Spanish king Juan Carlos to visit Russia in February


King Juan Carlos and President Dmitry Medvedev
 King Juan Carlos of Spain is expected to visit Russia on February 25, Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez said on Monday.

The king will visit St. Petersburg, accompanied by the country's foreign minister and industry minister, Jimenez said at a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov.

Juan Carlos is expected to meet with top executives of leading Russian companies, she added.

Zhukov recalled that 2011 is the Year of Spain in Russia and the Year of Russia in Spain.

"It is very nice that the Year of Russia in Spain and the Year of Spain in Russia is starting against the backdrop of very good ties between our countries, both on the political and economic level," he said.

MOSCOW, January 17 (RIA Novosti)

Stephen Hawking With Pope Benedict at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences




Pope Benedict "blesses" Stephen Hawking at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, the Vatican, 2008

Video:

Pope picks Protestant to head Vatican's sciences academy

VATICAN CITY — The pope has picked a Protestant to head the Vatican's sciences academy.

Benedict XVI chose Werner Arber, a Swiss molecular biologist who shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1978, as president of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Ciro Benedettini, said Sunday it is the first time a non-Catholic heads the academy in its four centuries of history.

The academy help pontiffs understand scientific advances in fields ranging from genetics to nuclear physics. Arber became a member in 1981. Other non-Catholics who have been prominent academy members, but not president, include Rita Levi Montalcini, an Italian Jew and 1986 Nobel winner for medicine.

From wiki: "He is member of the World Knowledge Dialogue Scientific Board and of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences since 1981. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on January 2011, making him the first Protestant to hold the position.[2]"

Jesuits take D.C.

Don't forget, this isn't just talking about Roman Catholics. This is just individuals who graduated from a Jesuit University or College. Roman Catholics make up a much bigger percentage than this. This page is a mirror of this blog (it's been scrubbed from the internet)


Fifty-three members of the 112th Congress are alumni of the nation's twenty-eight Jesuit colleges and universities.  Thirty-five attained graduate or professional degrees from Jesuit universities. Twelve serve in the Senate and forty-one in the House.

Here are the Senators:
  • John Barrasso, (R-WY) Appointed 2007, Elected 2008, B.A. Georgetown University (1974) and M.D. Georgetown University (1978)
  • Scott Brown, (R-MA) Elected 2010, J.D. Boston College (1984)
  • Robert P. Casey, Jr., (D-PA) Elected 2006, B.A. College of the Holy Cross (1982)
  • Richard J. Durbin, (D-IL) Elected 1996, B.S.F.S. Georgetown University (1966) and J.D. Georgetown University (1969)
  • Michael (Mike) Johanns, (R-NB) Elected 2008, J.D. Creighton University (1974)
  • John F. Kerry, (D-MA) Elected 1984, J.D. Boston College (1976)
  • Patrick J. Leahy, (D-VT) Elected 1974, J.D. Georgetown University (1964)
  • Mark Steven Kirk, (R-IL) Elected 2010, J.D. Georgetown University (1992)
  • Robert Menendez, (D-NJ) Appointed & Elected 2006, B.A. Saint Peter's College (1976)
  • Barbara A. Mikulski, (D-MD) Elected 1986, B.A. Loyola University Maryland (1958)
  • Lisa Murkowski, (R-AK) Appointed 2002, Elected 2004, B..A. Georgetown University (1980)
  • Jim Webb, (D-VA) Elected 2006, J.D. Georgetown University (1975) 
Jesuit alumni also serve as House leaders.  Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) graduated from Xavier University and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) graduated from Georgetown.  You can see the rest of the house alumni by following the link.

Georgetown University leads the way with eighteen alumni, followed by Boston College (7), and the College of the Holy Cross (4).  Four schools (Creighton University, Fordham University, Marquette University, and the University of Detroit Mercy) each have 3.

Not bad. Unfortunately, neither my alma mater not current employer make the list.

At least another thirty alumni serve in the Obama administration including
  • Department of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates (Georgetown University, 1974, PhD)
  • Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano (Santa Clara University, 1979, BA)
  • Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Leon E. Panetta (Santa Clara University, 1960, BA)
  • White House Chief of Staff William Daley (Loyola University Chicago, 1970, BA)
A few questions come to mind.
First, how does the percentage of Jesuit alumni serving in Congress today compare to previous sessions?  Is ten percent high? low?

Second, do individuals interested in public service choose to attend Jesuit colleges and universities or does the Ignatian experience cause them to pursue a life of public service?  Maybe we're doing something right.

Finally, how important is the Jesuit alumni network (current and former congressmen) in getting elected?  Are members of congress, in any way, more likely to work with each other because of their shared college experiences?  
You can see a global list on Wikipedia that includes Externado San Jose and UCA alumnus Mauricio Funes.

ROTARY, FREEMASONRY AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

ROTARY, FREEMASONRY AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Mirror of This Web Page

2
This badge was found by our historian colleague, Dr.  Wolfgang Ziegler and triggered off a search for its origin which has not yet been resolved.   The central part of what is otherwise a normal Rotary lapel badge, seems to show the symbols of Freemasonry, the set square and compasses, while the letter 'G' in the centre is also an indication of the Scottish Rite of Masonry. We know that many of the early Rotarians were Masons and  that, according to C.R. Hewitt in 'Towards My Neighbour', some Rotary clubs recruited exclusively from Freemasons until the practice was banned in the 1920s.  To date, no precise details of these links have been found in the archives of either body.

The relationship was a matter of some discussion and in February 1923, an article in 'The Rotary Wheel'  sought to allay fears among Rotarians who might think that their membership of the one could cause problems in the other.

However, many people who did not know much about these organisations, thought that Rotary was a form of Masonry.  This eventually led to a much more serious problem when the Catholic Church, which had long been an antagonist of Masonry, classed Rotary as a similar organisation.     Also see the Ziegler Collection 1G.K. Chesterton who was often a vocal critic of Rotary, was a Catholic convert. and his adherence to the sectarian line may have coloured his views.

The problems seem to have started in Spain about 1928 when  the Bishops of  Almeria, Leon,  Orense, Palencia and Tuy  laid charges that  Rotary is  "nothing else but a new satanic  organisation with the same background and teachings of masonry" and that "according to documents and reliable sources, Rotary is a suspected organisation, and should be considered as execrable and perverse". The Church also criticised and condemned Rotary for showing  a concept of life and of service without reference to church teaching.  Indeed, it seems that  they believed it a secret society with quasi-religious overtones as many in the Church thought was the case with Freemasonry.  For whatever reason, the Vatican took up the reins and  in 1929 issued a decree that "it is not expedient" for Catholic priests to participate in Rotary either as members or guests. This decree and its implications were worrying to the many Catholics in Rotary not the least the then President Tom Sutton who was himself a Catholic, and former Chancellor Germany Wilhelm Cuno, a member in Hamburg.

Critical and at times disparaging articles regularly appeared in Catholic newspapers, especially in the  'Civilta Cattolica' in Italy, and Tom Sutton went off to Rome to try to convince the Papal authorities that Rotary was not Masonic, and that it was a movement which was not in conflict with any Catholic teaching.

Sutton's attempts to convince the Secretary of State in the Vatican, Cardinal Gaspari, were fruitless and the anti-Rotary articles continued to be published.  An even more virulent article later appeared in Paris in 'La France Catholique' making allegations about both Paul Harris and the links between Rotary and Freemasonry, which were later reprinted in the Baltic paper 'Rytas'.

The factual errors could be, and promptly were shown to be false, and by 1933  there was a mood swing in the Vatican, perhaps partly occasioned by the number of prominent and influential Catholics throughout the world who were joining Rotary.  Priests were now allowed to use their discretion about attending or even joining Rotary.   Nevertheless, one of the results of the Church's attitude was the slow development of Rotary in some predominantly Catholic countries such as Ireland.  

This uneasy peace continued until 1951 when another Vatican decree warned priests that they should not join Rotary and that "the faithful should be aware of seditious and suspected organisations".  

By then, however, the world had changed and the decree caused an immediate angry response, among others from the then Catholic President of RI, Arthur Laqueux, and from the Rotarian Catholic Bishop of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who publicly declared  the decree "quite incomprehensible".

Fairly soon, the Vatican began to retract. The official newspaper 'Osservatore Romano' wrote "In some nations, because of a prevalent Masonic influx, the action of Rotary Clubs has conflicted with the activity and the needs of the Church.  It must be said, however, that such has not been the case in other nations where the attitude of Rotary has shown itself in practice tolerant and benevolent towards religious interests."

By the end of the decade, the Catholic Truth Society was able to declare that "Rotary is neither secret nor seditious".  It was nevertheless still regarded as a "society banned under pain of sin only"  and not of "sin and excommunication".  Gradually there was a thaw in relations between the Church and Rotary. In 1970 Pope Pius VI addressed Rotarians in Italy, and in 1979 Pope John Paul II spoke to the International Convention in Rome, praising some of Rotary's humanitarian programmes at a  special audience in the Vatican.  Later he accepted a Paul Harris Fellowship and a World Understanding and Peace Award from Rotary, while Catholic priests throughout the world were taking positions of authority, even serving as District Governors.

As Alvarez points out, it was not only Rotary that was condemned during the 1930s and 1940s.  The Lions Clubs and even the YMCA incurred the wrath of the Vatican. In fact, the condemnation of the Y.M.C.A. was even earlier in 1920 when it was described as "White Masonry", on the grounds that "such organisation, while showing special concern for the youth, corrupted their faith, teaching them a conception of life dispensing with the Church and all religious teachings. The Y.M.C.A. is contributing to the decay of the youth's faith, by affirming that its purpose  is to show them a conception of life without churches or religious confession".

Basil Lewis    Based on  Nicholl's 'The Golden Wheel',  Juan Alvarez's excellent analysis of 'Masonry in Latin America',  RIBI's 'The Rotary Wheel' and other published works. Also see, Rotarian Lodge #4195 image A letter on this subject from Paul Harris (left) The following was provided by RGHF historian Calum Thomson:  18 May 2006 Paul Harris said the following: "fraternity without rituals, passwords and secrets". Source - Jeffrey Charles: 'Service Clubs in American Society' chapter 1 entitled "From Fraternity to Service".
The quote is derived from Paul Harris' promotional brochures which were distributed to the early (potential) members of ROTARY/One.
Charles concludes his paragraph by stating "Harris' organization promised an informality and exclusivity that fraternalism could not match."
You can perform your own search at http://www.historysearch.org/


Further to the piece about Masons and Rotary


Prince Conti, District Governor of D46 (Italy) in 1928 wrote: "Lately a few Catholic papers have shown doubts as to the origin and the work of our Association; and worse than that, they have tried to trace relations between Rotary and Masonry. These doubts of the Catholic press are not in the least just, and many Catholic priests belong to Rotary. We are sorry that such doubts exist, but we are not troubled, because we know perfectly well that no tie exists between the two Associations, and that in all our manifestations there is not one single thing that is not compatible with our consciences as Catholics and Italians and Fascists.


As the General President, Harry Rogers declared at the International Convention at Ostend, no tie has ever existed, exists, or will ever exist between the two associations. As President of Italian Rotary I declare that I would not remain in this position one hour if I had any doubts on this subject.


In this extract from an article in 'Rotary Wheel' in December 1928, Prince Conti hints at the problems Rotary was encountering in Italy as it was in Spain and Ireland.


From RGHF senior historian Basil Lewis, UK, 15 July 2008

Pietro Brunoldi (with help from Wolfgang Ziegler) writes on 22 July 2008:

Prince Piero Ginori Conti was NOT a President of the Rotary in Italy, but simply  District Governor in 1928-29 (District 46), representing the district newborn in the year 1925. So, probably there was a misunderstanding (or bad translation) when he wrote  District Governor..... probably by someone who didn't know the meaning of DG and  interpreted it as President.

Tony Alamo grovels to three Presidents in new public display of duplicity and hypocrisy


Picture from Tony Alamo's web site
 Tony Alamo is squirming like a worm caught in the hot sun and has published on his web site three letters to the current and two former Presidents of the United States.

Although in the past 30 years he has blamed all Presidents and Government agencies for being papal puppets, accusing Bill Clinton of being a crypto Catholic and blaming Bush for 9/11 and a papal inquisition in Iraq Alamo is now stating that they are doing a work of God.

He says of Bill Clinton, "Clinton, my friend, I know how much time you dedicate to our country. I know you made a lot of sacrifices. God will always bless you for what you did for our country." He continues, "Never before did our people enjoy happiness and economic prosperity as they did while you were our president. You made a lot of progress on the home front. You were faced with tough issues on the international front, such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I truly believe you, as a mediator in these negotiations, did more than any other person in this conflict. Things did not work well in the pursuit of peace, despite your best efforts to mediate a solution, and the breakdown of Camp David led to the bloodshed in the Holy Land, the land of Christ."

This is easy for Tony Alamo to do isn't it? Now that he's in the federal pen with a 175 year sentence. Who cares how much heat and suspicion and anger he has brought on his followers by his insistent flooding of every major city in this country with his "gospel" tracts which blamed the government for every major news event from the JFK assassinations to 9/11. And saying that all government agencies were simply extensions of the Pope in Rome.

http://www.alamoministries.com/content/english/Gospel_literature/another_pearl_harbor.html

Tony Alamo 'Enforcer' Found Dead

Tony Alamo 'Enforcer' Found Dead

KSPR - Alicia Agent - ‎1 hour ago‎
A man connected to convicted child molester and evangelist Tony Alamo has been found dead after Fort Smith police had been searching for him for two years. ...

Wanted Man Affiliated With Tony Alamo Ministries Found Dead

KHBS-KHOG Northwest Arkansas - ‎1 hour ago‎
Fort Smith Police say FBI notified them that John Erwin Kolbeck was found dead in Kentucky. More FORT SMITH, Ark. -- Fort Smith police said the Federal ...

Jesuit display of Leadership


A print of Jim Sinegal, president and CEO of Costco, is carried into the Jesuit's Seattle University Alumni and Admissions building to be installed in the space’s Mission in Action gallery. The gallery, open to the public, features images shot by staff photographer Chris Joseph Taylor that showcase and celebrate the accomplishments of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university who make a difference on campus, in the community and beyond. Check out the images in the A&A Building, on the corner of 12th and Marion.

The Jesuit School of Law's annual Red Mass


The School of Law’s annual Red Mass honored the contributions of the legal community, and a special ceremony afterward honored the memory of the late Norm Maleng, longtime King County Prosecutor. Professor from Practice John McKay, Mike McKay, Maleng’s son, Mark, and widow, Judy Maleng, Dean Annette Clark and President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., gather in front of a painting of St. Thomas More, patron of statesman, politicians, judges and lawyers. The painting was a gift from the firm McKay Chadwell PLLC.

Learn more about Red Mass and view photos from the event.

Here is my extensive info in regards to who Thomas More was and what the Red Mass is really all about!

And here is an additional page I put together on the subject.

Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli receives Jesuit "Honor"


Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, '72, a four-star general and 32nd Vice Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army, is honored by President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., as 2010 Alumnus of the Year at the 25th anniversary of the Alumni Awards. With a long and decorated military career Gen. Chiarelli is a graduate of the ROTC program and the highest ranking member of the military to have ever graduated from Seattle University.

View a photo gallery  from the event and read more about this year's winners.

 

Trouble in Amish Paradise


Last night I found this video about an Amish family who began questioning their Amish roots steeped in traditions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhoz_nLqMlI

Turns out that the Amish do not read the bible for themselves because their tradition allows them to only have a bible in German which most of them don't even understand anymore. But this Amish man began questioning the traditions after reading the Bible in English. It's amazing how God is setting this man free from the rules of the sect he belongs to.

I saw some similarities between the Amish and Alamo's. The Alamos might as well have their bibles in German as well because they've allowed so much other foreign teachings (Alamo's false prophesies and heresies, Apocrypha,  Pentecostal heresies and false testimonies like "A divine Revelation of Hell" by Mary Baxter) to come in and obscure the Word of God that it's weakened the Word of God in their souls and watered it down with all the extra unbiblical teachings and false prophecies. It's crystal clear that Alamo's teachings have departed from Biblical Christianity. There's not just a little leaven in Alamo's camp.

But maybe a current Alamo member will watch this and be encouraged in this Amish person's testimony and remember their first love. Who is Christ who loved them first and taught them what love is. And maybe they could be reminded about the simplicity there is in Christ Jesus. Remember the light burden and that easy yoke which has since become the most horrible burden? Throw off that yoke of bondage to Alamo Ministries and turn to God with all your heart. I know God will help you as He has helped me.

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