OMG is NVG

Not a T shirt worn by a Catholic

The current, and seemingly worldwide usage of the ejaculation, 'Oh my God' has now reached totally unacceptable proportions.


It is, 'Not very good' to use this phrase, in any circumstances other than when on one's knees in a church or in prayer in the home.

I am certain, in fact, that any street usage of this chavvish and blasphemous phrase is unacceptable but, today, it appears to have become the vox pop, not only for the chavs, but also many of those who use the new social networks.

Texting, Facebook and Twitter seem to be littered with 'OMGs' and, walking down any high street, you can hear the phrase coming at you from all directions.

I really admire the Muslims for the way they revere their holy names - but that's as far as it goes.

I am certainly not in favour of dishing out floggings (or worse) for any incontinent usage of the name of the 'prophet' or 'Allah'....although, they do have attractions at times.

What can be done?

Well.......we could start by telling those who make such utterances that it is offensive and unacceptable.

Of course, we face arrest by the authorities or a beating up by the ungodly (or both) by making such statements but, we have to start making a stand somewhere and, the older I get, the less sensitive I am about upsetting the apple cart.

A good start would be in the retail trade in the situation where, in response to the question: "This chicken is well past it's sell by date"  the assistant says: "Oh, my God" you can gently point out that you find it offensive, along with the chicken.

Blasphemy is good!

Oh yes it is! It's good for sales, good for circulation figures, good for audiences and good for TV ratings!

It is also, sadly, on the increase.

I am not an "End of the World is Nigh" wallah but we have to take notice of Christ's words regarding "A recrudescence of evil".

It is not yet of tsunami proportions but it is a swell that looks as if it is building pace in an attempt to engulf Christianity.

1987 saw the introduction of the "art" of Andres Serrano that was so foul it hardly bears description; that art form has continued up to the present day and now, in the past few weeks and months we have had the French play that involves an image of the face of Christ being smeared with excrement, the advertising hoarding in New Zealand (see A Reluctant Sinner's post) featuring Our Lady in connection with a pregnancy testing kit,  and, in the run up
to Christmas the song commissioned   for the Jonathon Ross Show (need I say more?) that was thankfully withdrawn from the schedules at the last minute.

And he calls Our Lord a "zombie" -
Tim Minchen

It was written by Australian lyricist and alleged comedian, Tim Minchen and is said to have described Jesus Christ as a "zombie" and the Virgin Mary as a lizard.
I have no great confidence in its withdrawal, it is bound to make an appearance at some stage and then it will spread like cancer, infecting the hearts, minds and souls of men.

Now, of course, we all know that none of these ad men, artists, actors and producers would even think of portraying the Prophet Mohammed in the same way as they portray the Son of God or His Blessed Mother.

This is unsurprising when you think of the penalties that Islam would undoubtedly wish to place on them; a fatwa would be issued and every young male follower of this faith would be out to get them in some shape of form.
Their limbs and lives would be at grave risk and remember, these comedians, chat show hosts and marketeers are not well endowed when it comes to having a backbone.
They fight with their mouths and paintings - show them a bit of Arabic script and they quickly slide underneath their stones.
They would get an attack of the trots from a Thinwa let alone a Fat one!

But that is not our way.

So what do we Catholics do?

We inflict something infinitely more fearsome upon the heads of the blasphemers; we expose them to the mercy of Almighty God - we pray for them! And we make acts of reparation.

We offer them our Christian love which, as the good Lord states, is equivalent to pouring hot coals on their heads.

How do we do that? By praying in groups outside the theatres, publishing houses, advertising agencies and art galleries.

By offering Masses in reparation for the grave sins of blasphemy and sacrilege and by prayer, here are two that are specific acts of reparation.

PRAYER OF REPARATION IN PRAISE OF THE HOLY NAME OF GOD - "THE GOLDEN ARROW"

May the most Holy, most Sacred, most Adorable,
Most Incomprehensible and Ineffable Name of God
Be always Praised, Blessed, Loved, Adored and Glorified,
In Heaven, on Earth and under the Earth,
By all the Creatures of God,
And by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
In the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Amen.

---

Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart / Actus reparationis

Most sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thee, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which Thy loving Heart is everywhere subject.

Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Thy pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow Thee, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Thy law.

We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against Thee; we are now determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Thy Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast founded.

Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy divine honor, the satisfaction Thou once made to Thy Eternal Father on the Cross and which Thou continuest to renew daily on our Altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.

O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Latin Version: Actus reparationis
Iesu dulcissime, cuius effusa in homines caritas, tanta oblivione, negligentia, comtemptione, ingratissime rependitur, en nos, ante altaria tua provoluti, tam nefariam hominum socordiam iniuriasque, quibus undique amantissimum Cor tuum afficitur, peculiari honore resarcire contendimus.

Attamen, memores tantae nos quoque indignitatis non expertes aliquando fuisse, indeque vehementissimo dolore commoti, tuam in primis misericordiam nobis imploramus, paratis, voluntaria expiatione compensare flagitia non modo quae ipsi patravimus, sed etiam illorum, qui, longe a salutis via aberrantes, vel te pastorem ducemque sectari detrectant, in sua infidelitate obstinati, vel baptismatis promissa conculcantes, suavissimum tuae legis iugum excusserunt.

Quae deploranda crimina, cum universa expiare contendimus, tum nobis singula resarcienda proponimus: vitae cultusque immodestiam atque turpitudines, tot corruptelae pedicas innocentium animis instructas, dies festos violatos, exsecranda in te tuosque Sanctos iactata maledicta atque in tuum Vicarium ordinemque sacerdotalem convicia irrogata, ipsum denique amoris divini Sacramentum, vel neglectum vel horrendis sacrilegiis profanatum, publica postremo nationum delicta, quae Ecclesiae a te institutae iuribus magisterioque reluctantur.

Quae utinam crimina sanguine ipsi nostro eluere possemus! Interea ad violatum divinum honorem resarciendum, quam Tu olim Patri in Cruce satisfactionem obtulisti quamque quotidie in Altaribus renovare pergis, hanc eamdem nos tibi praestamus, cum Virginis Matris, omnium Sanctorum, piorum quoque fidelium expiationibus coniunctam, ex animo spondentes, cum praeterita nostra aliorumque peccata ac tanti amoris incuriam firma fide, candidis vitae moribus, perfecta legis evangelicae, caritatis potissimum, observantia, quantum in nobis erit, gratia tua favente, nos esse compensaturos, tum iniurias tibi inferendas pro viribus prohibituros, et quam plurimos potuerimus ad tui sequelam convocaturos. Excipias, quaesumus, benignissime Iesu, beata Virgine Maria Reparatrice intercedente, voluntarium huius expiationis obsequium nosque in officio tuique servito fidissimos ad mortem usque velis, magno illo perseverantiae munere, continere, ut ad illam tandem patriam perveniamus omnes, ubi Tu cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Note:
A partial indulgence is granted to those who recite this prayer. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is publicly recited on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This prayer was prescribed to be recited on this feast by Pope Pius XI.

Ex: Fisheaters

Vatican slams Berlusconi yet again over blasphemies

The Vatican has issued a harsh reprimand to so called celebrities who are taking part in the Italian version of 'Big Brother' - a show being screened on a TV network owned by the Italian Premier and ex Cruise Ship entertainer, Silvio Berlusconi.



Berlusconi, Ex Cruise Ship Entertainer - and it shows!

  Extreme blasphemies have been uttered as a matter of course,particularly featuring the Virgin Mary and almighty God - unrepeatable on this blog. This is not the first time that the Vatican has stepped in to issue a stern rebuke. Last October, Archbishop Velasio De Paolis made a statement to the press in which he said the Berlusconi should apologise not only to all Italians but specifically to all Catholics.
Following the latest rebuke it appears that those taking part in the programme have "tailored" their language and cut out the worst of the blasphemies.

 In Great Britain, it is commonplace to hear the sacred name used as a profanity on chat shows and TV dramas and it would be good if more opposition could be mounted to counteract the trend. If more Catholics wrote to the television companies to complain it would be a good start. If the Bishops jointly came out in opposition (vocal rather than silent) it would be better still.

A BRAVE POPE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST PAKISTAN'S UNJUST LAW

The Holy Father has called for Pakistan to abolish its blasphemy laws - good! There will be a backlash to this but it had to be said and we should not shrink from stating the truth, even to Muslims!

He is totally unafraid to call transgressors to account - Bishops of E & W please take note and follow his example.

The report from DW- World

RELIGION | 10.01.2011

Pope offers rare criticism of Pakistan blasphemy law

Benedict called for more protection for Christians

Pope Benedict XVI has called for more protection for Christian minorities in majority-Muslim nations, uncharacteristically singling out Pakistan over its anti-blasphemy laws.

Pope Benedict XVI has spoken out against an anti-blasphemy law in Pakistan, which the pontiff said serves as a pretext for the persecution of religious minorities.

Speaking in his annual address to foreign diplomats to the Vatican, Benedict said the law, which legislates punishment including the death penalty for anti-Islam statements, bred acts of "injustice and violence."

"I once more encourage the leaders of that country to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law," he said.

"The tragic murder of the governor of Punjab shows the urgent need to make progress in this direction," Benedict added, referring to the killing of Salman Taseer last week.

Taseer, who was known as a liberal voice in Islamic Pakistan, had called for reform of the anti-blasphemy law, which had been used to sentence a Christian mother of four to death by hanging.

Comments on Pakistan unexpected

Benedict went on to say that governments must do more to protect Christians in majority-Muslim countries. His comments come after recent deadly attacks on Christians in Egypt and Iraq.

The remarks singling out Pakistan were somewhat unexpected as the pontiff has traditionally spoken in more general terms when making such statements.

Pakistani Christians, who make up around 2 percent of the population in the country, are particularly fearful of the anti-blasphemy law, convictions under which often rely on witness testimony, which Christians say can be linked to personal vendettas.

Convictions are often thrown out upon appeal, but the resultant public anger has often ended in the accused becoming the subject of attacks.

In July last year, two Christian brothers accused of writing a blasphemous letter against the Prophet Muhammad were gunned down outside a court in the eastern city of Faisalabad.

'Kill Asia Bibi' call

Currently in jail  and facing possible execution under Pakistan's cruel and unjust blasphemy laws, Christian woman, Asia Bibi could be freed pending international lobbying on her behalf and a petition appeal for clemency as featured by Fr Ray Blake and Porta Coeli.
Now, a more sinister element has crept into the picture (according to CNN). Leading Muslim agitator and cleric, Moulana Yousaf Qureshi has offered a cash prize of 6,000 US Dollars to anyone decapitating this innocent woman upon her possible release.

Qureshi (right) has placed a bounty on Asia Bibi's head

"I will pay a reward of 500,000 Rupees to any loyal follower of Mohammed who beheads Asia Bibi" Qureshi declared in front of a crowd of hundreds of followers.
This sum is more than six times the annual average wage in Pakistan and likely to prove attractive to many Muslims (many, I suspect, would be happy to kill the 45 year old wife and mother for nothing).

Christian woman faces death penalty in Pakistan

Fr Z has weighed in on the issue of 45 year old Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who faces the death penalty in Pakistan because, when challenged by Muslim co-workers, to convert to Islam, Bibi responded that she was a member of the true faith, Christianity.
The mother of five, has already been found guilty and convicted under Pakistan's blasphemy laws which are, of course, totally biased in favour of Islamic teaching. Her family has been tortured by Muslim mobs and she was badly beaten up before being taken into custody.

45 year old Asia Bibi

International efforts are taking place to have the sentence rescinded and, on behalf of the Vatican, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Council for Inter-religious dialogue has travelled to Pakistan to meet with ministers and to express the Holy Father's plea for clemency.
Since the blasphemy laws came into being over 1,000 cases have been heard with over fifty per cent of them involving charges against Muslims.  Archbishop Lawrence John Saldhana of Lahore claims, however, that there is a major difference between the way that Christians charged under the law, are treated as opposed to Muslims. He stated that:
"When a Christian is accused of blasphemy then his or her family and the entire Christian comunity often pay the consequences". He went on to say that when a Muslim is found guilty they pay as an individual and no other party is harmed.
The Pakistani Government is now faced with the decision of releasing Asia Bibi and accepting enormous civil unrest and rioting or, to proceed with the sentence and be blacklisted by the Western world.
Pray for her and her family that she will be released soon and all convictions quashed.

STOP PRESS: Online appeals can be made to the President of Pakistan here.