Human cloning. Ho-hum.

The Washington Post reports that scientists in Oregon have developed a way to get stem cells from cloned human embryos. (For the über-ho-hum, click here for NPR's piece.)

The nonchalance with which this is reported makes me wonder if I missed the memo? Have we already crossed that bridge into human cloning? I knew about the sheep. Seems like a relatively "big deal" but this is the only story I've seen thus far, other than a blog post on the subject.

Anyway, reading along, we learn that "few experts think that production of stem cells through cloning is likely to be medically useful soon, or possibly ever."

So human embryos are being cloned for the sake of harvesting cells and creating organs, and there's little evidence this will actually produce meaningful results. Meanwhile, "a far less controversial way to get stem cells is now available [and] involves reprogramming mature cells (often ones taken from the skin)..."

In one method, the human person is objectified and exploited--created by man, only to be used and destroyed. In the other, an adult cell is reprogrammed, with no harm occurring to the donor and no human embryo being destroyed.

"...In one experiment, eight oocytes harvested from one woman produced five blastocysts and four embryonic stem cell lines — a success rate virtually unseen in other animals.

"The blastocysts could be implanted in a woman’s uterus. It might develop into a fetus. Most cloned animals, however, turn out to have major health problems and shortened lives."

Rather than blastocysts being implanted, however, they are being destroyed for their stem cells. In the meantime, a young donor, compensated finely for her eggs, continues on, ultimately unaware of their fate. Her egg has become part of a cloned human embryo, and then destroyed. It's all so bizarre.

“We just need to make sure it’s clear to the public that no one in their right mind would want to do that. There is no intent to do reproductive cloning. None at all,” Gearhart said.

But you are already not in your right mind. Respectfully.

What if the technology to clone humans was developed to the point where a resulting human was healthy and otherwise normal? This is a market waiting to be tapped; medical tourism will continue to thrive. If buying children of a particular gender is currently met with praise rather than criticism, I fail to feel reassured by scientist Gearheart's statement.

As long as the little clone children are not perfect and healthy, we're probably in the clear. But custom-ordering a child? Recreating a child? Recreating oneself? The possibilities are, unfortunately, endless, and science, without an objective moral compass, is just that.

Read this book (new translation here). And this one.

Rebecca Taylor covers this story here on her wonderful blog. I really need to spend more time familiarizing myself with the material she has compiled.

How the Wife Threw a Wrench With Her Westernized Brain (Why I'm Changing Ritual Churches, Part 2)

Father James chrismates our three youngest children September 2010

If you have not read the first part of this post, go here.

At the end of part 1 of this account, my husband and I had discerned that the Byzantine Church was, in fact, the spiritual heritage in which we sought to raise our children to know and love the Lord.

But that did not stop my westernized brain from determining that, without knowing more, there was no way either of us could adequately transmit this faith to our children.

Really, this was mostly my issue. When we had first attended the Divine Liturgy as a family and had put together the connections that this was Alex and the children's paternal ritual church, he accepted with simple faith that this was the right path for our family.

As for me, I felt largely stoked that 1) the Byzantine Church viscerally stirred me with its physical beauty, 2) incense happened regularly! It was not a desperate hope while sitting on the edge of a pew, rarely realized, 3) the priest talked about hard stuff. Hard teachings. In fact, until recently, Father James was the only priest I had ever heard preach "We need more consecrated virgins for the Kingdom" to a crowd of Catholic schoolchildren, 4) feasts were not moved around as though they didn't really exist except on Sundays. Etc.

In other words, I was motivated in part because of dissatisfaction with the unfortunate austerities and "adjustments" of the Roman Catholic Church in America, rather than motivated by the Byzantine Catholic traditions and perspectives for their own sake. Yet I knew this was not a good enough reason. Being "stoked" is not sufficiently deep or even particularly holy. Reacting against something in dissatisfaction isn't, either. How could I teach my children the ins and outs of the Byzantine way if I did not possess the language, the definitions, the unique theological perspectives, the liturgical experience, the nitty-gritty knowledge of all things iconographic, etc?

You see, in retrospect, this conflict beautifully demonstrates a difference between the eastern and western perspectives of the Church. In the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas, the western church seeks to delineate, define, describe. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, or very surprising, as we are rational creatures. (And I have always rather liked that stuff, so it worked for me.) It has its place. I do not believe it prevents holiness, as attested to by the glorious lives of the saints in the western Church. St. Thomas Aquinas was actually intensely mystical and not just a rotund scholar in a chair.

On the other side, the eastern perspective is "apophatic," describing God in terms of what He is not. Rather than seeking to define God, one practices entering into His energies, seeking union with Him through divinization, or theosis. A fluidity exists which is uniquely eastern. As I mentioned in my post describing the first Divine Liturgy I attended, it is hard to point to exactly when the consecration of the Eucharist happens in the Divine Liturgy. It just happens.

The Consecration had fewer boundaries around it. It was hard to know exactly when it happened. There was no elevation (at least, I don't think there was), ringing of bell, etc. I see this as a difference between the eastern and western cultures which is reflected in the two styles of liturgy. One has clear lines and is black and white, the other reflects the mystery. In the Roman Rite, there is a moment when the transubstantiation occurs. In the Byzantine Rite~~Christ arrives when He arrives.

We had begun attending the Divine Liturgy in large part because of Alex's simple "yes" to what he believed was God's Will for our family, and also the reality that this is what we are. And I nodded joyfully in submission to his "yes" because I try to do that as his wife, and also because I was so surprised and moved that we actually belonged to this intensely holy and beautiful Byzantine heritage.

But then my brain proceeded to question how this could possibly happen well. It craved the lines, the black and white. It sought to know. Without the book knowledge, I felt lost and incompetent, especially as a parent. Rather than question the validity of this feeling, I bought into it more and more.

My husband is not the most committed reader. I fail to appreciate often enough the way he reads only the most vital texts. While he does not curl up that frequently with a book, he does put the effort into Sacred Scripture and books such as St. John Climacus' Ladder of Divine Ascent and whatever other readings that Father James points him to. He reads systematically every day, a little at a time, in the morning.

I, on the other hand, have at least 15 books going on at any given point and I make slow progress through all of them in erratic spurts. Eventually, they all get read. I get the gist of the texts in time, but it is not the same focused effort that my husband applies to the task. I get bored. He gets caught up. Essentially, he's far more of an ascetic than I could ever hope to be, very simple and straightforward in his approach.

But I cornered Alex into admitting that we were ignorant, and then used this excuse to back out as Father James questioned whether it was wise to continue involving ourselves so deeply in both Roman Catholic and Byzantine Catholic liturgy and theology.

In retrospect, I believe Father correctly questioned our commitment to transferring rites and questioned how we were going to be eastern if we were not actually being it. We had remained heavily involved in three different parishes by that point. We attended daily Masses, Divine Liturgies, Masses in the Extraordinary Form. My brain appreciated that I knew the names of the western saints, the theological terminology (all comfortably English), and all that other stuff that enabled me to retain control and authority over my knowledge.

Alex was ready to "settle down" and let the understanding grow with time. I did not have my fifteen books, however, and wondered how this could all work out. And as far as I was concerned, Father James was pressuring us to give up stuff and was attacking our path. (Such longsuffering patience our priests have!)

I decided I felt rushed, and pressured. I wasn't ready to give up being Roman Catholic. What I failed to appreciate at the time was that Father was asking me to have more faith in God and to trust that He would impart what we need. Being eastern was more than reading the right books. So much more. To me, it called into question a whole aspect of my identity that I wanted to continue to cherish--the satisfaction and rubbing of my intellectual curiosity and my sense of worth stemming from "knowing it all."

I continued getting intellectual stimulation at the Dominican Forum with all the brainy Dominican friars on Monday nights after my nursing classes; Alex proceeded to sit down during the day, homeschooling the children with a workbook which explained the holy icons and catechizing both himself and them very impressively.

But I got my way, unfortunately, and my pride won out. We left the parish and recommitted to raising our children as Roman Catholics. I don't think Alex was completely on board but he was a devoted husband and did not want to discount my concerns.

So that was, apparently, that.

This is how I remember it. I'm sure both Father James and Alex have different perspectives.

Thankfully, the story has a better ending than this.

To be continued...Thanks for staying tuned!

Please pray for this couple and give what you can.

A local couple, dear friends of ours and missionaries here in Alaska, needs your help.

Please visit this link to read their story.

They have given so much. I pray we will all step up and help.

Remember Acts chapter 4, which we heard on Tuesday at Mass:

32 The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. 

33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. 

34 There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 

35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. 

An update is as follows:

Important Update From Rich: "Val and I are asking a huge favor of all our friends, the hospital has offered to settle the bill with us. The original bill that we were responsible for was $121,000. They sent us to a collection agency, and now after seven months they have offered to settle for $48,000 but we have to have the money by the end of the month. A friend has set up a way to raise money for the medical bills through youcaring.com. I am asking everyone I know to check the web site out and help if you can, and please share it will all your friends and families. If everyone can help just a little we might be able to get this bill taken care of. I hate to ask but, I have no choice. Please know that every dollar given will go to the medical bills, and if we are able to go over that amount it will go towards other medical bills. Val and I thank you very much, and God bless you all."

Pressures of being Byzantine

To save people like me from suffering abject humiliation on Pascha, my friend Amanda Lee published this useful link to assist us in preparing the Pascha Basket. God's help to us all!

An interview with my husband about praying with Catholic Men for Life in front of Planned Parenthood

On March 23rd, 2013, the Catholic Men for Life apostolate kicked off their ministry with a Mass and day of prayer in front of Planned Parenthood in Anchorage, AK. I interviewed my husband Alexander Goorchenko for some of his impressions and reactions, and here is what told me. For more information about this organization, visit the website here.

What were your thoughts beforehand about praying with Catholic Men For Life in front of Planned Parenthood today?

The first time I prayed in front of Planned Parenthood last year, I felt very nervous and scared. But today, I knew where to go, I knew where to park, I knew to fast and abstain so I wouldn’t have to use the bathroom. But I’m sure some men may have felt uneasy beforehand if they hadn’t done anything like this before. Because there were so many men there, no one was a stranger and everyone was so helpful with getting situated. I was very excited to not only support the cause but to support the guys like David Syzdek, Beav Deering, and the priests who had put so much time and effort into this.

What did you hear about the Mass this morning? What did it mean to you that the day began with Mass?

The Mass had to be held in a back parking lot, fairly secluded. There was a great turnout at the Mass, with a lot of families. Fr. Paul Raftery, OP celebrated. While I wasn't able to be there, to know that the day began with Christ Himself being elevated, as though a light shining on Planned Parenthood, meant everything.

What did it mean to you that the clergy had a visible presence there throughout the day?

The shepherds were there supporting their flock. Of course we all have the same views on abortion, but not only do they send us out at the end of Mass every day to share the Gospel; for them to actually show up there supports us in our efforts to live the Gospel of Life and is a great encouragement.

What did you see when you arrived at the site of the gathering in front of Planned Parenthood?

There were probably about 40 men gathered on the sidewalk, which stayed consistent even with people coming and going. I have never seen such peaceful and beautiful signs. The signs had icons, stained glass images, and were very spiritual. At times when I’ve prayed in front of Planned Parenthood in the past, I’ve wanted to distance myself from some of the really disturbing signs. Our goal was to be peaceful and non-confrontational. The signs were very compassionate. They said with this beauty and serenity, “We are here because we love you. We care.” There were prayer mats and cardboard for men to use to pray on their knees on the snow. Father Paul Raftery was there from the beginning until I left four hours later. As far as I know, he was planning to stay all day. Fr. Augustine Hilander, O.P. and Fr. Tom Lilly (a diocesan priest) were there. The Dominicans wore their habits. The Archbishop arrived in his clerical collar and his prayer book and led all of us in prayer.

What was it like having the Archbishop pray with you and impart his blessing during this time?

He led a prayer for the children entering Planned Parenthood, and also for the efforts of the Apostolate. After he greeted people, we all huddled around him as a group, 40 men surrounding him in silence and listening to his prayer. Then, in the middle of his prayer, a car drove by with a woman screaming at us, “Go home! Go home!” The Archbishop had a small smile on his face at that point. He paused until she was done, and then continued.

Did you have any particularly profound moments during prayer? What was the prayer like?

Since there were so many of us, there were several small groups praying the Rosary simultaneously. During the four hours I was there, we prayed four full Rosaries of the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. At several points, I was profoundly moved by the Mysteries in a whole new way. While pondering the Joyful Mysteries, the Annunciation was especially meaningful, imagining that joyful news that a life has been created and the joy of being a parent. There is a reason it is called “a bundle of joy.” It is so amazing. And with the Visitation, how Mary, who now is pregnant not only with a baby but the Word Made Flesh incarnate in her womb, drops everything to go help her and possibly be a midwife to her cousin who was once barren and now is also carrying new life. I was wishing these women who were going to Planned Parenthood had that type of support and compassion, and if they do have it, to be able to receive it. All of the Mysteries were profound.

Probably the most powerful point of prayer was during the Sorrowful Mysteries and especially during the Scourging at the Pillar, remembering how Mary was the first woman to ever walk the Stations of the Cross. I remembered reading in The Dolorous Passion of Jesus Christ how Mary wiped up the Precious Blood of Jesus with linens as his skin and muscles were ripped apart by the soldiers’ whips. I thought about her wiping up the blood of children and her deep sorrow at their innocent blood being spilled. Even though the doors were closed at Planned Parenthood today, there are still the remains of children in there, awaiting disposal.

What are your hopes for this Apostolate?

My prayer is that this will continue. We all have such great hopes because of the amazing turnout and to see how many guys really do care about this issue. Also, the Knights of Columbus and other people were incredibly helpful and generous with provisions while we were there. And although many of us have been involved in this issue, and with 40 Days for Life, we as fathers are the protectors and the guardians of our families. We need to speak up for other families, not just our own.

Archbishop Roger Schwietz, OMI (right) of Anchorage, Alaska leads the men in prayer.

Catholic Men in Anchorage: HAPPENING NOW

The Catholic Men For Life Apostolate has gathered in front of Planned Parenthood on Lake Otis and Tudor for a day of prayer. It began this morning with an open air Mass and, according to my husband, the Archbishop showed up not too long ago. Here is a website about the Apostolate. God bless you, men.

Drive-by baby-kissing and the culture of death

While the narrative of the press persists in focusing on the differences between Pope Francis and his predecessors, one venerable tradition of the modern day Papa is that of drive-by baby-kissing.

I marveled at it prior to His Holiness Benedict XVI's final public Mass. I'm sure you're familiar with it: a guard walking alongside the popemobile swoops a baby out of the arms of a hopeful parent and elevates it to the Holy Father, who tenderly caresses its face and plants a kiss on it.

Pope Francis himself did this many times on Tuesday prior to his inaugural Mass. One of the children cried post-swooping, and Papa tenderly caressed its face and planted a kiss right on its nose! I'm sure the nose was a little bit snotty, and the cheeks must have been stained with tears.

Papa then stepped out of his car to kiss the face of a man who was severely disabled, and whose face broke out into a smile of profuse joy.

In the same day's headlines, we read about people in the horrific Gosnell trial testifying about snipping the spinal cords of infants, people who claim to not have known "at first" whether this was wrong. The news stories seem more concerned, as are the courts, with whether this happened before the births of the infants or afterward. Our press can't even flat out say the obvious: that these actions are, in fact, evil.

As I ponder the relationship of the Pope to the world, an Orthodox blogger contemplates that the exaltation of the Pope has led to the birth of individualism in western culture and consequent isolation of the soul (although Eve herself might be deemed the first individualist, no?). A commentator on that post criticizes the fact that our Holy Father has so much security (here's an interesting piece on that subject) and this is because he has been inappropriately exalted. Were he truly seen as an equal to everyone, he would not require so much attention.

I disagree with this negative assessment.

In this day and age, we need the Pope right out there in public, getting cheered on by exultant pilgrims and covered by the press. There needs to be someone who is doing drive-by baby-kissing and smooching little wet faces even while preparing for a solemn occasion (Tiffany explores the schizophrenia in our culture regarding children), who stops and jumps out of the car to stare in rapt wonder at the face of Christ in the disabled. Who publicly and openly, and with lots of press and world attention, practices Mother Theresa's "Gospel on Five Fingers":

You. Did. It. To. Me.

I am not decrying the Eastern Orthodox perspective about the Bishop of Rome being "first among equals," although the Eastern patriarchs and bishops wear crowns and they get kissed a lot more than our bishops do these days. When our Byzantine bishop came to our parish to ordain our deacon, the "exaltation" of the bishop was entirely more present than I have ever seen in the Roman liturgy. And I loved every moment of it! Someday, I will love to learn more about the crowns and how that is not actually an exaltation. If any Orthodox or fellow Eastern Catholics have some time to explain to me the use of crowns among the hierarchs and the accompanying attitude toward such figures among the faithful, I would be very interested. My personal perspective is that the vestments and crowns are sacramental reflections, so to speak, of the Kingship of the Lord in heaven, not some sort of statement about how that one person is more exalted than anyone else.

But I do not believe our Pope is exalted as though he is somehow "better than everybody." It is the office we exalt, and the fatherly love that he extends to us. I love him as my spiritual father and shed tears of happiness simply because he exists as a gift from God so that I can be closer to Him and see Him.

One would hope the Orthodox, and all Christians, would appreciate the public nature of the Pope's ministry. He is one of the few public figures living the Gospel in a radical way, directly opposing the culture of death and persistently pointing everyone in the world to Christ. It's not that one cannot also do this to the extent that one is able, by the Lord's grace, but so is he, and in a very public way that sends a message to the world.

Let us be thankful.