The M+G+R Foundation

Current News Commentary

All of February 2013

February 28th, 2013 [Maledict's Resignation]

News Report No. 1


News Report No. 2
[contributor's highlights]

Top cardinal defends Mahony on abuse scandal, takes on critics. (1)

 

Jesus Christ reminds us:

and

miguel de Portugal comments: Ignoring His Words and nurturing scandal is far worse than being ashamed of His Words. It is shamefully ignoring them. Thanks be to God that soon all of these betrayers of Christ will not even be history, for they will be Eternally forgotten.

In closing, we wish to remind you who the "defender" is: Levada, with a well stained record.

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(1)  Top cardinal defends Mahony on abuse scandal


News Report No. 3
[our highlights]

What is Sequestration?

February 27th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[contributor's highlights]

Pope Benedict XVI Will Be Called 'Emeritus Pope' In Retirement, Vatican Says. (1)

Pope Benedict XVI will be known as "emeritus pope" in his retirement and will continue to wear a white cassock, the Vatican announced Tuesday, again fueling concerns about potential conflicts arising from having both a reigning and a retired pope.

....

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said Benedict himself had made the decision in consultation with others, settling on "Your Holiness Benedict XVI" and either emeritus pope or emeritus Roman pontiff.

.....

Benedict's decision to call himself emeritus pope and to keep wearing white is sure to fan concern voiced privately by some cardinals about the awkward reality of having two popes, both living within the Vatican walls.

Adding to the concern is that Benedict's trusted secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, will be serving both pontiffs – living with Benedict at the monastery inside the Vatican and keeping his day job as prefect of the new pope's household.

Asked about the potential conflicts, Lombardi was defensive, saying the decisions had been clearly reasoned and were likely chosen for the sake of simplicity.

.....

Benedict himself has made clear he is retiring to a lifetime of prayer and meditation "hidden from the world." However, he still will be very present in the tiny Vatican city-state, where his new home is right next door to the Vatican Radio and has a lovely view of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

.....

The first meeting isn't now expected until Monday, Lombardi said, since the official convocation to cardinals to come to Rome will only go out on Friday – the first day of what's known as the "sede vacante," or the vacancy between papacies.

In all, 115 cardinals under the age of 80 are expected in Rome for the conclave to vote on who should become the next pope; two other eligible cardinals have already said they are not coming, one from Britain and another from Indonesia. Cardinals who are 80 and older can join the College meetings but won't participate in the conclave or vote.

.....

Lombardi also further described Benedict's final 48 hours as pope: On Tuesday, he was packing, arranging for documents to be sent to the various archives at the Vatican and separating out the personal papers he will take with him into retirement.

On Wednesday, Benedict will hold his final public general audience in St. Peter's Square – an event that has already seen 50,000 ticket requests. He won't greet visiting prelates or VIPs as he normally does at the end but will greet some visiting leaders – from Slovakia, San Marino, Andorra and his native Bavaria – privately afterwards.

On Thursday, the pope meets with his cardinals in the morning and then flies by helicopter at 5 p.m. to Castel Gandolfo, the papal residence south of Rome. He will greet parishioners there from the palazzo's loggia (balcony) – his final public act as pope.

And at 8 p.m., the exact time at which his retirement becomes official, the Swiss Guards standing outside the doors of the palazzo at Castel Gandolfo will go off duty, their service protecting the head of the Catholic Church now finished.

Contributor's comments: From the start of B16's reign, his defenders have described him as "humble." It seems to me that a humble retiree from the Papacy would wear a black cassock, go to a secluded monastery in his native country, would resume use of his baptismal name, and would take no title other than "retired bishop." But what do I know; I am just a layman without theological training in seminary....

miguel de Portugal comments: Quoting from today's Gospel:


What is truly amazing is that most of the Church Administrators have conducted themselves, over the centuries, diametrically opposed to the fundamental teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ratzinger is just taking the anti Christian traditions to their complete fulfillment

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(1) Source

News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

In case anyone is curious, when the time in Rome is 8:00 PM, it is:

  9:00 AM Hawaii
11:00 AM San Francisco and Los Angeles
12:00 PM Phoenix and Denver
  1:00 PM Houston
  2:00 PM New York City
  3:00 PM San Juan, Puerto Rico (Hour of Mercy)
  7:00 PM in Great Britain and Portugal
  8:00 PM in most of Western Europe
  9:00 PM in Israel and Ukraine
11:00 PM in Moscow
  3:00 AM in Manila (the following day)
  4:00 AM in Tokyo (the following day)
  6:00 AM in Australia (the following day)

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(1)  Source



February 26th, 2013

News Report
[ highlights by contributor]
[comments in blue by contributor]

 

Medjugorje visionary Marija Pavlovic-Lunetti sought to strengthen the current Irish battle against abortion when she talked and had a public apparition in Dublin on Thursday. She further placed the Irish battle within a larger scheme.

“Our Lady is building a new humanity, a new generation that prays to God. That loves God and adores God. Make prayer groups in your family, be in a prayer group, and be a joy for God. Go to Holy Mass every day you can, how beautiful you will become. You will have a new Ireland, a holy Ireland. Take the Rosary. Pray, and The Holy Spirit will guide you in this new time” Marija said.

“Our Lady needs you to be a soldier of love. 31 years ago she began a revolution of love, and she will win” Marija concluded her talk.

[ On the Medjugorje site, the first apparitions are listed as occurring in June 1981. That is 32 years ago. Why does the "visionary" say that Mary's "revolution of love"  started 31 years ago? As for Mary's intervention in human history, why does this visionary overlook LaSalette, Fatima, Lourdes, and the rest?

Was 1982 the year that -  in your view - the Madjugorje apparitions went wrong? Another significant event in 1982 was the establishment of a personal prelature structure for OD. ]

More than 2,000 attendees packed the Shelbourne Hall of the prestigious Royal Dublin Society. Many were standing at the back. People came from all corners of Ireland, and some had come over from England.

During respectful silence in the hall, Marija’s apparition was long and lasted more than 10 minutes. Priests on the altar had their heads bowed in prayer. Afterwards, Marija asked people to kneel down and pray in a special way for the Church, for Pope Benedict XVI, and for the new Pope.

miguel de Portugal comments: We wish to remind our readership about our position regarding Medjugorje since it seems that some have forgotten it:


I visited Medjugorje in the second half of the eighties. It was not until I broke away from the tourist scene, which pervaded the whole area, that I could reestablish contact with the supernatural, which could be felt in that, once holy, village.

However, as the saying goes - "The proof of the pudding is in the making". Therefore, let us take a look at the fruits of Medjugorje.

One of the first teachings that Mary imparted at the very beginning, and which She repeated frequently, was:


It was in 1987 - six years after the first Marian manifestation there - when the winds of war started to blow in the Federal Republic Of Yugoslavia (3) - where Medjugorje was located. Essentially the Milosevic era started and the rest is history... a bloody war history still being worked out in the World Tribunal at The Hague.

Then we must pose the following: Either Mary lied or the millions upon millions that visited Medjugorje prior to the Milosevic era were no more than religious tourists who took home with them little more than their dirty laundry and a few souvenirs.

Of course Mary did not lie! What She said is true and we know it (not believe it, but know it from much actual practice).

The same story with Kibeho, Africa. (4) Mary appeared there in 1981, and it was approved in 1982.

The bottom line, brethren, is that the Vatican could not care less about what is going on as long as the Faithful have something to entertain themselves with and not pay attention to the less-than-holy activities of the Church Administration like the preparation for the False Second Coming.

Now we have Mirjana, in another very recent public spectacle, pleading for prayers for the Pope.


Now "Mary" is encouraging the people to pray for the AntiChrist!

What next? The next "Pope" will add to his Coat of Arms an image of satan, symbolizing Michael the Archangel, as Ratzinger's assistant, Archbishop Georg Gänsweinn, added a dragon, symbolizing St. George, to his Coat of Arms?

In conclusion: Benedict or no Benedict; Church Administration or no Church Administration; Apparitions or no Apparitions - either the Faithful quits talking and starts praying and fasting in earnest, or Divine Mercy will be unattainable for most.

Do you think our words are harsh? They are not at all when compared with what God will allow (allow, not cause) upon humanity to wake up the few who need to be awakened. You doubt it? Think again - while you still can!

Remember - God allowed World War II because the Church Administration did not respond to Heaven - and nothing has changed in the way Heaven interacts with humanity.

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(1)   Source
(2) "Words From Heaven", 1991, ISBN: 1-878909-01-9, page 101
(3) The breakup of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(4) Marian Apparitions in Kibeho
(5) Source



February 25th, 2013

News Report
[our highlights]

Retiring Pope 'not abandoning' the Church. (1)



miguel de Portugal comments: Isn't it interesting the expression he used "The Lord is calling me to climb onto the mountain",  when you consider the official version of the Third Secret of Fatima (2):


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(1)  Euronews Reports
(2) Wikipedia Reports on Fatima



February 24th, 2013 [Anniversary of the discovery of the  Head of John the Baptizer]

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Nuclear Waste Tank Leaking in Washington. (1)



miguel de Portugal comments: We will "do ourselves in" one way or another. satan could go on a sabbatical.... the world is already on automatic pilot navigating towards self destruction. Only God can intervene, and Will!, but, rest assured, few will be left to tell the story.

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(1)  News Report


News Report No. 2
[Permanent Link] [our highlights]

Kerry considers removing Cuba from terror list. (1)


miguel de Portugal comments: We are reclassifying Alice In Wonderland material from the Fantasy category and placing it in the Reality category.

We presume that Mr. Kerry has not heard about Juanita Castro (2). Or, is it that he just doesn't want to hear about why the Castro regime has lasted for so long at the very doorstep of the U.S. and is now a host to Russian tactical nuclear missiles (3)?

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(1) News Report
(2) Take a look.... and take a deep breath and start praying!
(3) Read about it! and wake up!



February 23rd, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Homeless man's honest deed rewarded with $16K donation, and counting. (1)


miguel de Portugal comments: We all need some good news, as well as a testimonial that a good example (that of Mr. Harris' grandfather) lives on long after the example-giver has gone Home.... just as God has promised.

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(1)  News Report


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

'I'm a monster': Veterans 'alone' in their guilt. (1)


miguel de Portugal comments: A real tragedy of unmeasurable dimensions. If only poor Mr. Kudo would know that the only One Who can forgive him never dies, for He is Eternal, his life would be quite different. Proper Evangelization would have taught him that a sorrowful and contrite heart God will not spurn and will be forgiven.

Oh, yes..... the solution to the moral injury is a loooong time off, and will get further away unless God is allowed into the equation so that He may do the work that no human could ever do!

If this situation were not bad enough on its own merit, just think.... What has been gained in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars? Nothing! Both have been lost.

Where are those Bible thumping Christians that should be spending their "thumping" energy ministering to the children whose lives our "statesmen" have destroyed? Oops! I forgot! Some of those "statesmen" were also Bible thumpers....  Oh well.... back to the drawing board.... or was it the water board....

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(1)  News Report



February 22nd, 2013

News Report
[our highlights]

Sen. Pete Domenici acknowledges having son outside marriage. (1)

miguel de Portugal comments: Another "holy one" hits the dirt and know that they all will, for Jesus said:  For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness, shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers, shall be preached on the housetops. [Luke 12:3]

If Mr. Domenici had realized that what he had done was wrong and had publicly (within his family - official and unofficial) confessed it, followed by a "cease and desist" behavior and assumption of responsibility - it would have become a non issue in the Eyes of God. After all,  Jesus also said: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.... [John 8:7]

His forced-by-fear regrets now are worthless before God.
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(1)  News Report



February 21st, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Possible changes in pope selection process. (1)

The Vatican says Benedict XVI might change the rules on choosing a new pope before he leaves the position next week. A law introduced by his predecessor John Paul II says the conclave to pick the new pontiff must start between 15 and 20 days after the post becomes vacant.

Some cardinals believe that leaves the Catholic Church leaderless for too long and so bringing the date forward could be one of Benedict's final papal acts.

The Deputy Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library, Ambrogio Piazzoni said: "The pope is the only one who can rule on this topic. So until 19:59 on February 28, any new ruling from Benedict XVI will be valid."

miguel de Portugal comments: Leave the Catholic Church leaderless for too long? These people must be kidding! If the Church is led by the Holy Spirit of God as they pretend to believe (and it really is!), the Body of Christ will never be leaderless - ever.

Inhaling too much incense is truly getting to them. But let us review other Vati-gems.

Cardinals cannot vote for a new Pope after reaching eighty years of age, but a Pope can be 100 years old and keep in office. If the Cardinals lost the guidance of the Holy Spirit to elect a new Pope at eighty, so did the Pope to lead the Church.

Bishops must retire when they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75 years, so we must presume that the Holy Spirit cannot get through to a 75+ year old hierarch unless, of course, he is a Cardinal.... in which case the Holy Spirit has a window of five more years to act upon the individual.... a window which is extended should the Cardinal be elected Pope.

As we have stated (2) elsewhere, administrative guidelines are necessary in any organization - including religious institutions. However, the guidelines should not be so incoherent as to bring shame upon the institution.

Not only most of them lack faith, they also lack intellect.

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(1)  Euronews Reports
(2) Administrative necessity

February 20th, 2013 [Our Lady of Tears]

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Better TV might improve kids' behavior. (1)

Teaching parents to switch channels from violent shows to educational TV can improve preschoolers' behavior, even without getting them to watch less, a study found.

"It's not just about turning off the television. It's about changing the channel. What children watch is as important as how much they watch," said lead author Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician and researcher at Seattle Children's Research Institute.

The research was to be published online Monday by the journal Pediatrics.

The study involved 565 Seattle parents, who periodically filled out TV-watching diaries and questionnaires measuring their child's behavior.

Half were coached for six months on getting their 3-to-5-year-old kids to watch shows like "Sesame Street" and "Dora the Explorer" rather than more violent programs like "Power Rangers."

The results were compared with kids whose parents who got advice on healthy eating instead.

At six months, children in both groups showed improved behavior, but there was a little bit more improvement in the group that was coached on their TV watching.

By one year, there was no meaningful difference between the two groups overall.

Before the study, the children averaged about 1½ hours of TV, video and computer game watching a day, with violent content making up about a quarter of that time. By the end of the study, that increased by up to 10 minutes. Those in the TV coaching group increased their time with positive shows; the healthy eating group watched more violent TV.

miguel de Portugal comments: But the "experts" are still debating if violent video games nurtures violent behavior in children or not.

As we said: Hell will freeze over before it is acknowledged that violent video games and violence in film program children to act violently.

Money not only talks; money screams!
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(1)  News Report


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

US security firm alleges massive Chinese hacking. (1)

Cyberattacks that stole massive amounts of information from military contractors, energy companies and other key industries in the U.S. and elsewhere have been traced to the doorstep of a Chinese military unit, a U.S. security firm alleged Tuesday.

China's Foreign Ministry dismissed the report as "groundless," and the Defense Ministry denied any involvement in hacking attacks.

China has frequently been accused of hacking, but the report by Virginia-based Mandiant Corp. contains some of the most extensive and detailed accusations to date linking its military to a wave of cyberspying against U.S. and other foreign companies and government agencies.

Mandiant said it traced the hacking back to a neighborhood in the outskirts of Shanghai that includes a drab, white 12-story office building run by "Unit 61398" of the People's Liberation Army.

"It is time to acknowledge the threat is originating in China, and we wanted to do our part to arm and prepare security professionals to combat that threat effectively," it said.

miguel de Portugal comments: Is this a newsworthy item?  Of course China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, etc. are hacking into our computers, just like we are hacking the proverbial daylights out of theirs!

Our point is: Why have we allowed this to happen? Where are our super cyber scientists? On a looong coffee break?

We do not need more Social Networks to keep our citizenry oblivious to the lack of practical ability of our cyber scientists. We need armored firewalls!

We do not need a "U.S. security firm" to tell us this. Anyone with half a brain should know that such activity is taking place on a proverbial wholesale basis!

If we cannot keep information secure - KEEP IT OFF LINE!!! I do not blame the hackers. That is "the name of their and our game". I blame our collective ineptitude to protect our National Security.

P.S. And if you think my impatience is showing.... Consider that what you read above was edited down after a 12 hour cooling down period!

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(1)  News Report

February 19th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Cardinal Peter Turkson reveals unique vision for Church if elected pope. (1)

Is the pope Catholic? That question may be less rhetorical than a matter of conviction for the world's 1.2 billion Catholics if Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson is elected the next pope.

Turkson, who is 64 years old, is the odds-on favorite to succeed Pope Benedict XVI. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, the African prelate said his biggest challenge as pope would be to maintain orthodox Catholic doctrine while "at the same time knowing how to apply it so that you do not become irrelevant in a world that has continuous changes." He amplified on this view by noting that the Church must "evangelise" those who had embraced "alternative lifestyles, trends or gender issues."

"We need to find ways of dealing with the challenges coming up from society and culture...." and  "We cannot fail in our task of providing guidance".

Homosexuality is far from the only hot-button issue Turkson has weighed in on. He caused a stir some years ago by screening a video claiming that Europe was in danger of being overrun by Muslims and insists that condoms are not the solution to preventing HIV.

Another challenge he assigns to the papacy is the responsibility for cleaning house, noting that the Vatican needs to "restore and repair" an image that has been "badly compromised by recent scandals."

miguel de Portugal comments: It seems that the Media, with support from Google, has already elected Cardinal Turkson to (apparently) occupy the Chair of Peter. (2)

Eternal Plans and Prophecies aside.... it would still be quite disturbing for many to have a black President in the U.S. and a black Pope in the Vatican.
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(1) News Report
(2) Take a look


News Report No. 2
[ highlights by contributor]

Pope Benedict's resignation and the mystery of the missing encyclical. (1)

Pope Benedict XVI's historic decision to resign at the end of February has astonished and perplexed the world in many ways, not least because of what might be called the mystery of the missing encyclical.

In December, the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said that Pope Benedict's fourth encyclical would be released in the first half of 2013. Treating the subject of faith, the encyclical would complete a trilogy on the three "theological virtues," following "Deus Caritas Est" (2005) on charity, and "Spe Salvi" (2007) on hope.

Then, on the day after the pope's announcement, Father Lombardi announced that Pope Benedict would not issue another encyclical after all.

The news was surprising because it suggested that Pope Benedict, a former professor who has placed a priority on his teaching role as pope, had abandoned the most prominent teaching project of his pontificate just before its completion. This, even though Father Lombardi said that the pope had pondered resignation for several months, and the Vatican newspaper reported that he first considered the move in March 2012.

It was hardly plausible that so prolific an author might be suffering from writer's block, even given the deteriorating "strength of mind and body" he cited in announcing his resignation. Three days after that announcement, Pope Benedict delivered a highly structured, 46-minute long public talk, without a prepared text and only occasionally consulting his notes.

miguel de Portugal comments: Nothing new here. Having 1,600 years of historical records to go by, "faith" has not really been a priority for the controlling forces within the Roman Catholic Church. We mean, of course, faith in God, not in money. (2)

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(1)  News Report
(2) In Mammon they trust

February 18th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

The Pope will have security, immunity by remaining in the Vatican. (1)

Pope Benedict's decision to live in the Vatican after he resigns will provide him with security and privacy. It will also offer legal protection from any attempt to prosecute him in connection with sexual abuse cases around the world, Church sources and legal experts say.

"His continued presence in the Vatican is necessary, otherwise he might be defenseless. He wouldn't have his immunity, his prerogatives, his security, if he is anywhere else," said one Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It is absolutely necessary" that he stays in the Vatican, said the source, adding that Benedict should have a "dignified existence" in his remaining years.

Another consideration was that if the pope did move permanently to another country, living in seclusion in a monastery in his native Germany, for example, the location might become a place of pilgrimage. "That would be very problematic," another Vatican official said.

The final key consideration is the pope's potential exposure to legal claims over the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals.

That would continue to provide him immunity under the provisions of the Lateran Pacts while he is in the Vatican and even if he makes jaunts into Italy as a Vatican citizen.

The 1929 Lateran Pacts between Italy and the Holy See, which established Vatican City as a sovereign state, said Vatican City would be "invariably and in every event considered as neutral and inviolable territory".

There have been repeated calls for Benedict's arrest over sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

miguel de Portugal comments: More double talk and smoke screens. Once he steps down he will no longer enjoy the "Head of State" immunity thus his extradition could be claimed by any foreign country. No matter whether he is at the Vatican or in Germany.

Of course, the real problem may arise for him and many others when the incensed mobs take over the Vatican.... but we digress....
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(1)  News Source
 

News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Benedict XVI chose German Knight of Malta to head the Vatican Bank. (1)
 

Inside a 13th-century monastery in a sleepy village north of Rome, the Rev. Salvatore Palumbo was allegedly serving more than one higher authority.

Italian prosecutors say a Ferrari-driving lawyer who defrauded insurance companies used the priest as a frontman, with Palumbo stashing the illicit cash inside the secretive Institute for Works of Religion - a.k.a. the Vatican Bank.

The arrests over the past six months of Palumbo and the 34-year-old lawyer, Simone Fazzari, highlight one major source of the scandals and power struggles that observers say contributed to Pope Benedict XVI's historic resignation this week — the murky world of Vatican finances.

Last month, Italy barred its own banks from doing business in the Holy See, citing a lack of transparency by the city-state’s financial apparatus that has routinely declined to release data on accounts held there by church bodies, clergy, foreign embassies and lay entities related to the Vatican.

On Friday, the pope backed a decision by a commission of cardinals to name Ernst von Freyberg to head the Vatican Bank. The German-born lawyer and member of the ancient Knights of Malta was selected, the Vatican said, because of "his vast experience." However, Italian commentators were quick to question why the choice was not left to the incoming pope.

"It seems like an attempt to force the situation, not to leave the new pope an option," said Massimo Franco, author of "The Crisis of the Vatican Empire" and a columnist at Corriere della Sera. "I find it quite strange that this is the last major act of the pope."

miguel de Portugal comments: The children of Babylon will not desist until God plows them under, once and for all.

Today's Gospel has been transmitting the warning for centuries as to the fate of the children of Babylon, and has fallen on deaf ears, but God knows what will make deaf ears hear again - Pain!

The Gospel

Matthew 25:31-46 (New International Version)

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

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(1)  News Report

February 17th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

The Vatican raised the possibility Saturday that the conclave to elect the next pope might start sooner than March 15, the earliest date possible under current rules that require a 15-20 day waiting period after the papacy becomes vacant. (1)

Vatican spokesman The Rev. Federico Lombardi said that the Vatican rules on papal succession are open to interpretation and that "this is a question that people are discussing."
 
"It is possible that church authorities can prepare a proposal to be taken up by the cardinals on the first day after the papal vacancy" to move up the start of conclave, Lombardi said.

He explained that the 15-20 day rule is in place to allow time for the arrival of "all those (cardinals) who are absent" to take part in the conclave in the usual circumstances of convening after a pope dies. But in this case, the cardinals already know that this pontificate will end on Feb. 28 with the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and therefore can get to Rome in plenty of time to take part in the conclave, Lombardi said.

The date of the conclave's start is important because Holy Week begins March 24, with Palm Sunday Mass followed by Easter Sunday on March 31. In order to have a new pope in place in time for the most solemn liturgical period on the church calendar, he would need to be installed as pope by Sunday, March 17.

Given the tight time-frame, speculation has mounted that some sort of arrangement would be made to start the conclave earlier than a strict reading of the law would allow.

miguel de Portugal comments: They are certainly getting all the proverbial "ducks lined up" for the next stage.

In any case, we would not expect them to choose March 15th as the starting date.... after all, on that day  - 15 March 44 BC - Julius Caesar was murdered  in the Roman Senate house by 60 conspirators led by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. (2)

Caesar, born into the Julii, an ancient but not particularly distinguished Roman aristocratic family, began his political career in 78 B.C. as a prosecutor for the anti-patrician Popular Party. He won influence in the party for his reformist ideas and oratorical skills, and aided Roman imperial efforts by raising a private army to combat the king of Pontus in 74 B.C. He was an ally of Pompey, the recognised head of the Popular Party, and essentially took over this position after Pompey left Rome in 67 B.C. to become commander of Roman forces in the east.

In 63 B.C., Caesar was elected pontifex maximus, or "high priest," allegedly by heavy bribes. Two years later, he was made governor of Farther Spain and in 60 B.C. returned to Rome, ambitious for the office of consul.

How ironic - in Europe the Popular Party is now considered the "patrician" party being, in Spain, the unofficial "Opus Dei political party".
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(1)  News Report
(2)  Source


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Facebook targeted by hackers, says no user data compromised.(1)

Facebook said Friday it had been the target of a sophisticated hacking attack but that it had no evidence any user data had been compromised.

The attack comes two weeks after Twitter asked 250,000 of its users to reset their passwords after it too was hacked. In the same week, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal also reported being hacked.

Facebook said its systems were targeted last month when a handful of employees visited a mobile developer website that had been compromised. The website allowed malicious code to be installed on the employees' laptops, Facebook said in a blog post. It said the laptops were fully patched and running up-to-date antivirus software.

"As soon as we discovered the presence of the malware, we remediated all infected machines, informed law enforcement, and began a significant investigation that continues to this day," Facebook said.

miguel de Portugal comments: Notice how long it took Facebook to make public the attack and how ill equipped their computers are security wise: It said the laptops were fully patched and running up-to-date antivirus software. Why didn't they have the protection before? Oh, yes....!  Humans are best at closing the proverbial barn doors after the horses have been stolen.

Internet security.... a mere illusion like all other imagined securities. The only true security is God.... tragically (for humanity) is the least considered and most ignored.

_________________
(1)  News Report

February 16th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Litany of secrets after papal retirement bombshell. (1)
 

Pope Benedict is to seek immunity and protection from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. (2)

International Tribunal calls on Napolitano to "not collude in criminality", and announces global campaign to occupy Vatican property and launch human rights inquiry in Italy.

Pope Benedict, Joseph Ratzinger, has scheduled a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano for Saturday, February 23 to discuss securing protection and immunity from prosecution from the Italian government, according to Italian media sources.

Ratzinger's meeting follows upon the apparent receipt by the Vatican of a diplomatic note from an undisclosed European government on February 4, stating its intention to issue an arrest warrant for Ratzinger, who resigned from his pontificate less than a week later.

miguel de Portugal comments: Theories are coming out of the proverbial woodwork to explain Maledict's resignation and, as with everything associated with the Vatican, the world is facing an onslaught of lies mixed with some truth to give them credibility.

One of the greatest lies is that Ratzinger will not be involved in any Church matters come February 28th at 8 P.M. and that he wants to spend the rest of his life in a permanent retreat like state.

If there were any truth to that, he would have booked the first flight out of Rome to the nearest airport to his hometown in Bavaria for March 1. Instead, he is staying in some sort of custom made area within the Vatican Walls. Disconnect? Sure!.... and we have some beach front property for sale in Arizona....!

Let's not get distracted from the fact that Meledict resigned and what will follow.

Did it really matter why Judas betrayed Jesus? Books may have been written speculating on this but, the important issue is that he betrayed Jesus Who was then crucified for our sins to later resurrect to give us an opportunity (not the right!) to Eternal Life.

The salvific plan, of which Judas was a key player, in no way exonerated Judas from his heinous crime. God, the Absolute Master of Creation, and Who must be served even by satan, simply used Judas' sin to rescue His children.

Therefore, whatever triggered Maledict's resignation is not important. What is important is that he steps down now, still alive. After all, the Anti and False Christs must coexist, albeit briefly, in the Time frame of reference.

_________________
(1)  Source
(2)  Source

February 15th, 2013

Latest News Report

A meteor streaked across the sky above Russia's Ural Mountains on Friday morning, causing sharp explosions and reportedly injuring around 100 people, including many hurt by broken glass.

Euronews Reports with videos showing the meteor and the damage done. Report No. 1   and Report No. 2


News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

The UN Braces for Stormy Space Weather. (1)
       

In 1958, the General Assembly...  established the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). 

COPUOS became a forum for development of laws and treaties governing space-related activities.  Moreover, it set the stage for international cooperation on problems that no one nation could handle alone.   

At each annual meeting in Vienna, Austria, COPUOS members confer about these issues, which present some key challenge or peril to the whole planet.

This year, a new item is on the agenda: Space Weather.

"This is a significant development," says Lika Guhathakurta of NASA Headquarters in Washington.  "By adding space weather to the regular agenda of the COPUOS Science and Technical Subcommittee, the UN is recognizing solar activity as a concern on par with orbital debris and close-approaching asteroids."

Now that space weather has been elevated to a permanent place on the COPUOS agenda, it will be a matter of regular conversation among UN diplomats, scientists and emergency planners.  This is important because, while space is no longer up for grabs, it is still true that in the realm of space weather almost anything can happen.

miguel de Portugal comments: More institutionalized Hand-Wringing Sessions. We would like to see how they are going to regulate solar activity. We presume that it will be as well as they regulate earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and asteroids hurling through space.

_________________
(1)  NASA Reports


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

miguel de Portugal comments: We are not losing any sleep over it even if it were a direct hit asteroid. On the lighter side: After the direct hit by a bolt of lightening, maybe the residents of Vatican City should wear hard hats today....


News Report No. 3
[our highlights]

Pope decided to resign after Cuba trip, Vatican advisor says. (1)

Pope Benedict XVI's decision to step down from his office was made soon after his trip to Mexico and Cuba in March 2012, according to a senior communications officer at the Vatican.
 
"What's interesting is how long ago this decision was made, shortly after the Pope's trip to Cuba, which was in March of last year," said Vatican advisor Greg Burke.
 
On Feb. 11, Pope Benedict XVI announced to a gathering of cardinals in Rome that he no longer has the strength to carry out the office of the papacy and will resign on February 28. He is 85 years of age.

Burke confirmed that the decision was made months ago, after a six-day trip during which the pontiff was described as visibly tired and speaking with a strained voice.

miguel de Portugal comments: We would not believe the time of the day if it were announced by a Vatican insider.... but, if it is true.... but we digress....

In any case the Anti Christ (2) must still be alive when the False Christ (3) is manifested (4) so - all "is looking good!" as the saying goes.

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(1) News Source
(2) The Anti Christ
(3) The False Christ
(4) Where is the Beast? 

February 14th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Malachy Prophecy: Next Pope Will Be Last. (1)

Ancient Catholic prophecies by a revered Irish bishop end with the chilling prediction that the next Pope to be selected by the College of Cardinals to fill Benedict XVI's place will be the last Pope.

St. Malachy, an Archbishop of Armagh who died in 1148, left behind a list of 112 Popes that has amazed some with its remarkable accuracy.

Malachy used a short phrase in Latin to describe each Pope, beginning with Celestine II and "From a castle on the Tiber." That Pope's birth name was Guido di Castello.

More recently, he described Pope John Paul I with the phrase: "From the midst of the moon." His reign, which began in 1978, began with the moon half full and lasted only one month - or one moon.

miguel de Portugal comments: We have fully addressed this issue in a Document published  back on November 6, 2011
________________
(1)  Source


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

The new Coat of Arms (CoA) for Maledict's personal secretary - the new Archbishop Georg Gänsweinn - is a story onto itself.

On the right side of the CoA is a compressed version of Maledict's CoA while the left side is mostly occupied by a dragon.

According to Wikipedia: (1) (2)

Archbishop Ganswein's chivalric coat of arms on the sinister side have the draconian serpent that heraldically symbolises the Devil being slain by his patron, Saint George - and, in this instance, has been viewed as a symbol to protect the Pope. The image is superimposed by a seven-point star representing the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Gänswein has taken "Testimonium Perhibere Veritati" ("To bear witness to the truth") as his episcopal motto. 

miguel de Portugal comments: Why not used a symbol representing St. George instead of one representing the evil one? Because God is using every possible channel to warn humanity.

Mr. Gänsweinn's logic is the equivalent of having an image of satan on a church altar instead of Michael the Archangel symbolizing the conquering of satan.

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(1) Source
(2) A larger image of the CoA



News Report No. 3
[our highlights]

Shooting in the Dark. (1)

The young men who opened fire at Columbine High School, at the movie theater in Aurora, Colo., and in other massacres had this in common: they were video gamers who seemed to be acting out some dark digital fantasy. It was as if all that exposure to computerized violence gave them the idea to go on a rampage -  or at least fueled their urges.

But did it really?

Social scientists have been studying and debating the effects of media violence on behavior since the 1950s, and video games in particular since the 1980s. The issue is especially relevant today, because the games are more realistic and bloodier than ever...,

A burst of new research has begun to clarify what can and cannot be said about the effects of violent gaming. Playing the games can and does stir hostile urges and mildly aggressive behavior in the short term. Moreover, youngsters who develop a gaming habit can become slightly more aggressive - as measured by clashes with peers, for instance - at least over a period of a year or two.

Yet it is not at all clear whether, over longer periods, such a habit increases the likelihood that a person will commit a violent crime, like murder, rape, or assault, much less a Newtown-like massacre. (Such calculated rampages are too rare to study in any rigorous way, researchers agree.)

"I don’t know that a psychological study can ever answer that question definitively," said Michael R. Ward, an economist at the University of Texas, Arlington. "We are left to glean what we can from the data and research on video game use that we have."

miguel de Portugal comments: This situation is similar to that about the harmful effects on mobile phones. There is so much money involved that neither mobile phones nor video games will be found harmful to society.

We have discussed several times this issue by equating with the power that ten minutes worth of TV commercials, in every thirty minutes of broadcast, have over the mind and, frankly, no further research is needed.... if the truth is really sought.

Blessedly, all of this will be of no importance soon.
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(1)   News Report

February 13th, 2013 [Ash Wednesday]

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

When lightning struck a stricken Holy See. (1)

Just a few hours after Benedict XVI surprised the world and shook Christiandom when he announced his intention to quit the papacy, St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican was struck by several bolts of lightning during a nightly thunderstorm.

Right after the Pope’s historical announcement, the Vatican’s former second in command, Angelo Sodano, had called it “a bolt of lightning in a clear blue sky.” For some, this lightning may be the signs the skies above agree with him.

miguel de Portugal comments: Indeed prayers are being answered.

P.S. The video (1) from Euro News is quite impressive.

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(1)  Excellent video from Euro News


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

What heals traumatized kids? Answers are lacking. (1)

Shootings and other traumatic events involving children are not rare events, but there's a startling lack of scientific evidence on the best ways to help young survivors and witnesses heal, a government-funded analysis found.

School-based counseling treatments showed the most promise, but there's no hard proof that anxiety drugs or other medication work and far more research is needed to provide solid answers, say the authors who reviewed 25 studies. Their report was sponsored by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

"We really don't have a gold standard treatment right now," said William Copeland, a psychologist and researcher at Duke University Medical Center who was not involved in the report. A lot of doctors and therapists may be "patching together a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and that might not add up to the most effective treatment for any given child," he said.

miguel de Portugal comments: This is the product of the failed Evangelization. How sad!

Only God can heal traumatized kids and adults!

All I can think of is: If I - a miserable sinner - feel the way I  do about this, how great a sorrow this must cause to Jesus and Mary Who have done all in order to help wayward humanity.
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(1)  News Report

February 12th, 2013 [The Day After....]

Yet Another Very Latest News Report
[our highlights]

Lightning Strikes St. Peter's in Vatican City. (1)

Lightning struck the St. Peter's Basilica Monday, hours after Pope Benedict XVI announced that he will resign as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics on February 28.

In the photo taken by Filippo Monteforte, the St. Peter's iconic dome received a direct hit from lightning during stormy weather.

miguel de Portugal comments:  What else could we add?  Just some observations....


It does not seem that is necessary to call Daniel to confirm that we are indeed approaching the End of These Times.

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(1) Weather Channel Reports


News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Pope's older brother had known of the decision to quit. (1)

Pope Benedict's brother Georg Ratzinger seems to have been one of the few people not surprised by the pontiff's decision to resign.

From his home in Bavaria, the frail and nearly blind Father Georg has admitted he had known for a few months about his brother's plans, and confirmed Benedict would remain in Rome.

"He will stay in Rome of course, that's for sure and when I'm down there for a holiday he might have more time. When I was there for holidays, the times together were very limited, celebrating (mass) in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening. Other wise he was always busy. During the holidays now it will become easier, but when I'm in Regensburg and he is in Rome, we will speak regularly as we always have done on the phone."

In the Pope's home town of Marktl in the predominantly Catholic southern German region of Bavaria, most locals said they respected the Pope's decision. His brother's explanation that the demands of the office were becoming too heavy for a man of his age was greeted with understanding by many.

miguel de Portugal comments:  The highlighted portions of the news report added to our comments of February 11th make the appropriate "comments from miguel de Portugal" at this time.
_____________________
(1) Euronews Reports

February 11th, 2013 [Our Lady of Lourdes]


Very Latest News Report
[our highlights]

New pope by Easter after Benedict XVI resigns effective February 28th. (1)


miguel de Portugal comments:  As this time we no comments. Just one observation. In s planned resignation it would have been logical to resign before Ash Wednesday to give enough time to have a new "Pope" to start the Lent period, as opposed to step down seventeen days into Lent.
______________________
(1)  Euronews Reports
(2)  Euronews News Report with Video


News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Sun Unleashes Solar Eruption at Earth During Long Flare. (1)

A long-lasting solar flare erupted from the sun early Saturday (Feb. 9), triggering an intense sun eruption aimed squarely at Earth. The solar storm, however, should not endanger satellites or astronauts in space, but could amplify auroras on Earth, NASA says.

The solar eruption - called a coronal mass ejection - occurred at 2:30 a.m. EST (0730 GMT) on Saturday during a minor, but long-duration, flare. It hurled a wave of charged particles at Earth at speeds of about 1.8 million miles per hour (nearly 2.9 million km/h).

"In the past, CMEs at this strength have had little effect," NASA officials said in a statement. "They may cause auroras near the poles but are unlikely to disrupt electrical systems on Earth or interfere with GPS or satellite-based communications systems."

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(1) News Report


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Vatican celebrates Knights of Malta's 900 years. (1)

The Knights of Malta, one of the most peculiar organizations in the world, marked its 900th birthday Saturday with a colorful procession through St. Peter's Square, a Mass in the basilica and an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, himself a member of the onetime chivalrous order drawn from Europe's nobility.

The Knights are at once a Roman Catholic religious order,.... and a sovereign entity that prints its own passports and enjoys diplomatic relations with 104 countries - yet has no country to call its own.

Some 4,000 people .... processed through St. Peter's Square and into the basilica for the Mass marking the 900th anniversary of the order's recognition by the Holy See.

After the Mass, which was celebrated by the Vatican No. 2, Benedict came to the basilica for an audience during which he thanked the order for its service and urged it to continue providing health care for the world's neediest while staying true to its Christian ideals. The order's work, he said, "is not mere philanthropy but an effective expression and a living testimony of evangelical love."

miguel de Portugal comments:  "....a sovereign entity that prints its own passports and enjoys diplomatic relations with 104 countries - yet has no country to call its own."  Amazing!

In 70 years I have never stumbled upon any indication of the Knights of Malta "providing health care for the world's neediest while staying true to its Christian ideals". Amazing!

And Alice thought that she lived in a Wonder Land!
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(1)    News Report


News Report No. 3
[our highlights]

China - Out with the dragon, In with the Year of the Snake. (1)

While some astrologists are forecasting the Chinese New Year will be suitably venomous, bringing natural and economic disasters, people in Beijing and beyond have been celebrating the event in traditional fashion.

In the city's Temple of Earth, sacrifices performed by past emperors to appease the gods were meticulously recreated.

Half of Beijing's 20 million people are reported to have left the city for the holiday. Hundreds of millions have travelled to spend the festival with their families, in the world's largest annual mass migration.

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(1)  News Report

February 10th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Serious flaws found in US missile shield. (1)


miguel de Portugal comments: Referring to our challenge to the Secretary of Defense (posted yesterday) to secure the funds he wants for the DOD, i.e.,


Based on the failures of the US Missile Shield, Congress should even cut the subsidized lunches at the Pentagon. Let them "brown bag"!  Maybe they are able to do that right without fumbling it!
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(1)  News Report


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Accused witch burned alive in Papua New Guinea. (1)


miguel de Portugal comments: Imagine what they would have done if  we were not living in the "ultra-civilized" 21st century after 1,600 years of "flawless Evangelization".

May her soul rest in peace and may those, who by their action or inaction caused and allowed this, have time to repent before they present themselves before the Supreme Judge.
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(1)  News Report


News Report No. 3
[ highlights by contributor]

Last 26 January, the priest was appointed vice director of the Department of Technical Services for the Governorate of the world's smallest State. And he was not chosen by chance. Only yesterday he was head of logistics at the Opus Dei headquarters in Rome.

The not-quite-50-year-old priest was ordained presbyter on 23 May 2009. His is a classical "adult vocation" that was born within the body founded by San Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer. An engineer by training, he coupled the skills needed in his new task with a deep spirituality.

miguel de Portugal comments: Are they calling "deep spirituality" falling for the obvious-for-all-to-see anti Christian theology (2) of Escrivá?

Amazing; simply amazing!
_________________
(1)  The Opus Dei and Benedict XVI's "silent clean-up" operation - Vatican Insider
(2) Escriva's anti Christian theology

February 9st, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Assisted suicide on legal agenda in several states. (1)


miguel de Portugal comments: Why the big debate? Isn't abortion legalized already? Of course, there is a major difference. The aborted human life was given a choice.
_________________
(1)   News Report


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Poor in cages show dark side of Hong Kong boom.(1)


miguel de Portugal comments: Something to remember when there is the urge to complain to God of one's state in life..... and more than enough reason to keep praising Him every time that we have a meal to eat and a bed to sleep in.
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(1)  News Report


News Report No. 3
[our highlights]

Panetta warns of 'crisis' in military readiness. (1)


miguel de Portugal comments: If I were a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee I would pose Mr. Panetta only two questions. If he could  satisfactorily answer them in full, he would then be given all the money he wants for the DOD.

Question No. 1: Why, with the trillions spent in Defense we have not won one single war since World War II? Why would more money make a difference now?

Question No. 2: How much money is required to prevent an ever increasing group of men and women who are willing to immolate themselves for an ideal? What are they going to be threatened with to get them to stop? Death?

My God!, we cannot even provide the President with a hack-free telephone! (See post of February 8th)
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(1)   News Report


February 8th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

A Guide to Spying on Cisco Phone Calls. (1)



miguel de Portugal comments: The only defense that we have is God; a defense which is available only to those who:

and who....

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(1)  New York Times Reports
(2) Pres. Obama on Air Force One

February 7th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Feds Can Kill US Citizens: Department of Justice Memo - Leaked document has loose definition of requirements for drone strike. (1)

It is legal for the American government to order the killing of an American citizen if a "high-level" official decides that the person  is a senior member of al-Qaeda or an associated group who poses "an imminent threat of violent attack" against the US, according to a Justice Department memo obtained by NBC News.

But the 16-page document, which details the legal reasoning behind the use of drone strikes against Americans, uses a very broad definition of "imminent." A key part:  "The condition that an operational leader present an 'imminent' threat of violent attack against the United States does not require the United States to have clear evidence that a specific attack on US persons and interests will take place in the immediate future."

"It recognizes some limits on the authority it sets out, but the limits are elastic and vaguely defined, and it's easy to see how they could be manipulated." A bipartisan group of 11 senators wrote to President Obama yesterday urging him to release documents explaining his "authority to deliberately kill American citizens" in drone strikes or other counter-terror operations,....

 
miguel de Portugal comments: What is the big surprise? The big uproar? Isn't abortion legalized already? Is there a difference in the Eyes of God? Hardly!
_________________
(1)  News Report


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Merkel supports education minister in cheating row. (1)

Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel is maintaining her support for her education minister, at the centre of a plagiarism scandal. Annette Schavan's chair was empty at the cabinet meeting - she is on a trip to South Africa.

There, she struck back at Düsseldorf University which stripped her of her PhD saying parts of the thesis had been copied. "I will not accept the unversity’s decision, and I will take legal action against it," she said.

Calls for Schavan to go are mounting from opposition MPs and the media. The top-selling Bild newspaper said if she has cheated, it would be like the transport minister driving while drunk.

A friend and ally of Merkel, she has been education minister since 2005, and that means overseeing Germany's universities.

miguel de Portugal comments: Institutionalized corruption seems to have become Europe's latest past time.  They must have hired a Psychiatrist who taught at Baylor Medical School who, on a personal conversation with me, stated that the best tactic always is: Do everything and deny everything.
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(1)   Euronews Reports

February 6th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Mexican church sparks debate on forgiving killers. (1)

An order of Roman Catholic priests in Mexico has produced a video urging relatives of drug cartel victims to adopt a Christ-like forgiveness by pardoning even the killers, hitting a sensitive nerve in a country that has suffered an estimated 70,000 estimated drug gang killings or more.

The 10-minute video entitled "Brother Narco," presented this week, tells the story of Miri, a 13-year-old girl who cowers in her bedroom as a gunman and his gang kill her parents one night. The killer in a black cowboy hat later bursts with his henchmen into the church where her parents' funeral is being held. The gunmen carry a funeral wreath for the couple, and the killer lays a hand on the coffin, and then turns to leave.

Miri walks up to him in the church and hugs him.

"My uncles and aunts told me .... that when I grow up, I have to do the same thing to your children," Miri says to him, speaking of revenge. Instead, she decides to forgive him, reasoning, "Maybe somebody did the same thing to your parents, or maybe they never hugged you."

The killer is shown returning the embrace, but it is unclear what he does next.

"By attacking the criminals with guns, what we have done is taken violence and produced more violence," he said.

"What we have found is that these criminals have undergone a process of dehumanization," Sotelo said. "What we need to do is to reverse that process of dehumanization. How you re-humanize someone, is, well, by treating them as what they are, a human being."

Miranda de Wallace, too, acknowledged Mexico will one day face the task, but in a country where an estimated 98 percent of crimes go unprosecuted, said that day has not yet arrived.

"Without doubt, we will have to reach forgiveness," she said, "but I don't think we are at that stage yet in the national process."

miguel de Portugal comments: These are the type of clergymen (and members of the hierarchy and religious orders of the same mind) that we keep encouraging everyone to pray for every day so that they continue to spread the True Word of God by their actions.

This report is particularly gratifying to us since we make it practice to offer a decade of the Rosary every day for the conversion of the drug traffickers. Like with the suicide bomber fanatics, no man, no government, no army, NO ONE! can stop them. Only God can change them, and then, they will stop.

This is what Christianity is all about.... and how little of it is seen anywhere!

Which brings us back to prayer - this time for the children of Babylon within institutionalized religion (see posts for February 5th). We also regularly offer a decade of the Rosary for their conversion.

_________________
(1)  News Report

February 5th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[highlights by contributor]

Priest who admitted groping boy appointed to high-profile position in Newark Archdiocese. (1)

A Roman Catholic priest who confessed to groping a teenage boy 12 years ago has been named to a prestigious post in the Archdiocese of Newark, drawing furious criticism from advocates for victims of clergy sex abuse.

The Rev. Michael Fugee, who is barred from unsupervised contact with children under a binding agreement with law enforcement officials, has been appointed co-director of the Office of Continuing Education and Ongoing Formation of Priests, the archdiocese recently announced in its newspaper, the Catholic Advocate.

Jim Goodness, a spokesman for the archdiocese, called Fugee's new role an administrative position based in the chancery office in Newark. Under no circumstances, Goodness said, will Fugee be alone with children.

"We have every confidence in him," the spokesman said.

Fugee, 52, was serving as assistant pastor at the Church of St. Elizabeth in Wyckoff when authorities charged him in 2001 with aggravated criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child. He allegedly grabbed the crotch of a 14-year-old boy while wrestling with him at the teen’s home and on a vacation in Williamsburg, Va.

Goodness, the spokesman, characterized Fugee as a victim in the case, saying the priest had been through a “terrible ordeal."

“The whole situation that caused this ordeal was not pleasant for anybody," Goodness said. “However, at the end of it and the whole legal process he went through, he was determined by the courts to be unfairly judged in the trial. As a result, that should not penalize a priest from returning to a ministry."

Fugee's new role is an influential one, with a responsibility for shaping the education and so-called formation of priests in the archdiocese. That includes researching programs and workshops in New Jersey and elsewhere and alerting priests to them, Goodness said. Fugee is not likely to engage in one-on-one counseling with priests, the spokesman said.

miguel de Portugal comments: See the comments after post No. 2

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(1)  CNS STORY: New coadjutor of Los Angeles one of 24 Opus Dei bishops


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Msgr. Gerhard Ludwig Müller, The Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, compares mood toward Catholic Church to anti-Jewish pogroms.

 

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith launches an attack from the columns of German daily “Die Welt": North America and Europe are involved in a "concerted campaign" to discredit the Catholic Church.

Müller then said one cannot speak of the "German Church” but rather of the Catholic Church in Germany. He went on to deny the existence of "Roman centralism”, saying that unfortunately there is not enough unity in the Church and that is not centralism that is causing the Church to suffer, but other centrifugal forces which are too strong.

Contributor comments: "It is impossible for the Catholic Church to accept" any same sex relationship between consenting adults ... but molesting minors seems to be a time-honored clerical custom. The Roman Catholic Church Administration stops covering for its pederasts only when it is forced to.

miguel de Portugal comments on the news: Nauseating! Simply nauseating!

Once again we repeat: Anyone who knowingly is supporting, defending and/or funding the Roman Catholic Church Administration will share in the consequences which result from the behavior of the children of Babylon. See comments on News Report No. 2 posted on February 4th for more details.

_________________
(1)  Müller compares mood toward Catholic Church to anti-Jewish pogroms - Vatican Insider

February 4th, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Top G.O.P. donors want to protect Senate incumbents from challenges by far-right conservatives and Tea Party enthusiasts. (1)

The biggest donors in the Republican Party are financing a new group to recruit seasoned candidates and protect Senate incumbents from challenges by far right conservatives and Tea Party enthusiasts who Republican leaders worry could complicate the party's efforts to win control of the Senate.

The group, the Conservative Victory Project, is intended to counter other organizations that have helped defeat establishment Republican candidates over the last two election cycles. It is the most robust attempt yet by Republicans to impose a new sense of discipline on the party, particularly in primary races.

"There is a broad concern about having blown a significant number of races because the wrong candidates were selected," said Steven J. Law, the president of American Crossroads, the "super PAC" creating the new project. "We don't view ourselves as being in the incumbent protection business, but we want to pick the most conservative candidate who can win."

The effort would put a new twist on the Republican-vs.-Republican warfare that has consumed the party's primary races in recent years. In effect, the establishment is taking steps to fight back against Tea Party groups and other conservative organizations that have wielded significant influence in backing candidates who ultimately lost seats to Democrats in the general election.

miguel de Portugal comments: This, brethren, together with what we are seeing ins Spain and Portugal - is about the best news that we have seen in months (2). This is happening elsewhere in the world - in key countries where fanatic right wingers - primarily Opus Dei movers and shakers - continue to be marginalized.

This in turn, confirms the brief stop, before the Chastisement, for the False Christ to be manifested in fulfillment of Scriptures instead a long "reign" for the False Christ. We are doing our part and God, as He promised - And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved: but for the sake of the elect those days shall be shortened. [Matt. 24:22] - is doing His part.

Let us not give up now and continue to pray and offer sacrifice - the Finish Line is beginning to come into focus.

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(1)  New York Times Reports
(2) This is not a cliche statement. We are elated!



News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Diocese Papers in Los Angeles Detail Decades of Abuse. (1)

The church files are filled with outrage, pain and confusion. There are handwritten notes from distraught mothers, accounts of furious phone calls from brothers and perplexed inquiries from the police following up on allegations of priests sexually abusing children.

Over four decades, particularly under Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, parishioners in the nation’s largest Roman Catholic archdiocese repeatedly tried to alert church authorities about abusive priests in their midst, trusting that the church would respond appropriately.

But the internal personnel files on 124 priests released by the archdiocese under court order on Thursday reveal a very different response: how church officials initially disbelieved them and grew increasingly alarmed over the years, only as multiple victims of the same priest came forward and reported similar experiences.

Even then, in some cases, priests were shuttled out of state or out of the country to avoid criminal investigations.

In one case, the Rev. José I. Ugarte was accused by a doctor of having drugged and raped a young boy in a hotel in Ensenada and of taking boys every weekend to a cabin in Big Bear. But rather than turn Father Ugarte over to the authorities, Cardinal Mahony decided to send him back to Spain, made him sign a document promising not to return to the United States without permission for seven years, not to celebrate Mass in public and to seek employment in “a secular occupation in order to become self-supporting.”

miguel de Portugal comments: Some of our readers may wonder why we keep these stories on "the front burner". Due to the importance of such unasked question we will answer it now.

In general Roman Catholics are the largest number of "brainwashed faithful" of any faith. In the very near future, when they see Divine Justice being dispensed upon the Administration of the Church (from the lowest lackey to the "Princes" of the Church) the reflex thought will be: "Where is God?" The next reflex action would be to abandon the Faith.

A frequent reminder of how the organization the God entrusted to spread the Good News has betrayed God for 1,600 years will minimize those two very dangerous reflex action.

As always, God announced centuries ago how Divine Justice responds to such betrayal - a reading featured in the Mass in honor of the Presentation of the Lord.

Behold I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts.  And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb: And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice.  [Malachi 3: 1-3]

The "sons of Levi" compose the priestly class.
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(1)  New York Times Reports

February 3rd, 2013

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

A Seat for the Pope at King David's Tomb. Israel seems to have sold Jerusalem to the Vatican. (1)

An historic agreement has been drafted between Israel and the Vatican. The Israeli authorities have granted the Pope an official seat in the room where the Last Supper is believed to have taken place, on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, and where David and Solomon, Jewish kings of Judea, are considered by some researchers, to also be buried. 

It is the culmination of a long campaign by the Catholic Church to regain religious stewardship over the place where Jesus is supposed to have broken bread and drunk wine with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion.

According to our sources, the agreement, which is expected to be ratified next June, gives the Pope a "special authority" over the second floor of the building, so that Christian pilgrims will be able to celebrate religious functions like Pope John Paul did in 2000.

The agreement constitutes Israel's capitulation to the Vatican's efforts to "Christianize" the holy site, like when a Catholic convent was built in Auschwitz.

The blueprint of the agreement reads as follows: "The Vatican hands over this use of the Cenacle to the Custody of the Holy Land which will keep the Cenacle open from 6 AM to 8 AM for the celebration of the Holy Mass".

The Vatican is also asking that Israel hand over to the Vatican's control dozens of sites, 19 in Judea and Samaria and 28 in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is not for sale. For thousands of years, the Cenacle area was almost always totally closed off to Jews. This week, the Vatican in its official documents began referring to the "State of Palestine".

This is an enormous issue pushed through without any public debate.

miguel de Portugal comments: This indeed is an enormous issue considering the AntiChrist's Vatican Agenda. (2) (3)

_________________
(1)  News Report
(2) The Agenda of the current Vatican Masters
(3) satan's last attempt against the Jews


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Twenty-two Veterans Commit Suicide Each Day. (1)

Some 22 US veterans commit suicide on a daily basis, a new VA study finds, marking a jump of about 20% from a 2007 study. And it's unlikely that the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are the key factor in the increase: More than two-thirds of the suicide victims are 50 or older, the Washington Post notes (see this chart).

But even as the number of veteran suicides has increased, so too has the country's overall suicide rate; among all Americans who die by their own hands, the percentage that are veterans has actually shrunk since 1999.
 
"There is a perception that we have a veterans’ suicide epidemic on our hands. I don’t think that is true," says the epidemiologist behind the study.

"The rate is going up in the country, and veterans are a part of it." Still, the suicide rate among veterans is three times the national figure, and advocates say action is needed.

"The big problem we face in suicide prevention is that we have so little empirical evidence to tell us which programs work," says the researcher. But he hopes the latest study is a move in the right direction.

In other military health news, another study shows dramatic sleep deprivation is rampant among active-duty troops, ScienceNews reports.

miguel de Portugal comments: All we can, and must!, do is pray. It is indeed too late for anything else.

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(1) News Report

February 1st, 2013 [First Friday of the Month]

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Priest arrested for drug smuggling at Moscow airport. (1)

A Colombian priest has been arrested in Moscow for drug smuggling.

Anti-narcotic officers say they detained Fabio Ricardo Rodriguez at Sheremetyevo airport because his "sickly appearance and nervous behaviour" made them suspicious.

Thirteen cocaine-filled condoms were found in his stomach, and another five packages of the drug in his luggage – weighing a total of 780g. During an interview on Russian television, the Anglican priest said:

miguel de Portugal comments: What a story! Blame the mafia!

Were that the case, which, by the way, could happen, all Rodriguez had to do was to alert the Russian authorities who would then "stage" a low profile "bust", keep him "detained" for a day or two and then release him as "an act of mercy" of the Russian authorities. The Russians would come out smelling like a rose and the priest would be off the hook with the mafia.

These people not only lack faith but also lack imagination.
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(1)  Euronews Reports


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Spain's El País (national daily) prints People's Party 'secret accounts'

Spanish newspaper El País has published what it says are handwritten accounts showing past donations from construction firms to leading political figures in the governing party.
 
It is the latest chapter in a corruption scandal that has embroiled the conservative People's Party (Partido Popular). Its former treasurer Luis Bárcenas is already under investigation following revelations that he had amassed 22 million euros in a Swiss bank account.
 
Although he denies wrongdoing and stood down four years ago, further accusations will put more pressure on Mariano Rajoy. The prime minister has already ordered an internal investigation and an external audit.
 
He and former PM José María Aznar have reportedly threatened legal action against those making accusations against the PP.

miguel de Portugal comments: The PP is essentially the Opus Dei party and the above revelation will create a tsunami in Spanish politics that could even sweep the PP out of office.

To give you and idea of the magnitude of the corruption soap opera in Spanish politics, we could not believe our eyes when we read a statement which appeared yesterday in the center-right-right daily ABC. But first some background.

A few days ago the Spanish authorities broke down a money laundering ring led by a Russian individual living is Spain. The authorities have ample proof that the ring has laundered already 52 million Euros (ca. 70 million US Dollars).

The statement made to the press by said Russian mafioso was: "I am fed up with all the corrupt individuals in this country!"

When a mafioso is fed up with the level of official corruption, one can imagine how bad things may really be!

By the way - the Spanish daily El Pais is not a "flight-by-night" operation and is owned by a powerful media conglomerate. It logically follows that before they would publish such information - handwritten notes with dates, names and amounts - they would make the proverbial 150 % sure that they are right, otherwise their losses would be astronomical.
_________________
(1)  Euronews Reports

January 31st, 2013 [Feast of St. John Bosco]

News Report No. 1
[our highlights]

Boy Scouts considering dropping nationwide ban on gay members, leaders. (1)

The Boy Scouts of America is considering dropping a longtime ban on gay members, leaving such membership and leadership decisions up to local sponsors.

"The BSA is discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation,'' spokesman Deron Smith said in a statement obtained by FoxNews.com.  "This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, but that the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with their organization's mission, principles or religious beliefs."

miguel de Portugal comments: Unfortunately this will not stop sexual abuse (nor will increase it either) but will serve to promote homosexuality. I still think that the best policy, here and elsewhere, is "Don't ask; don't tell."

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(1)  Fox News Reports


News Report No. 2
[our highlights]

Egypt Army Chief's Ominous Warning: 'State Collapse'. (1)

As violent clashes in Egypt continue for a sixth day, the Army chief of staff has a dire warning for protesters: If there is no reconciliation, Egypt could see the "collapse of the state." Abdul-Fattah al-Sisi also wrote on the official Army Facebook page today that any attacks on state institutions will be seen as a "serious matter that harms Egyptian national security and the future of Egypt," the New York Times reports.
 
The comments reflect the Army's increasing impatience and concern over the situation, but Reuters notes that it's unlikely the Army wants to take back the power it held while Hosni Mubarak was in power and, briefly, after he was removed from power. The death toll over the past week has hit at least 52, and protesters in three Suez Canal cities are defiantly ignoring the curfew set by President Mohamed Morsi by thronging in the streets after 9pm.

And in Cairo, masked men stormed a luxury hotel's lobby last night - and the hotel live-tweeted the whole thing. No one was seriously hurt.

miguel de Portugal comments: The Egyptian liberation from the "Mubarak yoke" brings to mind the "liberation" of Africa from its "colonial yoke". When will the West look at: (a) Turkey to learn how to progress from a totalitarian muslim yoke - the Ottoman Empire - to a democratic Republic with a minimum backlash; (b) People's Republic of China to learn how to progress from a brutal communist regime to a flourishing capitalistic society?

Well, what can we expect? God gave the Catholic Administration forty years of Don Bosco (2) proving to that faithless lot that: If we practice what Jesus taught, we can even get the cooperation of one's enemies and they still didn't get it..... and continue to wallow in darkness.
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(1)  News Report
(2) Don Bosco's Trajectory

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