Archbishop Burke: "Cafeteria" Catholics cannot be in ministry

On tonight's 9:00 evening news, Archbishop Burke was interviewed by KTVI-Fox 2 reporter Dan Gray. It was clear from the interview that Archbishop Burke wants to ensure that no one is involved in ministries such as Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, etc., or in a position of teaching in Catholics schools if that person does not accept completely the teachings of the Church with regard to abortion, contraception, homosexuality, and on and on. This position sounds very similar to that of Bishop Vasa of Baker, Oregon except that an "Affirmation of Faith" has not been prepared.

This is, indeed, very encouraging news! As I was somewhat shocked and simultaneously elated, I did not write down any notes while the interview was occurring - nor did I tape it. I could not find it on KTVI's web site either. So what I am relating is what I recall - basically, my interpretation, so to speak.

He stated that those "Cafeteria" Catholics who are presently involved should examine their conscience and positions and remove themselves from active ministry until such time as they can accept all the teachings of the Church. This includes those who are practicing contraception as well.

I will try to tape the re-broadcast of the interview later tonight so that I can provide a better review - as I said I was sort of spellbound during the interview, in anticipation. Please keep Archbishop Burke in your prayers as there will be an outcry from the dissenting voices as this becomes more well known. Perhaps, he is planning on having this in his upcoming pastoral letter which has not yet been released.

I will post more info as it becomes available and correct any of my misunderstandings of what he said or didn't say when I review the interview later. Once again, please say a special prayer for Archbishop Burke as well as a prayer of thanksgiving that our Lord has given us such a courageous shepherd to lead us during these days in which there is such a severe crisis of faith.

Archbishop Burke writes open letter to St. Stanislaus parishioners

To Christ’s faithful of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish:

On my hope and prayer for St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

During the Holy Mass, when we use Eucharistic Prayer III, we ask that we may become "one body, one spirit, in Christ." Throughout the months since my installation as Archbishop of St. Louis, with respect to the matter of the status of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, my unfailing hope and my constant prayer has been that we may be "one body, one spirit, in Christ."

So also it was the hope and prayer of my predecessor, Cardinal Justin Rigali, from the inception of his discussions with the board of directors of the parish until the time of his transfer to the See of Philadelphia. This has been the hope and the prayer, as well, of so many of the clergy, and consecrated and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis throughout these long months.

For this reason, and to this end, I renew my expression of pride in St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish as a personal parish for Polish-speaking faithful and faithful of Polish heritage in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. I likewise express again my deepest gratitude to all who have sacrificed so much to keep St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish vital and strong.

Again, I confirm that the future of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish is assured so long as the Polish-speaking faithful and faithful of Polish heritage continue to gather there and to provide the support necessary for the parish. It is difficult, in light of its venerable significance and the enthusiasm of the congregation, to imagine that a time could come when the future of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish would be in question.

With respect to the assets of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Church law safeguards and protects all such funds, buildings and grounds. I state yet again that neither I, nor my successors as Archbishop of St. Louis, will, or, for that matter, can, access or redirect the funds on deposit in the Archdiocesan Trust of any of our parishes.

All of this I have previously offered to state in an appropriate written commitment. I repeat my willingness to do so.

Finally, I again ask that your parish priests be accorded the same respect and cooperation which are given to the parish priests in each of the 212 other parishes of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The legitimate exercise of the pastoral office cannot be impeded, if a parish is truly to be Catholic in name and in fact.

It is my hope and my prayer that the time has come when we may again be "one body, one spirit, in Christ." I ask God’s blessings upon you and your homes, and I ask for a remembrance in your prayers.

Given at the offices of the Archdiocesan Curia on the 11th day of August, the memorial of St. Clare, Virgin, in the Year of our Lord 2004.

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke
Archbishop of St. Louis

From the St. Louis Review.

Q&A about St. Stanislaus

The following is the substance of an interview with Msgr. Vernon Gardin, vicar general of the archdiocese.

Did Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick in 1891 give total control of St. Stanislaus Parish to the lay board?

No. While Archbishop Kenrick did convey the property to the civil corporation of the parish in 1891, he did not transfer control of the parish. When the property was conveyed, the parish corporation was structured so that all directors, including the pastor, were appointed by the Archbishop. The Archbishop also had final decision-making authority for any disagreement among the directors. Giving the lay board total control of the corporation was never a consideration when the board of directors was constituted in 1891.

When did the lay board gain total control of the corporation?

Changes to the corporation's bylaws were made by the lay board in 1981 and 2004. These changes eliminated all relationship of the archbishop of St. Louis to the corporation and were made without the approval of the archbishop.

Was the transfer of the parish to the civil corporation a violation of Church law?

Yes. By the time the corporation was formed in 1891, the Pope had declared that parishes should not be under the control of civil corporations with lay boards of directors. This declaration was not uniformly applied until the adoption of the 1917 Code of Canon Law. By 1951, all parishes of the archdiocese which had this structure were brought into conformity with Church law, except for St. Stanislaus.

Has any other archbishop, prior to Archbishop Raymond Burke, addressed the issue of the non-conforming structure of St. Stanislaus?

Yes. In 1943, then-Archbishop John Glennon requested changes be made to the parish structure to conform to Church law. Then-Archbishop Joseph Ritter in 1954 and again in the mid-1960s requested the necessary steps be taken to change the structure to conform with Church law. In the fall of 2003 then-Archbishop Justin Rigali met with the board of directors and began the current process of bringing the parish into conformity with the more than 200 other parishes of the archdiocese. Archbishop Burke is following through with the process begun by Archbishop Rigali.

Some members of the board of directors have said that the Archbishop's motivation in requiring changes to the parish structure is to gain control of the reported $9 million in parish assets. Can the Archbishop take the money from the parish?

No. The assets of St. Stanislaus are reported to be approximately $1.5 million in cash and securities. Any remaining value of the parish assets lies in the real estate. Under Church law, parish assets may not be taken by an archbishop to be used for any other purpose. Parish funds are deposited in the St. Louis Archdiocesan Fund, which is a charitable trust established under Missouri law. The funds deposited by each parish belong to the parish and are used exclusively for the parish. If St. Stanislaus conforms to Church law, the $1.5 million of cash and securities will be placed in the Archdiocesan Fund and may only be used exclusively for the parish. The Archbishop has offered to place this provision in a written commitment.

Does the Archbishop have plans to close the parish and sell the property?

No. There is no reason to close St. Stanislaus parish; it is an active, vital faith community. As a personal parish it draws its members from beyond its immediate territory. The Archbishop is committed to continuing St. Stanislaus as a personal parish for persons of Polish ethnicity so long as there is an active parish community and support for the parish. The Archbishop has consistently expressed this intent and is also willing to place it in a written commitment.

Why did the Archbishop remove the parish priests from St. Stanislaus parish?

The president of the board of St. Stanislaus sent a letter to the parish priest announcing that all authority would be taken from him. The president suspected financial irregularities, even after an audit had been done which revealed none. The tone of the letter expressed a deep-seated lack of respect and hostility which made the situation intolerable to the point of being abusive, and the parish priest was no longer able to exercise his office. The Archbishop was confronted with a situation which therefore had to be addressed immediately.

Is there any hope of reconciliation?

There is always hope. The parishioners of St. Stanislaus parish are a vital community of faith. They have accomplished a great deal over the years and have been an asset to the neighborhood and the city as well. Many parishioners do not agree with the actions of the board. Although there is a great deal of scandal and test of faith because of misinformation that has been circulated, I hope and pray that a relationship of trust can be established. The Church’s structure of governance accommodates disagreements that occur in the normal course of life.

These questions and answers have been submitted to all parishes for inclusion in their weekly bulletins.

Vocations to the consecrated life

Archbishop Burke has begun an excellent column in the St Louis Review this week on vocations, especially those vocations to consecrated virginity...This follows on the heels of the Post Dispatch story yesterday.

Link is here.

Anti-Abortion Ads Will Be Illegal This Fall Thanks To McCain/Feingold

Link.

Pro- Kerry Catholic Website Says Bush is the "Antichrist"

The Catholics for Kerry 04 website has been blasted by the Catholic League for referring to President George W. Bush as the Antichrist. Under the heading "President Bush?", the website says "Antichrist?" and links to comments by Wayne Madsden, who says, "George W. Bush's blood lust, his repeated commitment to Christian beliefs and his constant references to 'evil doers,' in the eyes of many devout Catholic leaders, bear all the hallmarks of the one warned about in the Book of Revelations-the anti-Christ."

Article.

I'm unclear if this is the site started by Ono Ekeh, a USCCB employee who was asked to resign AFTER he was exposed by Deal Hudson and others - it appears that there at least a couple of these "Catholics for Kerry" around...

Pope's Emissary Shuts Down Austrian Seminary

Cardinal Klaus Kueng said he regrets that the seminary had veered away from its mission of training young men to serve the Roman Catholic Church.

“I am closing the seminary right away,” he said.

This action certainly was fast!

Article here.

Church law governs parishes

Here is yet another letter to the editor which clarifies rather than confuses - a tactic used by so many today. Unfortunately, the ability of people to move beyond the 'straw men' and 'red herrings' to get to the facts is, many times, lacking. But that is not the case in this letter. Mr. Capellupo has done a great service for the Catholics in the Archdiocese by providing factual information about the St. Stanislaus issue which effectively destroys the falsehoods promoted as truth by some whose agenda has yet to be determined.

The Aug. 8 editorial regarding St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church says that Archbishop Raymond L. Burke "has shown himself to be a strict constructionist when it comes to church law." Unfortunately, the editorial writer did not display a clear knowledge of church law regarding financial matters.

Each parish is required by church law to have a finance council of parishioners knowledgeable in financial matters to assist the pastor. Additionally, the archbishop is required to have a finance council for that archdiocese that he must consult before making major financial decisions. In decisions involving more than $3 million, he must obtain the consent of the finance council before he can act.

The St. Louis Archdiocesan Trust Fund, which holds the funds of all other parishes, is established as a trust that the archbishop cannot access for his use or that of others. The funds belong to the parishes that deposit them.

I am chair of the Archdiocesan Audit Committee and a member of the Archdiocesan Finance Council. Our council members predominantly are business people who meet regularly and who enjoy an excellent working relationship with Archbishop Burke.

The issues at St. Stanislaus are not about "punishing the most dedicated and loyal believers," as your editorial states. Rather, they are about conforming the parish to the model that works so well for all the other parishes of the archdiocese, so the pastor can exercise his pastoral ministry without hindrance or interference.

Recent actions of the Stanislaus parish board of directors have made that impossible.

John P. Capellupo
St. Louis

Source.

A Bishop Slams The Questionnaire

CRISIS Magazine - e-Letter
August 11, 2004
Dear Friend,

I'll keep it short today -- I just have a quick but important update to share with you.

You'll remember that two weeks ago, I told you about the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sending their presidential questionnaire to the candidates for review. The questionnaire covered just about every topic under the sun, from
abortion to immigration to broadcast communication, asking the candidates to give a "support or oppose" response so that the bishops could determine which candidate was most in line with Catholic teaching.

It all sounded pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, the questionnaire made no moral distinction between any of the topics, burying critical life issues -- abortion, euthanasia, cloning, and fetal stem-cell research -- among scores of other issues that simply don't have the same moral weight and on which faithful Catholics are free to disagree.

Well, it looks like at least one bishop shares our concerns. Just yesterday, Bishop Rene Henry Gracida, the bishop emeritus of Corpus Christi, Texas, published a statement wondering about the usefulness of a questionnaire that doesn't make a distinction between imperative life issues and debatable social policy issues.

Bishop Gracida makes some excellent points that I want to share with you, but rather than just quote bits and pieces of his statement, I thought I'd print the whole thing. (Don't worry, it's short.)

Believe me: You want to read this.

I only hope that his brother bishops -- and those in charge at the USCCB -- will make the same distinctions clear when the questionnaire is finally released to the public.

I'll talk to you again soon,
Deal
-----------------------------------------------------------

STATEMENT OF BISHOP RENE HENRY GRACIDA
ON THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

I have had an opportunity to review a copy of the 2004 Presidential
Questionnaire submitted by the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops to President George Bush and Senator John Kerry. I am
disappointed that the Questionnaire is so broad and covers so many
issues that are before the American public today that its value in
helping to show the differences between the positions of the two
candidates on the really important issues will be minimal.

While certainly there could be and should be a "Catholic" position
on most, if not all, of the issues covered by the Questionnaire, from
the perspective of the Church's teaching some issues far outweigh
others in importance. For instance, there is no moral equivalence
between the issue of abortion-on-demand and farm subsidies. The
Questionnaire should have been much shorter and should have been
limited to questions on those issues on which there is a clear
unequivocal teaching of the Church, e.g., abortion, cloning, assisted
suicide, embryonic stem-cell research and marriage.

There is no clear unequivocal position of the Church on such issues
as the minimum wage, immigration, farm subsidies, etc. The inclusion
of questions in the Questionnaire can only result in confusion in the
minds of Catholic voters who do not understand that there is no moral
equivalence between these two groups of issues. I can only hope that
both presidential candidates will refuse to reply to the
Questionnaire, or, if they do reply, that the leadership of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will recognize the
danger to Catholic voters and will publish those replies with a clear
teaching on the greater importance which should be attached to the
replies to the first group of questions I have listed above that have
far greater moral implications for the Nation.

+Rene Henry Gracida
Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi
10 August 2004

In addition to innundating the USCCB with letters of protest about its ambivalence in the questionaire, we should also flood heaven with prayers asking God to help them and to help us.

Bishop urges parishes to hire lawyers as diocese bankrutpcy looms

Bishop Gerald Kicanas suggested yesterday each southern Arizona parish hire a lawyer to protect its interests in case he decides the Tucson Diocese must file bankruptcy.

Article here.

St. Louis' Catholic schoolteachers are ready to rap some knuckles

Instead of rapping Archbishop Raymond Burke on the knuckles, Catholic elementary school teachers are socking him in the wallet. The union that represents the Archdiocese of St. Louis' 125 parish elementary school teachers is asking area labor unions to withhold donations of money and volunteers to the church until Burke agrees to negotiate with the Association of Catholic Elementary Educators (ACEE), Local 1312.

While ACEE may have some legitimate concerns, it seems that the most important issue is one of salary - Catholics school teachers don't make as much as they could if they were working in public schools. One has to wonder then, why do those people staty, if they could earn more money elsewhere? Most people that I know who have an urge to pursue the best paying jobs will do so, provided they possess the qualifications to land the higher paying job. There are also some who are not concerned with making the most money, but are contented with other aspects of a job. It seems disingenuous for some of these teachers to complain about the arrangement the archdiocese has made especially since the teachers claim to be able to make more money elsewhere.

I understand this is old news as I have indicated that ACEE is a group supported by Catholic Action Network. Here I think is the real crux of the issue:

"Aside from the fact that we're women and we're asking them to be equals with us," she says, "we are also asking them to be accountable -- and they do believe they are above accountability."

Article is here.

Women wed Jesus in ancient rite

I, too, was surprised at the headine, but I recognized Carol Lankford's name once I started reading the article.

Like many women, Carol Lankford fell in love with someone she had previously thought of as a good friend. When she finally received a proposal, Lankford set a date, bought a white dress and invited friends and family to a ceremony and reception.

But on July 10, 1996, those witnessing the ceremony at St. Brendan's church in Mexico, Mo., could see only the bride, because Lankford's bridegroom was Jesus.

These are the lead paragraphs in an article in the Post-Dispatch discussing "consecrated virgins". For those who may be unaware, Archbishop Burke is the official representative of the USCCB assigned to oversee the vocations here in the U.S. This is a decent article and well worth the read. Archbishop Burke provides some thoughts on the vocation and Carol Lankford and others provide insights to their calling.

Article here.

Latin Mass on EWTN on October 6, 9 & 10, 2004

Mark your calendars:

Latin Mass on EWTN on October 6, 9 & 10, 2004
EWTN Highlights (newsletter) | October 2004

Gate of Heaven: the Solemn Consecration of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Oratory of the Immaculate Conception

On May 31, 2003, this solemn Consecration was performed by the Most Rev. Bishop of Lacrosse, Raymond L. Burke. Witness the entire beautiful ceremony--the purification and dedication of the Church, translocation of the relics, consecration of the Church, and celebration of the first pontifical high Mass, using the traditional Latin rite of the Liturgy. Airs on EWTN October 6 at 10PM, October 9 at 1 PM, October 10 at 10 AM.

See the booklet of the consecration here.

Catholic bishops' survey criticized as partisan

Here's yet another article regarding the survey of the USCCB. I would really be interested to know who the people are that put the survey together and whether they are even Catholic, and if they are Catholic, are they faithful to the teachings of the Church?

Article here.

More Letters regarding St. Stanislaus

An Aug. 8 editorial about the standoff between Archbishop Raymond Burke and St. Stanislaus Kostka Church's lay board suggests that Burke is somehow punishing "the most dedicated and loyal believers" by his actions.

That is an astonishing conclusion. If the lay board members are truly dedicated and loyal, wouldn't their virtues also include obedience to their bishop?

I'm still waiting for an explanation from the lay board why St. Stanislaus is entitled to special treatment, while every other parish in the archdiocese obeys the bishop and conforms to modern church law. On this issue, dedication and loyalty seems to be found everywhere in the archdiocese except at St. Stanislaus Kostka.

Jim Russell
Florissant

I think answers to the questions that Jim asked would be welcome, if not revealing. I doubt, however, that anyone will respond.

More letters here.

Andrew Greeley has lost his mind

John Kerry's stance on abortion - he opposes it personally but would do nothing to roll back the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized it - has brought him under attack from some American bishops. That raises a question for many Catholics about what to do in November.
The answer is that Catholics can vote for Kerry. They don't have to, but it would not be a sin to do so...

Of course, one CAN vote for whomever...however, to state that it would not be a sin is clearly wrong and misleading - but should one expect anything less from Fr. Greeley?

...Catholics are not obliged to vote on one issue, no matter how important the issue might be. They may vote for Kerry "for other reasons" so long as they are not supporting him merely for his pro-choice stance.

Wrong again! One may not support a person such as Kerry by invoking "proportionate reasons" when no "proportionate reasons" exist. Kerry supports a non-existent "right" of women to murder their children and has stated that he will ensure that that "right" is not diminished. He has also called for an increase in the murder of children by his demands that embryonic stem cell research be advanced. By these two examples alone, he has disqualified himself as a viable candidate for whom a faithful Catholic may vote.

That ought to settle the matter. Catholics who have been confused by the insistence of a few bishops, some priests and some pro-life laity that they must vote against Kerry now know that they are free to make their choice balancing all issues - just as they always have been.

He accurately recognizes the sad state of affairs in the Church in America today in that only a FEW bishops, and SOME priests have the courage and fortitude to instruct the faithful on their duties to abide by moral principles when voting. And of course, Catholics have free will to vote for whom they wish - however, Catholics also have a responsibility to follow God's laws and to do His will. They are never free to choose that which is evil.

The theory of "indirect material cooperation" is traditional Catholic moral teaching. Apparently, the few bishops who threaten to exclude Catholics from Communion if they vote for Kerry don't know much traditional moral theology, which shows what the qualifications are for the bishopric these days.

Catholic theologian 'extraordinaire' Fr. Greeley, has cleared the matter based solely upon his interpretation of Cardinal Ratzinger's latest letter to the Bihsops. And yet, he is much wiser in the area of Catholic moral theology than those bishops who have spoken out in truth and justice so openly regarding those who publicly support the murder of innocent children. Fr Greeley has done a great disservice to Catholics and to non-Catholics alike by causing further confusion in his "teaching." It is well past time for Cardinal George to step in a reign in this wayward priest.

Article

Bishops' Presidential Questionnaire Object of Criticism

Dear Colleague,

Today we report on the presidential questionnaire just released to the
major party presidential candidates by the government relations staff of
the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The document is not without
controversy.

Spread the word.

Yours sincerely,

Austin Ruse
President

Action item: For what might be a less confusing voter guide for Catholics,
go here: http://www.catholic.com/library/voters_guide.asp

CULTURE & COSMOS
August 10, 2004 Volume 2, Number 1

Bishops' Presidential Questionnaire Object of Criticism
A political questionnaire issued by the government relations staff of
the US Conference of Catholics Bishops and distributed to both major-party
presidential candidates has received criticism from prominent Catholics
who say most of the questions take the Democratic side of non-binding
policy issues such as immigration and gun control. Bill Ryan, spokesman
for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops acknowledged that Catholics are
not bound by many of the policies promoted in the questionnaire. "No. On
issues like that people can take different stances," he told Culture and
Cosmos.

The questionnaire contains 41 questions asking the candidates to answer
"support" or "oppose" to statements on issues as divergent as child-safety
gun locks and the redistribution of farm subsidies. A copy of the
questionnaire obtained by Culture & Cosmos reveals that the topic
receiving the most attention is immigration and refugees, which garnered
seven queries. Abortion and school choice were each given three questions.
Receiving two questions each are capital punishment, gun control,
agriculture and rural development, economic help for low income families,
housing, federal education programs, and marriage. Fourteen other topics
received one question each including health care, decreasing nuclear
weapons, cloning, physician assisted suicide, and embryonic stem cell
research.

Patrick F. Fagan, a research fellow on cultural and family issues at
the Heritage Foundation, says that many of the questions involve policies
over which Catholics may properly disagree, but that this official
questionnaire gives the impression that these are the only acceptable
Catholic positions. "On immigration, on housing, on welfare, there are
many ways to skin these cats. These are all very valid areas of real
differences on what is the prudent way to achieve the good." Fagan says
Catholic social teaching provides the principles, but that laymen are
permitted a wide berth in choosing between "practical applications."

What's more, many of the questions take what are traditionally
associated with policy positions of the Democratic Party. Robert Royal,
president of the Faith and Reason Institute, said that many of the
questions, such as those calling for more gun control and public funding
of health care, are written in such a way as to endorse the Democratic
Party approach. He says this gives the appearance of bias and therefore
undermines the usefulness of the questionnaire. Royal said, "Even if it is
not intended to be biased, it gives the impression of bias. Some Catholics
may just reject the whole thing out of hand."

Frank Monahan, director of the Office of Government Liaison at the
USCCB, told Culture and Cosmos that the questionnaire "reflects the
Bishops' public policy agenda."

What may be a less confusing and more useful voter guide has been
issued by the group Catholic Answers. Their guide leaves out prudential
issues, like gun control and the minimum wage, focusing instead on what
they call the "five non-negotiable issues" of abortion, euthanasia, fetal
stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual marriage.

Copyright, 2004 --- Culture of Life Foundation.
Permission granted for unlimited use. Credit required.

Culture of Life Foundation
1413 K Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington DC 20005
Phone: (202) 289-2500 Fax: (202) 289-2502
E-mail: clf@culture-of-life.org
Website: http://www.culture-of-life.org

Bishop Sheridan to meet all comers in marriage debate

Bishop Michael J. Sheridan's August column decrying same-sex unions did more than sound a warning note. After sketching the Catholic Chrch's teaching about marriage, the Colorado Springs prelate extended an open invitation to a series of in-depth explanations on the issue. The issue is certainly crucial to the bishop's vision of Church and society, as he refuses to delegate the sessions to co-workers. All are welcome to attend Bishop Sheridan's talks at four locations throughout the diocese over the course of the next three months.

More info.

U.S. Bishop Carlson: Faith Compels Catholics to Make Abortion Prime Vote Consideration

Released today is a statement by Bishop Robert J. Carlson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota which explains clearly the moral obligations of Catholics in voting for political candidates. The bishop refutes those who suggest that a politician's stand on abortion is only one consideration among many when deciding for whom to cast your vote.

"There is a faulty thinking today that all life issues are equal or the same. Even some priests and religious and a few politicians try to promote this," writes Bishop Carlson. He stresses that, "teaching of the church, which corresponds with reality and the natural law, is that all life issues are not equal or the same. In fact, there is one which is primary, life itself. It is so basic and foundational that if it is not upheld, all other issues and rights are meaningless. Opposition to abortion binds every Catholic under pain of mortal sin and admits of no exceptions."

Article here.

Kerry Renews Calls for Tax-Funded Embryonic Stem Cell Research

I heard Kerry's address on the radio on Saturday morning after having attended Mass and a catechetical lesson on the subject at the cathedral.

Over the weekend, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry renewed his call for taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research that observers say hasn't been effective and doesn't hold the potential to cure the kinds of diseases some advocates believe.

What a juxtaposition - from being at the cathedral, immersed in the truth and stepping outside where the airwaves were permeated with the poisonous air of Kerry's lies and deceit. As distasteful as it may seem at times, we should pray for his conversion and the for the conversion of others like him.

Link.

Keyes Rips Obama's Views on Abortion

A day after jumping into the Illinois Senate race, two-time presidential hopeful Alan Keyes ripped into Democratic rival Barack Obama, saying his views on abortion are "the slaveholder's position."

The conservative former diplomat said Obama's vote against a bill that would have outlawed a form of late-term abortion denied unborn children of their equal rights.

Obama said he voted against the late-term abortion ban as a state senator because it contained no exception to protect the life of the mother.

For a man who is so educated, one would think he would understand that there is never any medical reason to kill the baby to protect the life of the mother. But then, the facts are irrelevant when one is opposed to life.

Article.

"New guy" Burke tackles sticky issues in fight over church

FEW ISSUES AROUSE passion like politics, religion and ethnic heritage.

That's why the controversy surrounding the Archdiocese of St. Louis and a local church is a no-win situation.

Bernard Huger, legal counsel for the archdiocese, told me all Catholic churches will eventually be brought under a unified corporate structure. Funds from each church will be placed in a charitable trust earmarked for individual churches. The archdiocese will appoint the board, and committees made up of parishioners will oversee church operations.

Article here.

Update on ICD's "Mini-Mission with Brendan Case"

*** UPDATED ***

This post has been temporarily moved to review it to determine if anything previously written is in error. However, if anything is determined to be false or in error, it will be corrected with appropriate apologies.

I apologize for any inconvenience.

*** Updated again ***

Emails are being exchanged in which we are discussing the issues and concerns. I notice several accesses to this page, but as I said above, I believe that our dialogue will clear up any misunderstandings.

As I mentioned to Brendan recently, "I have no doubt that you are a faithful and loyal Catholic. This is quite obvious by your strong advocacy of praying before and promoting devotion to the Blessed Sacrament!"

U.S.Rep David Obey accuses Archbishop Burke of political coercion

U.S. Rep. David Obey says he won’t let Roman Catholic Archbishop Raymond Burke "coerce" him into imposing the church’s abortion philosophies on all of America.

In his first detailed public response to Burke, Obey writes an article titled "My Conscience, My Vote" in the Aug. 16-23 issue of America, a widely read weekly Jesuit magazine. Burke is now archbishop of St. Louis; he was formerly the bishop of the La Crosse, Wis., diocese.

"In my view, Bishop Burke attempted to use his interpretations of theology to coerce me into taking specific positions on matters that I believe are matters of constitutional law," writes Obey, D-Wis. "The difference between us is that I am not trying to force him to agree with my judgments, but he is attempting to force me to agree with his. That in conscience I cannot do."

One must wonder if 'America' purposely sought or 'coerced' David Obey to write an article slamming Archbishop Burke or not...Being somewhat skeptical, I suspect that it (America), rather than using its pages to teach the fullness of the faith, seeks to balance that which is right with opposing opinions, thereby resulting in confusion in the minds of Catholics.

It is shameful that America gives a voice to those who propose to justify stances on the abortion issue that are opposed to the teachings of the Church.

Article here.

Alan Keyes: "[T]he victory is for God."

Keyes Steps Into Illinois Senate Race

Alan Keyes, a two-time presidential candidate who lives in Maryland, announced Sunday that he would accept the Illinois Republican Party's nomination and run for the U.S. Senate.


With less than three months before the election, Keyes acknowledged it would be difficult to beat Barack Obama, 43, the state senator whose speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston gained him national prominence. This is the first U.S. Senate race in history where both candidates from the two major parties are African American, assuring that the Senate will seat its fifth black member ever.


"We do face an uphill battle, there's no doubt," said Keyes, 54, who promotes a Christian philosophy. He accepted the nomination Sunday at a rally in this Chicago suburb.

Article here.

An article on Cardinal Ratzinger

In a 1995 interview, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Catholic Church's doctrinal czar, was asked to describe what Pope John Paul II meant when he said the third millennium would be a "springtime of the human spirit." Ratzinger sketched the pope's hopeful vision that, after two millenniums of division, the third millennium would be one of unity among peoples and religions, in which the entire human family would come together to build God's kingdom.

Then Ratzinger added dryly: "At the moment, I do not yet see it approaching."

Link.

Tug of war over church draws hundreds to prayer service

"We just want our tradition to be here."

"It is strictly, strictly, money and power," said Ben Krauze, 64, of St. Louis, a church member for more than 50 years. "It's religious extortion."

Quite a charge from Mr. Krauze...

"We're not backing down," Baras said. Burke "may be the shepherd, but that's not the way to run the flock."

"I know that we won't give up this church," [Grzegorz Koltuniak] said in an interview. "This is my heritage."

Article here.