Cardinal Newman slandered by the BBC

Slander is always an evil thing, but how much more so to slander one who is dead and hence unable either to defend himself or to exact redress for the harm done to his reputation.

Melancholicus usually has his alarm set for 7am on Sunday mornings, a habit which has survived from the time when he used to attend the earliest (8am) Novus Ordo Mass offered in the local parish. This entailed waking up every Sunday morning to the BBC’s Sunday programme—most assuredly not the best way to begin obervance of Dies Dominica since hearing the first few minutes of this programme (extremely woolly at best and misleadingly tendentious at worst) would always send him off to Mass in rather ill humour and desiring to hit someone. Hard.

Melancholicus no longer goes to the local Novus Ordo (for reasons explained below) but still wakes on Sunday morning at 7am, whereat he lies abed exposed to the entire length of the Sunday programme unless sleep should mercifully reclaim him into blissful unconsciousness.

But this weekend Melancholicus failed to set his alarm, so he missed the Sunday programme completely. He was happy enough about that until, later in the day, he read the evil news—O horrible to relate!—over at Mulier Fortis.

Since he has a devotion to Cardinal Newman, and will be marrying his bride next year in Cardinal Newman’s Dublin church, Melancholicus was—to say the very least—wroth.

So Melancholicus went to the Radio 4 website to listen in on the offending article which, after promising an interview with the ridiculous former bishop of Edinburgh, coverage of the marital union between a Hindoo and an Anglican vicar (whether of the same or opposite sexes Melancholicus cannot tell), then a Mahometan who refused to sign a contract saying he would not take a further wife (or two, or three!), introduced the matter of Cardinal Newman with the words

“Is the Roman Catholic Church trying to cover up the homosexuality of Cardinal John Henry Newman, now on the fast track to sainthood?”

“The homosexuality of Cardinal John Henry Newman”?? Notice this slur on Newman’s character—for which there exists not a tittle of evidence—is taken for granted by the BBC, as though it were a matter of hard fact. And what about the flippant “fast track to sainthood”? Newman has been dead since 1890. His cause has been in preparation for a long time; “fast track” it most certainly is not.

That’s about the level of this programme. Ill-researched, sensationalist, tabloid pap, whose editors (Roger Bolton, Jane Little and the egregious Edward Stourton) seem unable (or unwilling?) to report accurately on the facts in a manner which sifts fact from fiction and to reassure the listener that the BBC is an unbiased and impartial news service after all.

Melancholicus is most exasperated, not with the screaming Peter Tatchell, who is so fixated with his vice that he sees it everywhere and cannot be expected to know any better, but with the editor who chose this hysterical freak as a credible guest on the programme.

But for an organisation which is devoted to proselytism on behalf of buggery and sodomitical weddings, and which regards the likes of Hans Küng and Lavinia Byrne as respected ‘Catholic’ theologians, these kind of propaganda slurs are not surprising, are they?

The thin end of the wedge

From Catholic World News:

Irish government readies proposal for same-sex unions

Dublin, Apr. 1, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The Irish government will soon introduce legislation giving same-sex couples most of the legal benefits of marriage, the Irish Times reports.

The government is completing preparation of a Civil Partnership bill that will give homosexual couples the rights to pension, welfare, and tax benefits similar to those of married couples. The bill would also provide for dissolution of same-sex unions, through a process mirroring existing divorce law.

The legislation will not allow for same-sex couples to adopt children, the Times reports. But negotiations are continuing about a provision that would recognize the legal custody of same-sex couples already living with children.

Last February the Irish government urged postponement of debate on a legislative proposal that would have recognized civil unions for same-sex couple. Government leaders explained that they were concerned about the prospects for a constitutional challenge to the proposal, and preferred to introduce comprehensive legislation after a thorough study.

In December the government's justice minister, Brian Lenihan, reassured members of the Gay and Lesbian Network (GLEN) that the government is "committed to providing a more supportive and secure legal environment for same-sex couples."

The legislation now under discussion is a detailed bill, running to about 200 pages, according to the Irish Times report. After final revisions it could be unveiled next week.

GLEN welcomed news of the pending legislation, saying that it would be a "critical psychological milestone" for Irish homosexuals.

This is not quite marriage, but it’s as good as. We have known for some time that such a bill was in the pipeline. Now Melancholicus awaits the reaction of the Irish hierarchy.

He predicts the silence will be defeaning.

Orwellian society update: Germany, Ireland condemned by European Commission

From Catholic World News:

European Commission challenges Ireland, Germany on equality guidelines

Brussels, Feb. 25, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The European Commission is threatening action against Ireland for making Church-run institutions exempt from laws that ban discrimination on the basis of orientation and belief.

Irish law allows Church-related institutions such as schools, hospitals, and social agencies to reject employment applicants whose views or activities would violate religious norms. But Vladimir Spidla, the employment commissioner for the European Commission, has cited that policy as a violation of European law. The Irish government has not yet responded to the challenge from the European Commission. The European Commission is also challenging Germany's policy allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions. The European Commission argues that the German policy does not give same-sex couples all the legal benefits of marriage and therefore discriminates against homosexuals.

So much for religious freedom. The commissars of the Brussels autocracy have decided that homosexuality must be accommodated on its own terms, but no such accommodation is in turn to be extended to Christian institutions.

But there is another, vastly more important issue at stake here. Irish law mercifully grants to such institutions a right not to be forced to employ persons whose ethos and lifestyles contradict the moral teachings of the Christian religion. “European law”, however, would revoke that right. But this is Ireland, for goodness’ sake! Since when does “European law” trump Irish law within the borders of this republic? Is Ireland not then an independent state, a sovereign nation, with the freedom and authority to manage its own affairs, to regulate its own government, and to execute its own laws? Shall not the government and people of this nation of Ireland inform this Vladimir Spidla and his commission very politely that they may fuck off with themselves and with their “European law” and their equality legislation?

In this country, we, the people, elect to parliament those whom we choose to represent us in a general election held, under normal circumstances, every five years. After such elections (the most recent of which was held in 2007) the elected members of parliament (Teachta Dála in Irish, hence the abbreviation TD) have the mandate to form, among themselves, the next government, and from the ranks of whom the Taoiseach (prime minister) and ministers of cabinet are drawn. It is these Teachtaí Dála — and they alone — who are charged with the rule of this state, having been chosen for that purpose by the Irish people through the exercise of their suffrage.

The Irish people have not elected this Vladimir Spidla, or the members of his commission, nor have they chosen him to represent them in any capacity whatsoever. Nor is the kind of interference wherewith he has had to affrontery to reproach us provided for in any way by the Constitution of this state.

How dare this man, with his “European law” — which has no authority in this republic regardless of whatever treaties the Irish government may foolishly have ratified since the Third Amendment to the Constitution in 1972 — presume to assert that the laws of this country are “in violation” of norms passed by unelected committees in a foreign country with no authority over this sovereign nation of Ireland.

Ireland has as yet (Deo gratias) made no legal provision for the recognition of pseudo-matrimonial sodomitical unions, although the matter has been raised in the Dáil. Will Mr. Spidla and his commission henceforth attempt to force the hand of the Irish government, and attempt to decree into existence by sheer foreign bureaucratic might a state of affairs which, in time, would have come about in a perfectly legal and democratic fashion owing to the secularisation of this formerly Christian country? Or will Mr. Spidla attempt to have some kind of sanctions imposed on Ireland until this country should comply with his foreign will?

But Melancholicus wonders whether Ireland will not now be expelled from the EU altogether, since the Irish have grievously offended their serious, humourless European neighbours by daring to send a turkey to the Eurovision song contest, thus showing their contempt for that ridiculous carry-on and the way in which it has been manipulated in recent years.

Good luck, Dustin! There is at least one citizen of this formerly free state whose backing you have!

Ireland moves closer to gay 'marriage'

Just as we thought it was safe to go back in the water:

Irish lawmakers to move forward on civil-union proposal

Dublin, Oct. 26, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Ireland's Labour Party has announced plans to re-introduce legislation that would establish civil-union recognition for same-sex couples.

The Labour proposal, to be brought before the Dáil (parliament) next week, would provide same-sex couples with the same legal and financial benefits as traditional marriage.

Similar legislation was introduced early this year, but after debating the measure the Dáil agreed to postpone further action for 6 months at the request of the government.

In announcing plans to revive the legislation, the Labour Party called attention to the support the proposal had received from Ireland's major political parties, noting that those who had sought immediate approval for the bill earlier this year now constitute a majority in the Dáil. Labour officials also took note of the government's promise to allow early consideration of the measure.

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern announced in July that his government "is committed to providing a more supportive and secure legal environment for same-sex couples." Ahern said that legislation allowing for recognition of civil partnerships would be introduced "at the earliest possible date."

This story comes from Catholic World News. Melancholicus has taken the liberty of correcting the American misspelling of the name of the Labour party, but the rest of the piece is unaltered.

Melancholicus was commenting in his previous post on what he hopes is the calibre of today’s aspirants to the sacred priesthood. He would like to hope they will be firm on moral aberrations such as “gay marriage”.

Even though this legal fiction — which would see the State granting rights to relationships involving a sin crying to Heaven for vengeance — has not yet been introduced into Ireland, we are constantly threatened with it. The left has not been inactive (are they ever?) and legal recognition of sodomitical unions is one of their sacred cows of the hour.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. The Fianna Fáil/PD coaltition government clearly postponed the bill for six months owing to the fact that there was a general election in the offing, and that approving such unions at the time could have—I should say would have—had a catastrophic effect on the Fianna Fáil vote. Most of the socially-conservative element within the Irish electorate have traditionally cast their vote for Fianna Fáil, in much the same way and for much the same reasons as the conservative and religious community in the United States would tend to vote for the Republican Party.

In that case, postponement of the bill was a mere political ploy. Fianna Fáil have since the recent election formed a new government with the Green Party (the PDs are out and on the ropes, and that right deservedly), and it seems from Bertie’s position on the matter that Fianna Fáil is fully prepared to lend its support to legally-sanctioned shit-stabbery and to let the Labour Party have their bill.

While this bill, if it becomes law, is not quite gay “marriage”, it is as good as. Expect the final step, complete with highly-publicized wedding ceremonies with full-colour photos of bride and bride and groom and groom on the front page of this newspaper, to follow in short order.

As for the Church... Melancholicus is sure that the homosexualists and their abettors in the Dáil will not stop at mere civil ceremonies. Since in their minds homosexuals have—or ought to have—exactly the same rights in all circumstances as others, it is only a logical step toward demanding that the Catholic Church provide nuptial blessings for such couples, should they so desire it.

Given the parlous state of the Irish Church, I wonder just how many clergy would see this horror for the abomination it is and would resist even unto fines, court cases, deposition and imprisonment, and how many on the other hand would only be too delighted to join man and man in sodomitical ‘matrimony’ in front of the very altar of God?

That’s a frightening picture. But we may be confronted with it in reality, and sooner rather than later. It is a matter for much prayer.

Orwellian society update: plans to outlaw 'inciting gay hate'

This just in from the BBC.

Melancholicus does not advocate violence against those who experience same-sex attraction, nor against those who, experiencing such attraction, choose to act upon it.

However, Melancholicus cannot approve of this move by Jack Straw to outlaw ‘inciting gay hate’ in the UK. What, precisely, constitutes such incitement in any case?

Should this bill become law, it will not only be a crime to express — whether publicly or in private — repugnance of homosexual behaviour. Taken to its logical extreme, it could mean that such seminaries in England and Wales as have not been closed by the conciliar ‘renewal’ may be prosecuted for refusing to admit gay candidates to study for the priesthood.

But what is Melancholicus thinking? It is already sufficient grounds for prosecution in the UK to publish, whether in writing or by word of mouth, disapproval of homosexual behaviour. The love that once dared not speak its name has now become the love one dare not speak against. In 2006, for instance, the then leader of the Muslim Council of Britain was investigated by police for having made remarks on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme which failed to be affirming of homosexuality, although in the end no charges were brought.

This new advance for the lobby of political correctness can only foment further discontent in a society which does not, by and large, share the views propagated by the media and by certain members of parliament. Offering legal protection to a vice until recently considered dangerous and abhorrent, and threatening those who oppose such a move with the strong arm of the law, can only further destabilise and divide British society. But one is forbidden to say so, or even think such, since it might be construed as an ‘incitement to hatred’. One is reminded of the ‘thought crime’ of Nineteen Eighty-four. I wonder, will UK-based ISPs now block access to Melancholicus’ blog, owing to the politically very incorrect views expressed therein? A fortunate thing indeed that Melancholicus doesn’t live in the UK; else he might find Her Majesty’s constabulary knocking at his door.

A final thought: no other group (with the possible exception of militant islamists) expresses a hatred of its enemies with more violence and fury than the homosexualist lobby. If they expect to be treated with courtesy and respect, Melancholicus wishes to request of them that they extend a similar courtesy to the adherents of revealed religion, for whom approbation of homosexual acts and approval of such bizarre social inversions as ‘gay marriage’ are impossible.

The incipient violence of the left

Once again the apostles of tolerance and liberalism have shown themselves... well, intolerant and illiberal. This from Catholic World News:

Graffiti carry threats against Pope

Naples, Oct. 5, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Threats against Pope Benedict XVI have been scrawled on the walls of buildings in Naples, Italy, a few weeks before a visit there by the Pontiff.

Graffiti reading "Death to the Pope" and "Death to Ratzinger" have appeared in the Italian city, where Pope Benedict is scheduled to make a one-day visit on October 21. Italian police officials believe that the graffiti were the work of leftist groups.

In April of this year, death threats against Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa prompted police to provide the archbishop, who heads the Italian episcopal conference, with police protection. Those threats-- which also came in the form of graffiti, as well as anonymous letters-- were thought to be the work of militant homosexuals, angered by the Italian hierarchy's opposition to a bid for legal recognition of same-sex unions.

It is interesting that those who demand tolerance and acceptance for their own beliefs and practices are loath to extend the same courtesy to others who might think differently. So much for freedom of thought, never mind freedom of speech. Anything which opposes the onward march of the leftist agenda must be ridiculed and, should that fail to work, threatened with violence. Further comment is surely superfluous.