Mark Cogitates: September 2013

Monday, 30 September 2013

Teacher Attacked With Broom

Boy Throws A Broom At Genvista High Schoolteacher

News of the child who attacked his schoolteacher with a broom is not new. It occurred about ten days ago. What is new, well for me anyway, is the video of the incident. It was recorded by one of the child's classmates at Glenvista High School in South Africa. It has literally turned my stomach and enraged me.

Dignity SA Manipulates Pope's Words

Blessed Pope John Paul II

Dignity South Africa seems to know no bounds in its attempt to legalise euthanasia in South Africa. It seems it is not even beyond blatantly misleading those who visit its website by manipulating Catholic teaching it has posted there.

Pope Francis - Tipping The Scales

Pope Francis
Photo from America Magazine

Yesterday I wrote about John Cornwell's article, wherein he deliberately chose to ignore the real reason that Pope Francis chose not to live in the papal apartment. One of my readers then suggested I read Gunther Simmermacher’s theory of why Pope Francis chose to live at St Martha’s instead of the papal apartment.

Pope Francis Not Up To Seclusion

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Photo: The Guardian - Cornwell Article

I always thought that journalists take great pride in reporting accurately all of the facts, without manipulating the truth to suit their agenda. Yet this does not really seem to be the case any longer.

Protest "The Testament of Mary" - Click Here

“The Testament of Mary” is on show at the Joburg Theatre from 25 September to 6 October. In this play Our Lady is depicted as a vulgar, egoistic and even idolatrous woman who smokes, drinks and eventually disrobes completely.

Did Pope Say Obsessed?

Photo from New York Times Article Misquoting Pope Francis

“Pope Francis sent shock waves through the Roman Catholic church on Thursday with the publication of his remarks that the church had grown ‘obsessed’ with abortion, gay marriage and contraception”[Sic]. Well, so says the New York Times anyway. I didn't believe it for a moment and I am sure that most other Catholics didn't believe this either.

Sean Davison Is Not A Hero

Sean Davison and his mother
Photo from The Guardian

Should terminally ill people be legally entitled to assistance in order to commit suicide? This is a highly emotional subject. Yet, despite the raw emotions surrounding it, where it is illegal to assist someone to die, the law must be obeyed. We simply cannot afford to celebrate anyone who breaks laws designed to protect our right to life. Yet this is exactly what Dignity South Africa and many of its supporters do.

Forget Homosexuality - Frown On Promiscuity

CDC Presentation - HIV Amongst Young Males

No one can possibly claim that those who advocate the promotion of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV haven’t been able to adequately spread this message. This message has undoubtedly been widely spread.

Vigil For Peace In Syria - Media Failure

People gather in St Peter's Square for Vigil for Peace
Photo: USA Today

On Saturday Pope Francis held a prayer vigil for peace in Syria. As I wrote earlier - Vigil For Peace Well Attended - more than 100,000 people attended the vigil in St Peter’s Square. This morning I began eagerly searching the net to see what the media was reporting on the subject.

Vigil For Peace - Video

Vigil for Peace
Photo: Huffington Post

On the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Queen of Peace, Pope Francis held a prayer vigil for peace in Syria and for all the regions of the world where there is conflict and violence.

Pope Francis: Prayer Vigil for Peace
Photo: Vatican News

For Catholics yesterday was a day of fasting and prayer. Earlier this week Pope Francis had asked Catholics to devote the day to prayer for peace in Syria.