Day: May 7, 2009

On
Pamela A. Payne, Catholic Herald Staff

Papal honors for two diocesan priests

MADISON — Bishop Robert C. Morlino has announced that Pope Benedict XVI has recognized the gifts of the priests and people of the Diocese of Madison by conferring papal honors on two Madison diocesan priests.

Msgr. Delbert L. Schmelzer, diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith of the Diocese of Madison, has been named a Protonotary Apostolic (Supranumerary), and Msgr. Wilfred Schuster has been named a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness.

“These appointments bring honor on our whole presbyterate and I renew my deep gratitude for all the good that our priests do each day,” Bishop Morlino said.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Mom helped make our house a home

Seeing with Jesus' Eyes by Fr. Donald Lange column logo

The storm’s thunder and lightning frightened Danny, a five-year-old boy. He fled to the safety of his parent’s bedroom.

”Mommy, Daddy,” Danny begged, “Can I sleep in your room tonight? I’m scared of the thunder and lightning.”

His mom hugged him. “Honey, don’t be afraid. God will protect you. Now go back to your room,” she gently ordered her son.

Danny cried, “Mommy, I know that God will protect me. But right now, I need someone whom I can see. I need someone who can hold me and pray for me like you do, so I won’t be afraid.”

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On
Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

The Obama stem cell darkness

Making Sense out of Bioethics column by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

President Obama, on March 9, 2009, signed an important executive order that vastly expanded federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research and crossed a significant and troubling ethical line.

This decision, and the rhetoric during the signing, encouraged scientists and researchers to enter the moral quagmire of taking some human lives in order to benefit others. During his signing speech, in order to support his decision, the president invoked the name of Christopher Reeve and other patients desperate to find cures for their ailments.

Desperation, however, rarely makes for good ethics.

I once heard a true story that brought this point home for me in a dramatic way. The story involved a father and his two young sons.

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