Archbishop Burke says he would refuse Communion to Sen. Kerry
Now, why don't others follow Archbishop Burke's lead?

If Sen. John Kerry were to stand in Archbishop Raymond L. Burke's Communion line Sunday, Burke would bless him without giving him Communion.

- posted by LRS @ 7:08 PM   

 
Americans United for Life has issued State Report Cards
The 2004 State Report Cards illustrate the effectiveness of state pro-life laws--and how the lack of such laws endangers women and children. In addition, the AUL 2004 State Report Cards show that the U.S. Congress follows--rather than leads--the states in enacting laws to protect unborn and newly born children.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Americans United for Life is a nonprofit bioethics law firm changing law to protect human life, state by state.

For the past 30 years, Americans United for Life (AUL), in strategic partnerships with other organizations, has led the way to restore respect for the sanctity of human life in American law and culture. AUL defends human life in the courts, in state legislatures, in Congress, and through public education.
-----------------------------------------------------------

- posted by LRS @ 12:33 PM   

 
Tales of Catechetical Horrors
From Mark Shea's blog, I saw this and, while no longer surprised, was still quite saddened. Every time I hear of stories of this nature, I lament the fact that far too many 'catechists' are allowed to 'teach' error.

Some of the details and teachings of the Church coming from the mouth of an RCIA director:

* Salvation is a matter of cooperating with God's grace. Since no one could probably ever fully reject God's grace, everyone in the world is saved and no one is going to hell.

* Annulments are easy to get. The Church's teachings on divorce are out of date, and should be seen only in their "historical context." The Church simply uses annulments to get around the older, out of date teachings.

* If you find that any of the Church's moral teachings don't "draw you closer to God" you are free to reject them and do whatever feels right to you. A gay man who disagreed with the Church's teachings is free to reject them and live his life as he chooses.

* Gay marriage is "just around the corner." The Church's teachings about marriage are bogged down by out of date medieval philosophy which will soon change to accept gay marriage.

* If you've committed a "mortal sin" but personally don't believe it was wrong, you don't have to confess it.

I'm eager to see when Archbishop Burke begins his 'catechetical requirements' for the St. Louis Archdiocese. It will be a good thing and a good start to passing on the faith, faithfully!
- posted by LRS @ 7:00 AM   

 
Kerry discusses abortion position & Archbishop Burke
POLITICAL CIRCUIT
01/30/2004
ST. LOUIS

Kerry discusses abortion position

Sen. John Kerry, a Catholic from Massachusetts, made his first visit here just two days after St. Louis installed new Archbishop Raymond Burke. Burke came from Wisconsin, where he recently decreed that the state's lawmakers who supported abortion rights or euthanasia couldn't receive Communion until they "publicly renounce" such views.

In an interview with several local reporters, including the Post-Dispatch, Kerry was asked about his opinion of Burke's comments. What follows is the full transcript of Kerry's response:

"Well, as a Catholic, we've long had a discussion in the church about that issue. And obviously I have enormous respect for any, any prelate in the church structure and I'm somebody who cares about that enormously. I was an altar boy and I've grown up in that ethic.

What ethic is this? Support for the murder of innocent babies?

"But, and here's the but: What I've learned is that the separation of church and state in America is a critical component of who we are as a nation. President Kennedy took that on in Houston in 1960 and made it clear that there is a separation and we have to honor it.

What separation? Where do you get this opinion?

Do you really not understand that every man-made law is a consequence or result of the natural law?

St. Thomas Aquinas taught “Every law made by man can be called a law insofar as it derives from the natural law. But if it is somehow opposed to the natural law, then it is not really a law but rather a corruption of the law.”

Is this not the reason that government outlaws robbery, murder, rape and other criminal behavior? These crimes violate the moral law that is founded on our human nature. How long must we wait until you reject ALL of the moral law?

"What I believe personally as a Catholic as an article of faith is an article of faith. And if it's not shared by a Jew or an Episcopalian or a Muslim or an agnostic or an atheist or someone else, it's not appropriate in the United States for a legislator to legislate your personal religious belief for the rest of the country. Now that's the oath you take when you swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Your understanding of your faith and the articles of faith is severely lacking. Hopefully, Archbishop O'Malley will provide some special catechetical lessons for you.

Nevertheless, does the Constitution no longer require that you do all you can to uphold the common good?

The Holy Father states,“Disregard for the right to life, precisely because it leads to the killing of the person whom society exists to serve, is what most directly conflicts with the possibility of achieving the common good.” (Evangelium Vitae, no. 72).

John Paul II also warns us, “It must be observed in this regard that if there is no ultimate truth to guide and direct political activity, then ideas and convictions can easily be manipulated for reasons of power. As history demonstrates, a democracy without values easily turns into open or thinly disguised totalitarianism” (Centesimus Annus, No. 46).

"So I respectfully, disagree (with the archbishop) and I have to do what I think is important with respect to the Constitution, my obligation as a legislator, and that's what I do."

That's certainly your prerogative, however, by supporting abortion you have effectively abandoned Christ and His Church, and accordingly, the Church has an obligation to impose penalties or interdicts on you as a Catholic to mitigate the scandal you cause among the faithful. This may and should be reflected in your ability to receive the Sacraments.

We must continue to pray for John Kerry and others who view abortion as a perfectly legitimate 'right'. We must continue to pray, fast and do penance for the conversion of their hearts. And may our Blessed Mother intercede for us!

- posted by LRS @ 6:52 AM   

 
Another Defense of Archbishop Burke
Robert P. George & Gerard V. Bradley have penned an excellent defense of the actions our good Archbishop took while leading the flock in LaCrosse. The action Archbishop Burke took was the only action he could take given the circumstances. He did his duty as chief shepherd of the diocese.

The bishop said that he acted for two reasons. One was to warn Catholic legislators that their unjust acts were spiritually harmful to them — "a grave sin." The other was to prevent "scandal": that is, weakening the faith and moral resolution of others by one's bad example. Having made every effort to persuade pro-abortion Catholic legislators to fulfill their obligations in justice to the unborn, Bishop Burke articulated the obvious: Any Catholic who exercises political power to expose a disfavored class of human beings to unjust killing sets himself against the very faith he claims to share. The Church cannot permit such a person to pretend to share in the faith he publicly defies. By receiving communion — the sacrament of unity — pro-abortion Catholics are pretending exactly that. The bishop has called a halt to the pretense.

I would certainly like to know if Dr. Hippler has written or is planning to write anything about this yet.


- posted by LRS @ 6:45 AM   

 
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” (Mt 18:5)
This is the theme of the Holy Father's Lenten message this year. 'This year’s theme invites us to reflect on the condition of children.'

“To become” one of the least and “to receive” the little ones: these are two aspects of a single teaching which the Lord repeats to his disciples in our time. Only the one who makes himself one of the “least” is able to receive with love the “least” of our brothers and sisters.

Here I would mention those parents who willingly take on the responsibility of a large family, mothers and fathers who, rather than considering success in their profession and career as the highest value, make every effort to pass on to their children those human and religious values that give true meaning to life.

With great admiration I also think of all those committed to caring for underprivileged children and those who alleviate the sufferings of children and their families resulting from war and violence, inadequate food and water, forced immigration and the many forms of injustice present in the world.

Together with such great generosity, however, a word must be said about the selfishness of those who do not “receive” children....What evil have these children done to merit such suffering? From a human standpoint it is not easy, indeed it may be be impossible, to answer this disturbing question. Only faith can make us begin to understand so profound an abyss of suffering.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, let us set out with trust on our Lenten journey, sustained by fervent prayer, penance and concern for those in need. In particular, may this Lent be a time of ever greater concern for the needs of children, in our own families and in society as a whole: for they are the future of humanity.

[Full text]

- posted by LRS @ 6:32 AM   

 
Archbishop Burke's Recommended Reading List...
For Marian Catechist Continuing Education. This list is taken from the Marian Catechist site here.

Archbishop Burke also requests daily Act of Reparation ( as on pg.165, Fr. Hardon Prayer Book or pg. 233 of the large print edition) and a weekly day of fast and abstinence - in reparation for sins committed against the Holy Eucharist.

Web sites suggested: The Real Presence Association, Second Exodus.

I am quickly coming to understand and comprehend with greater clarity those things of which he spoke in his homily, particularly now after reading his writings and of his leadership in the Marian Catechist apostulate.
- posted by LRS @ 6:27 AM   

 
Archbishop Burke is looking for a few good men and women
Please read this article from Archbishop Burke on the Marian Catechists page. He says, in part:

To the best of my knowledge, there are three members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. I am confident that there will be many good and devout Catholics in the Archdiocese who, after learning about the Marian Catechist Apostolate, will want to receive the spiritual and doctrinal formation so sagely developed by Father Hardon and become Marian Catechists. With time and with the help of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I hope to recruit a solid corps of Marian Catechists in Saint Louis.

As you may know, Archbishop Burke was asked by Fr. John Hardon, of blessed memory, to continue this important work of catechesis before he died.

Perhaps there are some who would like to become involved in this important apostulate. Take a good look at the Marian Catechists page. Surely the St. Louis area can supply more than three people in the Marian Catechists movement? After reading about this apostulate, I believe now is the time for good men and women to come to the aid of the Church and enlist. What a wonderful blessing we have been given!
- posted by LRS @ 11:24 PM   

 
Upcoming Events Page Added
I have added an "Upcoming Events Page" for lectures, seminars, retreats, etc., so that it might be easier to review.

The link is on this page to the right..
- posted by LRS @ 7:31 AM   

 
Update on Dan Maguire, Archbishop Burke Detractor
I was recently advised that Dan Maguire has a website. He has been most vocal in his denunciations of Archbishop Burke's position regarding Catholics and the necessity of being Pro-Life.

What is verifiable is this from his own web site "The Religious Consultation":

Daniel C. Maguire is a Professor of Moral Theological Ethics at Marquette University, a Catholic, Jesuit Institution and President of the Religious Consultation on Population, Reproductive Health and Ethics. Dr. Maguire has a degree in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, one of the world’s major Catholic universities. He is the author of Sacred Choices: The Right to Contraception and Abortion in Ten World Religions, Fortress Press, 2001.

Dr. Maguire has written over 150 articles printed in publications such as The New York Times, Atlantic, USA Today, The Crisis: Journal of the NAACP, etc. The articles include "Different but Equal: A Moral Assessment of the Woman's Liberation", "The Psychotherapist as Moralist", "The Freedom to Die", "Sex and Ethical Methodology", "The New Look of Death" and "Affirmative Action at Bay".

Of his many honors, he was listed by Ms. Magazine as one of the "40 male heroes of the past decade, men who took chances and made a difference", 1982. His book, The Moral Choice, won "Best Scholarly Book of the Year, 1978. The University of Notre Dame named Maguire one of the ten best teachers, 1983-1984.

His published books include: Moral Absolutes and the Magisterium, 1970; The Moral Choice, 1975; A New American Justice: Ending the White Male Monopolies, 1980; The New Subversives: Anti-Americanism of the Religious Right, 1982; The Moral Revolution, 1986; On Moral Grounds: The Art/Science of Ethics, 1991; The Moral Core of Judaism and Christianity, 1993; Sacred Energies, 2000; What Men Owe Women, 2000; Sacred Choices, 2001; and Sacred Rights, 2003.

If you review this website, you may wonder how he could possibly call himself Catholic or how he could possibly be allowed to teach at a Catholic University - If, in fact, one could call Marquette a Catholic institution. I can now see why he would display such vitriol when he is questioned about Abp. Burke - he does the same when he speaks about the Holy Father. His constant ranting is about the Church's obsession with sex...but it seems to me that Mr. Maguire has that obsession. I regret that I prematurely suggested that he should, perhaps, stay within his field of expertise - moral theology. I was, indeed, incorrect. I should have said "immoral theology".

It is truly sad to see these people self-destruct by rejecting Christ and choosing to follow Satan, instead. Pray for him, he appears to be in desperate need of God's grace and mercy.
- posted by LRS @ 7:30 AM   

 
Process considers population trends, number of priests
Because of the lack of vocations to the priesthood, Abp. Burke has been handed the problem of consolidation of parishes. As he has stated numerous times before, addressing vocations is a primary goal of his.

I am certain he will also look at the issue of fidelity to the Churches teachings as part of the problem as well as the rampant "cafeteria" style Catholicism that exists not only in our archdiocese but across the US.

Some have suggested a return to 'male only' altar servers to help heighten the ability to discern a call to the priesthood. That, coupled with renewed profound reverence to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, would certainly seem to be a step in the right direction. Although some might think this is too 'regressive', I might add that I have seen few, if any vocations, coming from parishes which should be producing them. For instance, I am in a parish which has nearly 3500 families, yet there are no men (of which I'm aware) from our parish enrolled in the seminary. But then right down the street, so to speak, a parish of about 200-300 families has at least one seminarian and has had more.

In trying to look at this objectively, I see a marked diference between the two parishes:
The large parish engages in various sorts of liturgical innovation, including but not limited to: liturgical dance, gender neutering of the prayers and readings at Holy Mass, and other abuses specifically prohibited by the Holy See, etc. Plus, rarely do I see altar boys - it's almost always altar girls. Yet, the smaller parish is just the opposite. Coincidence? I think not.
- posted by LRS @ 6:00 AM   

 
Is 'Catholic', 'No-Litmus Test for Judges' John Kerry requesting excommunication?
My oldest son recently moved to Boston. I pray for him daily because he has entered that land where many minefields of "confusion" are waiting for unsuspecting, gullible, or inadequately catechized souls to cross.

As reported here, Kerry says "he alone hasn't 'played games' on abortion"

"I'm the only candidate running for president who hasn't played games, fudged around," said Kerry, a Massachusetts senator. "If you believe that choice is a constitutional right, and I do, and if you believe that Roe v. Wade is the embodiment of that right ... I will not appoint a justice to the Supreme Court of the United States who will undo that right."

It looks like Kerry is trying to make Archbishop O'Malley's job easier!
- posted by LRS @ 7:15 AM   

 
THE DOCTRINE IS OUT
And then there is this bit of news from Boston College...

One of the few conservative theologians at Boston College, the Rev. Matthew Lamb, is leaving town for two years, in part because he's fed up with the way his more liberal colleagues diverge from Vatican teachings. "The theology department at Boston College is increasingly unable, in my judgment, to provide the kind of serious formation in Catholic intellectual and theological traditions that is essential," Lamb said in an interview. (He has also written that theological dissent contributed to the clergy abuse scandal.)

Who would have thought it? I still wonder how other faithful Catholics, such as Peter Kreeft, are able to survive at such a fine 'Catholic' institute of higher learning. The good news is that Fr. Lamb is going to help to help establish graduate programs at Ave Maria in Naples, FL.

Boston College spokesman Jack Dunn defended BC's standing: Its theologians are regularly consulted by US bishops, he said, and include six past presidents of the Catholic Theological Society of America. The department "stands among the nation's best and is a constructive participant in the intellectual life of the church," Dunn said.

BC's theologians are regularly consulted by US Bishops? Which ones? Why? About what?

And, of course, it is a 'constructive' participant in the intellectual " life " death of the Church (in America). Most assuredly, I would hesitate to send my children to such a breeding ground of 'intellectual life'!

And don't forget to get your tickets to the V-Monologues.
For letters of disapproval or tickets, you might contact:

Boston College (MA)
Rev. William Leahy, S.J., President
18 Old Colony Rd., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Phone: (502) 452-8000
E-Mail: William.leahy.1@bc.edu

- posted by LRS @ 6:45 AM   

 
John Paul II Hails "Inestimable Value" of Priestly Celibacy
John Paul II considers priestly celibacy of "inestimable value," and appealed for the support that priests need to show that Christ gives full meaning to their lives.

For these reasons, the Holy Father invited priests "to be vigilant in the face of the seductions of the world and to make an examination of conscience regularly to live ever more profoundly fidelity to their commitment."

"Every attitude that goes against this teaching constitutes an anti-testimony for the Christian community and for all men," he said.

Full Article
- posted by LRS @ 6:45 AM   

 
Cardinal who says what he thinks about homosexuality to be sued
Rights group sues cardinal over gay 'pervert' commentsJanuary 26 2004

BRUSSELS – One of Belgium's leading civil rights groups has announced it intends to sue Belgian cardinal Gustaaf Joos for violating the country's anti-discrimination laws.

Joos said in a recent magazine interview that he believed that 90-95 percent of gay people were “sexual perverts” and that the remainder needed help.

The Centre for Equal Opportunities and the Fight Against Racism (CEOFAR), which receives government funding, said that it had decided to sue the cardinal because it found his views “unacceptable”.

The organisation argued that in its opinion, such statements were illegal in Belgium, which has tough anti-discrimination laws.

CEOFAR added that it was suing Joos alone, not the Roman Catholic church.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

They found his views "unacceptable"... ? I suppose that indicates what they might also think of our Lord and His message of repentance, conversion, and salvation.


- posted by LRS @ 6:05 AM   

 
Archbishop Burke becomes 8th Archbishop of St. Louis
I was able to watch the Installation Mass last night on EWTN. I only wish that I could have been there.
I sense that this man is very humble. I hope his homily can be found online somewhere - it was truly wonderful. He mentioned devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus a few times which were words one seldoms hears today in many parishes.

In his half-hour homily, Burke urged Catholics to place an image of Jesus with his exposed heart in their homes and their workplaces, and to attend daily Mass and make frequent visits to the Eucharist in area parishes.

The Post-Dispatch article is a decent write-up and can be read here. I will look later to see if I can find the Archbishop's homily which kept me riveted to the TV.

May our Lord generously bless Archbishop Burke with abundant graces.
- posted by LRS @ 5:30 AM   

 
Dan Maguire predicts Bp. Burke "won't make it!"
At least, that is what is printed in yesterday's LaCrosse Tribune article which quoted the eminent Dan Maguire, professor of moral theology at Marquette University in Milwaukee.

The illustrious professor goes on to say:
"He won't succeed. He's clearly an extremist."

And then proceeds with this insight: "You can gauge that by how many bishops follow him."

And yet there is still more: "It's perfectly legitimate to speak, but to use bully tactics by denying sacraments is a form of dictatorship."

And finally, Maguire said Burke is embarking on a dangerous revival of medieval thinking that church hierarchy should control both the church and state.

I would suggest that Mr. Maguire stick to moral theology since his understanding of a bishop's primarty duty is flawed, but then again I'm afraid that that might be questionable as well. I suppose I should make that suggestion only if he has requested and received a mandatum to teach theology. If not, may we safely assume that he is hesitant to teach what the Church teaches in this regard?

The LaCrosse Tribune should be ashamed that it appears to seek opinions from frustrated theologians whose time has come and gone. Many of us would like to hear from the "faithful" in Bishop Burke's diocese rather than from malcontents like Maguire. But such is the way of much of the media today, and to them we must not look, especially if we want facts and truth.

And then we have Ron Modras, who is a professor of theological studies at Saint Louis University. He says area Catholics should not prejudge Burke. But the next sentence seems to contradict his advice of not judging...unless he does not include himself in that admonition.

"That said, he comes with a reputation of not being middle of the road or concerned about unity and bridge building," Modras said. "He's identified with the radical right of the Catholic Church, not going with the rest of the bishops."

Bishop Burke is WHAT...radical right? What is the propensity for casting the Church as a political organization of left, right, and middle? How about orthodox & heterodox - faithful & unfaithful?

He (Modras) just hopes that doesn't alienate some Catholics.
Modras said sometimes bishops look the other way for the sake of the greater good.

Oh, and what is the greater good, pray tell - that scandal is allowed to infect the entire Church?

"We have a very divided church," he said. "Are we going to drive people out and make it more polarized?"

Dissenters have had so much time to poison the Church, yet they forget Christ's words that He will protect it always. The Church is divided precisely because these dissenters do not have the courage to leave and because far too many priests and bishops do nothing except confirm people in their sins.

We in St. Louis may once again breathe the wonderful air of orthodoxy and truth now that we have an Archbishop who is NOT afraid to stand up to evil.


- posted by LRS @ 7:15 AM   

 
SLU to host "V-Monologues" again this year!
‘Monologues’ Planned at 41 Catholic Colleges
(Last Update: 1/19/04)

Cardinal Newman Society has launched its annual protest of the “Vagina Monologues,” a vulgar play that is reportedly planned for 41 Catholic campuses beginning in February 2004.

I sent Fr. Biondi a letter last year protesting this display of vulgarity. It seems that more people will need to send letters this year. For the record, Fr. Biondi chose not to respond but left it to Fr. Mike May who wrote this to me last year:

President Biondi has asked me to respond to your e-mail concerning performances of "The Vagina Monologues" at Saint Louis University.

Since I was the one who gave permission for the play to be put on, it is appropriate that I explain my reasons for allowing it on campus.

The most compelling reason for allowing the play is because of the phenomenon that helped turn the play into a movement. Here as elsewhere, seeing the play caused victims of violence and abuse to come forward and share their stories, allowing a healing process to begin for them. It also helped the students involved in the play -to see that the sin and evil of abuse and violence is not just a problem somewhere else. It affects people whose names and faces they know. For the students in the play, the experience personalized the need to work for justice, to nurture and value each individual.

The second reason for allowing the play on campus is more pragmatic. Even given such a noble cause, the play is still problematic. At schools where the play has been banned, it has typically been produced just off campus, by the same students who wanted to produce it on campus. Since the play is then off campus, the school no longer has standing to attach conditions to its production. I judged that it would be better to allow the play and impose conditions.

The first set of conditions was placed on the student group and affected the use of the play as a fund raiser. The student group had to vest itself by doing substantial volunteer work tied to social justice issues with regard violence against women. They work at the local Catholic Worker house that is a shelter for battered women and they baby sit for single mothers who are trying to obtain skills to better take care of their children. They do a number of other service projects as well. The author of the play insists that all money raised by producing the play go to charities aimed at ending violence against women. I insisted that the charities receiving money from the local production can only
go to causes that are consistent with the Catholic nature of the University. The main beneficiary this year is the local Catholic Worker house that has provided shelter for battered women since I worked there as a seminarian.

The second set of conditions was aimed at adding a context to the play. Students involved with the play were encouraged to bring their parents to a production and most of them did so. Each performance of the play was followed by a discussion, led by faculty members. The discussions looked at violence and abuse from a number of aspects, including clinical aspects of counseling abuse victims and the history of abuse legislation in this country. The discussions also looked at reasons why some people find the play quite objectionable. I was pleased to see that the student newspaper
had editorials both for and against the play. Both editorials were well written and cogent. The students involved in the play had clearly read the opposing editorial and were taking the issues it raised seriously. The faculty members involved in the discussions plan to bring up objections to the play in class, objections that apply not only to this play, but also to a lot of entertainment that our society produces.

Besides the context created by adding discussions to the play, we set the play within a week of activities aimed at ending violence against women. There was a panel reflection on local community based responses to violence against women. We also brought in a nationally acclaimed ethicist, Jean Elshtain, to give a presentation "Women and Violence: A Catholic Understanding of Human Rights." The intent of the context was to keep the focus on the issue of violence against women rather than on the play. It was also to show the students that there are other ways besides this play to raise awareness.

I understand that some will disagree with my prudential judgment on how to proceed on this matter. As an educator, my normal reaction to flawed attempts by students to do good is not to shut them down until they get everything right. Instead it is to tell them they must live up to the standards of the academy and stand and answer the objections of all who protest. I would welcome a less problematic method that would engage the students as deeply on the issue of ending the epidemic of violence against women in the world as this play does. I would also prefer a world where none of my students had been victims of violence and abuse and thus would not find a flawed play like this to a
vehicle that lets them open up and begin a healing process. Society needs to be transformed in accord with Gospel values.

Thank you for your concern. I also would appreciate your prayers as I try to guide the College as well as I can.

Mike May, S.J.
Interim Dean,
College of Arts and Sciences
Saint Louis University

Whatever happened to "One may never do evil so that good may result"?
- posted by LRS @ 6:03 AM   

 
I just love the Post's article implying what Bishop Burke should do....
such as this one:
Archdiocese has active, engaged laity.

Particularly interesting is that St. Cronan's was chosen as a parish to write about.

This growing shortage (of priests) comes as the Catholic population - like those in many other cities - has scattered farther from the city's ring suburbs, leaving large, historic churches with mostly elderly parishioners and half-empty grade schools.

The intersection of these two challenges can be an opportunity for grace and growth, said Jerry King, a member of St. Cronan Parish, with 300 households, in the city's Forest Park Southeast neighborhood.

"Why not use this problem as an opportunity to allow the movement of the Holy Spirit among the laity in the church," he said. "Small vigorous parishes may not need consolidation. There are many people in this archdiocese that have leadership, national leadership, in faith-based social justice organizations for more than 60 years in groups."

I find it incredulous that the Holy Spirit would lead 'Catholics' where some of these people seem to be headed. I suspect some other spirits are involved here. I say that only because this parish is such a hotbed of ideas as they themselves have said in their own publications.

"What the archdiocese needs at this moment is a shepherd who will listen to the clergy and laity and take advice," said the Rev. William Barnaby Faherty, archdiocesan historian and author. "We need a man with the warm pastoral ways of the first Bishop Joseph Rosati and Archbishop May."

We need a shepherd who will "take advice" from the clergy and laity? Excuse my skepticism, but first I believe that the advice proferred should be sound and in conformity with truth, as I'm sure Fr. Faherty would agree. (I'm not certain he was quoted fully, either, as his remarks seem to have been taken out of context for this article). I have heard about and read quite a bit of "advice" and more often than not, this 'advice' is barely worthy for use in a landfill. Besides this, a thorough reading of the Apostolic Exhortation, Pastores Gregis, will describe what qualities a bishop should have.

Actually, however, I think we are getting a good, faithful shepherd who will promote authentic truth, Catholic catechesis, devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and so forth, and from this, everything else will follow.
- posted by LRS @ 5:28 AM   

 
St Louis receives Archbishop Raymond Burke today!
St. Louis gets archbishop with high national profile
By Ron Harris
Post-Dispatch

Burke, however, may find implementing the kinds of policies he did in La Crosse more difficult here in St. Louis, some say. Greeley points out that most priests Burke's age are much more liberal than he is, and it is those priests who dominate the St. Louis diocese.

"That would be a problem in St. Louis," Greeley said. "Priests have become independent minded and contentious, particularly of that generation. A new bishop can no longer assume that the priests will all rally around and support all the things he does. Rather, he will face an attitude of 'Show Me.' You have to earn your leadership."

That's right! Many of them have become independent minded and contentious "protestants"! What is this "You have to earn your leadership" garbage? What has happened to the the virtues, to their vows, to their faith?

Hopefully, Archbishop Burke can remedy that situation.
- posted by LRS @ 5:16 AM   

 
Homily by Father Roger Landry of the Fall River Diocese
Same-Sex Marriage and the Wedding at Cana
A Homily on Defending God's Plan for Matrimony

HYANNIS, Massachusetts, JAN. 25, 2004 (Zenit.org).- To put the debate over same-sex "marriage" in pastoral perspective, ZENIT is publishing a long excerpt from a homily delivered Jan. 18, the Second Sunday in Ordinary time, by Father Roger Landry of the Fall River Diocese.


- posted by LRS @ 5:15 AM   

 
Interview With Archbishop Dolan...
Dolan lauds result of bishop's actions against lawmakers
From the Journal Sentinel

Archbishop Dolan needs our prayers as he continues to try to bring the Catholic faith back to the diocese of Milwaukee.
- posted by LRS @ 5:02 AM   

 
Installation Mass of Archbishop Burke
EWTN will broadcast the installation Mass of the Most Reverend Raymond Burke as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, MO. Bishop Burke recently made national news for his decision to ban pro-abortion Catholic lawmakers from receiving Communion.

Monday January 26 at 2pm Central - LIVE
Monday January 26 at 11pm Central - Encore
----------------------------------------------

This will be nice for those of us unable to take off from work...
- posted by LRS @ 7:27 AM   

 
Mel Gibson - New exclusive 2nd interview - "The Passion of the Christ"
Tonight at 7:00 Central on EWTN



From EWTN:

In the interview, Gibson breaks his silence, speaking for the first time about charges that his film, The Passion of the Christ is anti-Semitic. He talks about his bold vision for the project and his motivation for making the film. Gibson tells Arroyo, “It reflects my beliefs-I’ve never done that before.”

He also candidly comments on the controversy surrounding the movie, his resistance to altering the film, and his personal commitment to press forward: “I don’t know if I will ever work again. I’ve said that this is a career killer and it could well be, but that doesn’t matter because I don’t care,” Gibson says in the interview.

Based on biblical accounts, the movie, "The Passion of the Christ," depicts the last 12 hours of Christ’s life on earth and will be released in the U.S. on Ash Wednesday, February 25th.

EWTNews Director, Raymond Arroyo was on set, in Italy during the filming of “The Passion of the Christ” last year, and is the only broadcast journalist to conduct an extended interview with Mel Gibson about the project.

- posted by LRS @ 7:25 AM   

 
Cleveland priest arrested for growing marijuana
As if Bishop Pilla does not have enough problems, along comes this 'indiscretion' at Prince of Peace Catholic Church:
Police arrest priest in Norton drug raid
Pastor charged with cultivating marijuana at rectory. Second man accused of trafficking; 35 plants seized

And another story on this here.

I wonder if Fr. Arko will be able to make this 14th Annual Retreat in Faith and Light on May 2-4, 2003?

And then, there's the Yoga stuff...Someone found this gem at "Visions of the Nile". The "gardening" priest is praised near the bottom of the page. From the website:

Her major influences for teaching and practicing Yoga began with her first teacher certification with Jan Hauenstein, CYT with Try for Life Yoga School. Her steadfast and by far the most enriching and education teaching experience has been with Yoga Fr. Rick Arko from Sacred Ground Yoga. Susan has been with Fr. for six years and feels "there's no better feeling when you finally find your teacher/Guru." Through Fr. Rick's introduction, Susan was led to the teachings of Yoga Amrit Desai which she is currently studying and practicing Yogi Desai's teaching for future certifications in Yoga Teacher Training and Yoga Nidra program. "My intention for the future of Yoga is to bring these ancient and healing teaching to anyone who is interested in enjoying a healthier, happier life."

And who is this unemployed 24 year old who is living at the rectory who was also charged?
Pray, pray, and pray some more!

- posted by LRS @ 7:15 AM   

 
Archbishop O'Malley Sees Dual Threat in Today's Culture
If only more people would listen:

Truth and freedom are threatened in "our very hostile culture today".

The archbishop made this point in a speech he delivered to about 500 faithful at the Communion and Liberation national conference here Monday.
He told his audience that without truth, there can be no freedom, and without freedom, there can be no love.

"Perhaps the idolatry of freedom has led to the belief that we can choose our own truth because the truth as absolute is rejected as too confining, too demanding of the autonomous self," he said. "But the traditional Catholic approach is faith seeking understanding."

Full story here.
- posted by LRS @ 6:40 AM   

 
Fr Benedict Groeschel Update
The latest update is here.
- posted by LRS @ 6:32 AM   

 
Madison bishop backs La Crosse bishop on church law
Bishop Robert Morlino of the Madison Catholic Diocese said Thursday he is in "complete agreement" with La Crosse Bishop Raymond Burke's position on politicians who support abortion and euthanasia.
- posted by LRS @ 6:15 AM   

 
ADL & Mel Gibson's "The Passion"
The Anti-Defamation League has issued another press release on "The Passion". Same old stuff. Sounds like a 'complex' or something. Having not seen a screening, I must rely on other trustworthy individuals to give a balanced, objective review - which all seem to contradict the ADL....Hmmmm?
- posted by LRS @ 6:00 AM   

 
A Cardinal who says what he thinks...
It does not seem that there are many Cardinals or Bishops who say things the way they see it.

"I am willing to write in my own blood that of all those who call themselves lesbian or gay, a maximum of five to 10 percent are effectively lesbian or gay," Cardinal Gustaaf Joos, 80, told the Belgian weekly P-Magazine.

"All the rest are just sexual perverts," Joos added.

"I demand you write that down," said Joos, who was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul late last year. "I don't care if they all come protesting at my door. I won't open the door."

- posted by LRS @ 6:33 PM   

 
Slavery and Abortion....A Comparison
This was sent to me a couple of days ago and as we pray today that the infamous abortion ruling be overturned sooner, rather than later, I will pass it on to you.

Spoken by someone already free, spoken by someone already born....

SLAVERY - Although he may have a heart and a brain, and he may be human life biologically, a slave is not a legal person. The Dred Scott decision by the U.S. Supreme Court has made that clear.
ABORTION - Although he may have a heart and a brain, and he may be a human life biologically, an unborn baby is not a legal person. The Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court has made that clear.

SLAVERY - A black man only becomes a legal person when he is set free. Before that time, we should not concern ourselves about him. He has no legal rights.
ABORTION - A baby only becomes a legal person when he is born. Before that time, we should not concern ourselves about him. He has no legal rights.

SLAVERY - If you think slavery is wrong, then nobody is forcing you to be a slave-owner. But don't impose your morality on somebody else!
ABORTION - If you think abortion is wrong, then nobody is forcing you to have one. But don't impose your morality on somebody else!

SLAVERY - A man has a right to do what he wants with his own property.
ABORTION - A woman has a right to do what she wants with her own body.

SLAVERY - Isn't slavery really something merciful? After all, every black man has the right to be protected. Isn't it better never to be set free than to be sent unprepared, and ill-equipped, into a cruel world?
ABORTION - Isn't abortion really something merciful? After all, every baby has a right to be wanted. Isn't it better never to be born than to be sent alone and unloved into a cruel world?

1857 - Dred Scott decision
1973 - Roe v. Wade decision

- posted by LRS @ 7:30 AM   

 
EXCLUSIVE promo images for The Passion of the Christ
This link was just sent to me.

Have a look, great pictures.

I am eagerly awaiting the release of this epic film, "The Passion of the Christ"!
- posted by LRS @ 7:00 AM   

 
Russell Shaw to speak, April 27, St. Charles MO
The 2004 Dinner Banquet
of
The Serra Club of the St. Charles Deanery
presents

Russell Shaw
Washington DC Correspondent for 'Our Sunday Visitor'
And co-author of the new book

"Personal Vocation: God Calls Everyone by Name"
as Guest Speaker
at
The Columns Banquet Center
711 Veterans Memorial Pkwy
St. Charles, MO.

April 27, 2004 at 6:30pm

Our newly installed archbishop, the Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke has also been invited to speak to the St. Charles Laity on Personal Vocations. State Deputy of the Missouri Knights of Columbus to be honored guest.

Reservations Required. $25 per person. Tables of 10 $250
Proceeds for the Vocation work of the St. Charles Serra Club
For more information, call 636-561-7003


- posted by LRS @ 6:42 AM   

 
Pray....
MARCH FOR LIFE:
LIVE COVERAGE (6 hours)

EWTN brings you live and complete coverage of the most important pro-life event of the year. You'll be a part of it all, from interviews with participants from across the U.S. to panel discussions with pro-life speakers. Then follow the March for Life procession up Constitution Avenue and join the Rally for Life at the Washington Monument.

Airs January 22 at 11am ET (LIVE)
Airs January 22 at 10pm ET (ENCORE

Also see this: Four Cardinals, 40 Bishops, 300 Priests at Mass for March for Life

- posted by LRS @ 6:24 AM   

 
FutureChurch Backs Pilla on Scandal
For those unfamiliar with what's going on in Cleveland, some insist that news coming out of that diocese will be shocking and staggering as reported here. Far more than anything yet heard of.

And yet we have another article about Bishop Pilla called "The Bishop's Lawyer: A Test of Faith".

And in the confusion and apparent obfuscation in all of this we have FutureChurch coming to the aid of Bishop Pilla, primarily because it seems that they are fearful that if he happens to resign, the Diocese of Cleveland would be appointed a bishop not to their liking:

4. The last reason is admittedly self serving: Were Bishop Pilla to be forced out, we would be leaving ourselves open to a new bishop who would most likely be much more conservative and legalistic given the Bishop appointments that have been made in this papacy. The well-known litmus test for being appointed a bishop under John Paul II is that the person must be opposed to birth control, optional celibacy and women priests. I have this information directly from several bishops who are in positions to know. Bishop Pilla is one of the few remaining "pastoral" bishops who were appointed under Archbishop Jean Jadot. If he doesn't outlast the Pope we can expect to have our next Bishop be less open to lay participation in decision making than Bishop Pilla. It will be a given...and something we need to prepare for, IMHO. In any case, why rush things, I say?

This quote comes from Chris Schenk, Executive Director of FutureChurch. You can read all about it here.

For those who are unaware of this and other organizations, have a look here.
- posted by LRS @ 4:10 AM   

 
Signs of Contradiction in the 21st Century
By most external appearances one might suggest, as Nietzche did, that faith is dead. Only 35% of Catholics, we are told, believe in the Real Presence. 45% believe that abortion is acceptable. 50% do not attend Church regularly. 80% believe contraception is permissible. The secular media tells us that Catholicism is passé. Our pope is derided as “rigid".

Good article by Tim Drake at Catholic Exchange.
In This Article...
What is Worthy of Defending?
How Do We Defend the Church?
"...Realize That It Hated Me First"


- posted by LRS @ 6:16 AM   

 
Lenten Retreat - March 5 & 6
Credo of the Catholic Laity is presenting:

A Lenten Mini Retreat
__________________
Friday March 5, and Saturday March 6, 2004
at
The Historic Holy Family Old Log Church
Illinois Rt. #3 at Camp Jackson Rd.
Cahokia Illinois

Credo has arranged to have Msgr. Michael Schmitz, the American Superior of The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest to be our Retreat Master. Msgr Schmitz has given over eighty retreats to various groups over the years.. The Institute’s headquarters is located in Wausau Wisconsin in the Diocese of La Cross. This was the diocese of our new St. Louis Archbishop Raymond L. Burke.

Msgr Schmitz will be celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass with permission of Bishop Wilton Gregory Bishop of Belleville.

We expect to have a Latin High Mass on Saturday with the choir singing Gregorian Chant.

Cost will be $35.00 per person which includes lunch on Friday and Saturday.

Make checks payable to:
Credo of the Catholic Laity
C/O Howard Brandt, Treasurer
4386 Honeydew Lane
St. Louis Mo 63128

For more information,
Call (314) 894-0357

Directions
_______________
Coming from the north, Holy Family Church is approximately 3 ½ miles south of the Poplar Street Bridge off Illinois Rt. 3 at Camp Jackson Rd.

From the south cross over the Jefferson Barracks Bridge. Take Rt. 255 north to the Cahokia turn off.

This will put you on Illinois Rt. 3 Going north. The church will be about 2 ½ miles on your right.


Additional Information
________________________

The Retreat Master will be Msgr. Michael Schmitz American Superior of The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. The retreat will start with confession at 9:00 Am Friday March 5th with Mass at 9:30 a.m. And conclude each day at about 4:p.m. There will be other opportunities for confession during the retreat. The cost for the retreat including lunch both days is $35.00.

Here is more information on the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest taken from one of their fliers:
“The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest is a society erected by the Catholic Church on September 1, 1990. Today it maintains Houses and Apostolates on several continents including North America. The goal of the Institute is the honor of God and the sanctification of priests in the service of the Church and souls through a spiritual formation in Roman Catholic Doctrine and piety. Its specific aim is missionary, to spread and defend the reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ in all realms of human life.”

This organization has its headquarters in Wausau, Wisconsin. This is in the diocese of La Cross under Bishop Raymond Leo Burke soon to be Archbishop of St. Louis. I understand that Msgr. Schmitz and the bishop are good friends. To see pictures of Bishop Burke consecrating the Institute’s St. Mary’s Oratory in Wausau click on www.institute-christ-king.org. then click on the Gate to Heaven Disc.

Agenda
_______________
Day 1 Friday March 5, 2004
9:00 AM Confession
9:30 AM Latin Mass
10:45 AM Conference
11:30 AM Confession and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
12:15 PM Stations of the Cross
12:30 Conference
1:15 PM Lunch
2:15 PM Conference
3:00 PM Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
3:15 PM Rosary, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and Confession
3:45 PM Closing Remarks
4:00 PM Close

Day 2. Saturday March 6, 2004
9:30 AM Latin High Mass
10:45 AM Conference
11:30 AM Confession
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Information on The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
1:30 PM Litany of All Saints in Latin
2:30 PM Rosary, and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
2:45 PM Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
3:15 PM Final Conference
4:00 PM Close

- posted by LRS @ 1:00 AM   

 
Bishop Burke on EWTN
Friday evening, Bishop Burke was interviewed by Raymond Arroyo of the "The World Over" regarding his recent pastoral letter and 'Notification'.

It was a good show and will re-air this evening at 10:00pm CST, if you did not catch it.
- posted by LRS @ 12:30 AM   

 
My Constituency Made Me Do It....
A response to 'Catholic' politicians and their supporters by Dr. Arthur Hippler, who is director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace for the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

If Catholic legislators cannot be excused from defending "segregation" because of their constituency, how then can be excused from defending the right to life, which is more fundamental than the right to education or voting or housing? John Paul II explains "It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop" (EV, no.101). It is no less true now than it was during the time of segregation that the will of the majority cannot excuse injustice.

- posted by LRS @ 7:00 AM   

 
Latest on Bishop Burke from the Post-Dispatch:

No bishop has gone as far as Burke
This is a lame attempt to try to show that, since no other bishop has gone as far Bishop Burke in denying Holy Communion, maybe he is wrong? I must say, however, that the writer did hit many of the "Dirty Dozen" as chosen by the American Life League. The saddest part of this story is that it appears that no other bishop or cardinal (except, Bishop Bruskewitz & maybe a couple others) has the necessary equipment (that is, a complete set of spinal vertabrae) to do his canonical duty. Their inaction causes MORE SCANDAL than the actions of the politicians!

and this one:

Bishop Burke's actions could undermine trust in Catholic lawmakers
These are a few letters. Sadly mine did not make it, as far as I know. Maybe next time. Anyway, one can quickly pick up whether the understanding (or lack thereof) of the writer is based on reason or not...No more need be said.
- posted by LRS @ 5:07 AM   

 
AIDS Study Data Faked
I received this the other day....

AIDS Study Data Faked
by Keith Peters, Washington, D.C., correspondent

SUMMARY: Maybe you heard recently about a study that claimed "safe sex" is beneficial for teens and helps to slow the spread of AIDS. Now, there's word that the research was faked.

Three University of Maryland researchers have admitted fabricating interviews for the Focus on Teens HIV risk-prevention program. The researchers admitted they made up interviews with teenagers that they claimed were conducted in 2001.

More than $1 million in federal funds was paid for the study, which was designed to find out whether so-called "safe-sex" practices worked on black teens in a Baltimore housing development.

Tom McClusky, director of government affairs at the Family Research Council, was shocked at the news.

"Even though the researchers said they had conducted hundreds of interviews of these children, they hadn't interviewed one child and they had basically stolen the grant," McClusky said.

U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., said the revelation has led him to ask some basic questions "about the accuracy of the research in general, about the information process" -- including what the researchers plan to tell Congress and "what penalties there are if you manipulate research that
then is used to apply to kids who may be risking their lives?"

None of the researchers have been fired.

Souder said he now questions many of the claims being made about the viability of condoms.

"They were willing," he said, "to doctor condom research to try to get the results they wanted, to try to juice it up so that it would look more effective and yet they have
criticized conservatives for trying to put the light of day on this? It's a little bit backwards."

Souder added that the scandal underscores the need for oversight of all federal programs to ensure that taxpayer dollars aren't misspent and that science isn't manipulated.

- posted by LRS @ 7:20 AM   

 
It's a start, but it isn't quite enough
New Orleans archbishop says pro-abort politicians should not receive Communion
New Orleans, Jan. 16 (CWNews.com)

Archbishop Alfred Hughes of New Orleans has told Catholic politicians that they should not receive Communion if they support abortion or euthanasia.

In a column published this week in his archdiocesan newspaper, the Clarion Herald, Archbishop Hughes wrote: "When Catholic officials openly support the taking of human life in abortion, euthanasia or the destruction of human embryos, they are no longer faithful members in the Church and should not partake of Holy Communion."

The statement by Archbishop Hughes comes shortly after Bishop Raymond Burke of La Crosse, Wisconsin, issued a canonical directive barring pro-abortion Catholic lawmakers from the Eucharist. But a spokesman for the New Orleans archdiocese said that Archbishop Hughes was not going so far. Father William Maestri said that the archbishop's column called for pro-abortion politicians voluntarily to refrain from taking Communion. He said that the archdiocese had no plans to refuse the Eucharist to anyone.

© Copyright 2004 Domus Enterprises. All rights reserved.

- posted by LRS @ 7:00 AM   

 
Catholic League weighs in on VOTF & Newsday
January 12, 2004

CHECKMATE:
NEWSDAY AND L.I. VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL

Catholic League president William Donohue explained why a report on Newsday and Voice of the Faithful was sent to every pastor on Long Island (the report is available at www.catholicleague.org):

“The Catholic League tracks anti-Catholicism in all 50 states. In doing so, we learn where Catholic bashing is most rampant and who is responsible. Of particular concern to us is the situation on Long Island. The local daily, Newsday, has been on a tear against the Catholic Church for the past two years. Moreover, it has led an attack against Diocese of Rockville Centre Bishop William F. Murphy that is scurrilous. Working in tandem with Newsday is the Long Island chapter of Voice of the Faithful (some who write for the newspaper are active in Voice).

“All pastors on Long Island are now in possession of a packet of information that the Catholic League mailed on January 9. It includes a report on Newsday and an article on Voice of the Faithful. The report offers excerpts from Newsday columnists and contributors in 2002 and 2003 that demonstrate a profound animus against both the Catholic Church and Bishop Murphy. The article, available in the current edition of Crisis magazine, is a whistle-blowing piece written by the co-chairman of the communications committee of the Long Island chapter of Voice of the Faithful; it shows the ideological agenda of this supposedly neutral group.

“The Catholic League is not walking away from this battle. Moreover, it is up to Newsday and Voice of the Faithful to reverse course. If they do not, we will take further steps to checkmate their efforts.”

William Donohue is helping to expose what these people are really up to...Good job!
- posted by LRS @ 6:30 AM   

 
Bishop's edict weighs heavily on Catholics' hearts
This opinion piece is from The Capitol Times in Madison, WI.

While it is, indeed, sad that many Catholics fail to understand right and wrong, it is sadder still that they do nothing to attempt to understand but are eager to complain about fairness and justice and tolerance. Yet, even their understanding of these terms is deficient, lacking in substance.

The theological virtues are misunderstood by so many. The hearts of many are closed to God's grace and therefore, they are incapable of faith and because they have no real faith they can have no real understanding. It is only when they come to realize that faith precedes understanding, that they may rejoice that Bishop Burke has determined that it is necessary for him to do more to help save their eternal souls.
- posted by LRS @ 6:00 AM   

 
Cardinal George Responds....
The link to the Cardinal's Letter which follows is here. The Open Letter of the 23 Priests can be found here:

On Monday, December 29, 2003, I received a call from Bishop Paprocki, the Episcopal Vicar for my part of the Archdiocese, ordering me to refrain from using any parish resources for personal opinions. He first said I was to remove the Open Letter from the parish web site, then said that the Cardinal had said, at the very least, I was to include his response. I am more than happy to include the Cardinal’s response to the Open Letter, which, although he made it available to the media the same day as the Open Letter, is not to be found on the Archdiocesan web site under news releases. Nonetheless, it is my hope that making these materials available for all those of good will can only serve to increase a healthy and helpful dialogue for all those affected by this pastoral concern which is shared by the Cardinal and those who signed the letter. Fr. Prendergast

December 19, 2003

Dear Father Prendergast,

Thank you for your courtesy in sending me a copy of your open letter to the bishops about the language of some Church documents speaking of homosexuality. Normally I don’t respond personally to an open letter addressed to a group, but your letter raises an important point and fails to address another. Hence, this response.

Your concern that language can make it difficult to welcome people is one I share. The Church speaks, in moral and doctrinal issues, a philosophical and theological language in a society that understands, at best, only psychological and political terms. Our language is exact, but it does not help us in welcoming men and women of homosexual orientation. It can seem lacking in respect. This is a pastoral problem and a source of anxiety for me as it is for you. It would be good to discuss it together.

Pastoring any group of people, however, means more than welcoming them. It also means calling them to conversion in Christ. This dimension of the pastoral life is absent from your letter. God is all-loving and all-forgiving; but he knows the difference between right and wrong, and he expects us to know it, to live accordingly and, as ordained priests, to preach the demands of the Gospel with integrity to every group and all people on their journey to holiness.

Pastors have to mediate the tension between welcoming people and calling them to change, to repent and convert and live according to Christ’s teaching transmitted by the Church. That tension is often resolved in practice by a pastor’s love for his people. I thank you for loving your people. If, however, you cannot resolve that tension between welcoming people as they are and still calling them to leave their sinfulness and become saints, or if you yourself do not accept the Church’s moral teaching on the moral use of the gift of sexuality, it would be all the more important for us to talk.

You and all the people you love and serve are daily in my prayers; please keep me in yours.

Fraternally yours in Christ,
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago


- posted by LRS @ 11:56 PM   

 
Feb 5th Encore of the Da Vinci Code Lecture at Kenrick
Because of the overwhelming response to the lecture last night, an encore presentation will be held on Thursday, February 5 at 7:00pm. It is well worth the time if you can make it.

My report from tonight's lecture:
I had called Kenrick earlier to make sure I had my directions correct and to confirm all was a go. It was suggested that I arrive earlier as there had been numerous inquiries made recently and they were expecting a crowd. I arrived about an hour before the start of the program. It was the first time I had ever been there. It is an architecturally beautiful complex. I found out exactly where the program was to be held and how to get there. It was in the auditorium which is directly beneath the chapel.

About 6:30, I entered the auditorium to get a seat, and found a seat in the first row. With eyesight and hearing on the fritz, I prefer this. Not too many people had arrived yet, but by 7:00 pm, the place was overflowing, every seat was occupied, and two classrooms with video feed were set up to handle the extra attendees.

The order of speakers were Dr. Welch, Fr. Lockwood, and Fr. Witt. Dr. Welch began with an overview of the plot of the book and a description of the characters. He listed a number of basic errors and conjectures the author made and presented the factual information to refute the errors. He also discussed the subject of faith as defined in the book (page 341) which really isn't faith at all but appears to me to be basic relativism.

Fr. Lockwood then proceeded to offer an historical background on what many perceive to be the sources of the errors and inaccuracies in the book, namely the apocryphal writings of the first and second century, particularly those of the Gnostics. His presentation laid an excellent foundation for those who may have been unfamiliar with the various spurious works that existed early in the Church's history and how the Gnostics and others used the Gospels to elevate Mary Magdalen to extreme heights to bolster their views.

Lastly, Fr. Witt gave his presentation, which, indirectly challenged "The Da Vinci Code" by exposing the flawed, defective, and inconsistent sources from which the author drew his material. His 'outed' these sources, such as the book, "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", and others for complete shams by using the authors' own words. He demonstrated that the authors, while purporting to engage in historical research, were either incapable or unwilling to do so objectively. He revealed that many of Dan Brown's hypotheses and 'facts' were completely and utterly lacking in credibility, such as the 'Priory of Sion', which he showed was a 1950's invention of an eccentric anti-Semite rather than a secret society founded in 1099.

There was a question and answer period after the lectures and most of the questions asked seemed typical. I was quite surprised and elated, however, that the panel seemed to be rather unimpressed with the 'higher critical method' of biblical scholarship, Q source theory, a late dating of the Gospels that many of us have come to expect from many of the 'enlightened' these days. The last person to ask a question, after some rambling, posed the proposition that the book 'lifted up' the value of women because of the way Mary Magdalen was portrayed and wondered why the Church was so inclined to suppress women and treat them as second class citizens? Typical, this seems to happen at every conference or lecture. Fr. Lockwood and Fr. Witt both answered from different perspectives and both answers received a round of applause.

I would recommend this lecture for all, if for no other reason than to be better prepared to respond to those who may become confused by the book. Fr. Lockwood said that he became interested in doing this lecture when some of his parishioners asked him after Mass why the Church had never told the people that Jesus was married - why the Church withheld this information from them!

Folks, this really happens! Especially today in this age of uncatechized Catholics. You can help them and help yourself by being better prepared to give a reason for and explanation of the faith .
- posted by LRS @ 11:46 PM   

 
Don't Forget-DaVinci Code Seminar Tonight!
DaVinci Code Seminar at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary tonight @ 7:00 pm.

The presenters are all from the seminary faculty:
Rev. Gregory Lockwood will be talking about the misuse of the Gnostic gospels in this genre of literature and what the real story is.

Fr. Michael Witt will be talking about the "history" presented in the Da Vinci Code and where this stuff came from (specifically, the book Holy Blood, Holy Grail and how those authors misused history to make their outrageous claims.

Then Dr. Lawrence Welch, one of Kenrick's systematics professors, will discuss the theological and catechetical challenges involved.

Directions to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary are:
5200 Glennon Drive, off Weil in Shrewbury, approximately 6 blocks west of Chippewa and 10 blocks east of Laclede Station Road.

The phone number for more information is: 314-792-6103.
- posted by LRS @ 7:10 AM   

 
Followup to the article "Bishop Burke, 'Cafeteria' Bishop"
This is a followup to this post.

After doing a little research, first to Helen Hull Hitchcock's wonderful site, Women for Faith & Family, I ended up at "Voice of the Faithful-St. Louis".

And whose name do you think appears on the list of the Leadership Committee members of VOTF-SL?

Why am I not surprised....? I'm not sure.

A couple of other interesting notes about VOTF-SL, though:
I learned that "Faithful St. Louis" ( as it was formerly called) was promoted by St. Cronan's which, incidentally, encouraged parishioners (via the bulletin) to attend a lecture by Fr. Richard McBrien.

Not only that, and this could very well be coincidental, as I was reading the VOTF-SL History page, I came across a name which seemed familiar to me - Paige Byrne-Shortal.

It just so happens that Paige Byrne-Shortal is scheduled to speak at Immaculate Conception's "Inspiration Quest" series on Friday, Feb. 6, at 7:00pm. ICD's "Inspiration Quest" is promoted as an 'Adult Christian Learning Series'. Coincidental? Maybe....Not to mention, of course, her numerous articles in the National Catholic Reporter.

- posted by LRS @ 6:30 AM   

 
The latest on Fr. Benedict Groeschel's condition
can be found here.
- posted by LRS @ 6:10 AM   

 
'Passion’ to debut on 2,000 screens
This sounds like great news. And it will be here next month.
- posted by LRS @ 6:05 AM   

 
Cardinal's condom move praised
Aids campaigners have welcomed a leading Catholic cardinal's acceptance of the use of condoms if one partner in a relationship is HIV positive.

Hopefully, the Vatican will soon clarify this issue that the good Cardinal Danneels has raised. Perhaps, silencing him would be appropropriate?
- posted by LRS @ 6:03 AM   

 
Bishop Burke, a "cafeteria" bishop?
While reading yesterday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, I saw this in the 'Letters to the Editor' section:

Selective morality

How interesting that our new archbishop, Raymond Burke, would carefully select the church teachings on the choices of women and dying to impose upon our civil society through coercion of Catholic politicians. What about long-standing teachings on birth control, opposition to war, the death penalty, divorce, neglect of the less fortunate, etc.?

I have heard of pick-and-choose "cafeteria Catholics," but a "cafeteria bishop"?

Then again, this might be just the beginning. It should be an interesting time for Catholics in St. Louis, especially for those who follow their conscience.

Robert Schutzius
Secretary,
Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church, Florissant

After having read the good bishop's notification and pastoral letter, I saw nothing of this "coercion" of which Mr. Schutzius speaks. The politicians, freely, are choosing an intrinsically evil murder over life itself. They are freely choosing to be Catholic or not. There is no coercion whatsoever from the bishop. It is an injustice and a lie to suggest otherwise.

Perhaps, if Mr. Schutzius actually attends Mass or is registered with a parish in North County, his pastor should sit down and have a chat with him. It is obvious that he has little or no knowledge of Bishop Burke or the true teachings of the Church, nor does he seem to understand what the Church tells us about 'conscience'. (Here's a clue, see the Catechism #1783)

Could it also be that he, and not Archbishop Burke, is the one who has a 'cafeteria' attitude? Why else would one be a member (& founder) of the dissenting organization, ARCC, which wishes to pick and choose what to believe? Why would a professed' Catholic want to belong to a group which promotes a so-called "democratic" church whereby the people vote for their own doctrine, and support of pluralism ("believe what you want") via a "Constitution" and a "Catholic Bill of Rights"?

I have a few suggestions to help clear up this confusion:
Read the Catechism.
Actually read the documents of Vatican II for yourself.
Seek refuge in Christ's Church after departing from the ARCC.

If none of these suggestions help, perhaps one should ask to meet with the Archbishop so one might persuade and convince him to join the fold of dissidents and malcontents who believe that 'conscience' rules supreme even when it is opposed to reason and truth.
- posted by LRS @ 6:32 AM   

 
Local Politicians' Opinions about Bishop Burke's Stance
Some local politicians seem to be a little uneasy about Bishop Burke's recent notification to Wisconsin legislators.

Statements such as:

"I'm very passionate about my politics and I'm very passionate about my religion," Scheve said, noting that she sends her daughter to a Catholic school. "For the two to collide is an issue that troubles me to my core."

This is fairly disingenious if is not a complete fabrication. It is impossible to be very passionate about one's faith if one does not know that faith and believe it. Sending one's children to a Catholic school hardly meets the criteria for being Catholic. But hey, after 35-40 years of exceptionally poor catechesis, what does one expect?

And then we have this bit of wisdom from the knowledgable reporter:

Scheve's counterpart, state Republican Party Chairwoman Ann Wagner, is Catholic.

Wagner and most of those Catholic officeholders share Burke's views on abortion and euthanasia. However, many of them likely disagree with the church on other matters - notably, the death penalty, which is practiced in Missouri. The Catholic Church opposes it.
Private speculation also is under way on whether Burke might expand the no-Communion order to the death penalty or other issues.

The Church, while not opposing the right of the State to impose the death penalty, does oppose the application of death penalty when bloodless means are available to protect society.
"Legitimate public authority has the right and the duty to inflict punishment proportionate to the gravity of the offense. Punishment has the primary aim of redressing the disorder introduced by the offense. When it is willingly accepted by the guilty party, it assumes the value of expiation" (CCC, no.2266).

The death penalty cannot be construed as equivalent to abortion. The deliberate murder of an innocent human being is not the same as the killing of a guilty person.

Other locals seem to think receiving Holy Communion is a matter between the priest and the communicant. How utterly ignorant!

A clear demonstration of the lack of knowledge many 'Catholics' have regarding the teachings of the Church.
- posted by LRS @ 6:13 AM   

 
Bishop Burke on the Dignity of Human Life and Civic Responsibility
Bish Burke has issued a pastoral letter on the duty of every one of the faithful to promote the culture of life in politics. He wrote the letter at the same time that he released a decree that local Catholic politicians who support abortion or euthanasia may not receive Communion in the diocese until they publicly denounce their positions.

A 'PDF' versions can be found at the Diocese of LaCrosse website here.

Zenit has a text version here.

Pay particularly close attention to this:

"The port of entry for the culture of death in our society has been the abandonment of the respect for the procreative meaning of the conjugal act. It is the contraceptive way of thinking, the fear of the life-giving dimension of conjugal love, which very much sustains that culture." He quotes Pope John Paul II (Evangelium Vitae, n. 13): "[T]he pro-abortion culture is especially strong precisely where the Church's teaching on contraception is rejected".

Perhaps Catholics may begin to learn that artificial contraception is sinful and that one may not appeal to to one's malformed conscience in determining right and wrong? Of course, priests may have to speak about this in an homily, perhaps at the risk of losing some less than faithful 'Catholics'.
- posted by LRS @ 6:04 AM   

 
An Open Letter to 23 Chicago Priests
The following is courtesy of Catholic Citizens of Illinois:

1/12/2004 9:57:00 PM
By Dan Cheely - Catholic Citizens of Illinios
For background see Chicago Priests Openly Rip On Church Teachings
###

An Open Letter to 23 Chicago Priests

In a time of crisis in the Catholic Church it is truly counter-productive to heap scorn on the moral teachings of the Catholic Church, and even the Pope himself, as he reiterates that age-old teaching. For Catholic priests to be the heapers is a grave scandal.

Let’s be frank. If the Church’s moral teaching on homosexuality had been fostered, embraced and followed by the criminal priests who preyed on Catholic children, and if those priests had accepted the need to struggle heroically to preserve chastity, 90% of those crimes never would have occurred. Moreover, if the Church’s teaching on chastity in general were fostered, actively preached, and practiced, none of the crimes would have occurred at all.


Secondly, the only public statements on the issue which have used rhetorically repugnant language are yours, not the Vatican’s. I challenge you to find a single document from the 25 year Pontificate of John Paul II where he uses the term evil or hateful to describe homosexuals. There are none. It is only your letter that uses this language to demean those who disagree with you. Does this exemplify the dialogue you claim to favor? It is obvious that it is this teaching of the Catholic catechism that you find offensive, and that any articulation of it whatsoever is painful to you. Your purpose in your public letter is to change the Church’s teaching, and to use wrongfully your position in the Church to undercut the clarity of that teaching. As you probably know, the Vatican’s statements are measured and mild as compared with the text of the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. Perhaps you consider these evil as well.

On the contrary, the traditional Biblical teaching on sexual morality is beautiful, uplifting, and transforming. It demands the best from human nature, calling into action high-mindedness, self-discipline, perseverance, dedication, fortitude, patience, mental focus, loyalty, honor, temperance, and self-control. Granted, it does necessarily involve the single dirty word condemned by our contemporary society. No!, but that self-mastery exercises and makes possible all those qualities which foster heroism in personal and social life, and thus energizes the truest kind of freedom: the power to be good and do good habitually, even when it is difficult.

Unlike your call to conform the Church to the times, the Church’s traditional morality is timeless, valid in all seasons. Christ, we believe, came to us as a revelation from the Eternal. Thus, his Church is constituted, not to conform to modern mores, but to create new men and new women, living lives radically different than what might be the prevailing practice around them. So it was in the first Christian centuries. So it must be now.

Your letter calls for dialogue, as if Christian Revelation were as negotiable as a services contract. There is a place for dialogue, but never at the expense of the critical mission of the Church. Dialogue on the part of the Church can only occur meaningfully if the Church has something unique to affirm which flows from her very nature and her unique role in passing on eternally the teaching of Christ as handed on through his Apostles. You seem to be scandalized that the Church dares make such affirmations at all. You would rather have the Church silent, simply to listen to the monologue of homosexual activists, implicitly denying the Church any authority or ability to teach.

If the Church cannot proclaim its own long-standing morality, it is not even free. St. Paul wrote to Timothy that the Church leader should be prepared to preach the traditional teaching in season and out of season, even at the risk of being unpopular. A Church that says yes to every moral difficulty is not a Church at all, but rather, useless. Is it any wonder that when the Church spoke with a clearer, more united voice in matters of faith and morals that Catholic identification, solidarity and commitment was high, and that the reverse is true today? Is it mysterious that those Communities and Churches which promote the most challenging & demanding adherence to traditional faith and morals are those which are healthy and growing, both within and outside the Catholic Church? Salt is good, but if the salt loses its savor, it is fit for nothing. . . .

Despite your misguided desires, the authority of the universal Church will never lose its savor; we have the Holy Spirit’s guarantee for that. We would encourage you to re-examine the beautiful moral teachings of the Church you once pledged to serve, and to recommit yourselves to her as Mater et Magistra.

Dan Cheely, Director
Catholic Citizens of Illinios

This is a great letter. I'm not sure sure what else could be said.
- posted by LRS @ 5:46 AM   

 
Belgium Cardinal continues to confuse the laity
Godfried Cardinal Danneels of Brussels is claiming, if this report is correct, that he could reluctantly accept the use of condoms as a means to halt the spread of AIDS. The story I saw is here.

The Church teaches that:
1. the use of artificial contraception is always immoral, and
2. the only morally acceptable method to prevent AIDS transmission is abstinence.

No wonder Catholics in Belgium are lost.


- posted by LRS @ 12:15 PM   

 
Fr. Groeschel Critically Injured in Car Accident
EWTNews-Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, well known to EWTN viewers for his numerous series and appearances on the network, is in critical but stable condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center after being struck by a car near Orlando International Airport in Florida. The incident occurred Sunday evening. Details are sketchy but sources say the priest was walking to a restaurant for a meal when he was hit. EWTNews will keep you informed of this situation as it develops. Please keep Fr. Groeschel in your prayers.
- posted by LRS @ 7:00 AM   

 
Russell Shaw is coming to St. Charles County
I do not have all of the details yet, but Russell Shaw will be coming to St. Charles county to give a talk on the subject of vocations and living our vocations. This is being sponsored by the St. Charles Serra Club.

I will post the details just as soon as I can confirm them.
- posted by LRS @ 6:03 AM   

 
The crying and whining begins!
Many articles have been published and many news reports have been aired on radio and TV since Archbishop Burke's 'Notification' has been made public.

A rather interesting one is here. It has a host of people decrying the fact the the bishop has done is job. But they see it all differently. To them, the bishop is a "fanatic" - so says Dan Maguire, a theology professor from Marquette. This ma be understandable if you read his writings, like this one called, "The Voice of
the Faithful (VOTF) in a Clergy Dominated Church". Who is really the fanatic?

Bishop Burke needs our prayers at a time like this. He is doing exactly what the Holy Father requested of all bishops nearly 2 (yes, 2) years ago:

POPE CALLS ON BISHOPS TO PUBLICLY REPRIMAND DISSENTERS FROM CHURCH'S MORAL TEACHING Strongly Implies Dissent is at the Root of the Scandals and Must be Bishops' First Priority

ROME, April 26, 2002 (LSN.ca)
***************************
- At the conclusion of the meeting between Pope John Paul II and the Cardinals of the United States Wednesday, the pope called on the "Pastors of the Church" to "publicly...reprimand individuals who spread dissent." At the meeting discussing the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy the pope noted that "doctrinal issues" underlie "the deplorable behavior in question" and proposed three "lines of response." This may be an especially difficult task for some of the bishops and cardinals since in the U.S., and even more so in neighbouring Canada, where dissent or toleration of dissent on moral issues is deeply ingrained in many church leaders and institutions.

Did I say that I was so looking forward to Archbishop Burke coming to St. Louis? He is a man whose actions should give us all encouragement to fight the good fight. He is standing up for Christ and leading us into battle against the powers and principalities that wish to take us all to hell with them. This is a case of spiritual warfare! And we have been so blessed to receive this man as the spiritual leader of our diocese.
- posted by LRS @ 10:41 PM   

 
Archbishop Burke's Notification
As Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, I am bound to be "solicitous for all the faithful entrusted to [my] care" (Code of Canon Law, can. 383 Sec.1). With respect to the fundamental responsibility of safeguarding and promoting the respect for human life,it is my duty "to explain, persuade, correct and admonish those in leadership positions who contradict the Gospel of life through their action and policies" (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics [November 1998], n. 29).

His Holiness Pope John Paul II, upholding the constant teaching of the Church, has frequently reminded us that "those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life. For them, as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or to vote for them" (Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life [November 24, 2002], n. 4 Sec.1). A Catholic legislator who supports procured abortion or euthanasia, after knowing the teaching of the Church, commits a manifestly grave sin which is a cause of most serious scandal to others. Therefore, universal Church law provides that such persons "are not to be admitted to Holy Communion" (Code of Canon Law, can. 915).

I hereby call upon Catholic legislators, who are members of the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse, to uphold the natural and divine law regarding the inviolable dignity of all human life. To fail to do so is a grave public sin and gives scandal to all the faithful. Therefore, in accord with the norm of can. 915, Catholic legislators, who are members of the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse and who continue to support procured abortion or euthanasia may not present themselves to receive Holy Communion. They are not to be admitted to Holy Communion, should they present themselves, until such time as they publically [sic] renounce their support of these most unjust practices.

I ask for the prayers of all the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse and of all people of good will within the Diocese of La Crosse, that Catholic legislators who have promoted procured abortion or euthanasia, with the help and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may undergo a conversion of heart in this most grave matter, so that human life may be protected and fostered in the greatest way possible and these legislators may be admitted once more to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Given at La Crosse, on the twenty-third day of November, the Solemnity of Christ the King, in the Year of the Lord 2003.


- posted by LRS @ 6:15 AM   

 
Lawmakers who back abortion, euthanasia told not to receive Communion

Lawmakers who back abortion, euthanasia told not to receive Communion
By Dan Rossini
Catholic News Service
LA CROSSE, Wis. (CNS) -- Archbishop Raymond L. Burke has formally notified Catholic lawmakers in the La Crosse Diocese that they cannot receive Communion if they continue to support procured abortion or euthanasia.

The four-paragraph canonical notification, published in the Jan. 8 edition of The Catholic Times, the La Crosse diocesan newspaper, called upon Catholic legislators in the diocese "to uphold the natural and divine law regarding the inviolable dignity of all human life."

"To fail to do so is a grave public sin and gives scandal to all the faithful," it said.

Archbishop Burke, who is to be installed Jan. 26 as St. Louis' new archbishop, released the canonical notification along with a 10-page pastoral letter to Catholics in the La Crosse Diocese about their political responsibility to uphold the value of human life.

He noted that the documents were issued while he is serving as diocesan administrator of La Crosse following his Dec. 2 appointment as archbishop of St. Louis. However, he said, the pastoral letter and the notification carry the full weight of his authority as bishop of La Crosse because both were signed Nov. 23, the feast of Christ the King.

"Catholic legislators who are members of the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse and who continue to support procured abortion or euthanasia may not present themselves to receive holy Communion," the notification said. "They are not to be admitted to holy Communion, should they present themselves, until such time as they publicly renounce their support of these most unjust practices."

The two documents followed reports in the secular press in December that Archbishop Burke had sent private letters to three Catholic legislators in the diocese, warning them of the spiritual dangers of their votes against human life.

According to Archbishop Burke, the notification became necessary as an outcome of his correspondence with Catholic legislators. None of the three lawmakers to whom he wrote accepted his invitation for a private meeting to discuss their voting records, and in letters to the bishop indicated they were not open to changing their positions.

"After several exchanges of letters, it became clear in all three cases that there was no willingness to conform to the teaching of the church," he said. "So the notification became a necessity in order that the faithful in the diocese not be scandalized, thinking that it is acceptable for a devout Catholic to also be pro-abortion."

Archbishop Burke has declined to name the three politicians but secular news reports have identified two of them as state Sen. Julie Lassa and U.S. Rep. David R. Obey, D-Wis.

The archbishop said the simultaneous release of the two documents was a coincidence, since the pastoral letter had been in the works for months. "I'd been thinking about it for a long time, and working on it with the help of others, and we finally got it into its (final) form," he said.

"I've come to understand as bishop that there is a real confusion on the part of many people in the diocese with regard to the relationship of the moral law to our civil laws," he added. "So I wanted to write a letter to clarify this."

In the letter, titled "On the Dignity of Human Life and Civic Responsibility," Archbishop Burke said many Catholics misunderstand the concept of "separation of church and state," taking it to mean that church teachings have no application to political life.

The letter affirms, on the contrary, that Catholics have the obligation to form their political judgments from church teachings, "especially in what pertains to the natural moral law, that is, the order established by God in creation."

"If the Catholic Church insisted to legislators that they vote for laws that punish people who steal, no one would find anything objectionable in that," said the archbishop in the document. "People all recognize that to take someone else's property is a crime. The natural law teaches us that. So also it teaches that human life is inviolable."

The letter also addresses the position of some Catholic politicians who say their efforts to help the poor and marginalized make up for the fact they do not vote consistently in favor of protecting life, and that in a democracy legislators are bound to vote according to the will of the majority of their constituents.

The archbishop's notification on reception of Communion cites a passage from the "Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life," issued by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in January 2003.

That document reiterates the pope's teaching that Catholics involved directly in lawmaking bodies have a "grave and clear obligation to oppose" any measure that is an attack on human life. "For them, as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or to vote for them," it says.
- -
Editor's Note: The pastoral letter and the notification are posted on the Web site of the Diocese of La Crosse, www.dioceseoflacrosse.com.

This bishop (our new Archbishop) is a man to be proud of...I can't wait to meet him! The actual notification is here.
- posted by LRS @ 6:00 AM   

 
Lenten Retreat Update just received...
Credo will be holding a Lenten Retreat at Holy Family Old Log Church in Cahokia Illinois on Friday March 5th and Saturday March 6th.

The Retreat Master will be from The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in Wausau Wisconsin. (Bishop Burke's Diocese of LaCrosse) The Retreat Master will be celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass with the permission of Bishop Wilton Gregory, Bishop of Belleville. Look for more information in our news letter which should be out in a about two weeks.

See the sidebar for information about Credo.
- posted by LRS @ 12:15 PM   

 
What can you do for Dad on Father's Day?
How about a trip to Disney World in Orlando on Father's Day Weekend! But before you purchase those tickets, read this from CNSNews.com:

The Family Pride Coalition announced it has picked Father's Day weekend, June 17-20, for its first-ever gathering at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

"This official Family Pride event...has been specially designed for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) parents and their families," the group said in a press release.

"Disney has been a wonderful support in the planning of a very special and exciting weekend for our families," said Aimee Gelnaw, executive director of the Family Pride Coalition.

I, myself, will never go back to Disney World. We were there in 1998 for a special tournament in which our kids participated. However, the same week we were there in June, Disney was hosting "Gay Days". Our hotel was packed, the swimming pool was packed. We were confined to a gaming area where the kids competed for college scholarship prizes so we missed most of the "gay days".
Personally, as much as we enjoyed the various exhibits, rides, food, and other festivities, I cannot lend support to an organization which continues to obfuscate the true meaning of family and which subjects unsuspecting parents and children to the homosexual culture.

- posted by LRS @ 6:31 AM   

 
More Sacred Music from OCP?
Is this what the Holy Father envisioned in his Apostolic Letter, SPIRITUS ET SPONSA on the 40th Anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM wherein he says:

4. Then with regard to the different elements involved in liturgical celebration, the Constitution pays special attention to the importance of sacred music. The Council praises it, pointing out as its objective: "the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful"13. In fact, sacred music is a privileged means to facilitate the active participation of the faithful in sacred celebration, as my venerable Predecessor St Pius X desired to highlight in his Motu Proprio On the Restoration of Sacred Music Tra le Sollecitudini, whose centenary occurs this year. It was this very anniversary that recently gave me an opportunity to reassert the need to preserve and to emphasize the role of music at liturgical celebrations, in accordance with the directives of Sacrosanctum Concilium and mindful of the Liturgy's real character as well as the sensibility of our time and the musical traditions of the world's different regions.

Be sure to have your sound turned up!
- posted by LRS @ 6:30 AM   

 
PONTIFICAL ACTS: NAUMANN APPOINTED TO KANSAS CITY
7-January-2004 -- Vatican Information Service
VATICAN CITY, JAN 7, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

-- Appointed Bishop Joseph F. Naumann, auxiliary of St. Louis, U.S.A. as coadjutor archbishop of the archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (area 32,425, population 1,174,500, Catholics 197,752, priests 159, religious 756), U.S.A.

Congratulations to Bishop Naumann.
- posted by LRS @ 6:00 AM   

 
New document on liturgy to appear soon, with "rigid" rules removed
Catholic World News (cwnews.com) has reported that the long-awaited document on the liturgy that the Holy Father called for in his encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, will soon be made public. It seems to have been delayed by high-level disagreements within the Vatican. It is also reported that the document will not contain any striking innovations.

In Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul had said that the new document would provide juridical norms regarding the celebration of the Eucharist. The purpose of the document, Vatican officials disclosed at the time, was to curtail liturgical abuse-- a problem that was viewed by the Holy See with grave concern.

CWN reports that the editors of the document-- which has been prepared primarly by the Congregation for Divine Worship-- were reportedly under heavy pressure to avoid causing controversy by taking positions that would be judged as extreme. The final document will avoid that danger by confining itself to a repetition of previous Vatican statements and standards. In effect, informed sources report, the new document will be a distilled version of the liturgical norms already published in the General Instructions for the Roman Missal.

So if CWN sources are correct, we are going to get yet another toothless document without the 'prescriptions of a juridical nature' which the Holy Father requested. No 'rigid' rules for us, please! We do so love our our warm, fuzzy liturgies with dancing, bongos & drums, clapping, with electified guitars and such....It's just so, Matthew Fox - you know what I'm talking about - his Cosmic Techo Mass!

If this report is true, and I certainly don't want to prejudge the document itself, many will be greatly disappointed. There are enough documents already that clarify the rules and far too many priests ignore them and some bishops are too weak to correct them.

I guess we will have to wait and see.
- posted by LRS @ 12:25 PM   

 
DaVinci Code Seminar Update at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Here's some info on the program we are presenting:
Thursday January 15, 2004 at 7 PM at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

The presenters are all from the seminary faculty:
Rev. Gregory Lockwood will be talking about the misuse of the Gnostic gospels in this genre of literature and what the real story is.

Fr. Michael Witt will be talking about the "history" presented in the Da Vinci Code and where this stuff came from (specifically, the book Holy Blood, Holy Grail and how those authors misused history to make their outrageous claims.

Then Dr. Lawrence Welch, one of Kenrick's systematics professors, will discuss the theological and catechetical challenges involved.

Directions to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary are:
5200 Glennon Drive, off Weil in Shrewbury, approximately 6 blocks west of Chippewa and 10 blocks east of Laclede Station Road.

- posted by LRS @ 7:30 AM   

 
Speaking of things to come...
In Spain, a homosexual group is suing the country's Roman Catholic primate for suggesting that same-sex marriages would bring down the country's social security system.

Speaking the truth is equated with slander and incitement to discrimination. Are we there yet? See the full story here.
- posted by LRS @ 7:25 AM   

 
Pro-life group at Gonzaga law school denied official status
From Catholic News Service...

SEATTLE (CNS) -- A pro-life club seeking recognition at a Catholic university is not normally the subject of media attention. But the Student Bar Association at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane has drawn newspaper headlines and the ire of an educational rights organization over its decision to deny official status to a newly formed pro-life group because its leadership requirements exclude non-Christians. The Pro-Life Caucus, founded last fall by two second-year law school students to oppose abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide, was denied recognition by the Student Bar Association as a university-sponsored group because the group's leadership positions are limited to Christians -- although people of other religions are welcome as members. The university's administration backs the Student Bar Association's decision because of the discriminatory element, but supports the group's purpose, said Dale Goodwin, Gonzaga public relations director, in a telephone interview with The Catholic Northwest Progress, Seattle archdiocesan newspaper.

I wonder if the the president of the college, a respected and apparently orthodox Jesuit priest who has been a guest on Catholic Answers, etc., approves of this? What a wonderful lesson and example of 'politcal correctness'! I wonder how they feel about "Ordinatio Sacerdotalis"?
- posted by LRS @ 7:20 AM   

 
Is this what will come to pass?
I received this from a friend recently. It brings tears to my eyes. And I have no doubt that we could end up in this situation. Some (Peter Singer, for one) have already advocated that we begin to allow the choice of terminating a child's life for a period of time AFTER he or she has been born.

----------------
Thirty-one years ago, abortion on demand was legalized. Now, even a child in the process of being born can be killed with impunity. Laws attempting to protect a child during his or her birth are challenged in the courts, and cannot be enforced. How far will this culture of death go? The following is from the parish newsletter of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Arlington, Texas:

Dear Mom,
Gosh, can you believe it’s 2023 already? I’m still writing ‘22’ on nearly everything. Seems like just yesterday I was sitting in first grade celebrating the century change. I know we haven’t really chatted since Christmas. Sorry. Anyway, I have some difficult news and I really didn’t want to call and talk face-to-face. Ted’s had a promotion and I should be up for a hefty raise this year if I keep putting in those crazy hours. You know how I work at it. Yes, we’re still struggling with the bills.

Timmy’s been ‘okay’ at kindergarten although he complains about going. But then, he wasn’t happy about day care either, so what can I do? He’s been a real problem, Mom. He’s a good kid, but quite honestly, he’s an unfair burden at this time in our lives. Ted and I have talked this through and finally made a choice. Plenty of other families have made it and are much better off.

Our pastor is supportive and says hard decisions are necessary. The family is a ‘system’ and the demands of one member shouldn’t be allowed to ruin the whole. He told us to be prayerful, consider all the factors, and do what is right to make the family work. He says that even though he probably wouldn’t do it himself, the decision is really ours. He was kind enough to refer us to a children’s clinic near here, so at least that part’s easy. I’m not an uncaring mother. I do feel sorry for the little guy. I think he overheard Ted and me talking about ‘it’ the other night. I turned around and saw him standing at the bottom step in his PJ’s with the little bear you gave him under his arm and his eyes sort of welling up. Mom, the way he looked at me just about broke my heart.

But I honestly believe this is better for Timmy, too. It’s not fair to force him to live in a family that can’t give him the time and attention he deserves. And please don’t give me the kind of grief Grandma gave you over your abortions. It is the same thing, you know. We’ve told him he’s just going in for a vaccination. Anyway, they say it is painless. I guess it’s just as well you haven’t seen that much of him.

Love to Dad . . .
Jane.

- posted by LRS @ 7:00 AM   

 
The Fr. Paul Weinberger saga...
Many have followed the story of Fr. Paul Weinberger of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Dallas. While I do not know either Fr. Weinberger or Bishop Grahmann, from the information available, it seems clear that a great injustice has occurred. You may even come across purported statements by the diocesan ‘spokesman’, Deacon Bronson Havard, which were completely unfit to come from the mouth of an ordained man. From what I can gather and if these reports are true, both Bishop Grahmann and the ‘good’ deacon are two of the most miserable and detestable excuses for clergy I have read about, with the exception of practicing homosexual, pederast, and heretical clergy.

That having been said, it would seem to me that the best approach for Fr. Weinberger is to graciously accept the decision of his bishop with obedience and offer his sacrifices to the Lord. Those who are under no direct obligation of obedience to this seemingly misfit bishop can continue to write letters to the Holy See, to or for newspapers, or post articles on web sites. Fr. Weinberger can look to those heroic saints who proceeded him under similar circumstances. St. Pio comes to mind immediately in this regard. His superiors actually treated him more severely yet Padre Pio, humble and obedient, took up his cross knowing that his superiors were quite ‘confused’.

Good and great priests are a threat to many. They are a threat because they are loyal to Christ and His Church. They accept the teachings of the Church. They catechize the faithful. They practice prayer, fasting, and mortification. They celebrate the sacraments in a reverent and dignified way, in a manner worthy of offering true praise and glory to God. They enlighten the hearts of the people. They illuminate the darkness with truth. They lead people to Jesus. They work for the salvation of souls. They give their lives so that others might be saved.

These good priests are a threat to evil. Moreover, they are threat to their brother priests who refuse to confront evil or who may even engage in evil. We must pray diligently for our good priests so that God will grant them courage to keep going amid the onslaught of attacks against them. We must encourage our good priests, our spiritual fathers, by inviting them to our homes as part of our families – because they are part of our families. We must get down on our knees and ask God for His help with these trials that our good priests must endure. And we must thank God for blessing us with our good priests and ask Him to send us more.

We must not forget, however, to continue to pray for those priests and bishops who have already lost the faith or are in the process of losing it - because they refuse to exercise their faith. Many of these ordained men have an atrophied faith because they have no longer know how to stand up against evil. They lack a life of prayer. Their souls have become empty. They have lost touch with Jesus. For these, we should pray even harder. Perhaps, if it be God’s will, their faith might be rekindled. We should continue to confront them charitably with the truth when they err. We should continue to ask them to help us toward heaven. And pray, pray, pray!

Here are a few links, in no particular order, to information about Fr. Paul Weinberger.

Fr Wilson’s Comments
www.cruxnews.com
www.markshea.blogspot.com


Rod Dreher’s Comments
www.dallasnews.com/opinion/blog/
amywelborn.typepad.com

Dallas Morning News stories about Fr. Paul Weinberger
www.dallasnews.com/religion/stories/

Fr. Paul Weinberger’s Correspondence
www.blessedsacramentparish.net/news.html

Other related info concerning Bishop Grahmann
www.bishop-accountability.org/tx-dallas/

- posted by LRS @ 9:49 PM   

 
Report on the Implementation of the Charter is available...
On the USCCB Web Site here.

- posted by LRS @ 12:19 AM   

 
Update on Cuenin, VOTF, and Bishop O'Malley.
Carol Mckinley has an update here.
- posted by LRS @ 7:00 AM   

 
"Fun" at Disney World?
Accused sex-abuse priests working at Disney World?
- posted by LRS @ 6:34 AM   

 
Sad day for the faithful of Blessed Sacrament Church, Dallas...
...as reported in the Dallas Morning News.
- posted by LRS @ 6:30 AM   

 
Carl Olsen and Sandra Miesel Crack the DaVinci Code...
A good article on Dan Brown's book "The DaVinci Code"...
A long read, so print it out, curl up, and have some fun....
Kudos to Carl and Sandra!


- posted by LRS @ 7:15 AM   

 
First Things 'critiques' Hans Kung's Memoir
Well, they could have let us know what they really think about it...

At age seventy-five, Catholicism’s best-known theological dissenter has published a memoir that is an unmitigated embarrassment. The vulgarity of the author’s self-aggrandizement is breathtaking, the viciousness toward those who disagree with him deeply saddening. He is the courageous warrior against “spiritual dictatorship” and “church totalitarianism.” Unlike others who sold out in their ambition for ecclesiastical power and prestige, Hans Küng would not compromise his conscience. His most particular target is Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, but he names many others who are allegedly traitors to the truth. But never mind, he is happy and has found power and prestige elsewhere. He notes with satisfaction that Kofi Annan has accepted an invitation to his 75th birthday party. “In all modesty, which I have learned in my childhood, in the tumult of the times I have been able to assert myself as a free man, a Christian, and a theologian.” The book ends with a letter from a Swiss pastor who compares him with the prophet Elijah. To which Küng responds, “Oh no, the fate of a professor is enough for me.” There is that modesty again. Küng says he is writing a second volume of memoirs. It is a pity that what he describes as his great success in life did not include friends who might have discouraged him from publishing the first.

- posted by LRS @ 7:09 AM   

 
When Catholic Catechetical Works Don't Teach the Faith
This story was reported on Nov. 12, 2003, but more of this was been brought up last week in a another article on Zenit.

- posted by LRS @ 6:18 AM   

 
First Friday, Time for Adoration
As this is the first Friday of the month and of the new year, perhaps a special effort should be made to spend an hour with Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament.

This would be a great opportunity to pray for vocations, an increase in faith, for a return to fidelity of the faith, for thanksgiving for the gifts we have been given, . . . for everything.

Can you not spend one hour with Him, today?
- posted by LRS @ 6:02 AM   

 
What Is Happening in Fatima?
An update from Zenit on a controversy which had broken out over the construction of a new building near the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.

- posted by LRS @ 6:00 AM