This site is dedicated to promoting and defending the Catholic Faith, in union with Christ and His Church and in union with the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of St. Peter.
Items of note in the St. Louis Archdiocese are featured whenever possible. Please feel free to forward news topics of importance to us in the St. Louis Archdiocese.
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.
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.
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.
* 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.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!
* 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 The Church's teachings on divorce are out of date, and should be seen only in their "historical context." The Church simply uses annulments to get around the older, out of date teachings.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 The Church's teachings about marriage are bogged down by out of date medieval philosophy which will soon change to accept gay marriage.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.
POLITICAL CIRCUIT
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.What ethic is this? Support for the murder of innocent babies?
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.
"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?
"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.
"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.
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.
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.
For Marian Catechist Continuing Education. This list is taken from the Marian Catechist site here.
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.
I have added an "Upcoming Events Page" for lectures, seminars, retreats, etc., so that it might be easier to review.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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!
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?
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."Full Article
"Every attitude that goes against this teaching constitutes an anti-testimony for the Christian community and for all men," he said.
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.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.
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]
I was able to watch the Installation Mass last night on EWTN. I only wish that I could have been there.
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.
‘Monologues’ Planned at 41 Catholic Colleges
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
such as this one:
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.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.
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."
"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.
St. Louis gets archbishop with high national profile
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?
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."
Dolan lauds result of bishop's actions against lawmakers
