A Troubling Incident: Communion Given to Dogs in a Swiss Diocese

 

A Troubling Incident: Communion Given to Dogs in a Swiss Diocese

In October 2025, a pet blessing event at Good Shepherd Parish (Guthirt) in Zurich, part of the Diocese of Chur in Switzerland, took an unexpected and controversial turn. Due to poor weather, organizers moved the outdoor animal blessing indoors and combined it with a Eucharistic celebration (Mass). During this liturgy, three parishioners shared portions of their consecrated hosts—the Blessed Sacrament—with their dogs.

News of the incident spread, prompting Bishop Joseph Maria Bonnemain of the Diocese of Chur to launch a formal investigation. The diocese released its findings on April 17, 2026.

 The Diocese's Response

The diocese concluded that the three individuals did not act with sacrilegious intent. Therefore, they did not incur the penalty of automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See under Canon 1367 of the Code of Canon Law, which addresses throwing away consecrated species or taking/keeping them for sacrilegious purposes.

Bishop Bonnemain’s statement emphasized that the actions, while “deeply regrettable,” lacked the deliberate intent required for a canonical delict (crime). The investigation reportedly relied on more than hearsay but focused heavily on subjective intent. The diocese arranged a retreat for the parish team to study Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation Desiderio desideravi on the Eucharist more deeply. Some local Catholic voices, such as SwissCath, expressed skepticism about the thoroughness of the probe and whether parish leadership bore any responsibility.

The incident has drawn widespread criticism from Catholics concerned about reverence for the Eucharist.

 Why Non-Human Animals Cannot Receive Holy Communion

Catholic teaching is clear: the Sacrament of the Eucharist is reserved exclusively for baptized human beings capable of faith. Here’s why, rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and theology:

- Sacraments require faith: The Eucharist is not mere food or a symbol but the Real Presence of Christ—His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Receiving it sacramentally unites the believer with Christ through faith. Animals, as non-rational creatures, lack the intellect and will to exercise faith or enter into a personal relationship with God. St. Thomas Aquinas addressed this directly: a brute animal consuming the Eucharistic species would not receive Holy Communion, because sacraments are ordered toward faith.

- Biblical precedent: Jesus Himself warned, “Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls to pigs” (Matthew 7:6). This underscores the need for reverence and discernment in handling sacred things.

- Anthropological distinction: Only humans are made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27) with a rational soul capable of knowing and loving God. Animals have souls (animating principles) but not immortal, rational souls destined for eternal communion with God through grace. They cannot sin, receive sanctifying grace in the same way, or participate in the Church’s sacramental life.

- Church discipline and canon law: The Church’s norms protect the dignity of the Eucharist. Giving it to animals constitutes irreverence or desecration, even if unintentional. Proper reverence demands that consecrated hosts be consumed only by those who can receive them worthily.

Animal blessings are a wholesome tradition (St. Francis of Assisi loved God’s creatures), but they must never blur the line between blessing creation and profaning the sacraments.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges in parts of the Church regarding Eucharistic reverence, catechesis, and liturgical boundaries. It serves as a reminder that good intentions do not always excuse actions that risk scandal or diminish the sacred.

Let us pray for greater reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and for all involved in this matter.

 Sources

- The Pillar: “Swiss Catholics out of doghouse over Eucharistic sharing” (April 27, 2026)

- LifeSiteNews: Analysis of the Diocese of Chur investigation (April 28, 2026)

- Code of Canon Law, Canon 1367

- St. Thomas Aquinas on the sacraments and faith

- Catechism of the Catholic Church (on human dignity and creation)

Lent, Humanity & Punch the Monkey

The heartwarming yet poignant story of Punch the Monkey has taken the internet by storm. Punch is a young Japanese macaque (about seven months old) at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. Born in July 2025, he was rejected and abandoned by his biological mother shortly after birth. Hand-raised by zookeepers, Punch struggled to integrate with the rest of his troop. Other monkeys often rejected, pushed away, or even bullied him—videos show him being dragged roughly or handled harshly by larger macaques. In his isolation and distress, zookeepers provided him with a soft IKEA orangutan plush toy (the Djungelskog model), which he quickly adopted as a surrogate "mother" or companion. He drags it everywhere, hugs it tightly for comfort, sleeps with it, and clings to it after rough encounters. This innocent bond between a lonely baby monkey and his stuffed orangutan—affectionately called "Ora-mama"—has melted millions of hearts worldwide, spawning memes, viral clips with millions of views, and even causing the plush toy to sell out globally (with resales fetching hundreds on eBay). Recent updates show Punch gradually making friends: receiving hugs, grooming others, and slowly reintegrating into the troop. Yet his early struggles remain a touching reminder of vulnerability and the deep need for acceptance.

This viral phenomenon resonates so deeply because it mirrors something fundamental about primates—including us humans. Scientifically, humans and monkeys (like macaques) share a common evolutionary ancestry; we are both primates in the animal kingdom. Our behaviors often overlap strikingly with those of our primate cousins. Monkeys form tight-knit troops (tribes), defend territory fiercely, engage in dominance hierarchies, bully subordinates, create outcasts, and sometimes reject the weak or different. These are survival-driven instincts: aggression to establish order, exclusion to protect resources, and tribalism to ensure group cohesion.

Humans exhibit strikingly similar patterns. We gather in tribes—whether families, nations, political groups, or online communities—and often fight over territory, status, or identity. Bullying is rampant: children torment peers in schools, adults cyberbully strangers on social media, and people exclude or mock others based on appearance, beliefs, sexuality, race, gender, body type, or any perceived difference. Rudeness, nastiness, and cruelty erupt for no apparent reason beyond an instinctual urge to assert superiority or belonging. These are not just "bad habits"—they are natural, animalistic, primitive behaviors rooted in our shared biology as social animals. Like Punch's troop rejecting the vulnerable outsider, humans too often reject, judge, and marginalize those who don't fit the "norm," turning fellow members of our species into pariahs.

Yet herein lies the profound contrast—and the hope—that Catholicism offers. Lent arrives precisely to address this fallen human nature. The season reminds us that we are indeed animals, subject to these base instincts inherited from our fallen state (what theology calls original sin). We are dust, as Ash Wednesday solemnly declares: "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). The hourglass is draining; life is short, and our animalistic tendencies pull us toward division, selfishness, and cruelty. But Lent calls us to transcend them.

Through fasting and abstinence, we practice self-control, denying the body its immediate gratifications (food, comfort, excess) to remember that material things are not ends in themselves. Prayer deepens our union with God, elevating the soul above mere instinct. Almsgiving and works of charity turn us outward in love, helping the vulnerable instead of rejecting them—like Punch finding eventual acceptance, but on a divine scale. Lent restores balance: acknowledging the animal in us while nurturing the breath of God within (Genesis 2:7), the divine spark that makes us more than beasts.

Catholicism is not a "natural religion" that merely reflects or caters to human experience and instincts. It comes from God and elevates human nature to the divine. It refuses to leave us in our tribal, bullying, rejecting state. Instead, it commands us to love our enemies, forgive endlessly, and see Christ in every person—regardless of sex, gender, sexuality, race, or body type. The videos of little Punch serve as a mirror: God sees us as savages at times, treating each other badly despite being the same species, dividing and judging over superficial differences, just as monkeys reject an outsider.

This Lent, let us renew the call to become more Christlike. Accept that we are animals with fallen tendencies, but we are also called to be divine—sons and daughters of light, made in God's image. "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). We were not meant to treat each other like prey or outcasts. We are meant for communion, mercy, and holiness. Get holy or die trying—because the ash on our foreheads reminds us: time is limited. 

Some people on social media even made videos of Jesus comforting the young monkey:

Let Punch's story stir us to reject the monkey within and embrace the divine child of God we are destined to be.

Sources:

- Psychology/Behavioral Science: Harlow's classic experiments on rhesus monkeys and attachment (e.g., preference for comforting "cloth mothers" over wire ones providing food), demonstrating primates' deep need for emotional security and touch—paralleling Punch's bond with his plush toy (see Harry Harlow's work, 1950s-60s, often referenced in attachment theory discussions).

- Catholic Sources:

  - Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 355-384): On human beings as body and soul, made in God's image, with fallen nature due to original sin leading to disordered inclinations.

  - Genesis 1-3: Creation, the breath of life, and the Fall.

  - Matthew 5:48: Call to perfection.

  - Ash Wednesday liturgy: "Remember you are dust..."

  - Pope Francis, Laudato Si' (2015): Reflections on human ecology, our place in creation, and overcoming egoism through fraternity and care for the vulnerable.

The Science of Attraction and Love at First Sight: A Neurobiological and Psychological Exploration

The Science of Attraction and Love at First Sight: A Neurobiological and Psychological Exploration

Attraction and the phenomenon of love at first sight have captivated human imagination across cultures and epochs, inspiring poetry, art, and scientific inquiry. These experiences, often described as instantaneous and overwhelming, involve a complex interplay of neurobiological, psychological, and social factors. This paper examines the mechanisms underlying attraction and love at first sight, exploring the roles of brain functions, neurochemicals, physical features, pheromones, and their manifestations in both heterosexual and homosexual contexts. By synthesizing insights from neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology, this analysis aims to elucidate the intricate processes that govern these profound human experiences.

 The Nature of Attraction and Love at First Sight

Attraction is a multifaceted phenomenon encompassing physical, emotional, and cognitive dimensions. It serves as a precursor to romantic relationships, guiding mate selection through evolutionary imperatives and individual preferences. Love at first sight, a subset of attraction, is characterized by an immediate, intense romantic attachment upon initial encounter. While often romanticized, this phenomenon is grounded in measurable biological and psychological processes that occur rapidly within the brain and body.

Attraction operates on both conscious and subconscious levels. Conscious attraction involves deliberate evaluations of a person’s traits, such as physical appearance or social status, while subconscious attraction is driven by instinctive cues, including pheromones and visual stimuli. Love at first sight, though seemingly instantaneous, is the culmination of rapid subconscious processing, where the brain assesses compatibility based on evolutionary and personal criteria. This phenomenon is not merely emotional but deeply rooted in neurobiology, involving specific brain regions and chemical messengers.

 Neurobiological Mechanisms of Attraction

The brain plays a central role in mediating attraction and love at first sight. Several key regions are activated during these experiences, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. These areas form part of the brain’s reward system, which is responsible for processing pleasure, motivation, and emotional bonding.

When an individual encounters a potential romantic partner, the VTA releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure. Dopamine floods the nucleus accumbens, creating feelings of euphoria and reinforcing the desire to pursue the object of attraction. This process is akin to the brain’s response to other rewarding stimuli, such as food or drugs, explaining the intense “high” associated with love at first sight. Serotonin levels, which regulate mood and obsessive thinking, may decrease during early attraction, leading to preoccupation with the romantic interest. Oxytocin and vasopressin, often dubbed “bonding hormones,” are also released during physical proximity or eye contact, fostering attachment and trust.

The amygdala, which processes emotions and threat detection, evaluates the safety and desirability of a potential partner. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex assesses long-term compatibility, though its influence is often diminished in the heat of initial attraction. These neural processes occur within milliseconds, creating the illusion of instantaneous love. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have shown heightened activity in these regions when individuals view images of attractive faces or bodies, underscoring the brain’s rapid response to visual cues.

 The Role of Physical Features in Attraction

Physical appearance is a primary driver of attraction, serving as a visual cue to genetic fitness, health, and reproductive potential. Evolutionary biology suggests that humans are wired to seek partners whose traits signal survival advantages for offspring. These preferences manifest in the appreciation of specific physical features, including faces, bodies, breasts, lips, buttocks, eyes, and hair.

 Facial Features

Facial attractiveness is heavily influenced by symmetry, a marker of genetic health. Symmetrical faces are perceived as more attractive because they suggest developmental stability. Eyes, in particular, are potent attractors. Large, expressive eyes are associated with youth and fertility, especially in women, while in men, a strong jawline and prominent cheekbones signal testosterone-driven traits like dominance and health. Lips also play a significant role; fuller lips in women are linked to estrogen levels and fertility, while in men, well-defined lips may indicate vitality.

 Body Features

Body shape is another critical factor. In heterosexual attraction, men often prefer women with a low waist-to-hip ratio (approximately 0.7), which signals fertility and health. Women, conversely, are drawn to men with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, indicative of physical strength and genetic fitness. Breasts and buttocks further enhance attraction, particularly in heterosexual contexts. Breasts are associated with nurturing capacity, while a rounded buttocks may signal a pelvic structure conducive to childbirth. These preferences, while rooted in biology, are modulated by cultural norms and individual experiences.

 Hair

Hair serves as a secondary sexual characteristic, with long, lustrous hair in women often perceived as a sign of health and youth. In men, hair density or grooming styles can signal social status or masculinity. Across cultures, well-maintained hair is a universal attractor, as it reflects overall health and hygiene.

These physical cues are processed rapidly by the brain’s visual cortex, which relays information to the reward system. The result is an immediate emotional response, often experienced as attraction or, in extreme cases, love at first sight. While these preferences are universal to some extent, individual variation—shaped by culture, personal history, and sexual orientation—plays a significant role.

 Pheromones and Chemical Signaling

Pheromones, chemical signals secreted by the body, are invisible yet powerful contributors to attraction. These volatile compounds are detected by the olfactory system and processed by the brain’s vomeronasal organ, influencing subconscious perceptions of compatibility. Pheromones convey information about genetic makeup, immune system compatibility, and reproductive status, guiding mate selection at a primal level.

In humans, androstadienone (found in male sweat) and estratetraenol (found in female urine) are two well-studied pheromones. Androstadienone can increase arousal and positive mood in women, particularly during ovulation, when sensitivity to male pheromones peaks. Estratetraenol, conversely, may enhance male attraction to women by signaling fertility. These chemicals activate the hypothalamus, a brain region linked to sexual behavior and emotional bonding, amplifying attraction.

Pheromones also play a role in assessing genetic compatibility through the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). MHC genes influence immune system function, and individuals with dissimilar MHC profiles are often more attracted to each other, as this diversity enhances offspring immunity. Studies have shown that women prefer the scent of men with MHC profiles different from their own, an effect most pronounced during ovulation. This subconscious olfactory processing contributes to the instantaneous chemistry of love at first sight.

 Attraction in Heterosexual and Homosexual Contexts

While the mechanisms of attraction are largely universal, their expression varies across sexual orientations. In heterosexual attraction, evolutionary pressures emphasize traits that enhance reproductive success. Men prioritize physical cues like youth and fertility, while women value indicators of resource provision and protection. These preferences align with traditional reproductive roles but are not absolute, as modern social dynamics and individual variation broaden these patterns.

In homosexual attraction, the same neurobiological and pheromonal mechanisms operate, but partner preferences may differ. Gay men often prioritize physical fitness and masculine traits, such as muscularity or facial hair, which mirror heterosexual male preferences for dominance and strength. Lesbian women may place greater emphasis on emotional compatibility and facial attractiveness, though body shape remains significant. Pheromone responses also persist; for example, gay men may respond to androstadienone similarly to heterosexual women, suggesting shared olfactory pathways.

Love at first sight is reported across all sexual orientations, with no significant differences in its neurobiological basis. The intensity of the experience depends more on individual temperament, cultural conditioning, and situational factors than on orientation. For instance, a homosexual individual may experience the same dopaminedriven euphoria upon seeing an attractive partner as a heterosexual individual, with physical cues and pheromones triggering similar reward pathways. However, societal attitudes and personal identity can shape how these feelings are interpreted and expressed.

 Psychological and Social Influences

Beyond biology, psychological and social factors modulate attraction and love at first sight. The halo effect, a cognitive bias, leads individuals to assume that physically attractive people possess positive traits like kindness or intelligence. This bias amplifies initial attraction, as the brain projects desirable qualities onto the object of interest. Proximity and familiarity also enhance attraction, as repeated exposure fosters comfort and bonding—a phenomenon less relevant to love at first sight but critical in sustaining relationships.

Cultural norms shape perceptions of beauty and desirability. In some societies, fair skin or specific body types are idealized, while in others, different traits are prioritized. Media and socialization further influence preferences, embedding ideals that guide attraction. For example, the glorification of certain body shapes in popular culture can prime individuals to seek those traits, even subconsciously.

Love at first sight is also influenced by psychological readiness. Individuals who are open to romantic experiences or seeking connection are more likely to interpret intense attraction as love. This readiness is shaped by personality traits like extraversion or attachment style, with securely attached individuals more likely to embrace sudden romantic feelings.

 The Phenomenon of Love at First Sight

Love at first sight is a rapid, intense form of attraction that feels profound and destined. It occurs when visual, pheromonal, and psychological cues align to create an overwhelming emotional response. The brain’s reward system, fueled by dopamine and oxytocin, amplifies this experience, while the amygdala and prefrontal cortex assess compatibility at lightning speed. Though often fleeting, this phenomenon can lay the foundation for lasting relationships when mutual compatibility and effort sustain the initial spark.

Critics argue that love at first sight is merely infatuation, driven by lust or idealized projections. However, studies suggest that couples who report experiencing it often form enduring bonds, provided other factors like communication and shared values are present. The intensity of the experience may stem from the brain’s tendency to prioritize novel and rewarding stimuli, creating a memorable imprint of the encounter.

 Limitations and Future Directions

While significant progress has been made in understanding attraction and love at first sight, gaps remain. The interplay between conscious and subconscious processes is not fully understood, nor is the extent to which cultural and individual differences modulate universal mechanisms. Future research could explore how pheromones influence attraction in diverse populations or how brain activity differs across sexual orientations during love at first sight. Advances in neuroimaging and genetic analysis may further illuminate these processes, offering deeper insights into human connection.

 Conclusion

Attraction and love at first sight are complex phenomena rooted in neurobiology, psychology, and evolutionary biology. The brain’s reward system, driven by dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, orchestrates the euphoric rush of initial attraction, while physical features and pheromones provide critical cues for mate selection. These processes operate similarly across heterosexual and homosexual contexts, though preferences vary based on orientation and cultural influences. By integrating sensory, chemical, and cognitive inputs, the human brain creates the profound experience of love at first sight, a testament to the intricate interplay of biology and emotion in shaping human relationships.

Sources

1. Fisher, H. E. (2004). Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love. Henry Holt and Company.

2. Buss, D. M. (2016). The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating. Springer.

3. Wedekind, C., & Füri, S. (1997). Body odour preferences in men and women: Do they aim for specific MHC combinations or simply heterozygosity? Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 264(1387), 14711479.

4. Aron, A., et al. (2005). Reward, motivation, and emotion systems associated with earlystage intense romantic love. Journal of Neurophysiology, 94(1), 327337.

5. Langlois, J. H., et al. (2000). Maxims or myths of beauty? A metaanalytic and theoretical review. Psychological Bulletin, 126(3), 390423.

6. Grammer, K., & Thornhill, R. (1994). Human facial attractiveness and sexual selection: The role of symmetry and averageness. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 108(3), 233242.

7. Wyatt, T. D. (2014). Pheromones and Animal Behavior: Chemical Signals and Signatures. Cambridge University Press.

Harambe Shot Dead: World Goes Bananas

Social media has been up in an uproar after a gorilla named Harambe was shot dead in order to rescue a four year old boy. During the weekend, a small boy of four years of age visiting the zoo of Cincinnati slipped through a barrier and fell into a pit where gorillas in captivity reside in. Everyone present immediately panicked. Zoo officials managed to get two female gorillas to get away from the boy after they issued commands; however, a 17 year old male gorilla named Harambe ignored commands and approached the four year old boy.

Hirambe towered over the boy at one point and then proceeded to drag the boy through the water to another location a few feet away. From there, Hirambe seemed to observe the crying child and even stood him up at one point holding him by his pants. Shortly after this, zoo officials shot Hirambe killing him and then rescued the young boy. The boy was sent to the hospital with scrapes and a concusion.  He was released a few days later.  However, animals activists and others are calling for the parents of the child to be arrested. Some have even resorted to death threats against the mother and four year old child. Others have even resorted to racists remarks because the boy is African American; insinuating that the boy was the same color as the gorilla and therefore, the gorilla would not have harmed him.

Over 100,000 have signed an online petition demanding an investigation and the prosecution of the parents of the young boy. The zoo is also under fire for killing the silverback gorilla which is an endangered species. Those upset with the killing are upset because they feel that the killing of the gorilla was unnecessary. They ask why a tranquilizer was not used. Zoo officials responded that a tranquilizer would take about ten minutes to kick in and the dart would have angered Hirambe causing him to possibily harm or kill the boy. Gorillas are very strong animals. They can easily deadlift about 2,000 lbs without effort. A gorilla can easily tear a grown man over 6 feet tall piece by piece or easily crush him. Had Hirambe been tranquilized, he could have torn the boy apart or with one pound of his hand would have left the boy crushed into a pulp. Experts all agree that killing the gorilla was the only option.



This story is sad, not only for the boy and his family but also for Harambe. Harambe did not ask to be held in a zoo. He did not ask to be 'entertainment' for human beings who are 'cousins' of his species. Gorillas and humans share 98% DNA.  It is extraordinary to even contemplate this. We are so different yet so similar, genetically and physically speaking. However, human life has more value than a gorilla because they are rational beings with souls. This does not mean gorillas do not have value. We must ensure that these creatures survive on Earth. Again, they are our 'cousins' in nature.

What troubles me is the response from some animal activists who seem to have preferred that the boy perish instead of the gorilla. This is sad indeed and shows the warped views circulating around in society. These views mainly come from philosopher Peter Singer who advocates for 'animal equality.' He believes that humans and non-human animals are the same. These ideas are presented as rational but when one analyzes them carefully, they can be nonsensical.  Yes, humans are animals too, but humans are different. Humans have the capacity to save other species, gorillas do not. This puts the human in a higher category than other non-human animals.

I am sad that Harambe is dead. In fact, from the video I saw, it seems as if Harambe was actually protecting the boy. Nevertheless, Harambe was a savage animal. This is evidence in how he dragged the boy causing the boy to bash his head several times on concrete. Harambe could not distinguish between being gentle or rough. He did not have that capacity. If gorillas had this capacity, they could easily organize and attack human beings like in the "Planet of the Apes" movie. I think an investigation should be made at the zoo to figure out why the gorilla's sanctuary was not secure. As to whether the parents had blame, only cameras at the zoo (if any) can prove this.  Accidents do happen. Kids to wander off even with the most vigilant of parents.  Instead of a criminal charge, I think a fine is more appropriate to help cover the costs related to Harambe's death.








Source:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2016/05/31/zoo-incident-parent-shaming/85211702/?hootPostID=16e678e6ed72fa615d829d4ffb87b40d

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-only-thing-more-upsetting-than-harambe-the-gorillas-death-was-the-reality-of-his-life-a7057981.html

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/05/31/police-investigating-boys-parents-in-case-of-harambe-the-gorilla/

http://time.com/4352001/cincinnati-zoo-gorilla-killed-harambe-boy-toddler/?xid=time_socialflow_twitter

http://abc7ny.com/news/zookeeper-who-raised-harambe-mourns-his-death/1364288/

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/harambe-gorillas-behaviors-zoos-animals/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_tw20160531news-gorillaupdate&utm_campaign=Content&sf27584024=1

http://www.vox.com/2016/5/31/11818858/harambe-gorilla-michelle-gregg-mob-justice

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/31/us/gorilla-shot-harambe/

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ohio-gorilla-idUSKCN0YM1XH

Solomon Islands Sinking Due To Global Warming

The denials must be set aside. Global warming is real and is showing its ugly face more and more.  Five of the Solomon Islands have virtually disappeared from the face of the Earth. They are now submerged in the Pacific ocean due to rising water levels due to the melting of glaciers as a result of man-made global warming. The study entitled "Interactions between sea-level rise and wave exposure on reef island dynamics in the Solomon Islands" gives details of how rising sea levels have made the islands disappear.  The results of the study state the following:

Five of the twenty vegetated reef islands along the
barrier reef on the exposed, northern coast of Isabel
have been totally eroded away in recent decades
(supplementary table 2), leaving no supratidal substrate
and dead tree trunks resting on hard reef
platform.

This study should be a wake up call to everyone especially those who denial global warming. The situation is no hoax. We are seeing the effects of climate change due to man's polluting ways more and more. From super storms, droughts and huge wildfires in Canada, to now islands virtually eroding away and sinking as the sea levels rise. If we do not heed the warnings, we may see most of Florida, low-level coastal areas in Europe, South America, Africa and islands such as Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic/Haiti disappear into the oceans as sea levels rise.




Source:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sea-level-rise-swallows-5-whole-pacific-islands/

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/11/5/054011/pdf

http://abcnews.go.com/International/solomon-islands-disappear-pacific-ocean-result-climate-change/story?id=38985469

Yet Another Planned Parenthood Video

The evil organization "Planned Parenthood" has been exposed in a second video.  The first video of Dr. Nucatola shows here eating a salad nonchantly as she discusses how to avoid crushing a fetus' main organs.

She discusses the cost of trafficking these parts as being $30 to $100 "per specimen."  The video has prompted politicians into ordering an investigation of this evil institution. Now a new video has surfaced. This video has Mary Gatter who is the Medical director at Planned Parenthood in California.

In this video she discusses the selling of aborted fetal parts to academic institutions and other medical facilities so that they could conduct research.  She describes the prices for fetal livers, hearts and heads as negotiable. What is even more disturbing is that she explains how the parts are removed using a "less crunch technique," which pertains to the sounds of the fetus' body as it is torn apart and crushed.  She then discusses jestfully the desire of having a Lamborgini car.

Her psychotic blank face and apathy as she describes using a "less crunchy technique" on an unborn child are very telling. More videos (about 13) are set to be released by The Center for Medical Progress.












Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjCs_gvImyw

http://www.lifenews.com/2015/07/21/second-shock-video-catches-another-top-planned-parenthood-doctor-selling-body-parts-of-aborted-babies/

http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2015/07/21/planned-parenthood-sting-video-foreman-live-lead.cnn

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/07/21/new-planned-parenthood-video-shows-top-doc-haggling-over-price-fetal-body-parts/

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/22/opinion/the-campaign-of-deception-against-planned-parenthood.html?_r=0

My Thoughts on Robin Williams' Suicide

I like many others are still taking in the news of the death of Robin Williams.  He was a great actor and a genius in comedy.  His ability to improvise in any situation was admirable and very rare.  This type of acting is second nature, not taught.  

Robin Williams brought many laughs and tears to all of us who watched his movies and programs.  However, the question remains: How can someone who seemed so jovial be so depressed?  There are no simple answers to this question. Perhaps the fact that he always seemed to have a need to make a joke of something was his way of masking the inner pain he had.  

We may never know what was going on in this man's mind.  He suffered from alcoholism, drug abuse and had a heart surgery.  These factors can weigh in on the stability of one's brain. Alcohol and drugs are known to alter how the way the brain works.  Many philosophers describe the brain as the hardware while the mind is the software.  If this is true, then if the hard drive is damaged, then the software cannot operate in its total capacity. This was probably why Mr. Williams took his own life.  He brain and mind were just not working right together.  It is obvious that he had no real reason to "opt out."  He loved his family, especially his three children.  He seemed to love his career and according to his neighbors, was a very humble man.  That being said, it was most likely his altered state of mind that caused him to see reality differently bringing him to committing suicide.

His children should not feel like they weren't important enough for him to stay.  I've read that one of his kids wrote something to that effect.  Again, drugs, alcohol and biological issues does alter the way the human brain and mind work.  There is no way around this.  Drugs and alcohol rewires the brain.  They make you perceive things differently than others who don't use those substances. Growing up in New York City, I saw alcohol and drugs all around me.  Some in my own family have abused those substances and are suffering the effects now.  As a kid, I vowed never to imitate what I saw around me.  Instead, I relied on books, music, video games, sports and especially family and good friends in order to keep me focused.  I cannot stress enough the harm drugs and alcohol abuse does to the user and those around him.  It pains me to see on social networks photos of people at clubs or even house party holding up red plastic cups or liquor bottles as if it were something to be proud of; an accomplishment.  Some even take pictures holding weed in their mouth or blowing smoke as if it were "cool."  This mentality has to stop.  These things are not cool.  They are not things to be proud of.  These things can kill you one way or another.

Drugs and alcohol distort the flow of neurotransmitters in the brain.  They create false connections in the reward center of the brain linking the use of them seems as a "good."  When deprived of them, the brain goes into a chaotic mode of withdrawal.  This extremely alters a person's psychology and can cause all kinds of illnesses in the body as well.  These are testament to the power these substances have over the human brain and why they are dangerous.  Again, there is nothing "cool" about being "high" or drunk.  There is nothing "cool" about being "out of your mind," so to speak.

Mr. Williams obviously was going through this chaotic mode in his brain.  I can't even imagine what the man was going through as he struggled with his brain's attempt to cope with the rewiring done from his substance abuse.  This man was so funny.  He could make those British soldiers guarding Buckingham palace crack a smile.  The fact that these substances triggered depression in him that was so strong that he committed suicide should be a loud message to all of us.  If this can effect a funny man like Robin Williams to the point of forcing him to end it all, then imagine what it can do to anyone else.

It pains me to hear some Christians say that he is in hell for taking his life.  While killing is a mortal sin, suicide is different and must be looked at carefully.  A person who commits suicide just for the heck of it obviously was in his/her right mind and fits the criteria for mortal sin.  However, if a person is not in his/her right state of mind, then it is this chaotic mode of the brain that is killing the person, not the person himself.  Williams was not himself.  He was not thinking rationally.  We must not judge whether or not he went to hell or not.  The catechism puts it well:

Suicide 

2280 Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of. 

2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God. 

2282 If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.
Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.

2283 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives. 

Source:  http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm

If you are reading this now and are thinking about suicide or have thought about it, please reconsider.  You are needed in this world.  You exist for a reason.  You were not a mistake nor a creation of chance.  There is no one in the world like you and there will never be one like you. You are unique and have a lot to offer to this world.  If you are feeling depressed, hopeless as if there is nothing more to do than to end it all because you feel you are losing the battle, then reflect on this: You are winning the battle!  The fact that you are there thinking further delaying suicide shows that you are winning and capable of defeating depression or whatever it is that is making you feel hopeless.

SNOWFLAKE
Moreover, each one of us is like a snow flake.  No two snowflakes are alike.  Each snowflake is

unique with its own pattern and symmetry.  A snowflake begins in the clouds as condensation. It falls and begins to crystallize due to the cold weather.

As these crystallized droplets of water fall, some of the water evaporates and creates the flake's pattern based on how its molecules are formed. Each flake is unique because each falls into a different path with different atmospheric conditions effecting it.

Once it reaches the ground, these flakes collect and create a beautiful scenery worthy of a postcard.  The scene of snow on trees, bushes, mountains with its appearance as crystals sparkling is breathtaking.  When it's time, the snowflakes melt, evaporate and return to the sky from whence they came.  You and I are like these snowflakes.  God sends us down to Earth. We have our own unique patterns due to our molecules and DNA.  Each path we're on alters us a bit making us unique flakes.  Once we are on Earth, we decorate this world and give this world meaning and beauty.  Then when it is time, God calls us back to Himself up above.

You are special, you are unique!  Please don't deprive our world of your unique presence and existence.  You exist because you are important and God wanted you here.  There will never be anyone else like you ever again.  You are irreplaceable so continue to bless this world with your presence.  Seek out the help of family, friends, priests and psychologists.  There is always hope!

Eternal rest grant to Robin Williams o' Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.  May through the mercy of God, may he rest in peace.  Amen


O captain my captain, rest in peace!