Norma Giannini, Chicago Nun Who Molested Two Boys

Sister Norma Giannini Photo: Chicago Sun-Times

Be shameful! Norma Giannini deserves a maximum of 10 years for her indecent behavior.

A Chicago nun pleaded no contest Monday to molesting two boys at a church convent and school in Milwaukee where she worked in the 1960s.

Sister Norma Giannini, 79, had sexual contact with the boys, including sexual intercourse, a total of more than 160 times over four years while principal at St. Patrick's School in Milwaukee.

Giannini, a Chicago native, is a member of the Sisters of Mercy. She taught at several area Catholic schools, from Park Ridge to Oak Park, before working in Milwaukee.

Giannini, who will be sentenced Feb. 1, left the courthouse without comment. She faces a maximum of 10 years on each of the two counts of indecent behavior with a minor.

Tags: chicago, nun, Norma Giannini, molest, boy

2008 Beijing Olympics Bans Bibles in Olympic Village

Almost can't believe:

Organizers for the 2008 Olympics in China have released their list of items banned from the Olympic village where the athletes will stay.

Among the "prohibited objects" -- Bibles.

The Catholic News Agency reports that the committee behind the Beijing games cited "security reasons" for the ban.

Athletes are also prohibited from bearing any kind of religious symbol at Olympic facilities.

I'm wondering if the Quran is also to be banned. Source: Cbn.com Tags: beijing olympics, ban, bible, quran, christianity

Malaysia Man Steamed Alive For Nearly One Hour

Heihei...to perform such stunts, the men/mediums have to abstain from having sex and consuming meat or wine 10 days before the performance so as not to negatively affect the outcome.

On September 7th, a medium who claimed that he had been possessed by the Monkey God sat in a covered wok of boiling water and withstood the steam-filled environment for 45 minutes.

By the time the extra-tall lid of the wok was removed, the five frozen whole chickens which had been placed in the wok had already been thoroughly cooked. However, not only was the medium unhurt, he even rebuked those staff members who had opened the lid. The 300 believers who witnessed the sight were amazed.

Here is how the stunt was performed

The event (which took place in Ipoh) was officiated by Grandmaster Qingshui from Bahau. He was accompanied by two disciples – Xia Fuan and Xia Fulai. It was 52-year-old Xia Fuan who had sat inside the covered wok of boiling water, braving the scalding steam for 45 minutes.

To prepare for the event, staff members first poured plain water into a large wok that was three feet in diameter. They then put five frozen whole chickens into the water. Next, they placed a round wooden board (which is an inch thick) on top of the wok, and then stacked tied-up bundles of joss paper onto the board to make a sort of cushion for the medium to sit on.

At 9 pm on the night of the event, Grandmaster Qingshui faced the four cardinal points of the compass and paid obeisance with offerings of incense and joss paper. At the same time, he also recited mantras, beat on a drum and sounded a gong. He then sprinkled tea leaves, salt and rice into the wok.

30 minutes later, the medium who was said to have been possessed by the Monkey God began acting like a monkey, walking, scratching himself and crying out loudly like one. Holding a metal rod in his hand, he walked out of the place of worship and surveyed his surroundings for about 15 minutes before reentering and beginning the performance.

After the medium sat down on the cushion of joss paper bundles, staff members covered the wok with a lid and then began burning wood under the wok to bring the water inside to a boil and cook the chickens.

When staff members removed the lid of the wok 45 minutes later, the medium strode out of the wok amidst clouds of steam without any sign of injury on his body. He even expressed his dissatisfaction in Hokkien, saying that his master had opened the lid too early.

Link

Tags: malaysia, medium, steam, religion, monkey god

Southeast Asia's Nine Emperor Gods Festival

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival celebrated in Thailand and Malaysia  is a Chinese festival to celebrate the return from heaven to earth of the Nine Emperor spirits, who are worshipped as one deity known as Ma Zu, literally means Queen of Heaven who represent health, wealth and prosperity.

The festival known as Vegetarian Festival in Thailand, always falls on the first days of the ninth Chinese lunar month, and for nine days participants observe the following commitments:

• Cleanliness of the body during the festival
  
• Clean kitchen utensils not to be used by others who do not participate in the festival
  
• Wear white during the festival
  
• Behave physically and mentally
  
• Avoid eating meat
  
• Avoid sex
  
• Avoid alcohol
  
• People in mourning should not participate
  
• Pregnant women and menstruating women should not attend ceremonies

One of the most exciting aspects of the festival is the various, (and sometimes gruesome, see picture above) ceremonies which are held to invoke the gods. Firewalking, body piercing and other acts of self mortification undertaken by participants acting as mediums of the gods, have become more spectacular and daring as each year goes by. Men and women puncture their cheeks with various items including knives, skewers and other household items. It is believed that the Chinese gods will protect such persons from harm, and little blood or scarring results from such mutilation acts.

The ninth day of the festival is its climax. A procession which draws scores of devotees send the deities back home (a waterway such as river or sea).

We are currently living  in Malaysia, as tomorrow is the ninth day of the festival, we hope we can take some photos from the event.

Sources: Phuket.com & Wikipedia Photo: Xinhua

Pope "John Paul II' Fire

Pope Fire! A picture taken from a bonfire during a service at Poland's Beskid Zywiecki on the second anniversary of his death this April 2 was hailed as Pope John Paul II making an appearance beyond the grave! The image taken by onlooker Gregorz Lukasik has convinced believers and even the Vatican believing a likeness of the pontiff himself in the flames, raising his right hand in blessing. Do you think the fiery figure is Pope John II?

Source: Is this Pope John Paul II waving from beyond the grave? Vatican TV director says yes @ Dailymail

Pope John Paul II Seen in Tongue of Fire: Vatican @ Shortnews.com

Tags: pope fire, vatican, John Paul II, poland