Saturday, October 31, 2009

Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie

(Media Study South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

In accordance with Journalistic Ethics, I have a bias when it comes to Selena Gomez, and to Wizards of Waverly Place, she is my favourite Actress and Singer in the world, and it is one of my favourite shows in the world, yes, even University Students love it. Admittedly, as a Law student, I think I may be alone in liking it, among my colleagues.

The Wizards of Waverly Place series, while portraying teenage and other figures which are the opposite of role models, uses humour to teach western and family values, as well as to display humour. Sometimes, one may think it goes over the top, or that a character is portrayed too cruelly, or that a joke may be inappropriate (such as when Alex's Father thinks her group date is "So not a date", and is therefore not worried- it insinuates something!). Sometimes, this is the case, but in general the values instilled by the show, seem good, and the humour is continuous.

The movie does not seem to have the same subway station and house as the set of the series. It seems entirely different.

When at the holiday resort, Alex, steals the family wand and accidentally makes a spell, causing that her mother and father never met. The three kids/teens need to find a way to reverse the spell before they cease to exist. Personally, I see this as slightly pro-life, in that while not born, they are alive- it sort of links with how time really seems to be.

Obviously, when magic is in play, one must watch- real use of magic is the mortal sin of desiring such unjust power over others apart from God. In this Disney movie, however, magic does not follow any form that real "magic" does (I had to study about African "magic" in Customary Law, due to the Witchcraft Suppression Act), and Alex shows real selflessness when the punch comes to shove.

Main Characters:
The Russo's
Alex ( Selena Gomez)
Justin (David Henrie)

Max (Jake T Austin)
The father- Jerrie (David DeLuise)
The mother - (Maria Canals Barrera)

Alex's Friend


Harper (Jennnifer Stone)


I won't give the plot or its twist away, but I see no problem in letting your children watch this film, prima facie.

Problems extra-media:



Disney- don't buy their things

I love Disney, but I need not remind the regular readers, don't buy their merchandise, especially if you know where its made, and by whom, people in the Third World are still people, I know, I live in it. Also, remember, the Catholic League and others have boycotted Disney successfully, their portrayal of Catholics, and Christians, and religion, in some of their movies, and by some of their company authorities, as well as of the pro-life movement is not admirable.


Selena Gomez- a Role Model

We at Scripturelink, and I personally, think Main Actress Selena Gomez is an absolute Role Model, and a wonderful person, however, one must note that we don't agree with some of the charities she encourages [hopefully blissfully, and naively] that we support:

"Selena Gomez has recently supported unicef (mentioned below), and Raise Hope for the Congo, and her facebook page also suggests aid to other NGOs.

Raise Hope for the Congo, is owned by Center for American Progress, says its copyright, which is a little organization, whose head, according to a 2008 article by the Catholic League: John Podesta- is connected with pro-abortion Barack Obama, Center for American Progress is further: funded by George Soros- known for using his billions to promote abortion, especially via pro-abortion "Catholic" organizations, such as Catholics for Choice or Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good (according to the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights).

On Selena's Facebook is a group of Charities, she suggests people become involved in. If we said moving on, it either means that it is a grouping which is so general, its like promoting the internet, or because we could not find, prima facie: anything bad on the group, via a preliminary softly done web search. We did not do our extensive search on these, we simply looked for views of watchdog organizations, unlike with our research on the Raise Hope for the Congo Campaign, done months ago:


Selena's Facebook note:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=7680672415


"Here is a list of Non-Profit and Charity organizations that anyone of you can be a part of:

www.unicef.org

[Were reported as promoting third world abortion, and steralization of women in the third world in 2000, guess what- in 2009 tried the same thing with the dominican republic- I guess funding still gets raised, even if there's less people to help- must help their bottom line to get rid of us- the problem]

www.aspca.com

[at least she likes animals]

www.charitynavigator.org

[moving on]

www.justgive.org

[moving on]

www.worldvision.org

[Good or bad- only hire Christians (p.s. Us Catholics: are Christians, by their definition, yay!)]

www.charity.com

[moving on]

www.bgca.org

[moving on]

www.urbanpromiseusa.org

[moving on]

www.volunteermatch.org

[moving on]

www.salvationarmy.org
[promotes abortion, according to Human Life International, and the American Life League]

www.hsus.org

[animal welfare group, unsure of positions]

www.spca.com

[moving on]

www.unitedway.org

[local offices, have different policies, American Life League, has previously raised concerns involving local offices and abortion, it is more like a franchise than anything!]

www.stjude.com

[ALL says that they signed a letter to George W Bush supporting use of stem cell research, of the kind which relies on embrionic stem cells harvested after aborting the fetus, or by invetro fertilization, and then abortion to gain these. Not only is use of adult stem cells more promising, and more effective, this sort of research is intrinsically evil by judging with Catholic beliefs and standards!]

www.dosomething.org

[Supports Trick or Treat for Unicep- a program which in the past has funded steralization, and promoted abortion of third world folks!!!]

www.islanddog.org

[Animal Welfare, moving on!]


www.cci.org

[Canine companions for independence- its all in the name with this, I assume, nothing found: moving on!]

www.chtr.org

[circle of hope theraputic riding- again, just have the name, nothing bad found, moving on!]



www.charitybuzz.com

[moving on- Selena is using it to auction off things to support Unicef]""


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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Selena Gomez, top female celebrity role model! - poll

(Media Study South Africa; c.f. Examiner.com (Secular; Independent; American) 28 / 10 | October / 2009; EWTN (American; Catholic; Independent), Article by Zenit News Service (American; Catholic; Independent) 23 / 10 | October 2000)

Article by Marc Aupiais

For our 1001 article, of the South African Catholic: News Service a.k.a. Scripturelink.net News, I thought to focus on something close to my heart as an editor, role models, and their effect on us. To be a bit tongue in cheek, Selena Gomez has certainly had a good influence on my dreams, even as one would expect Miley Cyrus expected to have that effect on guys after her Vanity Fair dodgey "artistic" shoot. I have personally checked Selena Gomez out (again, laugh): and my fact checking has found, that she genuinely has nothing to take as making a bad person. Yes, she raised millions of Rands worth of donations for Unicef's Trick Or Treat, which in the past has funded abortion:

"Millions of children trick-or-treating this Halloween in the United States will be toting little donation boxes, asking for money for the U.N. Children’s Fund to help poor children of the world.

What they don't know is that they will be helping to fund abortion, contraception and sterilization programs in the Third World.

So says the National Catholic Register in its Oct. 22-29 edition. It highlighted the lesser-known work of UNICEF, which is famous for providing food, water and basic medical care to children in the developed world.

Controversy simmering in El Salvador this month over a sex-education program sponsored by UNICEF is adding to what critics say is an anti-family, pro-abortion image of UNICEF foreign aid, the Register said.

Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador has from the pulpit denounced a 170-page sex-education booklet designed by UNICEF and El Salvador’s Ministries of Health and Education for training adolescents on sexuality issues including contraception, homosexuality and abortion, the Register reporter."
(EWTN (American; Catholic; Independent), Article by Zenit News Service (American; Catholic; Independent) 23 / 10 | October 2000)

I might add, nothing seems to have come out to hint a change of heart in Unicef, despite how old the article I quoted is- its just about the first which came up in the Scripturelink search engine.

But, many people in the west, don't know Unicef, quite like us in the third world do. Unicef, may seem a good cause to her.

According to the Examiner.com:


"There's good news and bad news for Disney! Arguably, their biggest star, pop princess Miley Cyrus is wearing the "Worst Celebrity Influence" tiara. The 16 year old got 42 percent of the vote by voters aged 9-15 years old in a new poll by AOL's Just So You Know (JSYK.com). (Miley did take second place, with 16% of the vote in the "Favorite Female Artist" category behind Taylor Swift.) Ironically, after being named "Best Celebrity Mom" earlier this month in a different poll, Briteny Spears took second place as the "Worst Celebrity Influence."


Seventeen year old Selena Gomez, helps save the Disney name however, being named "Best Celebrity Influence" in the first ever JSYK Awards. Gomez, who also won for "Favorite Female Television Star" was recently named the youngest UNICEF ambassador."
(Examiner.com (Secular; Independent; American) 28 / 10 | October / 2009)



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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Disney to buy out Marvel Commics

(Media Study South Africa; c.f. Globe and Mail (Secular; Independent; Canadian): here quotes an Associated Press [AP] (Secular; Independent; American) Article 01 / 09 | September / 2009 ; Reuters (Secular; Independent; British / United Kingdom Based) Press release by Disney 31 / 08 | August / 2009; )

Editorial Notation by Marc Aupiais

Walt Disney Co., A.K.A. the "big bad wolf of mass produced plots" / "Corporate America" / "America's Culture's best friend" / "Micky Mouse & Co.": is buying out Marvel Entertainment Inc. (Marvel Comics).

The deal which will cost Disney about 4 Billion US Dollars, certainly has a method to the madness, of expensive buyouts. It will bring over 5 000 (Five Thousand) Characters into Disney's cache. Is that just under a million per character?

Disney's Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers etc, have brought young females into theaters in droves, according to analyst David Joyce of Miller Tabak&Co, who Canada's Globe and Mail quotes. According to the Globe and Mail, it may be hoped that superheros like Iron Man, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and X-Men will get young males into theaters, raising profits for Disney.

The buyout is occurring with the co-operation of both boards, meaning that Disney probably wont have to use its superpowers. It still requires the approval of anti-trust authorities, and Marvel stakeholders.

Disney itself has prepared for itself: a juicy menu, about its devouring of Marvel, that is: about what will happen with this buyout, which, being a press release: we will quote from Reuters' PRWIRE: (Beware the flashy language, and words like "unparralleled", they might dazzle you and me both:)

[p.s. we explain how this relates to our viewers, below their splashy release:]

""This transaction combines Marvel`s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney`s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories," said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney."

"We believe that adding Marvel to Disney`s unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation," Iger said.

"Disney is the perfect home for Marvel`s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses," said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel`s Chief Executive Officer. "This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney`s tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world."

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney`s global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel`s properties.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Marvel have each approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill Lynch. "

So basically, the Disney cash machine continues to chomp. Unfortunately, Disney is known to change relatively safe stories into dangerous ones, or to strip value out of resources. Did anyone know that the Original little Mermaid of Hans Christian Anderson was a Christian tale about how a mermaid becomes a woman to accept salvation, or of Pocahontas, that she was a famous Christian Convert in that Northern American part of the world, these are different from when Disney has been boycotted by religious groups for movies which portray religion in a certain way, but certainly show what Disney can and has done. Marvel of course- is not a saint, but this possible merger is certainly of note.

It seems Captain of Industry America has finally bought out Captain America, both are just as Red, White and Blue.




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Monday, August 17, 2009

Media Study South Africa: Reviewing District 9

(Media Study South Africa; c.f. Creative Minority Report (Catholic; Independent; American) 17 / 08 | August / 2009 ; Internet Movie Database (American; Independent; Secular) Warning: contains spoiler District 9 2009 Synopsis )

Article by Marc Aupiais

Note: If you want to know what happens without actually watching the film, you may want to read: (Internet Movie Database (American; Independent; Secular) Warning: contains spoiler District 6 2009 Synopsis). The film reportedly contains explicit violence, gore, and obscene language, and is not suitable for children. Our own review, a review which- we have carefully written in the hope of not containing any spoilers, is available from the paragraph below this- until the end of the article.

The criticisms that locally born directors have of the South African situation, have certainly made what some international critics have considered to be good film, from Rendition (Gavin Hood), which attacked an American policy, but was certainly influenced by a noticeable South African perspective, to Totsie (Gavin Hood), a film which was received as fantastic internationally, but treated like a documentary locally.

 The most recent release from a South African director, is no stranger to criticizing South Africa subtly in film. South Africa suffers from endemic xenophobia against the citizens of other African nations- partly due to an influx of refugees from throughout the continent, and the lower classes blame Nigerians for an increase in crime, gangsterism and for the sales of narcotics, this may be a basis for how Nigerians are portrayed in the film.

The title District 9, will instantly be associated with the infamous occurrences in District 6 during Apartheid, in which non-white South Africans were forcibly relocated. However- the forced relocation of Extra-terrestrials, certainly will remind those, who like myself drive into Johannesburg 5 days on an average week- of the forced removals of non South Africans, of aliens, from the CBD and other areas, by the infamous Red Ants, who have recently been employed by the government.

The film, produced by Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings Trilogy), and Directed by South African local: Neill Blomkamp, and starring an unknown South African cast- is set in Johannesburg, and centres around a group of aliens whose spaceship was seen hovering above Johannesburg, twenty years prior the fictional time in which the movie is set.

The Aliens are accessed as workers- they are malnourished, and weak, it seems their leaders were wiped out in a plague. The alien ship's command module falls out of the sky and the ship itself thus becomes inoperable, the aliens are confined to a government camp called District 9, which soon becomes a slum, due to the military presence, and overcrowding. Nigerians and aliens trade in a market, the Nigerians using cat food, the aliens giving up weapons, interspecies prostitution also occurs. Alien weaponry requires alien biology and is useless to people.

The aliens scare the locals, and are confined to slums. Eventually, the Nazi-like decision to relocate 1.8 million of the aliens (derogatorily named "prawns"), to the equivalent of a concentration camp (District 10) 240 kilometres outside of Johannesburg, comes into effect, and MNU (Multi-National United), a multinational company, is employed to relocate the nuisances. The protagonist is Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), a man who works for MNU, who goes through a journey of the soul during the movie, and ironically has to rely on an alien to survive, when things turn sour. South Africa itself is experienced in the use of Concentration Camps- the British used them on the families of Afrikaans/Boer soldiers during the South Africa / Boer War.

Any true sci-fi film focuses very little on technology, which none the less plays a role. According to Patrick Archbold, whose review of the film, we have based some of our information on- the best sci-fi films tell you something about yourself. Experience associates South African directors with a focus on oppression, human rights and human experience, and a message that we are all human. According to Patrick Archbold, the film District 9, also has another message, a pro-life message.

He clearly notes:

"The aliens, you see, have very advanced weaponry but it can only be used by the aliens themselves. Since they are of little use to anyone, MNU and our protagonist laugh as they abort dozens of growing eggs. Later when the MNU and its military component are annoyed by a small child alien one of the soldiers makes as if to shoot him only to be stopped by Wikus saying "No you can't shoot him now, he is too big. It is against the law. That's why you have to abort them""
(Creative Minority Report (Catholic; Independent; American) 17 / 08 | August / 2009)
Without spoiling the film, one may note that it delves into genetic modification, and looks into whether or not a person can hate what they are- in a clearly South African theme. The movie starts and ends with interviews, and does not end too well for most of the aliens involved. The fate of Wikus at the end of the film, is in limbo- as with the fate of the human race itself, so to speak- it ends with some hope that he will return to his previous life. If you want to know what happens without actually watching the film, you may want to read: (Internet Movie Database (American; Independent; Secular) Warning: contains spoiler District 9 2009 Synopsis). The film reportedly contains explicit violence, gore, and obscene language, and is not suitable for children. As far as morality is concerned, the Roman Catholic Church for one, considers the genetic modification of human beings, something MNU, and one of the main characters try- to be gravely evil: which could mean that the film has a definite morally negative effect as far as that area is concerned.

This movie, in a sort of working title response from us- gets a rating of interesting, but neutral, from our perception of the reviews we have read on it. In other words, we do not endorse it, but it may be an interesting watch. We have not reviewed the film in person, and have thus had to rely on third party sources- meaning that our review is probably not of the same standard as our more in depth looks at many other films and series. The film should appeal to science fiction fans. It does seem to be a commentary on controversial issues locally. We cannot say that the film is safe to watch without watching it first, it certainly is not a film for children or sensitive viewers, from the reviews we have read.

Trailer:







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Sunday, June 21, 2009

Film Review: kids /childrens' Movies: Disney's Princess Protection Program

(Media Study South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Disney's controversial stances on issues such as abortion, or the many alarms raised by different watchdogs, which have often warned about Disney's business practice and how they have allegedly acted as regards what much of our Western World calls Human Rights (especially Children's' Rights), and past controversies involving treatment of animals, need not be mentioned, except in passing.

As for their latest "Disney Channel Original Movie", released here and in the U.K. Earlier than in the United States (U.S.A.), staring Selena Gomez, playing Carter (Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place's: "Alex"), and Demi Lovato (Disney's: Camp Rock, As the Bell Rings), Playing Princess Rosalinda, no immediate moral problems are apparent as yet, possibly the positive light in which lying, and bad Russian accents are portrayed may be a negative, as with unrealistic plans working out well. Not to mention the taking of dresses for a ball, from the charity shop. Perhaps they are going for a Cinderella moment there?

The plot, as is usual in Disney movies, is unrealistic, hopefully stylized, even laughable, as with a certain secondary character's very fake Russian accent, and the Laughable proposition of a "Princess Protection Program", funded by global royalty (what, princes aren't catered for?), not to mention Rosalinda's "name change" to Rosie, and that a hair cut is thought a disguise. There was, however surprisingly good acting by Demi Lovato, who seems almost like a porcelain doll at times, and whose portrayal of a very dignified, if naive, and demanding princess, is certainly well acted. Selena Gomez, also plays her almost lesser, more classic Disney role in the movie (of the troubled, independent girl) well. The childhood connection, and public friendship between the two female leads, certainly creates a believable friendship on set.

Besides the poor beginning, factory made plot, recycled themes, and other such Disney tricks, there are some positives of the film. Much of the acting was somewhat, if not very "believable", at least in a way. It is not sure whether or not the made for television movie is designed to be a comedy, but it certainly has laughs embedded throughout. It also seems to take a stance against high school popularity cliques, and portrays the high school social hierarchy negatively.

While it is said, that fantasy land plots, and "Happily Ever Afters", create conditions in which women fall for abusive partners, or fall into marrying these, Disney for once resisted the urge to create such an ending: granted, it was still very stylized, and manufactured. Rather, the film almost seems to try to show off the talents of the female leads, in complex movie scenarios: certainly borrowed from Disney's other movies, and television series, woven together by a thin plot, which: maybe only children(their target audience) could believe. There is a very positive portrayal of monarchy, and the worst consequences of failure revealed: seem to generally be a "Work Farm", or "prison". It is further unrealistic, that the escape of a princess, would actually save a country from a "dictator". Granted, an exiled leader has more power than an imprisoned leader.

Having noted the absolute pathos of this relatively cute movie, I must admit, that in classic Disney fashion, it creates a fun viewing experience, has attractive female leads, and draws on emotions in an exaggerated, cute manner. It also seems to promote respect for women, and to view value over material things. Personally, I enjoyed watching it, but I am not sure if it was meant to be a comedy.

While Demi Lovato did seem like a Miss Wherever sometimes, and while "Prom Queen", is a big thing, the latter seems another recycled Disney concept.

While I don't guarantee there will not be negative effects from this movie: I give the movie a neutral, possibly positive rating, as regards perceived effect on children: if not simply because of average societal factors portrayed: such as the values encompassed in the character played by Demi Lovato, and in the value placed by Selena's character: on "real", everyday things.

As compared to some Disney releases: this movie seems almost a bit better, even if it plays on little children's fantasies. As I noted before, the acting was on par, even if the plot was manufactured, and re-recycled.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

"Vatican City" / "Rome": "Vatican" ignores the "Angels and Demons" film, by "John Howard", who has attempted controversy

(Media Study South Africa; c.f. "Creative Minority Report" (Catholic; Independent; American) __ / 05 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

"L'Osservatore Romano", a "Vatican" based, but unofficial paper, has given "Angels and Demons", a movie, in the same series, as the "Da Vinci Code" (also featuring a conspiracy involving the "Catholic Church") an average, and normally done film review, in essence, noting problems, and positives, as though it were any other film. As the makers of the "anti"-"Catholic" movie have attempted to string up scandal: the "Vatican"'s move has been seen as "Strategic", much as attempting to drown the "Ron Howard" movie, based on the "Dan Brown" run-up to the "anti"-"Catholic" "Da Vinci Code", as to prevent sales based on hype, by openly apposing it, as they did the "Da Vinci Code". A "Vatican" official previously told the "Italian" press, that publicly apposing the film, might add to its sales. Treating it like any other film (while forbidding it permission to film in "Catholic" Churches, in "Rome"), the "Vatican" seems to have taken the diplomatic route of quiet disapproval.

Such a method sends the message to their followers: to avoid the movie, something already propagated by those monitoring media as it relates to the "Catholic" Church, while avoiding making the movie a martyr for those apposing "Christianity".

With the relatively low key treatment of the movie by many, it could well be the right response, for the objectives of the "Vatican", of preventing "anti"-"Catholic" films from becoming a commodity. The "Baltimore" Catechism, asks that "Catholics" do not choose specifically to view media in opposition to the "church", such principle, is adhered to by many "Christians" throughout the world.




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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

"South African Catholic": doesn't know Catholic doctrine: pro-condoms "Southern Cross": to their readers

(Media Study South Africa)


From the Editor of "South African Catholic":

Recently an article by "South African Catholic": covering issues in the "Southern Cross" was sited by a reader of theirs: on their web site: in questioning the credibility of one of their articles (which they did not justify). Our site used to have an agreement with the "Southern Cross" on publishing: until we were warned against such: for our international credibility.

"South African catholic": is an initiative of the "Scripturelink Search Engine": rated internationally for fidelity to the faith: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/reviews/view.cfm?recnum=4042&repos=2&subrepos=0&searchid=452395

The "Southern Cross"'s website, which airs their editorials is also rated by the same international site:

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/reviews/view.cfm?recnum=4135

They are however on a danger list: noted for: "very dissident material": for attacking unjustly Vatican decisions: and for what "Catholic Culture" terms to be "the seamless garment approach" to abortion (used to justify an American radically pro-abortion politician), their support for condoms is also not appreciated by "Catholic Culture"/"Trinity Communications".

In reply to a request from our organization: Cardinal Wilfred Napier said the following:

"2) The orthodoxy of the Southern Cross
In this case I would argue that from time to time, and on given issues, editorial practice does not follow stated policy as closely as one would expect. At times there may be justifiable divergence of opinion, at other times it would seem that editorial independence is being given priority.

If you are a regular reader of the Southern Cross you will know that I have often expressed my concern at its anti-magisterial bias. I do not mean that it openly opposes Church teaching but like a nagging sore keeps on putting the world’s view rather than the Church’s. This is often done I would say rather by the choice of letter for publication rather than by direct editorial statements.

As you can see I am not a total fan of the Southern Cross, but I would not seek to shut it up. I would prefer to see ordinary Catholics take issue with its position by affirming their faith in letter that tell their faith stories. I am confident that these stories would reveal a reality that is very different from the reality which certain people are trying to present through the Southern Cross.
"
archive (25 / 12 / 2008): we are prepared to forward the actual letter.

So, when it was mentioned that internationally recognized media such as ours: had apposed them: by a reader of their internet site, what was the "Southern Cross's" response:

Please note: it was "Trinity Communications"/ "Catholic Culture": who noted that the "Seemless Garment" approach to abortion: is in conflict with Catholic Teaching: the "joke site" perceived by "Gunther" refers to our "South African Catholic" news and information service:

"Gunther Simmermacher { 03.19.09 at 1:16 pm }
That is one single joke site which can’t tell a Church teaching from the paranoia of their own minds. I’d not put too much stock in a critique which suggests that the theology of the seamless garment is in conflict with Church teachings. Being criticised by that site is like being assaulted with an overly fleecy Valentine’s Day teddy bear.

As for the catholic Culture blog: it means well, I’m sure, but I think it is overreaching in its attempts at apologetics. I don’t think it quite understands the nature and function of Church teachings. I’m quite sure that even the Holy Father would not agree with its approach.

Anyway, I’m sure you’ll tell me where Michael Shackleton’s article is making statements you find problematic.
"
http://www.scross.co.za/2009/03/homosexuality-worthy-of-death/

(as to their article, exactly what they are saying is unclear, we make no comment on it)

That "Catholic Culture": is not just a blog, but an internationally recognized website, and that "Trinity Communications" (it's parent company) created large parts of what is now the "EWTN" website, and that it includes "Catholic World News": known for being reliable, does not seem to phase "Gunther". Nor does the problem he has with internet terminology.

The sad fact, is that the "Southern Cross": is partly owned by the Bishops Conference: hence their dilemma. There is allot more information on our side, as it is, we have not decided to air such: our service prefers not to break trust, and also prefers to portray the church as is. It is unfortunate, that the "Southern Cross": finds an independent pro-life news source to be a "joke": and that while this service's editor: is internationally lauded for apologetics: that they claim he knows nothing of Catholic doctrine. As it is, one of our main purposes is to present a more accurate image of the world. Such a perspective of "Independent" media is a terrible problem in "South Africa"'s Catholic Church: that local hierarchy does not always view "Independent" as just that is a problem: but the larger one lies in that the church itself sells a paper which consistently is biased against the Vatican, in letters published by it, and in their editorials, a paper which gets most of its articles from: "CNS": "Catholic News Service": which likewise portrays the church in a highly odd manner to say the least.

What bothers our service is not that "Gunther" views our fidelity to the faith, and against abortion: to be that of a "Joke": but rather: that the Bishops conference: consistently allows him to attack the Vatican: from a service they partly own: which they advertise in churches, which they distribute. The "Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference" ("SACBC"): which has more than just some representatives: knowing this about the "Southern Cross": has hardly acted to change things: nor has the Nuncio in our territory replied to our requests on the matter.

That said, this service is proud to be seen as a "joke": more proud to be seen as "paranoid" (yes, we think that a fetus could be just what "fetus" means in Latin: "Offspring").

As is, we proudly inform the viewers of our different and diverse services: that we will not fall to local church politics, and we will not conceal the truth out of political benefit within the local church: as it is, we are deeply pleased by this news: at least the "Southern Cross": finally has shown themselves as is. They may be 80 years old, but I doubt "Gunther" is.

P.s. it was not us who referred to the "Seamless Garment": but "Trinity Communications: which did. This is important, as such opposition of the "Southern Cross" is their basis, seemingly of calling our service a "joke".








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