Abbey-Roads2

The case that can’t rest in peace.

The family of Dan O’Connell, who had been alledgedly murdered by Fr. Ryan Erickson (pictured - Erickson later committed suicide) because O’Connell was supposedly going to reveal Erickson’s involvement in homosexual acts; has teamed up with a locally famous attorney who specializes in big-time lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Church. This lawsuit has a loophole that could make it a landmark class action suit against the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. Seems like a witch hunt to me. From KSTP Channel 5 News in the Twin Cities:

“MILWAUKEE (AP) - The family of a man believed to have been killed by a Roman Catholic priest in Hudson filed a civil lawsuit Tuesday against nearly 200 bishops and other church officials, asking them to disclose the names of abusive priests.

The lawsuit against bishops throughout the country and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops was filed in St. Croix County Circuit Court by relatives of Daniel O’Connell. He was shot and killed Feb. 5, 2002, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson along with an employee, James Ellison.

“We’re finishing a job Dan started,” said Janet O’Connell, Daniel O’Connell’s mother.” [snip] Channel 5 News.

What a wierd time we live in - Catholics wanting Madonna, together with so-called women-priests, and other’s excommunicated (even though they have no interest in being faithful Roman Catholics) while enemies of the Catholic Church exploit others to attack and destroy the Church. The families of all three of the deceased men have my sympathy and prayers, but this does not seem to me to be the appropriate course of action. These people want the names of every priest in the United States who have been accused of sexual crimes to be publicly disclosed. It’s absurd.

Update: It’s in the Pioneer Press today: 8/09/06

Another Update: Feed back at work this morning is that, other than the attorney bent on socking it to the Church, many people think it’s a fair lawsuit. They want to know who the offender priests are for the protection of their children. We’ll have to watch and see what develops.

Pictured, Iranian President Ahmedinejad - Looks like a friendly enough guy, not bad looking either, and he appears to be rather personable…

WSJ: Scholar Warns Iran’s Ahmadinejad May Have
‘Cataclysmic Events’ In Mind For August 22
Tue Aug 08 2006
WALL STREET JOURNAL op-ed Tuesday, Princeton’s Bernard Lewis writes:

“There is a radical difference between the Islamic Republic of Iran and other governments with nuclear weapons. This difference is expressed in what can only be described as the apocalyptic worldview of Iran’s present rulers.” “In Islam as in Judaism and Christianity, there are certain beliefs concerning the cosmic struggle at the end of time — Gog and Magog, anti-Christ, Armageddon, and for Shiite Muslims, the long awaited return of the Hidden Imam, ending in the final victory of the forces of good over evil, however these may be defined.”

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad “and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the US about nuclear development by Aug. 22,” which this year corresponds “to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to ‘the farthest mosque,’ usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1).”This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world.

It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind.”

Just goes to show you, at least depression isn’t the end of the world, chins up!

Lectio

“Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; there is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you, they do not seek you. I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; why cry out over your wound? Your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins.” - Jeremiah 30.

That’s how depression can feel. Job and the Book of Lamentations has more insights on it. Sometimes various means of medication do not even help - sometimes depression can be a natural result of our sins which alienate us from God - but not always.

The sacrament of reconciliation does help however. It’s a good thing.

Like Paxil and other medications that many people have to take all of their lives, with varying side effects and depression still popping through - you do have to use it (Confession) for the rest of your life however, although there are no negative side effects whatsoever.