World News Gathered & Syndicated

Separate from normal supplies of liquidity and intended as a temporary facility for national authorities to use when banks hit problems, ELA has proved invaluable for the financial system Ireland. The ELA is needed now even more so in Greece. As such, it has given the ECB, which has ultimate control over the facility, considerable power to determine countries’ fates.

Whether this institution can really lower the boom is unclear. ELA is a subject on which the ECB is very hesitant to provide information, where or when it is provided.

“You don’t say when you are in an emergency situation, because then you make the situation worse. So I really don’t see the usefulness of being more transparent,” Luc Coene, Belgium’s central bank governor told the Financial Times.

The ECB’s guard slipped a little late last month. Its weekly financial statement published last month showed an unexpected €121 billion increase in the innocently titled heading “other claims on euro area credit institutions.” By definition, €121 billion was the minimum amount of ELA being provided by the “eurosystem,” the network of eurozone central banks.

Analysts have since pieced together more details by scouring ECB and national central bank statements. Analysts at Barclays figure that Greece is now using €96 billion in ELA, with Ireland accounting for another €41 billion and Cyprus €4 billion. If correct, total ELA in use has exceeded €140 billion – more than 10 percent of the amount lent to eurozone banks in standard monetary policy operations.

Because of the risks of extra liquidity creating inflation, ELA in excess of €500 million requires approval by the ECB’s 23-strong governing council: its use can be stopped if two-thirds of the council opposes an application.

More specifically, the risks fall on the relevant national central bank, rather than being shared across eurozone central banks as with normal liquidity. However there is no theoretical limit to the amount of ELA that can be provided – and no information, for instance, what collateral recipient banks have to provide as security or what interest rate they pay.

Coene says the ELA had to be cut off once banks became insolvent. “It is emergency liquidity assistance – not solvency assistance,” he said. The secrecy surrounding ELA creates grey areas, however.

© 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

Separate from normal supplies of liquidity and intended as a temporary facility for national authorities to use when banks hit problems, ELA has proved invaluable for the financial system Ireland. The ELA is needed now even more so in Greece. As such, it has given the ECB, which has ultimate control over the facility, considerable power to determine countries’ fates.

Whether this institution can really lower the boom is unclear. ELA is a subject on which the ECB is very hesitant to provide information, where or when it is provided.

“You don’t say when you are in an emergency situation, because then you make the situation worse. So I really don’t see the usefulness of being more transparent,” Luc Coene, Belgium’s central bank governor told the Financial Times.

The ECB’s guard slipped a little late last month. Its weekly financial statement published last month showed an unexpected €121 billion increase in the innocently titled heading “other claims on euro area credit institutions.” By definition, €121 billion was the minimum amount of ELA being provided by the “eurosystem,” the network of eurozone central banks.

Analysts have since pieced together more details by scouring ECB and national central bank statements. Analysts at Barclays figure that Greece is now using €96 billion in ELA, with Ireland accounting for another €41 billion and Cyprus €4 billion. If correct, total ELA in use has exceeded €140 billion – more than 10 percent of the amount lent to eurozone banks in standard monetary policy operations.

Because of the risks of extra liquidity creating inflation, ELA in excess of €500 million requires approval by the ECB’s 23-strong governing council: its use can be stopped if two-thirds of the council opposes an application.

More specifically, the risks fall on the relevant national central bank, rather than being shared across eurozone central banks as with normal liquidity. However there is no theoretical limit to the amount of ELA that can be provided – and no information, for instance, what collateral recipient banks have to provide as security or what interest rate they pay.

Coene says the ELA had to be cut off once banks became insolvent. “It is emergency liquidity assistance – not solvency assistance,” he said. The secrecy surrounding ELA creates grey areas, however.

© 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

From that day in June 1942, the mystery of what happened to the dentist’s son from Southend had been lost in the sands of time.

Seventy years later, the ghostly remains of his battered but almost perfectly preserved plane has been discovered. The plane had lain intact alongside a makeshift shelter Dennis appears to have made as he waited, fruitlessly, for rescue.

A search has begun for the airman’s remains as aviation experts and historians begin an operation to recover and display the P-40 aircraft in his memory.

The discovery was made by an oil worker exploring a remote region of the Western Desert in Egypt, more than 200 miles from the nearest town in a vast expanse of largely featureless terrain.

Flight Sergeant Copping, part of a fighter unit based in Egypt during the North Africa campaign against Rommel, is believed to have lost his bearings while flying the damaged Kittyhawk to another airbase for repair. He went off course and was never seen again.

The plane remained almost untouched for the next seven decades, right down to the guns and ammunition found with it. Most of the cockpit instruments are intact, and the twisted propeller lies a few feet from the fuselage.

The P-40′s identification plates have been left untouched, allowing researchers to track its provenance and service history.

There is flak damage in the fuselage, which is consistent with documents on the aircraft. Historian Andy Saunders says that “This plane has been lying in the same spot where it crashed 70 years ago.

“It hasn’t been hidden in the sand, it has just sat there.

“He must have survived the crash because one photo shows a parachute around the frame of the plane and my guess is the poor bloke used it to shelter from the sun. The radio and batteries were out of the plane and it looks like he tried to get it working.

“If he died at the side of the plane his remains would have been found. Once he had crashed there, nobody was going to come and get him. It is more likely he tried to walk out of the desert but ended up walking to his death. It is too hideous to contemplate.”

The RAF Museum in Hendon, North London, has been made aware of the find and plans are already under way to recover it before anyone tries to strip it for scrap or souvenirs. Efforts have also been made to trace any immediate members of Flight Sergeant Copping’s family in the U.K., but it is believed that there are no survivors.

Captain Paul Collins, British defense attaché to Egypt, confirmed a search would be mounted for the airman’s remains but admitted it was “extremely unlikely” it would be successful. The spot could be marked as a war grave after the aircraft is recovered.

© 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

PORTSMOUTH, VA. (Catholic Online) – “Dear Dr Denton, tell me about Love.” You may be surprised, but I hear that question a lot as I care for those in my care. We all need to love. We were made for love. In fact, we will never be happy without love.

There are many expressions of love within the multitude of relationships we are given in our lives. They are all gifts. However, there is a language limitation - our inability in English to verbally express those different kinds of love. The gift of LOVE has so many faces.

Agape means “love” (unconditional love) in Greek. This was considered a love so deep it was sacrificial. The love of Jesus for us – and the love we can have for Him – is the greatest love of all. In the Greek language there is no greater word to describe Love.

The greatest expression of that Love came on the Hill at Golgotha where Jesus poured Himself out for us. He freely gave Himself. That love, the love of Self-Gift, is the highest expression of love. The beloved disciple John wrote in his Gospel of the Father’s great love, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Eros is a passionate love. It often involves a love of longing and engages a sensual desire, expressed within the marital embrace. However, the word “eros” can also describe an intimate love for another which is not sexual in nature as well. It is deeper than the love of friendship. For example, I (Eros) love my wife. However, she is also my very best friend.

The language of the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament reveals the beauty of that expression of erotic love as the lover proclaims “Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth, for your love is better than wine. ” (Song of Songs 1:2)

Philia is another Greek word sometimes used to describe the love of friendship.  The friendship between Jonathan and David in the Old Testament is a wonderful example, “By the time David finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan’s life became bound up with David’s life; he loved him as his very self. Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house. Jonathan and David made a covenant, because Jonathan loved him as his very self.” (1Samuel18:1-3)

The Greek word Storge is the love described as natural affection. It is used to describe a love within the family structure. For example – I “storge” my sister. This would mean I have natural familial love for my sister. The admonition St Paul gave to the Christians in Rome is another good example, “Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.” (Romans12:9, 10)

So I love my sister, my friend, my wife, and my Lord. They are all different, yet they are all love. We do not have different words in English to make the distinctions. How we love is much greater than the one word we use. The Love of our Lord Jesus Christ for everyone of us involves all these kinds of love and so much more. In fact, all human love is elevated and transformed in and through His Love.

The Lord’s love for us is familial (storge). He is my loving friend (Philia). My Lord Jesus is also my intimate love.  He knows my most passionate thoughts and emotions (Eros). Jesus in the Pieta lies in Mary’s arms. This beautifully symbolizes the greatest love of all.  Sacrificial love, poured out Love, surrendered love, resting in the loving arms of the Mother of Pure Love. (Agape).

The love of Valentine’s Day is meant to help us come to more fully comprehend all of the above – though eros gets most of the credit. That is why this day, Valentine’s Day, means so much to us. It is a reminder of our need to be loved, and need to give love. It invites us to express our love to all whom we love - in the appropriate ways befitting the nature of the love.

As a Physician, love is often expressed in the touch of my hands to the patients placed before me. Jesus touched the lepers head and he was healed. The words have rolled through my mind since Mass last Sunday when it was proclaimed in the Gospel text (Mk 1: 40-45). Wow, the power of love and the power of touch.

Let’s consider the power of love in the touch of our hand to another in need. True Love in a touch is unconditional, intimate, one of friendship and sometimes familial. We hug a stranger and all those parts of love begin to occur.

As I walk into a patient’s room I often kiss their cheek or give them a hug or both. Why? Because I care – and because I know that the power of touch has the power to heal. If we can achieve agape love for each other then we actually have the power of God in the tips of …

PORTSMOUTH, VA. (Catholic Online) – “Dear Dr Denton, tell me about Love.” You may be surprised, but I hear that question a lot as I care for those in my care. We all need to love. We were made for love. In fact, we will never be happy without love.

There are many expressions of love within the multitude of relationships we are given in our lives. They are all gifts. However, there is a language limitation - our inability in English to verbally express those different kinds of love. The gift of LOVE has so many faces.

Agape means “love” (unconditional love) in Greek. This was considered a love so deep it was sacrificial. The love of Jesus for us – and the love we can have for Him – is the greatest love of all. In the Greek language there is no greater word to describe Love.

The greatest expression of that Love came on the Hill at Golgotha where Jesus poured Himself out for us. He freely gave Himself. That love, the love of Self-Gift, is the highest expression of love. The beloved disciple John wrote in his Gospel of the Father’s great love, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Eros is a passionate love. It often involves a love of longing and engages a sensual desire, expressed within the marital embrace. However, the word “eros” can also describe an intimate love for another which is not sexual in nature as well. It is deeper than the love of friendship. For example, I (Eros) love my wife. However, she is also my very best friend.

The language of the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament reveals the beauty of that expression of erotic love as the lover proclaims “Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth, for your love is better than wine. ” (Song of Songs 1:2)

Philia is another Greek word sometimes used to describe the love of friendship.  The friendship between Jonathan and David in the Old Testament is a wonderful example, “By the time David finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan’s life became bound up with David’s life; he loved him as his very self. Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house. Jonathan and David made a covenant, because Jonathan loved him as his very self.” (1Samuel18:1-3)

The Greek word Storge is the love described as natural affection. It is used to describe a love within the family structure. For example – I “storge” my sister. This would mean I have natural familial love for my sister. The admonition St Paul gave to the Christians in Rome is another good example, “Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.” (Romans12:9, 10)

So I love my sister, my friend, my wife, and my Lord. They are all different, yet they are all love. We do not have different words in English to make the distinctions. How we love is much greater than the one word we use. The Love of our Lord Jesus Christ for everyone of us involves all these kinds of love and so much more. In fact, all human love is elevated and transformed in and through His Love.

The Lord’s love for us is familial (storge). He is my loving friend (Philia). My Lord Jesus is also my intimate love.  He knows my most passionate thoughts and emotions (Eros). Jesus in the Pieta lies in Mary’s arms. This beautifully symbolizes the greatest love of all.  Sacrificial love, poured out Love, surrendered love, resting in the loving arms of the Mother of Pure Love. (Agape).

The love of Valentine’s Day is meant to help us come to more fully comprehend all of the above – though eros gets most of the credit. That is why this day, Valentine’s Day, means so much to us. It is a reminder of our need to be loved, and need to give love. It invites us to express our love to all whom we love - in the appropriate ways befitting the nature of the love.

As a Physician, love is often expressed in the touch of my hands to the patients placed before me. Jesus touched the lepers head and he was healed. The words have rolled through my mind since Mass last Sunday when it was proclaimed in the Gospel text (Mk 1: 40-45). Wow, the power of love and the power of touch.

Let’s consider the power of love in the touch of our hand to another in need. True Love in a touch is unconditional, intimate, one of friendship and sometimes familial. We hug a stranger and all those parts of love begin to occur.

As I walk into a patient’s room I often kiss their cheek or give them a hug or both. Why? Because I care – and because I know that the power of touch has the power to heal. If we can achieve agape love for each other then we actually have the power of God in the tips of …

Have the animals actually attempted to have sex? Do they habitually attempt to have same-gender sex? Are these penguins “attracted” to one another sexually, is theirs simply a particularly close filial bond, or are they routinely attracted to other male penguins?

Such questions about same-sex attraction and its implications for human life are at the heart of a wonderful new-ish blog by Steve Gershom, “Catholic, Gay, and Feeling Fine, Thanks.” He blogs under a pseudonym about his personal conviction and experience as a deeply Catholic man who struggles with same sex attraction (SSA). A twenty-something from New England, “Steve” graduated from a Catholic liberal arts college an intellectual with a literature degree, but now works in internet technology.

A Holy Contradiction

He uses the terms “gay” and “Catholic” in the title of his blog to quickly communicate the main issue without wholly identifying with the “gay” moniker. Instead, Steve says he prefers “same sex attraction” as the more useful term.

He details the choice of designation in the Q&A section of his blog where he shares the difficulties of living out his Catholicity in a modern world, but it all comes down to the controversy dividing the openly gay and the Church – that of identity. More on that in a moment, but Steve prefers to say “he has SSA” rather than “he is SSA.”

This is because Steve is celibate, and has always chosen to be so. I know because he was kind enough to grant me an interview recently. Although a young male with a virile baritone, he was never in the gay lifestyle and has never had a boyfriend or relationship with a man, a fact even he finds “almost literally incredible.”

“I feel as if God has kept me protected,” he says with a thankful wonder that I share, though this protection is not particularly surprising. Purity seems to be the priceless, fertile foundation from which God prefers to launch his message of love into a longing world.

The Human Struggle

“I used to think being gay meant being a different kind of person altogether — like a third gender. These days I think that it’s something I have, not something I am,” he says, but it would be a mistake to think he says this out of a belief in the superficiality of “having” same sex attraction. It is a profound, ongoing, personal conflict he no doubt shares with those within the gay lifestyle who know no other way to articulate the absolute depth of “being gay” than by equating it with “who they are.”

But this is part of what makes Steve’s struggle so poignant, because although with the Church he refuses to take on the identity of “being gay” as though it could completely define him (and his   freedom to choose celibacy proves it does not), he does so while maintaining that his SSA is so deeply rooted as to be an integral part of his personality.

“Obviously from the inside it’s something very strong. I don’t know if it’s possible to change it, because in most cases it’s extremely deeply rooted. I don’t think it’s any easier for a straight guy to imagine being attracted to men than it is for me to be attracted to women.”

Steve believes part of the reason gay activists talk and behave so militantly, sometimes violently, and most often flamboyantly toward Christians is because most Christians fail to understand that “it goes down into the core of you. To speak of SSA as though it were not deeply rooted is almost comical.”

Reaching Beyond Bigotry

The persecution and bigotry from both sides of the issue proceed, partly, from this misunderstanding. “Gay people who make it their whole identity do so because of the actual persecution they experience. They’re gay and proud of it; they’re being flamboyant to show all the bigots. Frankly, I even respect that. It’s incredibly wrongheaded, but starting from the axioms that they start from, it seems the appropriate thing to do. On the one hand discrimination [against gays] is not the same as [racial] discrimination against blacks, but I can see why gay people feel that way.” Indeed.

But the militancy and bigotry inherent on both sides also stems from the reluctance of Christians with SSA to talk freely and honestly about it, and Christians without SSA to acknowledge the prevalence of SSA in both Christian and secular society. It is a prevalence Steve calls an epidemic:

“In a sense the knowledge is improving tremendously, but religious people still talk about people with SSA as …

“I was unhappy about the marriage. I told my parents who did not agree with me, and then I sought help,” Laxmi told journalists.

She says he knew nothing of the path her life was intended to take until a few days ago when her groom’s family came to take her home with them to start her new life as Rakesh’s wife.

When her parents refused to help, Laxmi sought help from a local non-governmental organization, the Sarathi Trust in Jodhpur city.

“She got depressed. She did not like the boy and was not ready to go ahead with her parents’ decision,” Sarathi Trust worker Kriti Bharti told reporters.

Her intended husband, Rakesh only agreed to the annulment after counseling.

“It is the first example we know of a couple wed in childhood wanting the marriage to be annulled and we hope others take inspiration,” Kriti Bharti added.

As child marriages are not legal under India’s Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, both Laxmi and Rakesh signed an affidavit declaring the marriage null and void in the presence of a notary public in Jodhpur.

A recent survey found that 10 percent of girls in Rajasthan are married off before the age of 18.

There have been several cases of young girls refusing to get married in India but these are rare cases, correspondents say.

According to UNICEF, 40 percent of the world’s child marriages take place in India. Recent efforts to stop the practice mean the number of such marriages has declined.

© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.