Amaing Pro-Life Interview

Joanna Bogle, a prominent English Catholic commentator and blogger recently held her own in a hostile TV interview where both the other guest and the host wished to pan Pope Benedict's recent statements about the use of condoms in Africa. Joanna made some excellent points despite being interrupted constantly by the host.

Take a look for yourself:

On her blog, Joanna has this to say about her points:

Now here are the facts...

The Pope has noted, correctly, that giving out condoms is certainly not saving any lives in Africa and is contributing to the problem of AIDS. Think it through properly. What spreads the disease is sexual contact with people who are infected. Distribution of condoms has led to an overall widespread increase in casual sexual contacts, as people have been told that casual sex can now be made "safe". The information that, in a controlled experiment, a condom works as a method of prevention, has to be presented against the actual overall increase in the opportunities for infection to occur. In other words, it's not just "method" that matters but the actual reality. Most sexual encounters with infected people do not occur in the circumstances that the condom-distributors have planned.

Remember, only one sexual encounter with an infected person is required to receive this deadly disease. So promotion of any policy that promotes increased sexual encounters is going to increase the overall chances of further AIDS cases day by day.

The Church offers a 100 per cent measure that will protect you from AIDS - no sexual contact with an infected person. And this works. In the Philippines, where the first cases of AIDS were reported, the Church's policies were implemented - and it has a miniscule rate of AIDS. In Thailand, condoms were promoted instead, and the death toll from AIDS is high and still rising - and the tragedy of child prostitution has grown to massive proportions.

On the TV programme we were told that 22 million people had died from AIDS in Africa. The condom policies aren't working. Why not try the alternative which works?

Good job, Joanna! You are my hero - it takes real fortitude to stand up to such fuzzy logic!

Praying Twice

When I think of music in a Catholic mass, I think of polar extremes:

I've been to masses with music that truly is a gift from God - the kind than moves your heart, deepens your prayer and creates an otherworldly feeling. Organs, string instruments, choirs, children's voices and chants can be amazing to experience.

On the other hand, I've been to masses where the Music was weak or uninspired. I've been to masses where the music ministers sung out of tune. Worse, I've all too often been at mass when few people even bother to sing - its as if singing is optional. Lots of humming with few people even bothering to have the hymnal or missal out in front of them.

In our RCIA class this week we covered the importance of music in the Liturgy. Music is a gift from God! Everyone should participate in the music. Music deepens the word of God.

Here is the Catachism, 1156: "The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy." The composition and singing of inspired psalms, often accompanied by musical instruments, were already closely linked to the liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant. The Church continues and develops this tradition: "Address . . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart."

St. Augustine even says 'Singing is praying. When one sings, he prays twice."
Make a point next time you celebrate mass to sing. Sing loud. God is listening!