Norms for discernment of apparitions and revelations

In 1978, CDF wrote a document of norms to guide bishops in judging alleged apparitions and other private revelations. While the document has never been published, copies were sent to bishops after Pope Paul VI approved it, and they have used it in cases of alleged private revelation since then.
While it is not permitted to publish the Latin text, some authors have published translations of the text in books and on the Internet, and have contributed to understanding the Church’s thinking on the issue of private revelations.
Those translations, due to their writing style, or due to inconsistencies, have made me wonder about what the original text says. In some cases, there are translations based upon other translations, adding an additional layer of possible imprecision.
For this reason, I was happy to join the efforts of writer Kevin Symonds and a priest colleague a few weeks ago to produce a new translation of the Norms from the Latin text. I’ve posted a copy on Scribd, and I hope it will be of use to pastors and interested readers.

Little pink shoes

This little pink shoes were next to the $300 Italian loafers on the counter. In the shoe repair shop, two other men and a bored looking woman were picking up fancy leather handbags or resoled dress shoes. I was picking up the Hatchbacks with the Velcro on the sides.
“Those are mine.” I said as I picked them up, the other people in the foyer smiling that I was picking up the little pink shoes. I was sure those were the only shoes for a four year old girl in the whole place.
See most moms and dads just get a new pair. But Teresa and I – well these are special shoes, and if we can get them repaired, that’s another thing we don’t need to spend top dollar on for my girl.
I didn’t know this before I had a daughter who needed special shoes. Anything “medical” costs extra. The stroller with the harness so she won’t double over and fall out – extra. The bed with the rails so she won’t roll out – extra. Her wheel chair with the fancy tray, seat that can be set to recline, and shock absorbers – that was made in Germany and had the decimal point moved to the right to prove it.
“No charge” the clerk said, after consulting with Mario – the owner and the guy who told me to come get them after lunch today. I had dropped them off this morning, knowing Mario could fix them and I wouldn’t have to spend $80 on another pair of shoes.
And Mario, he must have seen those little shoes, designed to fit around the little plastic ankle braces (called DAFOS) and thought I could use a break. I didn’t *need* the break. I just appreciated that he appreciated it. A few minutes on the sewing machine would normally be $18. But maybe he looked at those little shoes and thought, special shoes for a special girl – I’ll do my part.
So I’ll be back to Mario’s place, to get my loafers resoled or a leather bag fixed. Because that’s the kind of guy I want to do business with. When you have a big heart, it’s not always about the cash. Sometimes you just need to fix a pair of little pink shoes. The little girl who will wear them can’t walk on her own now, but someday she will, and it will be partly because she had the right shoes on today.
That’s the kind of thing you always remember, and appreciate.

Is Consumers Union supporting the gay agenda?

The magazine Consumer Reports has done good service for a long time, and I’ve been willing to support them by subscribing to their print edition and also their on-line service. Like most organizations in the field of consumer activism, they have a somewhat left-wing image, and occasionally, they endorse or lobby for legislation I don’t agree with, but I haven’t been bothered much. Until now.
This year, they bought the blog consumerist.com, formerly owned by Gawker; it has a flock of writers spewing out several short pieces a day, some of them on legitimate consumer issues, and some on irrelevancies. Since the writers at Consumerist tend to be a snarky opinionated bunch, I figured their style might eventually become a problem, in comparison with the restrained, generally fair and factual approach of the magazine.
In recent weeks, they’ve given a lot of coverage to some gay group’s protest against Target stores after Target gave a donation to a political cause in Minnesota. The donation was ostensibly given because the cause agreed with Target’s business interests, but it benefited a conservative politician who’s against same-sex marriage. Since then, Consumerist has published several pieces about protests:

  • July 28: “Target Angering Gay Customers…”
  • August 5: “Target CEO Explains Support of Anti-Gay Politician…”
  • August 8: “Target and Best Buy’s Support of Bigots Is Going To Change The Way You Shop”

(Yeah, actually it will change the way I shop: I like Target more now. Their foundation used to support Planned Parenthood, but they stopped. God bless ’em.)
I figure the first story was reasonable; the second understandable; but the third insulting.
Does Consumers Union, the parent organization of Consumerist.com, endorse that sentiment: that opposition to same-sex marriage makes you a “bigot”? I don’t want my subscription money going to pay for a blog that’s going to spread incivility like that.
So I called Consumers Union, spoke with the customer relations department, and explained my concern a week ago. I haven’t heard any response yet, so I cancelled the magazine subscription. I’ll give ’em another chance this week; I’ll call again and ask if they have taken a stand to disassociate themselves from the offensive message from the blog. And if not, I’ll cancel the on-line subscription.
Anybody else feel the same?

The Replacements?

Here’s a reminder of the oldest serving bishop-ordinaries in the US. According to canon law, bishops offer their resignation to the Pope after they reach the age of 75, so eventually we can look forward to news of their successors.
Already over 75:

Reading 75 soon: