General Chat

Cardinal Marx submits resignation to Pope Francis. (Vatican News). (08.06.21).

German Cardinal Reinhard Marx asks Pope Francis to accept his resignation as head of the Archdiocese of Munich-Freising, saying he “is willing to personally bear responsibility” not only for his own mistakes in dealing with the clerical abuse scandal, but also for the institutional errors of the Church.

Cardinal Reinhard Marx speaks of “personal failures” and “administrative mistakes” in a letter to Pope Francis in which he submitted his resignation as archbishop of Munich and Freising.
but also of “an institutional or ‘systematic’ failure” in the handling of the crisis of clerical sexual abuse in Germany,

A “personal declaration” from the Cardinal, posted on the Archdiocesan website, says the Pope has authorized the publication of the letter: Pope Francis, the statement reads, “has now informed me that this letter may be published and that I should keep performing my service as a bishop until his decision is made.”

A ‘dead end’ that could become a turning point
In his letter of resignation, Cardinal Marx reflects on the crisis facing the Catholic Church in Germany: a crisis, he says, that arose not only from external causes, but “also caused by our personal failure, by our own guilt.” “My impression,” he says, “is that we are at a ‘dead end’ which – and this is my paschal hope – also has the potential of becoming a ‘turning point’.”

Co-responsibility in the crisis of abuse
The cardinal explains that he has been considering resignation for the past year. In his personal declaration, he goes into more detail: “In the past months, I have repeatedly thought about my resignation, introspected and tried to make the right decision in prayer and in the spiritual dialogue by ‘discerning the spirits.”

He explains to the Pope that, “in essence, it is important to me to share the responsibility for the catastrophe of the sexual abuse by Church officials over the past decades.”

In the past few months, Cardinal Marx had approached the Westpfahl Spilker Wastl firm - the same firm that had been commissioned for the first investigation of paedophilia cases in the Archdiocese of Cologne - to draw up a report on abuse in the Church of Munich and Freising, pledging to not intervene to influence the final results. Last year, the Cardinal established a foundation in his diocese called “Spes et Salus” to offer “healing and reconciliation” to all victims of sexual violence. He also donated most of his private assets to the foundation.

Personal failures and administrative mistakes:

In his letter to the Pope, published today in several languages ,Cardinal Marx refers to “investigations” and “reports” over the past ten years, which, he stresses, “have consistently shown that there have been many personal failures and administrative mistakes but also institutional or ‘systemic’ failure.” The Cardinal also looks critically at the most recent controversies and discussions which, in his opinion, show that “some members of the Church refuse to believe that there is a shared responsibility in this respect and that the Church as an institution is hence also to be blamed for what has happened". Consequently, he said, they “disapprove of discussing reforms and renewal in the context of the sexual abuse crisis”.

A reform of the Church
According to the cardinal, there are two aspects that have to be considered: "mistakes for which you are personally responsible and the institutional failure which requires changes and a reform of the Church."  Cardinal Marx, instead, is convinced that a “turning point out of the crisis … is only possible if we take a ‘synodal path’, a path which actually enables a ‘discernment of spirits’.”

The damaged reputation of the Bishops
Looking back over his 42 years as a priest and 25 years as a bishop – 20 of them as ordinary of a large diocese – and in the light of this long experience in the Church, Cardinal Marx says “it is painful… to witness the severe damage to the bishops’ reputation in the ecclesiastical and secular perception, which may even be at its lowest” point.

In his view, “to assume responsibility, it is therefore not enough, in my opinion, to react only and exclusively if the files provide proof of the mistakes and failures of individuals.” Instead, he said, “We as bishops have to make clear that we also represent the institution of the Church as a whole.”


The greatest fault of the past: Overlooking the victims
Nor should one, the cardinal says, “simply link these problems largely to past times and former Church officials, thereby ‘burying’ what happened".
Cardinal Marx says he feels “personally guilty and responsible” for keeping silent, for omissions, and for focusing too much on the reputation of the Church. “Only after 2002 and even more since 2010, those affected by sexual abuse have been brought to the fore more consequently and this change of perspective has not yet been completed,” he says, adding that, “Overlooking and disregarding the victims was certainly our greatest fault of the past.”

A signal for a new beginning.
“We have failed,” Cardinal Marx reiterates, frankly acknowledging that “we” includes himself personally. That, he says, is why he is submitting his resignation: as an opportunity to express his willingness to take responsibility, and also as a “personal signal for a new beginning, for a new awakening of the Church, not only in Germany.”

“I would like to show that it is not the office that is in the forefront but the mission of the Gospel. This too is part of pastoral care,” he says in conclusion. Insisting that he continues “to enjoy being a priest and a bishop, he commits himself to pastoral activity, wherever the Pope deems it “reasonable and useful,” and to increasingly dedicate himself to “pastoral care” and to support the work of spiritual renewal of the Church.

Roles in the Church
Cardinal Marx has served as a member of the Council of Cardinals since it was established by Pope Francis in 2013 to assist him in the governance of the universal Church and to study and implement the project for the reform of the Roman Curia. In 2014, Pope Francis also appointed him coordinator of the Council for the Economy. Earlier, in 2012, he was elected chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, a post he held until February 2020, when he announced that he would not stand for another term during the general assembly in March.

Hello all

A good topic Cynthia, thank you.

Having a laugh is the best medicine there is.

We have warm sunshine too, another way to get the feel-good factor for free.

"The best way to cheer yourself up, is to try and cheer someone else up." (Mark Twain).

Good morning :-)


"Lift up your hearts........................"



Q: Who was the best comedian in the Bible?



A: Samson – he brought the house down.


------------------------------------------------------
Q: Who was the best financier in the Bible?



A: Noah – he kept his company afloat while the rest of the world was in liquidation.


---------------------------------------------------

Q: Where is cricket mentioned in the Bible?



A: Peter stood up with the eleven and was bold.





:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

There are always some folk who need cheering up, so how about a few days of laughter? I apologise in advance for any repetitions from the past


Q: Who was the shortest man in the Bible?



A: Peter – he slept on his watch.

-------------------------------
Q: Who was the first motorcyclist in the Bible?



A: David – the sound of his triumph was heard throughout the land.

-----------------------------
Q: What was the first ice-cream maker mentioned in the Bible?



A: Walls of Jericho.



:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today

O God,
the strength of all those who put their trust in you,
mercifully accept our prayers
and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature
we can do no good thing without you,
grant us the help of your grace,
that in the keeping of your commandments
we may please you both in will and deed;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Something that many people are looking forward to at the moment, is a holiday. The last 12 months have brought so much tension and all people want to do is relax and let the stress melt away!

Holidays are mentioned in the bible but are generally referred to as ‘holy days’ and were days which were set aside for rest and celebration. Many of these days were festival days where a past event was celebrated, but probably, the best known is the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. No work, a rest day, a day for family, kept holy and providing time for God’s people to gather together.

Some will remember a campaign in the 1980’s – ‘Keep Sunday Special’ – this campaign is still active apparently but Sundays are now very different to when many of us were young.

I can remember the shops being closed and an air of general calmness on the streets…..and usually tinned fruit and evap for tea! Of course it was 2 or 3 times to church each Sunday! Morning service, afternoon Sunday school and an evening service too. It certainly wasn’t a day of rest for the clergy back then. I’m sure others will have similar memories.

Lord we thank you for giving us our day of rest. Help us to use it as was intended by you - to rest, to be with our families and to worship you. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Once lockdown was being eased, one place which many people could not wait to visit, was the hairdressers! It must have come as a great relief to the hairdressing staff to be able to open their doors once more.

There is an amazing amount of information in the bible regarding hair, much of it to do with length, styling and modesty. There were some very strict rules for both men and women to follow – to cut or not to cut : to shave or not to shave : to cover or not to cover, It is really rather convoluted, but I found the following interesting!

Grey hair shows the glory of old age - Proverbs 16:31
White hair as a sign of age and wisdom - Revelations 1:14
Hair standing on end indicates fear - Job 4:15
Grief signified by tearing or cutting one’s hair - Ezra 9:3

Lord, we thank you for hairdressers and barbers who, with their skill and expertise, can improve and make a difference to someone’s day. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cloudy and cool here just now.

Another interesting topic Cynthia. Thank you.

Remembering in prayer all who are ill and those who are caring for loved ones at home right now.

Good morning :-)


During the pandemic, we have been more than grateful for the work of all those involved in healthcare. In modern western we are used to doctors and pharmacists, but during bible times, most illnesses were probably treated at home. Physicians existed but they knew nothing about germs and believed that people thought with the heart and felt emotions in the liver.

Here are 3 herbs/plants which are mentioned in the bible and which are still in use today :

1. Aloes – ‘Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds’. The aloe vera plant has been used for thousands of years. In ancient times, it was used to embalm the dead, as well as for perfume and skin complaints (including wounds and burns) and internally for constipation. Today, aloe is still commonly used to treat burns, heal rashes and moisturize the skin.

2. Balm or Balsam — …..’ behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh’. Balm in the Bible refers to an extremely fragrant resinous substance extracted from a plant and was considered extremely valuable. Today, it’s possible to find various herbal salves and oils inspired by this Biblical balm.

3. Cinnamon — ‘Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much of fragrant cinnamon’. Cinnamon, once considered more precious than gold, has some amazing medicinal benefits. The bark, where the oil comes from, was traditionally collected for anointing oil, as well as perfume. Today, cinnamon is used to help lower blood glucose levels. Due to its antifungal properties, it’s also employed in the natural treatment of yeast infections. It can also help to calm an upset stomach by relieving gas.

Lord, we thank you for the skill of those who produce drugs, and for the doctors and pharmacists who use them to our benefit. We are grateful to those who have worked so hard during the pandemic to relieve the suffering of those who are ill. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


During the pandemic, we have been more than grateful for the work of all those involved in healthcare. In modern western we are used to doctors and pharmacists, but during bible times, most illnesses were probably treated at home. Physicians existed but they knew nothing about germs and believed that people thought with the heart and felt emotions in the liver.

Here are 3 herbs/plants which are mentioned in the bible and which are still in use today :

1. Aloes – ‘Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds’. The aloe vera plant has been used for thousands of years. In ancient times, it was used to embalm the dead, as well as for perfume and skin complaints (including wounds and burns) and internally for constipation. Today, aloe is still commonly used to treat burns, heal rashes and moisturize the skin.

2. Balm or Balsam — …..’ behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh’. Balm in the Bible refers to an extremely fragrant resinous substance extracted from a plant and was considered extremely valuable. Today, it’s possible to find various herbal salves and oils inspired by this Biblical balm.

3. Cinnamon — ‘Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much of fragrant cinnamon’. Cinnamon, once considered more precious than gold, has some amazing medicinal benefits. The bark, where the oil comes from, was traditionally collected for anointing oil, as well as perfume. Today, cinnamon is used to help lower blood glucose levels. Due to its antifungal properties, it’s also employed in the natural treatment of yeast infections. It can also help to calm an upset stomach by relieving gas.

Lord, we thank you for the skill of those who produce drugs, and for the doctors and pharmacists who use them to our benefit. We are grateful to those who have worked so hard during the pandemic to relieve the suffering of those who are ill. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


During the lockdown, some things which were very much needed, were masks and PPE. Sewing machines whirred and companies rallied to the challenge as people worked long and hard to keep up with demand.

Sewing is mentioned in the bible several times, Dorcas (Tabitha in Aramaic) was a believer devoted to charity. She cared especially for widows, providing them with clothing. Luke writes that she became ill and died. Her companions knew, however, that Peter was in Lydda, close to Joppa. They sent for him. He spoke to the body: “Tabitha, get up.” Her resurrection was a tangible sign of the gospel, and many others came to faith.

Dorcas' work of making clothes and helping the poor may sound insignificant when compared to the outstanding works of the apostles, but they were enough to gain the love of her community and enough that God saw fit to restore her life.

There is even a society named after her. A Dorcas society is a local group of people, usually based in a church, with a mission of providing clothing to the poor. Dorcas societies were at their height in the 1800s, but there are still Dorcas societies around the world, providing clothing and other help for those in need.

We thank you Lord for the example set by Dorcas and for those who rise to the challenge of helping others when times are hard. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Hotels and guest houses also suffered during the lockdown and it was an extremely worrying time for all concerned.

Inns are mentioned several times in the bible but are nothing compared to the Ritz!!

Caravanserais, were the halting places of caravans or traveling companies, places where men and cattle have room to rest, but, no food is provided in them. Here "caravan" means a group of traders, pilgrims or other travellers, engaged in long-distance travel.

They were square buildings enclosing an open court, often with arcades around and a terrace over them. Though lonely and often filthy, the terrace would be tolerably clean, but the court and stabling littered with chopped straw and dirt. Before these buildings were erected, the caravans would have simply gathered together and spread their tents.

If the inn was located at a strategic centre such as where caravan routes intersect each other, it may have become a public gathering-place on account of bazaars and markets being held there. Animals would sometimes be killed and the meat sold at these places, and often travellers can purchase many other things at the inn.

Lord, we thank you for those who run our hotels and holiday accommodation and are grateful to them for their care during our stay. We pray that, after the last 12 months, their businesses will pick up and they can face the future in a more positive manner. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


During lockdown, many people turned to baking and cooking to help cope with the long days. Now that the lockdown is almost over, it’s great that our restaurants and pubs are able to open once more. It has been such a tough time for them.

This made me think of food in the bible so I will share some interesting facts I found :

In Old Testament days there were no kitchens. Food was cooked in the open in front of the tent, in the closed courtyards of houses in the cities or in the communal living room. Meals might be prepared by either men or women and it appears that the sexes ate together. There were professional cooks called tabbahim but only rich people could afford them.

What did they eat? The cooking of meat is referred to repeatedly, but there are only a few references to cooking vegetables. ln general, meat was either boiled in a stew in an earthenware pot or roasted over an open fire. Meat was also frequently salted to preserve it

Pancakes made of a sour dough and filled with a tasty mixture were fried in oil or baked on hot stones pulled out of the embers of a fire.

Fish would be roasted on a charcoal fire, generally using a wooden or iron spit, although the fish eaten by the disciples of Jesus was cooked directly on the charcoal.

Cereals like wheat and barley were roasted on an iron plate or in a pan to make the parched corn, or they might be boiled in a pot to make a coarse porridge.

Sometimes cakes would be baked with honey and these tasted so good that the manna of the desert was compared to them.

We thank God for those who prepare food for us, either at home or whilst eating out. We are grateful for their skills and dedication to their work.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you for the birthday wishes - had a wonderful day! <3



Today is known as Trinity Sunday

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and everlasting God,
you have given us your servants grace,
by the confession of a true faith,
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity
and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity:
keep us steadfast in this faith,
that we may evermore be defended from all adversities;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

A beautiful warm dry day. A real tonic for us all.

Happy birthday Cynthia. Have a great time out with your family in the sun today X

Happy birthday Cynthia. Have a lovely day out with your family <3

Good morning :-)

I know exactly what you mean Vera and it is something which is often said by members of various congregations. You are fortunate that you have an attentive vicar where you live - they seem to be few and far between up here! :-(


It's a day out for me today - it's my birthday and my family are taking me out - I know not where exactly but just to be with them will be worth it!



The coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way – that is for the good of all………


Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Another interesting week of posts Cynthia, thank you.

I am keeping Tabitha in mind and am glad she has a bit of a breathing space. I hope something will turn up for her very soon.

As I have probably mentioned before I am not a regular church attender but I do keep an eye on our local church. Far from struggling, it has a vicar, assistant priest, lay reader, 3 lay elders and 3 church wardens. Although regular services have necessarily had to be online during the pandemic, the church has been open for 6 hours every day for private prayer. You are just asked to leave your contact details in a book.

The two best priests I have known are the vicar mentioned above and the vicar of the church in a village where we used to live. Both seemed able to relate easily to people from all walks of life and both were regularly seen out and about in the community. I am convinced it was because both men had come to their vocation later in life and had worked in "real life" (for want of a better phrase) for several years first. Perhaps it should be compulsory for all would be priests to spend 2 or 3 years in a factory or office. Just a thought.

Good morning :-)


Churchwardens are a Godsend Gwyn. They have a lot of responsibility for so many different things. We have a silly system of 2 churchwardens who are responsible for 7 churches. One has stood down, so we now have just the one lady. It's a ridiculous situation.



The coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way – that is for the good of all………

….. To others he gives the power to do miracles, to prophesy, to speak different kinds of languages.


O Lord, from whom all good things come:
grant to us your humble servants,
that by your holy inspiration
we may think those things that are good,
and by your merciful guiding may perform the same;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.


Cx :-)

We don't have any clergy at present, being in an interregnum, but the church wardens are very welcoming.

Cynthia,
Thank you.
You always give us something so meaningful to think about.