The Austin news today says that there
is a stomach virus going around and if we go out to eat "Do Not Share
Eating Utensils." In other words at a restaurant be sure and ask
for your own fork.
Red state in 1869 sound familiar:
Georgia supreme court bans interracial marriage by observing that "the God
of nature made it otherwise, no human law can produce it, and no human tribunal
can enforce it.
The nontraditional approach runs counter to the image most people have of
Benedict, who is expected to issue a decree making it easier for churches to
conduct traditional Latin Masses. But Zelinda Britto, 52, said she believes the
pope will look kindly on Latin America's style of Catholicism when he visits and
will recognize that it has helped the church retain young members.
"It's about joy," said Britto, before ducking into a church service.
"The music gives me the sensation that God is closer. I believe God wants
us to feel that sort of happiness and joy. God is meant to be worshiped -- He's
not just about sin and guilt."
The Catholic Church's outlook in Brazil is not so gloomy either, according to
some clergy.
"There are lots of movements that are always happening within the church
here, and that is not a bad thing," said Dom Orani Joao Tempesta,
archbishop of Belem, Brazil. "They are all trying to bring people to the
faith, so they all have their value."
The recent survey that tracked the declining numbers of Catholics here also
revealed some more-promising data for church leaders: 97 percent of Brazilians
believe in God, 93 percent believe Christ rose from the dead, and 86 percent
believe in the virgin birth 91 percent want a church with no Pope. To Tempesta,
that means the Catholic Church's 500-year presence in Latin America has laid a
foundation that it is well-positioned to build upon.
"I hope the pope's visit enlightens people throughout Latin America about
how . . . best to be a Catholic in a place that is living with the consequences
of globalization and poverty," said Tempesta, who will attend the bishops
conference this weekend. "And I hope we can show him that we still have
hope, confidence and joy, too, despite whatever problems there might be."
Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart
enough to know they were impossible.