** Pedophile documentary

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/italy-screens-controversial-pedophile-documentary/2007/06/01/1180205462935.html

Italy screens controversial pedophile documentary 

June 1, 2007 — REUTERS

A controversial BBC TV documentary on the sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests aired in Italy on Thursday as conservative politicians called for a boycott of the state broadcaster for running it.

Sex Crimes and the Vatican has for the past several weeks pitted right-wing politicians opposed to its airing against those who said censoring it would violate freedom of speech.

After much haggling, the head of state broadcaster RAI said it could be aired as part of a debate show called Year Zero, but only if it were accompanied by balancing opinion from church representatives.

Despite the compromise, Isabella Bertolini, a parliamentarian of the conservative Forza Italia party called on Italians to boycott RAI for 10 minutes to protest against the decision to air “a documentary full of lies”.

Some groups, complaining of a media trial of the Catholic Church, also protested against the decision to air the documentary, already seen by millions on the internet in Italy.

The program marked the first time the issue of sexual abuse of children was discussed so explicitly on Italian television.

Bishop Rino Fisichella, who gave the Vatican’s viewpoint, and Father Fortunato Di Noto, an Italian priest who campaigns against pedophilia, contested parts of the documentary and some assertions made by other guests who accused the church of protecting pedophile priests.

During the program, Fisichella, rector of Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University, and others said it was unfair to single out pedophilia among priests when it was present in many other social groups.

The presenter of the program, left-leaning journalist Michele Santoro, said that out of about 1,000 cases of reported pedophilia by priests, the Italian Church investigated only 10.

The show included two young people who claimed they had been sexually abused while they were child members of a parish group in Florence and that local church authorities did not investigate their claims.

The BBC documentary examined what it described as secret Vatican documents setting out procedures to deal with general abuse of the confessional by a priest to silence his victim.

The original document, written in 1962, was updated in 2001 to deal more specifically with pedophilia as the church around the world became embroiled in a string of sexual abuse scandals.

British bishops last year criticised the BBC, saying it should be “ashamed of the standard of the journalism used to create this unwarranted attack on Pope Benedict”.

Before his election as Pope in 2005, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican department that enforces doctrine.  Reuters

** Pope to Evangelize whole world

Pope Prods Catholics: Time to Evangelize

June 4, 2007, The Trumpet

In support of his drive to increase the global influence of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict xvi is calling upon all baptized members of the church to participate in the church’s missionary work.In his message for World Mission Day, to be held October 21, Pope Benedict xvi calls on all Catholic dioceses to join forces in combating an increasingly secularized society. In the text of the message, released by the Vatican last week, Benedict calls on local churches on all continents to be aware “of the urgent need to relaunch missionary activity to meet the many grave challenges of our time.”Missionary work, the pope states, is “the church’s primary service to humanity today”—in other words, he considers the church’s most important job to be to convert the world.

Lest one confuse the church’s universal missionary duty of conversion with merely humanitarian goals, Benedict “stressed that the mission cannot be reduced to some kind of humanitarian voluntary service or social work. Often the fight against hunger and injustice overshadows the task of proclaiming Christ and the specifically Christian quality of the missionary service, sometimes done in the name of a given religious relativism based on the view that ‘after all, all religions are the same’” (AsiaNews, May 29). In other words, for Benedict, humanitarian work is more a means to an end: conversion of peoples to, not just any religion, but Catholicism.

Universal conversion was also a focus in Benedict’s public audience on Sunday, May 27, in which he reminded his audience that one of the four essential marks of the church was that it is catholic because “the gospel is addressed to all peoples.” He said the Catholic Church is characterized by a missionary impulse.Earlier in May, Benedict wrote a similarly themed letter to the prefect for the evangelization of peoples in which he urged priests of the World Mission Congress to renew the “missionary effort promoted 50 years ago by Pope Pius xii ….”As converting the world becomes a more urgent priority for Benedict, let us not forget what such missionary efforts of the Roman Catholic Church have led to in past centuries. http://www.thetrumpet.com/index.php?page=article&id=3215
Benedict’s Evangelical BlitzkriegBy Ron Fraser

From his onslaught on liberalism during the papacy of John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger, the current Pope Benedict XVI, has possessed a determination to return Roman Catholicism to the global influence it exerted during medieval times.

Any astute observer of Joseph Ratzinger is aware of his deliberate and calculated agenda to wind back the clock during his papacy. He wants the Roman Catholic Church to reverse the damaging liberal social politics and rationalist theology that so weakened its political and moral authority in the decades following World War ii and return to the position it once enjoyed at the peak of its power.Ratzinger accomplished much of this agenda in tandem with Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul ii. The closeness of the relationship enjoyed by the Polish pope and the Bavarian cardinal was evident by how religiously they adhered to their weekly scheduled private Friday meetings, and the fact that Ratzinger was the only cardinal permitted to address the pope in his native German tongue.The papal political platform Ratzinger built in association with Wojtyla established the ideal launching pad for his now increasingly aggressive evangelizing papal agenda for the Roman Catholic Church.Benedict’s most recent evangelizing initiatives have been directed at Latin America, specifically during his recent visit to Brazil to open the Fifth General Assembly of the Latin American bishops’ conference celam just north of the city of Sao Paulo.This visit to Brazil was not by invitation. It was by Benedict’s own personal choice—thus, no doubt, in pursuance of the latest phase in his agenda to progressively evangelize the world.That this pope is in a hurry to fulfill his agenda is made obvious by the fact that he has, just two years into his papacy, enjoined war on not one, but now on four distinct fronts—and has done so with elegance and panache using rapier-like thrusts of both tongue and pen.

On the home front, Benedict wasted no time in making a number of deliberate personnel changes at the Vatican after he took over in April 2005. He is intent on building a team in Rome that will support his agenda. He closed some Vatican offices and consolidated others, thus ensuring that no individual Vatican functionary is left with a degree of undue power that might frustrate his efforts at returning to a more traditionalist approach to liturgy, nor interfere with his wider global political agenda. We should expect to see further refining of the papal base of support in Rome as Benedict gains ground on the other three fronts of his evangelical crusade.

Benedict opened a second front in his onslaught last September at his old alma mater, University of Regensburg, when he, in the words of Dr. George Friedman, ceo of Stratfor, “thr[e]w a hand grenade” into the Islamic arena. The outcry over the pope’s deliberately chosen words in his verbal attack on Islam is now a matter of history. It was, as Friedman pointed out, “an elegant move. He has strengthened his political base and perhaps legitimized a stronger response to anti-Catholic rhetoric in the Muslim world. And he has done it with superb misdirection. His options are open” (Sept. 19, 2006). That’s the way of this pope. He will go for the jugular, but with such finesse that it leaves his options open. This is the mark of a quintessentially expert diplomat.

Benedict is working to stem the Islamic onslaught that has brought the crusading imams right up to the Vatican’s doorstep.

On a third front, the pope frontally attacked European secularism when he used the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the European Union to castigate the leaders of the EU for their failure to recognize the traditional religion of Europe, which grew out of Rome, in its declaration of fundamental values. He accused Europe of being “built upon a cynical form of pragmatism that compromises on all principles, sacrificing fundamental ideals and undermining the dignity of human nature and freedom” (CWNews.com, March 26).CWNews.com recently ran a story pointing out how Benedict’s attacks on secularism were further endorsed by Bishop Giuseppe Betori, secretary of the Italian bishops’ conference. Betori declared that “the Christian people face a new challenge, in the form of political forces that are ‘attempting to storm our cities, undermine their peaceful order, and bring turbulence into their lives’” (May 16).Benedict drew a fourth line in the sand in his global crusade during his most recent trip to Brazil. In his address to the bishops of Latin America, Benedict challenged them to galvanize a continent-wide evangelical crusade to rout the competing non-Catholic religions—“sects” as he called them—that have penetrated Latin America on the heels of the liberalizing wave that hit the church in the 1960s and ’70s.Having declared, before gaining papal office, that no Protestant church could be regarded as a true church, it would seem that Benedict’s ecumenical thrusts will be primarily directed to the Orthodox religions. But it is the evangelical “sects” largely emanating from North America that have most significantly penetrated Catholicism in Latin America. A purge of these competing religious groups may well be on the horizon as Latino bishops lobby national governments for legislation to ban their operation within Latin America.

Pope Benedict has high hopes for his challenge to the Latin American bishops to evangelize afresh that which he calls “the continent of hope.” His intentions are to create the springboard within Latin America that will lead to a re-energizing of Catholicism not only in Europe, the continent of Rome’s “religious roots,” but also, indeed, across the whole globe!

That this is the ultimate goal of his evangelical agenda was made obvious during his weekly address in St. Peter’s Square Sunday, May 20. Addressing the crowd assembled below, Benedict called for a “‘renewed Pentecost’ for the entire church, and especially for the church in Latin America …” (CWNews.com, May 21).But this pope’s agenda is broader than just an appeal for Catholic laggards to return to their faith. It has definite political overtones—of a global nature.On the eve of the G8 conference shortly to convene under Germany’s leadership, CWNews.com ran an article headlined, “Global Economy Needs Catholic Insights, Pope Says.” Receiving delegates of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation, established under John Paul ii to promote the social teachings of the church, Benedict “noted that their recent conferences have studied ‘Asian countries characterized by strong economic growth which, however, does not always lead to real social development; and on African nations where, unfortunately, economic growth and social development face many obstacles.’ In both cases, the holy father said, societies could profit from the insights of church teaching” (May 21).As we have often pointed out, this is a pope worth watching: A real mover and shaker whose small, somewhat unimpressive physical appearance is belied by strength and force of his public pronouncements. Here, indeed, is a pope intent on evangelizing the world using religion, the world economy, social issues, global politics or whatever weapon he chooses that suits the time, place and public mood. And Benedict is making it increasingly clear that he is prepared to take on all comers in his quest to revive the global dominance of the Vatican’s religion.Benedict xvi won’t rest until he has achieved that goal! 

IN GOD THEY TRUST @ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080508/jsp/opinion/story_9238299.jsp

**Jagadguru Vasudev aka JAGGI

Karunanidhi kept quite: Jaggi Vasudev charged with murder in 1997

http://kanchikamakoti.blogspot.com/search?q=Jaggi+vasudev 

The following is the Indian Express report as appearing on October 12, 1997 about Police registering a case of murder by Jaggi Vasudev:

Coimbatore, Oct, 11: Close on the heels of scandals relating to fake godmen getting exposed, yet another ashram from Coimbatore is in the limelight with Jaggi Vasudev aliash Jagadeesh of Isha Yoga ashram at Poondi near Coimbatore, being charged with the murder of his wife Viji alias Vijayakumari.A team of police personnel recently visited the premises of Isha Ashram at poondi and interrogated the inmates of the ashram. Godman Jaggi is away in the US.(He is known as Jagadguru Jaggi Vasudev in US)According to police, T. S. Ganganna of Bangalore (father of Viji) had preferred a complaint with the Bangalore Police suspecting foul play in the death of his daughter Viji. The complaintant had stated that his daughter left him last on June 15, 1996. He reportedly received a message on January 23, 1997, from Jaggi Vasudev, stating that Viji was no more. Ganganna said that Jaggi Vasudev had hurriedly completed the cremation on Jan.24 even before they could rush from Bangalore, raising suspicion about the nature of death. He suspected death due to poisoning or strangulation. According to him, Jaggi Vasudev could have caused the death of Viji to facilitate his illicit relationship with yet another inmate of the ashram.  Based on the complaint of Ganganna to the Bangalore City Police on Aug. 12, a case was registered.The Bangalore City Police transferred it to the Coimbatore Rural Police. The Coimbatore Rural Police have registered a case against Jaggi Vasudev under Section 302 of IPC (murder) and IPC 201 (suppression of evidence).  Isha Yoga Foundatrion has denied reports that Jaggi Vasudev had fled to USA to avoid investigation of ashram. Authorised Signatory of Ashram Kiran stated that Guruji had gone for giving lectures . ENS

But nothing is known to the Public or citizens of Tamilnadu or Karnatka. Incidentally, just after the arrest of Sanaracharya, a Catholic priest was arrested in Kanyakumari area for murder, rape etc.,

Though, initially reports appeared in newspapers, totally there was silence in the media. In fact, about Jaggi nothing came in any TV-Channel, as compared to wide, prolonged and repeated coverage of Sankarachrya.

No eminent writer, actress or any other complained or gave interview in SUN or UDAY TV.

And Karunanidhi – oh, it did not concern at all. He never comented after reading newspaper said the episode reminded him of the saying, “if a virtuous woman commits a sin she can cleanse herself by having a dip in the Ganges but where will she go seeking atonement if the holy river itself is polluted?” Why, obviously.

Because, Jaggi was not arrested! No agitation announced urging the government to arrest.

On November 13, 2002, he said laws should be enacted to curb fake godmen mushrooming. Those who introduced such laws must have a progressive outlook and a commitment to rid society of superstition. Awareness should be created among the people to end frauds committed in the name of god, religion and spirituality. The heads of mutts should not misuse religious symbols to cover up their wrongdoings, he said.

“We wish that the trial is conducted in a fair manner without any interference. Let us wait and see how things take their course” was his reply to a question on apprehensions raised, considering the Sankaracharya”s “political influence.”

On reports of persons holding high offices visiting the Mutt to show their proximity to the Sankaracharya, Mr. Karunanidhi said it was unfair that constitutional functionaries such as the President were made to stand before religious heads.

How then, he accommodated a charge-sheeted and murder accused person, sat with him?

Before Indian law also, like Karunanidhi, the Saints are discriminated by religion ad ideology?

Can the Law and judiciary be ideologized?  Yes, naturally, when atheist or Communist or Communalist Judges are appointed by the Politicians, how they would deliver judgments?

********************************************************* 

How Reverence changes from Jaggi to Sankaracharya?

http://vedaprakash.indiainteracts.com/2007/11/13/karunanidhi-jaggi-vasudev-and-sankaracharya-a-comparitive-study-of-contemporary-events-in-indian-secular-context/

————–  Jaggi’s History  ——————————–

Jaggi charged with Murder,  Indian Express article of Oct 11, 1997:
http://kanchikamakoti.blogspot.com/search?q=Jaggi+vasudev

————————————————————————————-

Interview in Jan. 2004 with EVOLVE magazine: excerpts below 

http://www.ishafoundation.org/news/features/Evolve_Jan2004.pdf 

QUESTION: Sadhguru, can you tell me a little about yourself? From what lineage or tradition do you come? 

JAGGI VASUDEV: Fundamentally, I don’t come from any particular tradition as such. It is from inner experience that I come. But, if I look at it now, I’m a part of every tradition in the world . whatever the traditions have become over a period of time, that’s different.

P.S. Jaggi never admitted that he comes from a Hindu lineage, neither was he ever cleared of murder charges because he left India. Jaggi is presently in USA and his Isha Foundation is prospering in these cities:  

Atlanta, Georgia : 404-248-0026
atlanta@ishafoundation.org 

Chicago, Illinois : 847-452-7902
chicago@ishafoundation.org   

Cincinnati, Ohio : 513-231-5679
cincinnati@ishafoundation.org   

Columbus, Ohio : 614-208-6189
columbus@ishafoundation.org   

Dayton, Ohio : 937-429-0320
dayton@ishafoundation.org   

Detroit, Michigan : 248-601-6362
detroit@ishafoundation.org   

Los Angeles, California: 714-469-9239
la@ishafoundation.org   

Memphis, Tennessee : 901-755-2781
memphis@ishafoundation.org   

Nashville, Tennessee: 615-731-9893
nashville@ishafoundation.org   

New England :
newengland@ishafoundation.org   

New Jersey : 732 859 9958
newjersey@ishafoundation.org   

New York : 516-801-2530
newyork@ishafoundation.org   

Peoria, Illinois : 309-657-0682
peoria@ishafoundation.org   

Phoenix, Arizona : 480-946-3645
phoenix@ishafoundation.org   

San Francisco, California : 408-873-4892
sfo@ishafoundation.org   

Seattle, Washington : 425-677-4866
seattle@ishafoundation.org   

Tampa, Florida : 813-413-1661
tampa@ishafoundation.org   

Washington, DC : 703-731-1194
washingtondc@ishafoundation.org