Enda Kenny Smacks Down Vatican Parsing

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny gave his first formal response to the Vatican yesterday and he shows no sign of backing down.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has stood by his assertion that the Vatican attempted to frustrate a state inquiry into clerical child sex abuse. In its response to the Cloyne report at the weekend, the Vatican described as “unfounded” the Taoiseach’s Dáil claim that it attempted to frustrate an inquiry into abuse “as little as three years ago”.
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However, speaking at Fine Gael’s ‘think-in’ at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway yesterday, Mr Kenny said the Murphy Commission had requested information and assistance from the Vatican in 2006, 2007, and 2009, and that, in each case, those requests were either refused or rejected.

He stressed that, as the Murphy Commission is a statutory commission of inquiry, nothing less than full co-operation is required. “And anything less than full co-operation in my opinion is unwarranted interference,” he said.

It will be interesting to see if the Vatican will continue to parse Kenny's statements or deal with the substance. Because so far their response has been to nit pick the language in Kenny's blistering attack on the Vatican's credibility following the Cloyne report. As has been the case far too often in regards the sex abuse scandal, the Vatican has absolved itself with legal technicalities. There is something deeply alarming about an institution the purpose of which is making moral pronouncements falling back on legalese when their own moral infractions are exposed.

I think it was probably the obfuscatory nature of the legal minutia that Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore was referring to when he complained that the Vatican's response was "very technical and legalistic."

Speaking in Dublin, [Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin] said: “The Vatican responded to the questions they were asked and some of the questions were about norms and legislation. It is a bit unfair to say that they gave technical answers – they were technical questions.”

It seems to me that the Vatican and its defenders are doing the same diplomatic dance they've always done and the current Irish Government has walked off the dance floor. They've dispensed with diplomatic niceties. They've dispensed with subtlety entirely and are putting the anger of the Irish people in extremely blunt terms. It's a politically safe maneuver because they've so well captured the mood of a people sick to death of slick responses to a very serious problem.

Hitting back at demands by Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for "specifics" regarding Government assertions that the Church deliberately frustrated investigations into child rape as recently as three years ago, the Tánaiste said Rome should focus on rooting out paedophilia.

"The specifics, let’s be clear about the specifics: children were abused — that’s specific. Let’s not be distracted, let’s not miss the point. No loose charges were made," he said.

"There was the most horrific sexual abuse of children perpetrated by clerics. The Catholic Church did not deal with that as it should have dealt with it. Let’s not be distracted. The Taoiseach and the Government stand over what was said."

In a brilliant column, Fergus Finlay lays what is so thoroughly frustrating and infuriating about the Vatican's posture in this whole affair and why the Irish Government needs to continue to stand firm and not be sucked into an argument on the Vatican's terms.

Gimlet eyes. Sharp-faced lawyers.

Read it in all its painful, pathetic and absurd detail. Then tell me if you can see any real compassion there, any real humility, any real pain at the suffering of victims and survivors. No. It’s 25 pages long and — to be generous about it — roughly a page is all it takes to outline the Catholic Church’s feelings of sorrow and shame at the abuse perpetrated by its priests and covered up by its bishops. The other 24 pages were written by lawyers trying to win on a technicality.

And since it was published they, and their apologists who have been all over the media all weekend, have been demanding that the Government should respond to their specifics with more specifics. Like some sharp-suited lawyers in the tv version of a courtroom drama, they have tried to put the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on the defensive with page after page of wearying technicalities.

. . .

When it comes to divorce, or family planning, or abortion, the Church has never felt the need to be silent, or to take its lead from teacher unions or the Association of Social Workers. Why in the name of God did the Church feel the need to be led by others in its duty of protecting children?

Yes, it's amazing how proactive the Vatican is on the truly important issues like making sure women remain second class citizens and how cautious and slow they are when children's safety is at stake. If nothing else, they've made their priorities abundantly clear.

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"Why Shamanism Now?" with Christina Pratt

Finding the Roots of your Authentic Self

Authenticity is rooted in initiation, in the transformation of the ego identity from child self to adult self. For this we need ritual and the transformation that comes to us only when we truly surrender our attachment to where we are going and how we are getting there and let Spirit take us. There is a huge industry of life coaching, self-help, and therapy (some forms) that thrive on our need to answer the question of “who is... my Authentic Self?” While the help offered is good for the most part it will not get us there because it all starts where it has not yet begun. “The Child is the Adventurer who has the experiences that shape our character and thankfully take our innocence,” explains host and shaman, Christina Pratt. “The Initiated Adult is the one who can refine those experiences, cull them for meaning, and withstand the internal conditions necessary to transform the “coal” of our life experiences into the “diamonds” of our medicine. Once rooted in the Initiated Adult the authentic self draws nourishment equally from the Wisdom of the Body (the Earth) freed from the distorting fears and unresolved needs of childhood and from the Wisdom of Spirit (the Sky/Sun) available to us through our actions taken to cultivate a working relationship. Rooted and nourished in this way the Authentic Self can not help but bear the fruit of your soul’s true purpose.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:00 AM Pacific

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Awakenings with Michele Meiche

Abundance Triggers: How to Shift yourself into prosperity

"One on One with Michele." Host MICHELE MEICHE shares her weekly Soul Insights, Ascension Information; as well as 2012 & beyond updates. She answers your questions, and does channeled readings. What is your Soul's Purpose & how can you actualize this? What is your role, your path, and what are the signs in your life and in the world telling you? How do you acclimate to the New Energies of the New Emerging Consciousness? Besides calling in, you can also email your questions to be covered on air at awakenings@selfinlight.com. In the second portion of the show, Michele welcomes our Awakened Guest of the week. Michele dialogues with spiritual teachers, healers, conscious experts, visionaries, awakened leaders, authors, conscious beings and people of all walks of life that live consciously. Kanta Bosniak is an author, artist, coach and interfaith minister with over 40 years experience an educator in spiritual growth and guided meditation. She is available for coaching/guided imagery. She is a frequent speaker at New Thought churches, universities and Holistic Education centers & conferences throughout the US. She is listed in Who’s Who in American Women. Visit http://KantaBosniak.com or call (540) 577-8854.

Wed, Sep 7, 2011 3:00PM ET

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Just Energy Radio

Behind Project Camelot & Discovering YOUR Life Mission

Kerry Lynn Cassidy
Behind Project Camelot
Kerry Lynn Cassidy is an intuitive and spent years researching the occult and studying Eastern philosophy. Kerry conducts interviews documenting the testimony of whistleblowers with above top secret clearances as well as researchers and experiencers covering all aspects of reality both on and off planet. She speaks at conferences around the world on the subjects of ETs, the Illuminati agenda, mind control, the matrix, prophecies, 2012 and many other subjects.

Maxine Taylor
Discovering YOUR Life Mission
Maxine Taylor is a pioneer in the field of astrology. In 1968, she became Georgia’s first licensed astrologer. Maxine is CNN’s former on-air astrologer, co-founder of the Metropolitan Atlanta Astrological Society, co-founder of the Atlanta Board of Astrology Examiners, co-founder of the Atlanta Institute of Metaphysics, and former First Vice President of the American Federation of Astrologers.

Fri, Sep 9, 2011 3:00PM ET/2:00PM CT

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Awake: Now What?

Chat with Jennifer Hoffman, Intuitive, Channel for Uriel

Jennifer Hoffman is a life-long intuitive whose unique gifts include an amazing ability to read clients’ energetic fields, view their soul purpose, karmic wounds and lessons and bring their energetic vibrations into alignment with their soul’s desire for healing and wholeness in body, mind and spirit.

She works with the Archangel Uriel, along with her guides and angels, those of the client and departed loves ones who wish to participate, providing accurate and focused guidance to raise energetic vibrations and create a clear path to a joyful, fulfilling life.

Jennifer’s unique life history has been an inspiration to her clients as she has had two near death experiences that occurred during life-changing incidents. As a young child she had a paralyzing illness and was unable to walk for several years. Then as a young teen she was hit by a car and walked away from the accident. Jennifer was told that she had a mission here which would be revealed to her at the right time. After graduating from college Jennifer began a career in technology during which, in her words ‘all I wanted to do was be a corporate vice president.’ But the Universe had other plans and after experiencing six layoffs in less than seven years, Jennifer decided to focus on using her spiritual gifts as she was guided to.

Jennifer created the Uriel Heals website and weekly newsletter in 2003, after receiving a visit from the Archangel Uriel when she was asked to begin channeling messages and since that time it has grown to a large global audience and is translated into dozens of languages.

For more information go to www.urielheals.com

Sun, Sep 11, 2011 6:00PM ET

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Horoscope for September 5-11

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

Aries (March 21st - April 20th)
Exploring creative possibilities may expand your courage and your knowledge this week, Aries. You may develop an interest in an art or technology you know very little about or find yourself in the situation by default, such as being the only person left on the job to fill a position or learn a skill. For some time, your leadership abilities and your unique personal expression have been strongly affecting your work and immediate environment. Now you may be entering unfamiliar territory or meeting people who are so unlike you that you are not sure how to think or act. Enjoy the exciting feeling of being off-balance and out of your element as new people, information, and skills keep you guessing and fresh.

Taurus (April 21st - May 20th)
Your self-esteem and your plans all receive support this week, Taurus. If you are the person people come to for information or advice, you may want to think about taking that natural talent and making it marketable. Your creativity and communication skills are supercharged and writing, teaching, or speaking flows easily. Some possible writing material may be technical how-to information or an esoteric or eclectic subject. Behind the writing or teaching is a plain purpose or practicality, if only to share your wisdom. Don't judge yourself; simply express. There are new friends waiting to meet you who are refreshingly different and decidedly not boring.

Gemini (May 21st - June 21st)
It doesn't hurt to be skeptical or doubtful this week, Gemini, because you will seek to prove something wrong and you may learn something new in the process. That proverbial grain of salt can flavor something you think is preposterous just enough for you to bite and swallow. You may find it is something wonderful, even though no one knows about it yet. Be on the lookout for the strange, unique, or unusual to present itself as an opportunity for you to develop a home-based business or reach more people quickly in an existing business. Why can't sudden fame and popularity find you? Money talks or plans with your mate go well at the beginning of the week, or you may meet a kindred spirit then.



Cancer (June 22nd - July 22nd)
The same dynamic and positive energy that guided you last week is still in force now, Cancer. Money, purpose, career, and relationships should all be enhanced now while you are in a cycle that puts you comfortably outside of that Cancer shell, where you can connect with people. During the middle of the week, there may be some uncertainty around investments, business decisions, or what your true priorities in business truly are: the money or the people you help with your product, information, or services? Can it be both? Can you have scads of money for helping people? It may be a good time to look at your hidden beliefs about money and rid yourself of any guilt you may have over desiring or receiving large amounts of money. What great things could you do with heaps of money?

Leo (July 23rd - August 22nd)
Relationships are a key area for you this week, Leo. Friendships, work relationships, and romantic partnerships are all being influenced by the current lunar transit and planetary aspects. What you think and feel about love, the give-and-take of relationship, your needs, your values, your expectations, and your role in relationships may come under review. I know you know this, but it doesn't hurt for me to remind you that your friends, workmates, customers, neighbors, or lover are not you. "Well, duh, I know that!" you might be thinking as you read this. During the week, when anyone behaves contrary to what you feel is appropriate or doesn't agree with what you think, remind yourself of this and have a good laugh at yourself. Inventive Leos should be sure to patent, trademark, or protect their flash of genius idea. You may also study a school of thought that shifts your perceptions of life.

Virgo (August 23rd - September 22nd)
Happy Birthday, Virgo! For some reason, I know more Virgos born at the beginning of September than the whole rest of the Virgo time period. This week, the sun and Venus help you attract good things to you and when Mercury enters your sign at the end of the week, you will finally feel like you have the green light to advance your personal plans. Stress, too much work, or worrying may have made you fatigued recently and a current opposition between Mercury and Neptune may exacerbate that worry or fatigue. Take care of your body through rest, exercise, and diet modifications and see your doctor if you are still concerned. Spaciness or fatigue should fade by next week as the planets move on. Your calendar looks filled with friends, shopping, and a possible romantic escape this weekend.

Libra (September 23rd - October 23rd)
Present an idea or work on a sales pitch at the beginning of the week, Libra, when the planets are supporting you. During the middle of the week, you may experience frustration as your creativity is limited by rules or someone who may just think their way is better or views your contribution to the job or group effort as a threat to their ego rather than a contribution for the benefit of all. You may learn a lot by observation now as you work on your own plans behind the scenes. By learning how NOT to do things, you can surpass your current place of employment when you leave to work for yourself, as some of you may be planning right about now. This may sound odd, but later this week, you may come to an internal decision to stay happy no matter what, because it's much nicer than the opposite of happy and it surprises people in a good way.

Scorpio (October 24th - November 21st)
You may negotiate a contract at the beginning of the week that can increase your income, Scorpio. Next, it may be time to knuckle down and work hard, especially if your contractual agreement involved something creative. Time management could be your biggest challenge this week because it looks like the planets may be distorting your sense of reality and location. If you are working at home, the line dividing home and family time from work time may get very fuzzy. If you work outside of home, family and home issues may intrude on your concentration at work. Some Scorpios may be seeking a new home situation that allows them enough space to create and work in an area reserved just for that purpose. Despite being frequently diverted and slipping in and out of time warps, you will have something concrete, and probably beautiful and functional, to show for your efforts at the end of the week.

Sagittarius (November 22nd - December 21st)
I do hope you are off from work this holiday Monday, Sagittarius. The moon in your sign is supported by Mercury and Mars, so there will be no sitting still for you. Volleyball on the beach or river rafting is more to your liking than commuting to work now. You can get back into the swing of work when your bank balance dips down and the urge for money settles in on Tuesday. You may experience what feels like a personal Mercury retrograde later this week as Mercury and Neptune create confusion between two communication and transportation areas of your chart. Double-check every piece of paper, check your basic vehicle maintenance needs, and pack the essentials in carry-on luggage if you fly now. Group activities later in the week can bring new friendships, contacts, or creative ideas to pursue.

Capricorn (December 22nd - January 19th)
Quiet time spent with your partner on Monday can deepen your bonds, Capricorn. If you are single and looking for love, you may want to spend time that day listing all the qualities you would like in a partner or composing your own singles profile. As you go over personal finances this week, be cautious about believing the hype about the economy. There are planetary transits now that can influence you to make unwise choices in money or investment moves. It is better to stay in the planning stages now and delay major purchases, investments, or changes until next week. Self-promotion, sales, or learning new skills at work are favored and a better outlet for your energy.

Aquarius (January 20th - February 18th)
Your psychic abilities are strong this week, Aquarius, but not when it comes to anything or anyone you are attached to emotionally. When it comes to making decisions in your own life, it is best to gather information and use your intelligence. It may be a mystery to you that you can be so right-on about something that you have no charge around, but when it comes to something important to you, all you get is a blank nothing or meaningless ridiculousness. You may be able to calmly predict a major world event, but have terrible luck choosing lottery numbers. Go with the quick pick option and leave it to the Universe. A renewed enthusiasm for work returns near the end of the week when a new way of doing things or a new source of income catches your attention.

Pisces (February 19th - March 20th)
Be careful this week, Pisces. You may think you know who you are and what makes you happy, but there is distorting energy flowing between Mercury and Neptune. Your ruling planet is Neptune and it is resting now in the 12th house of your subconscious, the dream state, and the collective. All areas of your life may have a fantasy-like quality now. If you happen to be falling further in love with someone thanks to Venus and the sun and, later this week, Mercury moving through your 7th house of relationship, you could be in so deep that you are losing yourself. Boundary issues are always a Pisces thing because you are just so much ocean and fog. There is a piece of you that sparks later in the week, urging you to consider loss of personal power or independence if you commit to a relationship now. A friend may help you see clearly if you are in a healthy and supportive relationship or if you are swimming over your head.

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Astrological Trends for September 5-11

Cross-posted from Aloha Astro

Enthusiasm, playfulness, and physical vitality are present the morning of Monday, September 5th, as the moon in the mutable fire sign of Sagittarius trines Mercury in the fixed fire sign of Leo. The moon is also quincunx Mars in the cardinal water sign of Cancer. If you happen to be off from work this Labor Day Monday, you may enjoy an outdoor adventure near or on water with friends to make the most of the favorable aspects today. The sun and Venus, loosely conjunct in the mutable earth sign of Virgo, are trine to Jupiter in the fixed earth sign of Taurus. Venus in Virgo is semi-sextile Saturn in the cardinal air sign of Libra. These aspect patterns increase the pleasure of good food and good company - perfect for a holiday gathering. Pluto in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn square to Uranus in the cardinal fire sign of Aries continues to influence society as a whole or create tension between old and new in whatever area of life they affect in your own natal chart. Pluto sextile Chiron in the mutable water sign of Pisces and Neptune in the fixed air sign of Aquarius are conjunct Chiron in Pisces. Healing transformation that creates a better future is the potential within the Pluto/Chiron/Neptune energy. At lunchtime, the quincunx between the moon and Mars fades and the Sagittarius moon forms a sextile to Neptune in Aquarius. Your physical drive may slow down somewhat after lunch, but the Sagittarius moon sextile to Neptune in Aquarius indicates you will continue to make good memories with your friends as the afternoon and evening unfold.

Heightened conflictual energy between old and new, liberals and conservatives, established patterns of the past and innovative plans for the future occurs on Tuesday, September 6th, when the moon in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn joins Pluto, intensifying the effect of the longstanding square between Uranus in Aries and Pluto. Additionally, an opposition now between Mercury in the fixed fire sign of Leo and Neptune in the fixed air sign of Aquarius can create confusion, tension, and obstinate attitudes. This is the kind of energy that can make people dig in their heels and hold their position in an argument even when they know they are wrong, so the wisest course of action may be to say nothing at all unless you absolutely must. Red tape and senseless rules are not easy to work around or change now. The Mercury/Neptune opposition will be in effect until September 12th and may feel like a Mercury retrograde period at times due to the distorting qualities of Neptune. Look at every piece of paper, contract, or communication twice. Within the United States, the events of September 11, 2001 may be revisited. While there is nothing wrong with remembering people who have died, I do think there is something wrong with perpetuating negativity or manipulating the public through sensationalism and fear. The Mercury/Neptune opposition may make people inclined to get caught up in drama now. Remember that most of what you see and experience is colored by your thoughts and emotions. You are always at power to choose how you feel, and choosing to feel happy or peaceful can miraculously change any situation. Venus in the mutable earth sign of Virgo is sextile Mars in Cancer all week long, producing demonstrations of practical caring and acts of service. Early this evening, the moon in Capricorn forms two wonderful and supportive trines. The moon trine the sun in Virgo and the moon trine Jupiter in Taurus can increase feelings of security and stability and also help you to work on projects or make wise choices on material needs when shopping or investing money. Both these trines will also help to limit the possible challenges of the square between the Capricorn moon and Saturn in Libra that develops later this evening. If you have a partner, you or your mate are willing to compromise or make allowances for the greater good of the relationship. If you are single, you may not find perfection when looking for a partner now, but you are likely to find a person who is looking for a realistic and enduring relationship.



A "can-do" attitude prevails the morning of Wednesday, September 7th, thanks to the moon in the cardinal earth sign of success-driven Capricorn trine Venus in the mutable earth sign of practical, purposeful Virgo. At lunchtime, the Capricorn moon moves into an opposition to Mars, the planet of action, in Cancer. This can increase the chances of people feeling hurt or resentful and it can also affect material objects. If you allow yourself to feel agitated, you may break things accidentally, so make an effort to remain calm until this opposition is a memory tomorrow. Tonight, the moon in Capricorn forms a quirky and unsettled quincunx to Mercury in the fixed fire sign of Leo. With the moon opposing Mars, and Mercury opposing Neptune, you might not know what to think, do, or say this evening while the planets create a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" energy pattern. The best use of this challenging energy pattern may be to apply it creatively in an artistic hobby where you can try out different words, colors, or sounds that you can change or discard as the mood suits you.

You may find change the logical solution to any problem on Thursday, September 8th, as the moon in the fixed air sign of intelligent, future-oriented Aquarius forms a supportive sextile to radical Uranus in Aries. The moon also makes a semi-sextile to transformative Pluto in Capricorn and semi-sextile to healing Chiron in Pisces conjunct Neptune in Aquarius. A fresh start with a well thought out, firm foundation may be what you need. Later this evening, a conflict may arise between what is possible and what is not, when the inventive Aquarius moon forms a square to practical Jupiter in Taurus. You may also have an urge for something original or untried while the comfort of familiar pleasures say, "Pick me!" Go with the unproven or new and you may find a new favorite.

Do you need to make a presentation, win a debate, or convince someone of something? The morning of Friday, September 9th, is a perfect planetary window of time for you to show your smarts and argue your viewpoint while staying calm, cool, and collected. The rational Aquarius moon forms a supportive trine to precise Saturn in diplomatic Libra and also forms a quincunx to the sun in the practical earth sign of Virgo. Mercury, planet of thought and communication, has left the fixed fire sign of Leo and is now in the much cooler and less dramatic mutable earth sign of Virgo. Mercury in Virgo forms a quincunx to Uranus in Aries until September 13th, helping you find new or alternative ways of doing things and bringing "Eureka!" possibilities. On the global level, there may be new laws introduced or new technology revealed that pertain to healthcare or the environment. The trine between the moon and Saturn fades early this evening, but a quincunx between the Aquarius moon and Venus in Virgo keeps all relationships in the foreground. Love tends to be logical, slightly platonic, or mutually supportive, as in, "you wash my back, I'll wash yours." This may not seem overly romantic to you, but any relationship begun now will be based on a strong friendship, shared priorities, and mutual respect, which can help you and your lover stand the test of time. Use the energy of practical love to post a singles profile or date systematically with the goal of finding the perfect life partner and you may be glad you did.

On the morning of Saturday, September 10th, the moon in the fixed air sign of Aquarius joins Neptune in Aquarius and Chiron in Pisces and forms a quincunx to Mars in Cancer while also forming a quincunx to Venus in Virgo. Combined, Mars, Venus, and the moon form what is called a Yod, or Hand of God aspect pattern, with the moon/Neptune/Chiron conjunction being the focal point. I have a feeling that this will bring a subtle shift to society that we may not notice immediately that has to do with honoring the earth and feminine energy. People may become aware of the need to treat the earth and all her people with greater respect, caring, and compassion. There could be a silent collective agreement that we have come to an ultimatum point and something must be done now if we are to have the planet and society we wish to leave to our children. Mercury in Virgo trine Pluto in Capricorn and quincunx to Uranus in Aries further emphasizes that the time for new ways of being and doing has arrived. The Yod fades by midday, but has left its mark on your consciousness. You may contemplate the logistics of change and healing in your personal life and the world as the moon enters the mutable water sign of spiritual and inspirational Pisces, where it joins Chiron and opposes Mercury in Virgo. I see this opposition to the Pisces moon as a time for spiritual and emotional triage. The Pisces/Virgo opposition also speaks of the need to practice forgiveness.

A morning of contentment is possible on Sunday, September 11th, when the moon in the sensitive mutable water sign of Pisces forms a supportive sextile to pleasure-loving Jupiter in the fixed earth sign of sensual Taurus. Appreciate all that is beautiful and wonderful in your life now. Early in the afternoon, the Pisces moon forms a quincunx to Saturn in Libra. If you are watching the news or reading the paper, images and stories of September 11, 2001 may leave you with poignant and mixed emotions. It is difficult to understand things that are senseless and violent now while under the influence of the energy of beauty, balance, and spirituality that the Saturn/moon aspect brings. Saturn can be a cold and hard planet when its negative qualities are expressed. This moon/Saturn quincunx offers the choice between forgiving and moving ahead or carrying a grudge and being stuck in the negative vibrations of the past. In the early evening, Venus in Virgo forms a quincunx to Neptune in Aquarius conjunct Chiron in Pisces. This aspect plainly shows that love and forgiveness is the only correct and true path to emotional healing and a healthy, productive society.

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Vatican Responds to Angry Irish Government

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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The Vatican responded yesterday to the charges of the Irish Government. They have quite predictably deflected the criticism and rejected any claim that the Vatican can be blamed in any way for the failures in Cloyne.

I find it interesting that a response which was expected before the end of August was delivered instead in early September... on a Saturday. If the Irish news cycle is anything like ours in the US, that's a textbook method of making a story disappear. (There's a reason politicians post bad news on Friday afternoons.) And here in the US, where the priestly abuse scandal is keenly followed, it's a holiday weekend. The Vatican couldn't have planned it better if their intent was to bury the story in US news markets. I don't think it will work, however. The Irish Government wasted no time in responding to the Vatican's report.

Prime Minister Enda Kenny, yet to formally reply to the statement, has said he stands by his criticism of Church leadership and its handling of the clerical sex abuse scandal in the Cloyne diocese.

“I do not regret my response to the report when I made that statement to the Dail (Irish parliament) in July, I will respond fully in due course,” said Kenny at a Cavalry Remembrance Day ceremony at the Curragh Army Camp.

Deputy Prime Minister Gilmore, leader of the Labor Party, has also responded to the Vatican statement and reminded the Church that the protection of children should be of the utmost importance for Church and State.

. . .

He added: “Some of the argumentation put forward by the Holy See was very technical and legalistic.

“The government’s concerns were never about the status of church documents but rather about the welfare of children.

At specific issue is a letter sent in 1997 by then Nuncio Cardinal Darion Castrillon Hoyos. The Vatican response diminishes the role of the letter and claims it was misinterpreted.

The Vatican became embroiled in the latest Irish church scandal after revelations about a 1997 letter, from the then papal nuncio to Irish bishops, a year after reporting guidelines were enforced to enhance child protection.

The correspondence stated that the bishops' policy was "merely a discussion document" and that the Vatican had serious moral and canon reservations about mandatory reporting of clerical abuse.

But the Vatican says that taken out of context, the comments in the letter from Archbishop Luciano Storero to Irish bishops "could be open to misinterpretation, giving rise to understandable criticism."

But it's the Vatican that seems to have a very selective reading of the Cardinal Hoyos's views on cooperating with civil authorities.

Surprisingly, the Vatican response Saturday cites a 1998 speech Castrillon Hoyos delivered to Irish bishops on dealing with sexual abuse in which he stressed that the church and its priests "should not in any way put an obstacle in the legitimate path of civil justice." The Vatican said his speech showed that civil law and church law can operate in parallel.

The response doesn't, however, cite the rest of Castrillon Hoyos' speech, in which he resoundingly criticized the Irish mandatory reporting policy, said it should be revised and that such reporting requirements risked that "the image of the bishop can be turned into more of a policeman than a true father."

He acknowledged that such crimes need to be dealt with quickly, but warned against "obsessive" pursuit of accused priests by bishops because of the damage it can do to the priests, whose souls, he said, were "at the center of the affair." [emphasis added]

"If he is guilty, we must, before anything else, be involved with his conversion," Castrillon Hoyos said. "If as often happens, he is a victim of calumny, we must help him to prove his innocence and carry this cross."

Such statements are emblematic of the Church's reflexive protection of abusive priests at the expense of the children they abuse.

As recently as 2001, Castriollon Hoyos was actively advocating the protection of abusive priests from the law. As I reported here, he sent out a letter to bishops extolling the virtues of a French bishop who refused to turn an abusive priest over to civil authorities. He has also claimed that the letter was approved by none other than Pope John Paul II.

It's history like that that fills so many of us with incredulity when the Vatican repeatedly pronounces itself blameless in the continuously unfolding sex abuse scandal.

A pdf of the full text of the Vatican's response is available from Irish Times.

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Esoterica

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

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Has King Arthur's round table been found in Scotland?

The King's Knot, a geometrical earthwork in the former royal gardens below Stirling Castle, has been shrouded in mystery for hundreds of years.

Though the Knot as it appears today dates from the 1620s, its flat-topped central mound is thought to be much older.

Writers going back more than six centuries have linked the landmark to the legend of King Arthur.

. . .

"The finds show that the present mound was created on an older site and throws new light on a tradition that King Arthur's Round Table was located in this vicinity."

We may have been a seafarin' people since before we were even human.

A team of researchers that included an N.C. State University geologist found evidence that our ancestors were crossing open water at least 130,000 years ago. That's more than 100,000 years earlier than scientists had previously thought.

Their evidence is based on stone tools from the island of Crete. Because Crete has been an island for eons, any prehistoric people who left tools behind would have had to cross open water to get there.

The tools the team found are so old that they predate the human species, said Thomas Strasser, an archaeologist from Providence College who led the team. Instead of being made by our species, Homo sapiens, the tools were made by our ancestors, Homo erectus.

Will we find the God Particle in time for Christmas?

The hunt for the Higgs particle is well ahead of schedule, say researchers at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

Earlier this year they said they would either discover the Higgs or confirm it does not exist by the end of 2012.

Now, because the machine is working so well, an LHC spokesman, Professor Guido Tonelli, has told BBC News that the search could be completed much sooner.

The Higgs Boson is the particle that in the physics "Standard Model" allows other particles to have mass.

Discovery or elimination of the particle is one of the LHC's major objectives; and it could come as early as Christmas 2011.

Edgar Cayce, look out! The sleeping artist is here. A nocturnal painter believes he may be receiving artistic guidance from the spirit world.

Being an artist is so easy, Lee Hadwin can do it in his sleep, but when he is awake, the 37-year-old, who got a D in art at school, cannot paint or draw to save his life.

He discovered his nocturnal talent aged four, when he began to sleepwalk and draw on his mother’s furniture.

. . .

Since then, he has produced almost 200 sleep-pictures, selling them to collectors such as illusionist Derren Brown, with one piece fetching a six-figure sum. He does not know why he can draw only in his sleep but believes it may be spirits communicating from the other side.

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Gardens in spaaaaaaaaace!

Astronauts on the first manned missions to Mars could tend “kitchen gardens” of salad and vegetables onboard spaceships, scientists claim.

Experts say the crops would not only give crews healthy food to eat during the long journey to the red planet, but would also improve the atmosphere onboard by producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.

In addition, the plants suggested as suitable by a NASA scientist would require minimal tending and not take up much room on spacecraft.

Bad pizza in spaaaaaaaaace!

Domino's pizza has announced plans to conquer the final frontier by opening the first pizza restaurant on the Moon.

Domino's Japanese arm has proposed a branch on Earth's nearest galactic neighbour is the latest escalation in a pizza publicity war.

Rival chain Pizza Hut set the bar high in 2001 by delivering a pizza to astronauts orbiting the Earth in the International Space Station, but Domino's fought back last year in a series of events to mark the 25th anniversary of its arrival in Japan.

Diamonds are forever.

A newly discovered alien planet that formed from a dead star is a real diamond in the rough.

The super-high pressure of the planet, which orbits a rapidly pulsing neutron star, has likely caused the carbon within it to crystallize into an actual diamond, a new study suggests.

The composition of the planet, which is about five times the size of Earth, is not its only outstanding feature. [Illustration of the diamond alien planet]

The planet's parent star is a special kind of flashing star known as a millisecond pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star formed from a supernova. The entire system, which is only the second of its kind ever discovered, is located about 4,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Serpens (The Snake).

Chimera alert! Spider goats developed for the military.

Researchers genetically engineered goats to produce milk which is packed with the same protein as silk spiders.

Once this is milked out it can be spun out and weaved into a material that is ten times stronger than steel.

The fabric can then be blended with human skin to make what the scientists hope will be tough enough to stop even a bullet.

Dutch researcher Jalila Essaidi said the ‘spidersilk’ project was called ’2.6g 329m/s’ after the weight and the velocity of a .22 calibre long rifle bullet.

An elephant never forgets. And elephants are smarter than we know.

Kandula, a seven year old Asian elephant living in Washington D.C.’s National Zoo, has proven that elephants are as smart as those that spend a lot of time around them have believed. In an experiment carried out by researchers at the zoo, the little elephant figured out all on his own, without resorting to trial and error, how to go get a cube to use as a footstool to help him reach some food that was just out of reach. The research team, led by Preston Foerder of the City University of New York, has published the results of their study on PLoS ONE.

Other animals (besides humans) such as chimpanzees and dolphins have demonstrated in various ways that they are capable of dreaming up solutions to problems in their head and then carrying them out. Called “aha” moments by researchers, such thinking, a form of insight, is one of the hallmarks of higher intelligence. Most people who have ever worked with elephants will attest to the fact that they are indeed intelligent creatures; though no one (at least in the research community) had ever witnessed an elephant using insight to solve a problem. This has perplexed scientists for several years, and has caused them to study the seeming paradox. It appears now that the team working with Kandula has seen it in action, that previous research had been attacking the problem from the wrong angle.

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Warren Jeffs Gravely Ill

Crossposted from Reflections Journal.

The punchline on Warren Jeffs's life sentence is that his life may be cut short by illness. Word broke yesterday that he was in a coma. It was a medically induced coma so that they could force nutrition to the "fasting" Jeffs. He has since regained consciousness but is still listed as critical. His fast or hunger strike (???) had only been going on for three days but that was enough to imperil the life of a man who is suffering from unnamed medical issues. According to officials, even without the fast, he is sick enough to require hospitalization.

I didn't think he looked well during the trial but he's always had a kind of gaunt, ill-formed, almost larval look about him, so who could say?

This is also not the first time he has starved himself in prison, having done so in both Arizona and Utah prisons. He is given to expressions of asceticism, having previously been treated for ulcerated knees from his hours of prayer.

The larger concern is that these demonstrations of piety will be read as martyrdom by followers.

"I think that's what he's trying to do, is become a martyr in their eyes and further exalt himself as far as they're concerned. Not necessarily with a bang, but this is precisely what he wants and this is how he wants it to end," said Sherie Jeffs, who is Jeffs' sister-in-law.

Two of Jeffs' children testified against their uncle in Texas that they had been sexually abused as children by the FLDS leader. She said Texas officials should force feed Warren Jeffs, if necessary, to keep him alive.

"I think he needs to stay alive and be able to ponder in that cell for many many years what he's done to people's lives, and children's lives, how many families he's destroyed," she told Fox 13.

Amen to that.

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