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19 Apr 2015 - Preaching the News for Sunday

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus appears soon after the Resurrection in the midst of a gathering of the disciples. After a five-year investigation, the European Union issued a complaint against the kinds of results that appear in Google searches, charging the internet giant with skewing results so that its own shopping service appears ahead of those of competitors. The ruling could change the rules for business online. Homily hint: It’s a fact of life that businesses large and small try to influence and sway our behavior with their messages. Fair enough, as long as the playing field is level. But without good government oversight, the level of manipulation could get out of hand. Support responsible regulation of business in the interests of fair play and ethical business. For more on the EU suit against Google, see: EU accuses Google of hurting consumers, competitors in Web search case; What Is at the Heart of Complaint Against Google?; EU accuses Google of abusing Internet search dominance

business ethics government regulation fair play
Soccer honchos clearly out of bounds

31 May 2015 - Preaching the News for Sunday

It is made clear in this Sunday’s first reading that when it comes to the law of the Lord, Moses expects us to “keep his statutes and commandments that I enjoin on you today.” Apparently officials of soccer’s world governing board FIFA never got the memo. Fourteen people, including high-ranking FIFA officials, were charged Wednesday in a more than $150-million racketeering and fraud scheme that prosecutors said had corrupted the world’s most popular sport while lining defendants’ pockets with millions of dollars. The charges, which coincided with raids in Zurich, Switzerland, and Miami, followed a three-year FBI investigation into alleged crimes that date back more than 20 years. Homily hint: Part of the appeal of sporting events is the notion of the level playing field, where everyone starts off with the same chance at doing well. When the deck is stacked and money corrupts a game, the sporting spirit is violated. Be a voice for honesty and integrity in sporting events grand and small. For more on the soccer scandal, see: 'FIFA is imploding': 14 charged in corruption probe; at least 8 arrested

cheating sports fair play
FIFA fiefdom crumbles

07 Jun 2015 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The readings for this Sunday’s Corpus Christi celebration are all about ritual. Last week, in an election many characterized as an elaborately staged ritual, a defiant FIFA chief Sepp Blatter was reelected to a fifth term despite the world soccer organization being the subject of worldwide corruption investigations. Tuesday, a chastened Blatter abruptly announced he will resign, as law enforcement officials in the United States and worldwide intensified their corruption investigations and confirmed Blatter is being investigated. Homily hint: Sports programs play a central dynamic of our children’s upbringing and socialization. Values such as teamwork, fair play, and hard work are transmitted through participation in such programs. When adults cheat, it has a corrosive effect on society. Support fair play and honesty in all endeavors, sporting and otherwise. For more on Blatter’s resignation and FIFA’s problems, see: Interpol issues alerts for six after blatter says he'll step down

Honesty integrity fair play