wysot ... Member
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Stephanos, While I would hardly dispute that your evaluation accurately reflects the world's interpretation of these ideologies--or that many within the Church are following right along--I still find it disturbing that your comments seem to be recognizing these false definitions as true and rejecting the whole concept as a result. 1. Peace - that is peace at any cost because they fail to recognise that the Church needs to contend for the truth in season and out of season. No truth, believe what you want, no conflict because "everything" has to be tolerated.
2. Ecologist - this movement embraces the new age pagan worship of deifying nature.
3. Ecumentist - truth is no longer relevant or objective,
believe as you will. 1. Peace - I agree completely that the Church needs to "contend for the truth," but it is worthwhile to note that this concept has been and continues to be seriously misinterpreted (e.g. Catholics persecuting Protestants, Protestants persecuting Catholics, etc.). 2. Ecologist - are you saying that stewardship of God's creation is not important for Christians simply because neo-pagans have espoused the cause? I believe that many have embraced neo-paganism precisely because they saw something good in God's green earth, and they saw it being trashed by wicked men with almost no opposition from the Church. 3. Ecumenist - It is most interesting that the heroes of Soloviev's story include Catholics and Protestants as well as Orthodox--all of whom are united in their commitment to Jesus Christ. No other reason for unity is necessary, and no other way is possible. It would truly be a pity if we couldn't get together until the immediate need to oppose the Antichrist has constrained us to do so. Peace, Deacon Richard
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Deacon Richard,
Well stated, thank you!
Glory to Jesus Christ!
fr. Jim
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CONCLUSION OF THE ANNUAL LENTEN SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
Redemptoris Mater Chapel
Saturday, 3 March 2007
Your Eminence,
On behalf of all of us gathered here, I would like to say "thank you" to you for the marvellous inspirational presentation you have given us this week.
At Holy Mass, before the Eucharistic Prayer, we respond every day to the invitation, "Lift up your hearts" with the words, "We lift them up to the Lord". And I fear that this response is often more ritual than existential.
But during this week you have truly taught us to rise, to elevate our hearts, to soar upwards towards the invisible, towards the true reality. And you have also given us the key to respond every day to the challenges of this reality.
During your first conference I became aware that in the in-lay of my prie-dieu the Risen Christ is shown surrounded by flying angels. These angels, I thought, can fly because they are not regulated by the gravity of the earth's material things but by the gravity of the Risen One's love; and that we would be able to fly if we were to step outside material gravity and enter the new gravity of the love of the Risen One.
You have really helped us to come out of this gravitational force of everyday things, to enter into this other gravity of the Risen One and thus, to rise to on high. We thank you for this.
I would also like to say "thank you" because you have given us a very acute and precise diagnosis of our situation today, and you have especially shown us how, behind so many phenomena of our time that appear to be very far from religion and from Christ, there is a question, an expectation, a desire; and that the one true response to this ever-present desire precisely in our time is Christ.
Thus, you have helped us to follow Christ more courageously and to have greater love for the Church, the "Immaculata ex maculatis", as you taught us together with St Ambrose.
Lastly, I would like to say "thank you" for your realism, your humour and your concreteness; even for the somewhat audacious theology of your maid: I should not dare to submit these words, "The Lord may have his faults", to the judgment of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith! But in any case, we have been able to learn and your thoughts, dear Cardinal, will accompany us for more than the weeks to come.
Our prayers are with you. Thank you.
[Translation issued by the Holy See]
� Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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