The St. Louis Post-Dispatch had an article in today's paper which seemed, to me, to be more of a 'hit piece' than anything else, although I am encouraged that we have a bishop who will stand firm for Church teaching.
Although many of us were praying for Bishop Bruskewitz, I don't think there is any reason for disappointment. God knows what we need more than we do.
I recommend some other articles which illustrate the kind of man Bishop burke is...One is at the Wanderer at http://www.thewandererpress.com/a8-01-02.htm and the other is at Catholics United for the Faith http://www.cuf.org/oct99c.htm
Now we must offer prayers of thanksgiving to our Lord for having answered the prayers of so many in the St. Louis Archdiocese.
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Friday, December 05, 2003
Silence is vital to liturgy, pope says
Silence is vital to liturgy, pope says in document marking Vatican II
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Marking the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's document on the liturgy, Pope John Paul II said the one ingredient too often missing from the modern Mass is silence. "An aspect which must be cultivated with greater commitment in our communities is the experience of silence," he said in a Dec. 4 apostolic letter marking the anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.
"The liturgy, among its various moments and signs, cannot ignore that of silence," he said in the letter released during a Vatican conference marking the anniversary. "In a society that lives in an increasingly frenetic manner, often dazed by noise and scattered by the transient, rediscovering the value of silence is vital," the pope wrote in the document, which was distributed in Italian to participants at the conference, sponsored by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.
Catholic officeholders say they answer to public, not church
There is more on yesterday's report about Bishop Burke.
Fallout from Bishop Burke's letter to "Catholic" politicians seem to be on the rise...Bishop Burke sent the letters to warn elected officials that they risked their spiritual well-being by taking political stances he found to conflict with church teachings.
He said Wednesday that if they continued to act in that manner, it was his intention to "ask them not to present themselves to receive the sacraments because they would not be Catholics in good standing."
This sort of rationalization, denial, and disobedience from politicians and others is exactly what we can expect to happen when the 'disease' of dissent is allowed to fester and spread in the Church. Because bishops, in general, have failed for years to act courageously to address these issues, we have this regrettable situation in which "Catholics", prideful because of the influence of Satan, act with such arrogance and confusion in their lives. They either do not understand or choose to ignore the moral imperatives which must be followed. They persist in scandalizing the faithful, with some of the bishops, in effect, being complicit by their inaction.
Will Bishop Burke be the first to formally excommunicate those who defiantly ignore or disobey his directives? We must continue to hope and pray that these politicians come to their senses and open their hearts to the Light of Truth.
Fallout from Bishop Burke's letter to "Catholic" politicians seem to be on the rise...Bishop Burke sent the letters to warn elected officials that they risked their spiritual well-being by taking political stances he found to conflict with church teachings.
He said Wednesday that if they continued to act in that manner, it was his intention to "ask them not to present themselves to receive the sacraments because they would not be Catholics in good standing."
This sort of rationalization, denial, and disobedience from politicians and others is exactly what we can expect to happen when the 'disease' of dissent is allowed to fester and spread in the Church. Because bishops, in general, have failed for years to act courageously to address these issues, we have this regrettable situation in which "Catholics", prideful because of the influence of Satan, act with such arrogance and confusion in their lives. They either do not understand or choose to ignore the moral imperatives which must be followed. They persist in scandalizing the faithful, with some of the bishops, in effect, being complicit by their inaction.
Will Bishop Burke be the first to formally excommunicate those who defiantly ignore or disobey his directives? We must continue to hope and pray that these politicians come to their senses and open their hearts to the Light of Truth.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Will any of our "Music Ministers" listen to this?
What a wonderful blessing it would be IF those in charge of parish oversight of Liturgy (pastors?) would heed the Holy Father's words.
I faxed this to my parish at noon today. I'm certain that some of the more difficult words will probably have to be "interpreted", however. Which words, you ask? Those like: sacred, sanctity, Gregorian, chant, & Latin. They don't seem to "jive" with guitars, drums, bongos, dancing & clapping!
Note the Holy Father asks the CDW to "pay closer attention" to this. The Apostolic Letter itself has not yet been translated into English and is only available in Italian. If you read Italian, here is the document. Hopefully, it will translated soon.
I faxed this to my parish at noon today. I'm certain that some of the more difficult words will probably have to be "interpreted", however. Which words, you ask? Those like: sacred, sanctity, Gregorian, chant, & Latin. They don't seem to "jive" with guitars, drums, bongos, dancing & clapping!
Liturgical music must be reverent, accentuate the sacred, Pope writes
Vatican, Dec. 04 (CWNews.com)
In a new document released December 4, Pope John Paul II has emphasized that liturgical music must convey a sense of reverence and appreciation for the sacred.
The new document takes the form of a "chirography"-- an administrative directive bearing the papal signature, and containing specific instructions. It was released for the 100th anniversary of Tra le Sollectitudini, the document on sacred music by St. Pius X. The Pope's new document is dated November 22: the feast of St. Cecilia, the patron of music.
All liturgical music "must have sanctity as its point of reference," Pope John Paul writes, adding that "not all musical forms are appropriate for liturgical celebrations."
While acknowledging that music can express different cultural traditions, the Pope cautions that all sacred music must "respect specific criteria," and stresses that the music must avoid "any concession to frivolity and superficiality." The liturgy of the Catholic Church, he writes, "must never become a laboratory for experimentation."
Pope John Paul confirms the teaching of Vatican II that Gregorian chant "should be preserved in the first place for liturgical ceremonies, with hymns that are celebrated in Latin."
The Pope urges the Congregation for Divine Worship to "pay closer attention" to the issue of liturgical music. He repeats that exhortation in a plea for episcopal conferences to "pay close attention" to the music used in the liturgy in their respective countries.
© Copyright 2003 Domus Enterprises. All rights reserved.
Note the Holy Father asks the CDW to "pay closer attention" to this. The Apostolic Letter itself has not yet been translated into English and is only available in Italian. If you read Italian, here is the document. Hopefully, it will translated soon.
Who are these people trying to impress?
PETA Billboard Depicts Virgin Mary Cradling Chicken Carcass
The group PETA or sometimes called, "People Eat Tasty Animals", apparently have sunk to a new low, if that is at all possible. Will this ad attract Catholics or others to their cause?
The group PETA or sometimes called, "People Eat Tasty Animals", apparently have sunk to a new low, if that is at all possible. Will this ad attract Catholics or others to their cause?
More about Archbishop-elect Raymond Burke
Those of us in the St. Louis archdiocese have much reason to rejoice in the recent appointment of Bishop Raymond Burke as shepherd of our archdiocese. As Bishop of LaCrosse, he sent letters to "Catholic" lawmakers to inform them of their duties of their office with regard not only to the laws of the state, but also with regard to the moral law.
From the article:
However, the same, old, tired argument comes from the "Catholic" politicians, "But I can't let my religion take precedence over my duties as a legislator". These politicians who fail to uphold the moral law by hiding behind these lame statements are no more "Catholic" than this keyboard I'm using - except, that they were baptized at some point in their life.
Holding positions that are contrary to the Church's doctrinal teaching because of ignorance makes one a material heretic. Once one is presented with the Church's teaching, one's persistence in denying that truth makes one a formal heretic. Many of these politicians, because they have been duly informed of the Church's teaching, have chosen instead to become formal heretics and as such they have voluntarily withdrawn from communion with the Church.
Anyway , enough of my rants...read this article about Bishop Burke. We should give thanks that we have been so blessed to have him as our new archbishop!
From the article:
La Crosse Bishop Raymond L. Burke sent letters to the lawmakers as the first step in efforts to get them to change their pattern of voting, which Burke said contradicts the church's teachings on abortion and other issues related to human life. On Tuesday, Pope John Paul II appointed Burke to serve as the archbishop of St. Louis.
"If they were to continue to do that, I would simply have to ask them not to present themselves to receive the sacraments because they would not be Catholics in good standing," Burke said in an interview.
However, the same, old, tired argument comes from the "Catholic" politicians, "But I can't let my religion take precedence over my duties as a legislator". These politicians who fail to uphold the moral law by hiding behind these lame statements are no more "Catholic" than this keyboard I'm using - except, that they were baptized at some point in their life.
Holding positions that are contrary to the Church's doctrinal teaching because of ignorance makes one a material heretic. Once one is presented with the Church's teaching, one's persistence in denying that truth makes one a formal heretic. Many of these politicians, because they have been duly informed of the Church's teaching, have chosen instead to become formal heretics and as such they have voluntarily withdrawn from communion with the Church.
Anyway , enough of my rants...read this article about Bishop Burke. We should give thanks that we have been so blessed to have him as our new archbishop!
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Hardworking Wisconsin bishop follows Vatican policies precisely
More reasons for St. Louis faithful to be thankful.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Hardworking Wisconsin bishop follows Vatican policies precisely Patricia Rice Post-Dispatch Religion Writer 12/02/2003
The Wisconsin bishop who will become the archbishop of St. Louis next month is a staunch conservative who is expected to carry out most of the initiatives Cardinal Justin F. Rigali introduced during the past nine years.
Archbishop-elect Raymond L. Burke, 55, has been the bishop of La Crosse, Wis., for the last nine years. The Vatican announced Tuesday that Burke will succeed Rigali, who moved to Philadelphia in October as its archbishop and a cardinal.
On Jan. 26, the former Vatican church lawyer will be installed as the St. Louis archdiocese's ninth bishop and eighth archbishop at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica.
St. Louisans will get a hardworking bishop who follows the finest points on all Vatican directions precisely, from major policies to revisions for bows and nods at Mass.
"He is a humble man who takes his responsibilities very seriously," said Thomas A. Szyszkiewicz, former editor of the Catholic Times of La Crosse.
"With the liturgy, he is very concerned about reverence and order. And you can expect that, on the moral issues, he will be teaching and affirming the church on such things as abortion and contraception."
A staunch conservative
Burke displayed his religious conservatism in the fall of 2002. His diocese was one of two U.S. dioceses to pull out of the annual Crop Walks fund-raisers, sponsored by the ecumenical Church World Services. He told Catholics not to walk because the agency finances family-planning services and gives out condoms in developing nations.
A few years ago, Burke took the unusual step of publicly disagreeing with another bishop, then-Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland, over the idea of married men being ordained. Weakland suggested it be discussed. Burke said it was a bad idea.
Burke drew attention last year when he criticized the popular novels featuring the English schoolboy-magician Harry Potter. He sent all the schools and the seminaries in his diocese a letter saying that Potter "may not be suitable for young Catholic readers."
Open-door policy
Burke said Tuesday that he will bring to St. Louis his open-door policy in dealing with alleged victims of sexual abuse. He promised to personally sit down face-to-face with each person who accuses a priest of sexual abuse — something Rigali had delegated to others and been criticized for by victims' advocates.
In La Crosse, Burke spoke face-to-face with about 30 victims, he said. During that time, he removed one priest from active ministry. When allegations of abuse by two retired priests were brought to him, he removed their right to say Mass.
Burke said he had never met with any of the groups representing victims. David Clohessy, national spokesman for the Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests, said his group has no chapter in La Crosse but at least one member.
Barbara Dorris, leader of SNAP in St. Louis, will ask Burke for a face-to-face "so that a genuine dialog can begin."
"His first focus, we believe, should be to encourage victims to contact therapists, police, prosecutors and our support group so that dangerous predators can be arrested and children can be kept safe," she said.
Meets with seminarians
Beyond meeting with abuse victims, Burke said his primary duty is to "provide priests" to lead parishes and to recruit young men for the seminary. On Tuesday, he had lunch with the seminarians at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in Shrewsbury.
At a time when most dioceses around the nation have closed high school seminaries, Burke opened a residence house in La Crosse for boys who are considering the priesthood. They attend a Catholic coed high school but live in the seminary-like dorm.
Mater Redemptoris Convent offers a similar program for high school girls considering to become nuns.
A friend of Rigali
Burke's name had been mentioned in St. Louis as the top candidate to replace Rigali as early as August. But he was mentioned less frequently inside the Vatican and by U.S. bishops.
A few other cardinals were pushing for other candidates. Bishop J. Terry Stieb of Memphis, Bishop George Murry of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., Bishop Thomas Doran of Rockford, Ill., and Bishop Wilton Gregory of Belleville were mentioned.
For months some bishops said that as the elected head of the bishops conference, Gregory was never a contender. His duties will be particularly heavy during the coming months as the audits and academic studies on sex abuse by priests are completed and made public.
Burke is a longtime friend of Rigali's.
Rigali attended Burke's ordination to the priesthood at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in 1975. The two Americans knew each other when both worked in different offices at the Vatican.
As recently as this fall Rigali had Burke to dinner at the archbishop's residence on Lindell Boulevard, where some other guests were teasing Burke by calling him "St. Louis Archbishop-elect."
Rigali said in a telephone interview Tuesday from his Philadelphia office that he has full confidence that Burke is what St. Louis needs and will administer the archdiocese well.
"Each bishop has different gifts," Rigali said.
"A most lovable guy"
Burke on Tuesday compared his appointment to a sports swap. In June 2002, Wisconsin got St. Louis native Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee and Tuesday St. Louis got Burke.
"I hope that you will not be disappointed with the exchange," Burke told a group of priests and other archdiocesan workers at the Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali Pastoral Center in Shrewsbury.
"Ray's a most lovable guy, with a big heart, a ready smile, a balanced man with great common sense and with a towering intellect," said Dolan, in a phone interview from Philadelphia, where he is leading a retreat for Rigali's priests. "When (Burke) speaks of prayer you can tell it comes from a deep well of personal experience. It's not showy piety."
"Keen on rural life"
Burke said his preaching style is more like Rigali's than Dolan, a dynamic and popular preacher.
He's also an activist. "I'm keen on rural life," he said Tuesday, wearing a green ribbon that promotes family farming. The Wisconsin, farm-bred, Irish-American, is former chairman of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, which promotes ethical treatment of the environment and farm workers.
La Crosse's mostly rural diocese on the east side of the Mississippi River has 209,400 Catholics spread over seven small cities and mostly farmland in 19 counties across 15,078 miles. The St. Louis Archdiocese has 555,600 Catholics in the city of St. Louis and 10 counties spread over 5,968 square miles.
Burke is expected to have a long tenure here. At 55, he may well stay here until at the age of 75, a bishop must give his resignation to the pope.
"We'll miss him"
In La Crosse, there was a sense of loss as the news of Burke's appointment spread.
"We knew we wouldn't keep him long, because he has such qualifications," said the Rev. Robert S. Hegenbarth, pastor of St. Leo the Great in West Salem, Wis. "He was a great listener always concerned with the needs of the diocese, very traditional, very conservative. We'll miss him."
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Encouraging archiepiscopal trends by Dr. Edward Peters
This is another article on today's appointment of Most Rev. Raymond Burke to St. Louis, as well as other recent appointments the Holy Father has made.
New Bishop appointed to St. Louis
From the St Louis Post-Dispatch:
==end of article ==============================
For those who may not recall, Bishop Burke was one of the bishops who signed the letter proposing a Plenary Council for the Church in the U.S.
Here's a bio of Bishop Burke:
Bishop Burke was born in Richland Center, Wis., on June 30, 1948. He attended elementary school at St. Mary's, Richland Center, and after his family moved to Stratford, Wis., he attended St. Joseph's School there from 1959-62.
He attended high school at Holy Cross Seminary, La Crosse, Wis., from 1962-66, and also studied college courses there from 1966-68 before attending The Catholic University of America from 1968-71. He then studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1975, at St. Peter's Basilica by Pope Paul VI.
His first assignment was as associate rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, La Crosse, and he also taught religion at Aquinas High School in La Crosse. In 1980, he returned to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. After completing his studies, he was named Moderator of the Curia and Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of La Crosse in April of 1984.
In 1989, Father Burke returned to Rome when Pope John Paul II named him Defender of the Bond of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. He was serving in this position when he was appointed Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of La Crosse by Pope John Paul II on Dec. 10, 1994.
Bishop Burke's Episcopal ordination by Pope John Paul II took place at St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 6, 1995, the Feast of the Epiphany. He was installed as diocesan bishop on Feb. 22, 1995, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
Pope John Paul II today named Bishop Raymond Burke of La Crosse, Wis., as archbishop of St. Louis.
The post has been vacant since Cardinal Justin Rigali took over the Philadelphia archdiocese in October.
Burke arrived in St. Louis Monday and spent his first night in the archbishop's residence on Lindell Boulevard. He will hold a news conference at 10:30 this morning at the pastoral center in Shrewsbury.
During a brief interview at the recent meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, he said, "I love St. Louis."
Like Rigali, the 55-year-old Burke has ties to Rome. He studied at the American seminary and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, was ordained a priest in a St. Peter's Basilica ceremony and was elevated to bishop in a ceremony presided over by Pope John Paul II. He is a canon (church) lawyer.
Burke, born in Richland Center, Wis., was appointed bishop of La Crosse on Dec. 10, 1994.
Burke will be installed as archbishop on the afternoon of Jan. 26 at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica on Lindell. That is the fifth anniversary of the visit of Pope John Paul II to St. Louis.
==end of article ==============================
For those who may not recall, Bishop Burke was one of the bishops who signed the letter proposing a Plenary Council for the Church in the U.S.
Here's a bio of Bishop Burke:
Bishop Burke was born in Richland Center, Wis., on June 30, 1948. He attended elementary school at St. Mary's, Richland Center, and after his family moved to Stratford, Wis., he attended St. Joseph's School there from 1959-62.
He attended high school at Holy Cross Seminary, La Crosse, Wis., from 1962-66, and also studied college courses there from 1966-68 before attending The Catholic University of America from 1968-71. He then studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1975, at St. Peter's Basilica by Pope Paul VI.
His first assignment was as associate rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, La Crosse, and he also taught religion at Aquinas High School in La Crosse. In 1980, he returned to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. After completing his studies, he was named Moderator of the Curia and Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of La Crosse in April of 1984.
In 1989, Father Burke returned to Rome when Pope John Paul II named him Defender of the Bond of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. He was serving in this position when he was appointed Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of La Crosse by Pope John Paul II on Dec. 10, 1994.
Bishop Burke's Episcopal ordination by Pope John Paul II took place at St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 6, 1995, the Feast of the Epiphany. He was installed as diocesan bishop on Feb. 22, 1995, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
Monday, December 01, 2003
Reconciliation Weekend in St. Louis Archdiocese
This weekend marks "Reconciliation Weekend" in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. This year, priests will be available to hear confessions in 51 parishes.
See http://www.archstl.org/worship/reconciliation.htm for more information.
See http://www.archstl.org/worship/reconciliation.htm for more information.
Our own "Sunday Eucharist Parish Survey"
As if Liturgical Dance is not enough, the powers that be at Immaculate Conception Parish are now inviting all parishioners to take this survey to see what they think of ICD's "worship services". Look carefully at the questions - it's all about one's "experiences" - one's feelings. Lord, who are these people and why are they here?
Sunday Eucharist Parish Survey.htm
It is strange, though, that not once is the question asked "Why do I go to Mass?".
From this Sunday's Bulletin:
So the rush is on! Get your "survey" forms in....more liturgical planning is surely needed to make our "worship services" more relevant....I can hardly wait!!!!!
Sunday Eucharist Parish Survey.htm
It is strange, though, that not once is the question asked "Why do I go to Mass?".
From this Sunday's Bulletin:
LITURGY SURVEY
Everyone recently received a Liturgy Survey in the mail. Please place your survey in the basket in the gathering space or bring it by the Parish Office by next weekend, Dec. 7th. Results of the survey will be tabulated in January. Additional copies of the survey are also available in the gathering space or in the Parish Office. Thank you!
So the rush is on! Get your "survey" forms in....more liturgical planning is surely needed to make our "worship services" more relevant....I can hardly wait!!!!!
Another Fine Article from James Hitchcock
In this article called "Religious freedom and the dogma of intolerance", James Hitchcock cogently offers his insights on why "orthodox believers are now regarded as the enemies of freedom".
Further, he warns us,
This is an excellent and timely article.
Further, he warns us,
"Secular animosity towards orthodox religion can only grow stronger, and it will be increasingly difficult to protect even the civil freedom of what are deemed to be 'exclusive' religions. I fear, however, that most professing believers do not understand how deep the issue really goes, nor are they prepared, intellectually or emotionally, to respond to it."
This is an excellent and timely article.
Friday, November 28, 2003
Just received this...The Old Log Church
I just received this from Howard Brandt of Credo of the Catholic Laity. It is a great historical perspective on one of the two churches in the St. Louis area where the Tridentine Latin Mass is celebrated.
I have heard great things about this church but I have not yet had the opportunity to attend. Several people have made the recommedation to try and make it this historic site for Mass, and I hope to get there within the next week or two.
Please take a look at this article...I am fascinated by the continuing depth of church history I learn about here in our own area.
I have heard great things about this church but I have not yet had the opportunity to attend. Several people have made the recommedation to try and make it this historic site for Mass, and I hope to get there within the next week or two.
Please take a look at this article...I am fascinated by the continuing depth of church history I learn about here in our own area.
Thursday, November 27, 2003
Cardinal Danneels On the Tridentine Mass, Liturgical Dance and Vocations
For those who have been holding their breath to hear what Godfried Cardinal Danneels has to say on these subjects, rejoice!
You can read about his interview at http://zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=45312 but be prepared. Thankfully, he is not the prefect for the CDW.
You can read about his interview at http://zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=45312 but be prepared. Thankfully, he is not the prefect for the CDW.
Sifting Wheat from the Weeds
There has been much confusion over the years regarding the Second Vatican Council. And Leon Suprenant of Catholics United for the Faith (CUF) has written another fine article which sheds light on what has been a source of frustration for many.
I would add that "the principal task entrusted to the Council By Pope John XXIII was to guard and better present the precious deposit of Christian doctrine in order to make it more accessible to the Christian faithful and to all people of good will." (Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum, 1992)
Despite the problems we have and are still experiencing, we should know that the Church will continue to be attacked, even from those within her bosom. Christ told us as much. We should continue to defend the Church and the Teachings of Christ and His Church at all times. And, of course, prayers and more prayers, fasting and penance are things we can all do to help combat the evil that is engulfing this world.
Check out CUF when you have time. It is a great organization.
I would add that "the principal task entrusted to the Council By Pope John XXIII was to guard and better present the precious deposit of Christian doctrine in order to make it more accessible to the Christian faithful and to all people of good will." (Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum, 1992)
Despite the problems we have and are still experiencing, we should know that the Church will continue to be attacked, even from those within her bosom. Christ told us as much. We should continue to defend the Church and the Teachings of Christ and His Church at all times. And, of course, prayers and more prayers, fasting and penance are things we can all do to help combat the evil that is engulfing this world.
Check out CUF when you have time. It is a great organization.
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
New Bishop of Phoenix Appointed - Seen as JPII Man
At least that's what this story says. Actually, it would be nice if ALL the bishops followed the Holy Father.
Indications are that Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, bishop of Wichita, Kan., is going to be a welcome change for the Phoenix diocese. Our prayers should be with him and the faithful of Phoenix.
Indications are that Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, bishop of Wichita, Kan., is going to be a welcome change for the Phoenix diocese. Our prayers should be with him and the faithful of Phoenix.
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Hans Kung banned from speaking in a Barcelona Church
The Archbishop of Barcelona has prohibited Hans Kung from giving a lecture in any church in his archdiocese. Now Kung wants to "debate" the Archbishop....Yes, he is challenging him to a duel! A theological debating duel!
Kung was in Spain to promote his autobiography in which he refers to the Holy Father as “an authoritarian and senile Polish Pope”. Kung also said of the ban, “There has been enough dictatorship and prohibition from speaking in public..."
It sounds to me like he may be upset that he is not Pope and abhors anyone who ideas of the Second Vatican Council differs from his. Read the story here.
Kung was in Spain to promote his autobiography in which he refers to the Holy Father as “an authoritarian and senile Polish Pope”. Kung also said of the ban, “There has been enough dictatorship and prohibition from speaking in public..."
It sounds to me like he may be upset that he is not Pope and abhors anyone who ideas of the Second Vatican Council differs from his. Read the story here.
DECLINE OF CATHOLICISM IN BELGIUM "TROUBLING," POPE SAYS
Some years ago I read an open letter to Cardinal Godfried Danneels written by a mother about what was described as a deplorable and questionable sex education program being promoted and used throughout the diocese. While I cannot currently find that letter, I do remember vividly that, if the facts in the letter were true, I would never permit my children to be part of this program.
That having been said, now the Holy Father is addressing the demise of Catholicism in Belgium. He also had this to say to the Belgium bishops.
Vatican, Nov. 24 (CWNews.com) - During a meeting with the bishops of Belgium, who were making their ad limina visit, Pope John Paul II said that the decline of religious practice in that country is "particularly troubling."
"Real and serious concern cannot be hidden," the Pope said, as Mass attendance and vocations to the priesthood and religious life continue to decline. In his November 22 meeting with the Belgian bishops, he also pointed to an unsettling decline in use of the sacraments of penance and even matrimony.
In his report to the Holy Father, on behalf of the visiting bishops, Cardinal Godfried Danneels of Brussels said that there are "lights and shadows" in the picture confronting the Belgian Church. "There is scarcely any area in the ecclesial life of our country in which positive and negative factors are not mingled, marking out the nature of our task as pastors," he said.
Pope John Paul, however, took a more direct approach, citing the problems of "a society that loses track of its traditional points of reference, promoting relativism in the name of pluralism." In those circumstances, he said, the most important task of the Church is "to introduce Christ" to the people and the society.
The Pope praised the Belgian hierarchy for their success in promoting the involvement of lay people in the life of the Church. But he emphasized that the Church must be careful to preserve a clear understanding of the different roles assigned to laymen and to priests.
=====================================
For what it is worth, there were also many problems in the past at the American College of Louvain on priestly training some years ago. These may have been detailed in Michael Rose's book. I do recall Cardinal Danneels speaking to the U.S. Bishops a couple of years ago stating that the "problems" there had been rectified. This was done, apparently because of declining enrollment - that is, few bishops were sending seminarians there because of the "problems".
That having been said, now the Holy Father is addressing the demise of Catholicism in Belgium. He also had this to say to the Belgium bishops.
Vatican, Nov. 24 (CWNews.com) - During a meeting with the bishops of Belgium, who were making their ad limina visit, Pope John Paul II said that the decline of religious practice in that country is "particularly troubling."
"Real and serious concern cannot be hidden," the Pope said, as Mass attendance and vocations to the priesthood and religious life continue to decline. In his November 22 meeting with the Belgian bishops, he also pointed to an unsettling decline in use of the sacraments of penance and even matrimony.
In his report to the Holy Father, on behalf of the visiting bishops, Cardinal Godfried Danneels of Brussels said that there are "lights and shadows" in the picture confronting the Belgian Church. "There is scarcely any area in the ecclesial life of our country in which positive and negative factors are not mingled, marking out the nature of our task as pastors," he said.
Pope John Paul, however, took a more direct approach, citing the problems of "a society that loses track of its traditional points of reference, promoting relativism in the name of pluralism." In those circumstances, he said, the most important task of the Church is "to introduce Christ" to the people and the society.
The Pope praised the Belgian hierarchy for their success in promoting the involvement of lay people in the life of the Church. But he emphasized that the Church must be careful to preserve a clear understanding of the different roles assigned to laymen and to priests.
=====================================
For what it is worth, there were also many problems in the past at the American College of Louvain on priestly training some years ago. These may have been detailed in Michael Rose's book. I do recall Cardinal Danneels speaking to the U.S. Bishops a couple of years ago stating that the "problems" there had been rectified. This was done, apparently because of declining enrollment - that is, few bishops were sending seminarians there because of the "problems".
Monday, November 24, 2003
Archdiocese of Boston & VOTF
There were reports late last week of Archbishop O'Malley meeting with VOTF which were "positive" and there was some hope expressed that the ban imposed on the group might be lifted.
This story is at The Boston Globe
It seemed rather strange that the Archbishop was never quoted. However, I received an email from Deal Hudson who followed up on this. The text of that email follows:
The Archbishop And The Dissenters
CRISIS Magazine - e-Letter
November 21, 2003
**********************************************
Dear Friend,
Yesterday I promised you I'd look into the Boston Globe article that claimed Archbishop Sean O'Malley of Boston was considering lifting the ban on Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) chapters in his archdiocese.
The Globe piece entitled "O'Malley to reconsider policies against lay group," quoted VOTF President Jim Post and archdiocesan spokesman Rev. Christopher J. Coyne at length. In the article, both observed
that the VOTF meeting with the archbishop "was considerably more cordial" than past meetings with other leaders, and both men were hopeful that relations between the group and the archdiocese would improve in the future.
Frankly, I was surprised by the tone of the article -- it made it sound like support for VOTF from the archdiocese was practically a done deal.
Then this morning I saw an Associated Press (AP) article -- "O'Malley has 'positive' meetings with Voice of the Faithful" -- that was even more enthusiastic about the meeting. In it, O'Malley is described as being on the brink of accepting funds from VOTF's fundraising arm, Voice of Compassion, and open to a discussion about removing the ban altogether.
If that was unexpected, the closing lines of the piece nearly knocked me out of my chair. It reads, "Coyne said the church does not consider Voice of the Faithful members dissidents."
This I could hardly believe. How could Coyne claim to be speaking for the entire Church? Surely, that's a bit beyond his jurisdiction. By giving such a sweeping statement to AP, it sounds like the Church has now awarded an imprimatur to the group.
As far as VOTF members not being dissidents, it's true that some are indeed faithful Catholics who simply want to address the sex scandal and make sure it never happens again. We all want that, and I don't blame them for looking for ways to address the problem.
But the VOTF leadership appears to be out of step with some of their members. If you recall last year's special CRISIS E-Report, "When Wolves Dress Like Sheep," you know all about that.
(http://www.crisismagazine.com/eletters/august8.htm)
And yet Coyne's comment makes it sound like the Church itself has approved the group. They're portrayed as a harmless organization that was unfairly silenced by evil bishops who felt threatened by discussions with the laity.
In both articles, VOTF comes out smelling like a rose.
I knew there had to be more to the story. For one, I noticed that O'Malley is never actually quoted in either piece. All of his comments are paraphrased by Coyne or Post.
I decided to speak with Father Coyne this afternoon to get his side of things. I'm glad I did -- Coyne said his comments were completely misrepresented.
"I was asked a question to characterize the meeting of Voice of the Faithful with the archbishop," Coyne told me, "and I responded by saying that they [the members of VOTF] told the archbishop that they were not dissidents. In making the statement, I did not in any way express the position of the Church or the archdiocese in Boston regarding Voice of the Faithful" (where the bans against them are still in effect).
Now that's a big difference. According to Coyne, he wasn't giving his own opinion, let alone the Church's position. He was merely telling the reporter what VOTF told the archbishop. But that brings up another point: Why would he simply repeat back to newspaper reporters what VOTF had told him about their organization? Coyne made a classic media gaffe in allowing VOTF to define itself through his own mouth. Because Coyne said it in a major media organ, his credibility will now be used to give VOTF legitimacy.
What if, for example, Sen. Ted Kennedy met with Archbishop O'Malley and told the archbishop that he was pro-life? If O'Malley or Coyne repeated that, without comment, to the media, it would look like they themselves accepted the truth of the statement.
It's the same case here. If Fr. Coyne had investigated VOTF himself, he would have found plenty to question -- their inviting known dissidents to speak at conventions, for one, or the fact that Jim Post has recently gone on record saying that the laity should have a role in electing bishops (The Arizona Republic, September 17, 2003).
But Coyne inadvertently let VOTF's spin go unchallenged, and now it appears that he -- and the Church -- have signed off on them.
Coyne told me that he was going to talk to the AP reporter about the sentence claiming that the Church supports VOTF, and I'm grateful that he took the time to speak with me and clarify his position. I told him to try and have the statement corrected nationally, through AP itself if possible. It's the only way to make sure the article won't be used by VOTF to claim fidelity to the Church.
And what about Archbishop O'Malley? Does he support VOTF? Highly-placed sources close to this issue (who can't be named at this time) have told me that it's highly unlikely O'Malley will be lifting the ban -- at this point he's merely listening to their concerns. He's going to look more closely at the group before he makes a decision, but from what I've been told, I'm betting those bans will stay firmly in place.
It's vital for Church leaders to understand that most Catholics (and non-Catholics) get their information about the Church through the mainstream media. People are bombarded with information from television, radio, the newspapers, Internet, etc. If our priests and bishops don't learn how to use those tools effectively to their own purpose, they'll be used against them.
In the current issue of CRISIS, Fr. Raymond de Souza has an excellent article on that very subject. We've made the piece available on our website, so if you haven't read it yet, you need to.
You'll find it here:
http://www.crisismagazine.com/feature2.htm
That's it for this week. I hope you have a great weekend, and I'll write you again in a few days.
Deal
*****
This story is at The Boston Globe
It seemed rather strange that the Archbishop was never quoted. However, I received an email from Deal Hudson who followed up on this. The text of that email follows:
The Archbishop And The Dissenters
CRISIS Magazine - e-Letter
November 21, 2003
**********************************************
Dear Friend,
Yesterday I promised you I'd look into the Boston Globe article that claimed Archbishop Sean O'Malley of Boston was considering lifting the ban on Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) chapters in his archdiocese.
The Globe piece entitled "O'Malley to reconsider policies against lay group," quoted VOTF President Jim Post and archdiocesan spokesman Rev. Christopher J. Coyne at length. In the article, both observed
that the VOTF meeting with the archbishop "was considerably more cordial" than past meetings with other leaders, and both men were hopeful that relations between the group and the archdiocese would improve in the future.
Frankly, I was surprised by the tone of the article -- it made it sound like support for VOTF from the archdiocese was practically a done deal.
Then this morning I saw an Associated Press (AP) article -- "O'Malley has 'positive' meetings with Voice of the Faithful" -- that was even more enthusiastic about the meeting. In it, O'Malley is described as being on the brink of accepting funds from VOTF's fundraising arm, Voice of Compassion, and open to a discussion about removing the ban altogether.
If that was unexpected, the closing lines of the piece nearly knocked me out of my chair. It reads, "Coyne said the church does not consider Voice of the Faithful members dissidents."
This I could hardly believe. How could Coyne claim to be speaking for the entire Church? Surely, that's a bit beyond his jurisdiction. By giving such a sweeping statement to AP, it sounds like the Church has now awarded an imprimatur to the group.
As far as VOTF members not being dissidents, it's true that some are indeed faithful Catholics who simply want to address the sex scandal and make sure it never happens again. We all want that, and I don't blame them for looking for ways to address the problem.
But the VOTF leadership appears to be out of step with some of their members. If you recall last year's special CRISIS E-Report, "When Wolves Dress Like Sheep," you know all about that.
(http://www.crisismagazine.com/eletters/august8.htm)
And yet Coyne's comment makes it sound like the Church itself has approved the group. They're portrayed as a harmless organization that was unfairly silenced by evil bishops who felt threatened by discussions with the laity.
In both articles, VOTF comes out smelling like a rose.
I knew there had to be more to the story. For one, I noticed that O'Malley is never actually quoted in either piece. All of his comments are paraphrased by Coyne or Post.
I decided to speak with Father Coyne this afternoon to get his side of things. I'm glad I did -- Coyne said his comments were completely misrepresented.
"I was asked a question to characterize the meeting of Voice of the Faithful with the archbishop," Coyne told me, "and I responded by saying that they [the members of VOTF] told the archbishop that they were not dissidents. In making the statement, I did not in any way express the position of the Church or the archdiocese in Boston regarding Voice of the Faithful" (where the bans against them are still in effect).
Now that's a big difference. According to Coyne, he wasn't giving his own opinion, let alone the Church's position. He was merely telling the reporter what VOTF told the archbishop. But that brings up another point: Why would he simply repeat back to newspaper reporters what VOTF had told him about their organization? Coyne made a classic media gaffe in allowing VOTF to define itself through his own mouth. Because Coyne said it in a major media organ, his credibility will now be used to give VOTF legitimacy.
What if, for example, Sen. Ted Kennedy met with Archbishop O'Malley and told the archbishop that he was pro-life? If O'Malley or Coyne repeated that, without comment, to the media, it would look like they themselves accepted the truth of the statement.
It's the same case here. If Fr. Coyne had investigated VOTF himself, he would have found plenty to question -- their inviting known dissidents to speak at conventions, for one, or the fact that Jim Post has recently gone on record saying that the laity should have a role in electing bishops (The Arizona Republic, September 17, 2003).
But Coyne inadvertently let VOTF's spin go unchallenged, and now it appears that he -- and the Church -- have signed off on them.
Coyne told me that he was going to talk to the AP reporter about the sentence claiming that the Church supports VOTF, and I'm grateful that he took the time to speak with me and clarify his position. I told him to try and have the statement corrected nationally, through AP itself if possible. It's the only way to make sure the article won't be used by VOTF to claim fidelity to the Church.
And what about Archbishop O'Malley? Does he support VOTF? Highly-placed sources close to this issue (who can't be named at this time) have told me that it's highly unlikely O'Malley will be lifting the ban -- at this point he's merely listening to their concerns. He's going to look more closely at the group before he makes a decision, but from what I've been told, I'm betting those bans will stay firmly in place.
It's vital for Church leaders to understand that most Catholics (and non-Catholics) get their information about the Church through the mainstream media. People are bombarded with information from television, radio, the newspapers, Internet, etc. If our priests and bishops don't learn how to use those tools effectively to their own purpose, they'll be used against them.
In the current issue of CRISIS, Fr. Raymond de Souza has an excellent article on that very subject. We've made the piece available on our website, so if you haven't read it yet, you need to.
You'll find it here:
http://www.crisismagazine.com/feature2.htm
That's it for this week. I hope you have a great weekend, and I'll write you again in a few days.
Deal
*****
Friday, November 21, 2003
Good News from the Rockford Diocese
Pro-Abortion Speakers Formally Banned From Access to Catholic Institutions in the Diocese of Rockford!
“In the Diocese of Rockford permission to speak at or use diocesan, parish, or institutional property shall not be granted to individuals who hold any view that is contrary to the Catholic Magisterium’s moral teaching and practice.”
We can certainly pray that this same policy spreads thoughout the U.S. What a blessing it must be to have a faithful and solid bishop leading his people toward Christ and salvation!
“In the Diocese of Rockford permission to speak at or use diocesan, parish, or institutional property shall not be granted to individuals who hold any view that is contrary to the Catholic Magisterium’s moral teaching and practice.”
We can certainly pray that this same policy spreads thoughout the U.S. What a blessing it must be to have a faithful and solid bishop leading his people toward Christ and salvation!
Catholic Campaign for Human Development?
If what is being reported is true, then it demonstrates even more problematical issues with this USCCB agency. Catholic Citizens of Illinois reports:
"The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is an annual collection taken up in Catholic parishes around the United States. Over one third of their grants go to Alinsky-styled political organizations. The largest are the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), Pacific Institute for Community Organizing (PICO), Direct Action and Research Training Institute (DART), Gamaliel, and ACORN."
"These so-called community organizations DO NOT provide direct services to relieve the suffering of the poor, nor do they provide economic development grants for the poor. Rather, they organize institutions - particularly in and around churches - to fight for political power.
"Illinois Catholics are advised that in spite of laudable CHD undertakes, your donations are also being used to sabotage Church teachings. Catholic donors to CHD are paying for organizations who fight for health clinics that dispense contraceptives and make abortion referrals. Catholic donors to CHD pay for political organizing that supports pro-abortion politicians. Catholic donors to CHD pay for organizing that trains Catholics to dissent from Catholic teaching. Until CHD agrees to commit its resources exclusively to non-political charitable relief, and it has NOT done that, Catholics will continue to fund a network of subversive and anti-Catholic political organizations masquerading as not-for-profits."
I have rarely contributed to this collection, preferring, instead, to donate to various Catholic charities which work "directly" with the poor and needy.
If this and other articles are true, should not all Catholics be informed of this? Since this is a part of the USCCB, it would appear that it must undergo some serious reform.
You migh also want to read this from CCI entitled "Just How Bad is the Campaign For Human Development? Thirteen News Reports With Information You Need To Share With Your Fellow Catholics"
"The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is an annual collection taken up in Catholic parishes around the United States. Over one third of their grants go to Alinsky-styled political organizations. The largest are the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), Pacific Institute for Community Organizing (PICO), Direct Action and Research Training Institute (DART), Gamaliel, and ACORN."
"These so-called community organizations DO NOT provide direct services to relieve the suffering of the poor, nor do they provide economic development grants for the poor. Rather, they organize institutions - particularly in and around churches - to fight for political power.
"Illinois Catholics are advised that in spite of laudable CHD undertakes, your donations are also being used to sabotage Church teachings. Catholic donors to CHD are paying for organizations who fight for health clinics that dispense contraceptives and make abortion referrals. Catholic donors to CHD pay for political organizing that supports pro-abortion politicians. Catholic donors to CHD pay for organizing that trains Catholics to dissent from Catholic teaching. Until CHD agrees to commit its resources exclusively to non-political charitable relief, and it has NOT done that, Catholics will continue to fund a network of subversive and anti-Catholic political organizations masquerading as not-for-profits."
I have rarely contributed to this collection, preferring, instead, to donate to various Catholic charities which work "directly" with the poor and needy.
If this and other articles are true, should not all Catholics be informed of this? Since this is a part of the USCCB, it would appear that it must undergo some serious reform.
You migh also want to read this from CCI entitled "Just How Bad is the Campaign For Human Development? Thirteen News Reports With Information You Need To Share With Your Fellow Catholics"
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Is there a disconnect here?
Look at this recent "News Brief" that appeared at Catholic News Service on 11/20/03. Why is it that this organization, which I understand is under the direction of the USCCB, continues to promote dissenters like Joan Chittister in their publications?
------------------------------
Benedictine sister aims to bring more women to table of peace
CLINTON, Iowa (CNS) -- As the Women's Partnership for Peace in the Middle East was meeting in Oslo, Norway, last summer, a suicide bombing took place in Israel. One of the delegates to the peace conference, who was unable to attend, lost a grandchild in the tragedy. The grandmother telephoned the conference's participants and urged, "Keep the dialogue going. Maybe you can save somebody else's granddaughter." Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, also a delegate to the Oslo conference, shared that story with an audience of about 300 people Nov. 2 at The Franciscan University in Clinton. The Benedictine lecturer, author and peace promoter from Erie, Pa., was in town to receive the 2003 Clare Award from the Clinton-based Sisters of St. Francis. Recipients of the Clare Award -- which has been presented only four times since its establishment a decade ago -- are women who exemplify "the characteristics of St. Clare and the values of the Clinton Franciscans: to live active nonviolence, pursuing peace with justice in right relationship with all creation."-------------------------------
And yet, right above this story was this 'News Brief':
-------------------------
Cardinal George says modern culture leaves people without firm values
ROME (CNS) -- Modern culture's exaltation of individualism and its pandering to changing whims are leaving people without firm references to the values and ideas that can draw them together and give them a common identity, said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago. "Modern culture fosters the dissolution of human community, for it lacks any single publicly acknowledged system for integrating, legitimizing and evaluating human experience," the cardinal told a conference in Rome. The cardinal spoke at Rome's Lateran University Nov. 20 during a conference marking the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's encyclical, "Veritatis Splendor," on moral theology.-----------------------------
Ok, first Cdl. George addresses the exaltation of individualism (pride, disobedience?), then CNS touts Sr. Joan.....
What gives? No wonder Catholics, and others, are so confused!!
------------------------------
Benedictine sister aims to bring more women to table of peace
CLINTON, Iowa (CNS) -- As the Women's Partnership for Peace in the Middle East was meeting in Oslo, Norway, last summer, a suicide bombing took place in Israel. One of the delegates to the peace conference, who was unable to attend, lost a grandchild in the tragedy. The grandmother telephoned the conference's participants and urged, "Keep the dialogue going. Maybe you can save somebody else's granddaughter." Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, also a delegate to the Oslo conference, shared that story with an audience of about 300 people Nov. 2 at The Franciscan University in Clinton. The Benedictine lecturer, author and peace promoter from Erie, Pa., was in town to receive the 2003 Clare Award from the Clinton-based Sisters of St. Francis. Recipients of the Clare Award -- which has been presented only four times since its establishment a decade ago -- are women who exemplify "the characteristics of St. Clare and the values of the Clinton Franciscans: to live active nonviolence, pursuing peace with justice in right relationship with all creation."-------------------------------
And yet, right above this story was this 'News Brief':
-------------------------
Cardinal George says modern culture leaves people without firm values
ROME (CNS) -- Modern culture's exaltation of individualism and its pandering to changing whims are leaving people without firm references to the values and ideas that can draw them together and give them a common identity, said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago. "Modern culture fosters the dissolution of human community, for it lacks any single publicly acknowledged system for integrating, legitimizing and evaluating human experience," the cardinal told a conference in Rome. The cardinal spoke at Rome's Lateran University Nov. 20 during a conference marking the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's encyclical, "Veritatis Splendor," on moral theology.-----------------------------
Ok, first Cdl. George addresses the exaltation of individualism (pride, disobedience?), then CNS touts Sr. Joan.....
What gives? No wonder Catholics, and others, are so confused!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
An excellent example of some good priests!
These priests who put together this parish letter are to be commended
for educating their parishioners. Sometimes these days, it seems
that many Church leaders are reluctant to take a stand and defend Holy Mother Church against those who seek to undermine her teachings.
I am sending them a "Thank You" letter for having the courage to inform and protect the faithful entrusted to their care.
==========================
From Zenit
Code: ZE03111926
Date: 2003-11-19
Critique of "Voice of the Faithful"
What Faith Are They Trying to Keep?
HYANNIS, Massachusetts, NOV. 19, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Several priests
in the Diocese of Fall River recently sent out a pastoral letter to
parishioners, to clarify the nature of Voice of the Faithful, a group
that gained attention in the wake of the clergy sex-abuse scandals.
Here we reprint the letter.
* * *
A Pastoral Letter From Your Priests
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In recent days, several parishioners have asked us for clarification about the group called "Voice of the Faithful," which is trying to make inroads on Cape Cod and within our Diocese of Fall River. Because we think that many parishioners beyond those who have approached us might have similar questions, we thought it would be appropriate to respond by means of a parish letter.
Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) was founded in the basement of a Wellesley church in January 2002 by those who wanted to express their concerns about the clergy sex-abuse scandals. Over the course of subsequent months, many good Catholic lay people, who were horrified (as were we!) by the scandals, joined the group as a means of expressing their justifiable outrage and firm commitment that this dark page in our Church's history must never be repeated.
When VOTF had its first major convention in Boston on July 20, 2002, many of us followed it closely to try discern its spirit. We were saddened to see the direction it took. The star speakers that day were well-known and oft-quoted critics of the Holy Father who publicly dissent from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. There's a truism that you can often learn a lot about someone from the people with whom he chooses to associate. The same goes for VOTF, the leaders of which, of course, invited and paid for these speakers to come to address those at the convention.
When faithful Catholic clergy and lay people criticized what was coming out of the convention, spokesmen from VOTF publicly stated that the group does not take any formal positions on the controversial issues being advanced by several of the convention speakers and VOTF members. But this is not sufficient. It is impossible for a group that wants to be authentically Catholic not to take a position on issues such as the ordination of women, sexual morality, abortion, and the divine foundation of the papacy -- all of which the Church has taken a position on. Not to take a position on such issues is to take a position; one cannot be both "agnostic" and "Catholic."
In short, because VOTF has given no indication that it fully supports all the defined teachings of the Church, we have grave misgivings about it and cannot recommend it to you.
As your priests, our foremost duty is to teach and defend the faith that has been handed down to us by Christ through the apostles and their successors. This is the Church's treasure and is the source of our unity as disciples of the Lord. The Church is not a society of independent thinkers with equally-valuable opinions, but the community of believers founded by Christ that remains faithful to His voice and follows His teaching as it has been handed on to us faithfully by the Church he founded. To be truly Catholic, you can't pick and choose some truths to follow and others to ignore. Embracing the Catholic faith means embracing all of it.
We have particular concern for those Catholics who want to remain faithful to the Church who now belong to an organization that calls itself Catholic but refuses publicly to embrace authentic Catholic teaching. VOTF says its motto is "Keep the Faith; Change the Church." But if the leaders of VOTF are unwilling to assent fully to Catholic teaching, what faith -- Catholics could legitimately ask -- are they trying to keep? And if organization is not really keeping the Catholic faith, then its proposals to "change the Church" should be viewed by faithful Catholics with justifiable suspicion. We encourage faithful Catholics who belong to VOTF to demand that the leadership of the organization explicitly avow Church teachings. If the leaders are not willing to do that, then we urge faithful Catholics to leave the organization.
The burden of proof is, of course, on VOTF to demonstrate its complete fidelity to Church teaching, by dissociating itself completely from groups and individuals that are obviously in dissent from Church teaching and gladly and willingly affirming their Catholic faith in all the defined teachings of the magisterium. No organization could never honestly claim to be the voice of faithful Catholic lay people without doing so -- as several parishioners, angry that the group claims to speak for them, have pointed out to us.
Until such time that VOTF demonstrates a transparent faithfulness to the teachings of the Church, no priest who takes his responsibility before God seriously to promote, preserve and defend the faith would countenance allowing the group to use Church property for their meetings. The people of ancient Troy learned a valuable lesson once and pastors would be derelict in their duty to do otherwise. We love you and love Christ too much to do otherwise.
If you find some of the statements of Voice of the Faithful to be attractive, we want you to know that we do, too. For instance, we agree with several of the organization's stated objectives:
1) We all support those who have been abused and want to prevent any recurrence of abuse.
2) We all support "priests of integrity" (although you might find it interesting that no priest from any of the parishes on Cape Cod present at our last meeting stated that he has received any sign of support from VOTF, which makes one wonder whether for VOTF this is just a paper objective).
3) We agree that there is a need for "cultural change" in the Church, if we define cultural change to mean a transparently greater cult (worship) of Christ among all of us in our daily decisions. The scandals resulted from the failure of priests to be faithful to Christ and to their promise of celibacy and of bishops to protect the flock from wolves in shepherd's clothing. But this grew within a general culture that was taking its moral obligations before God less seriously. Truly positive change will be directed toward a culture of greater fidelity to Christ in all the persons and activities of the Church.
4) We agree that there is a need for greater education of the laity in the teaching and ways of the faith, which is why, over the course of this year, we will be doing an extensive adult education series and why we have already started discussion sessions for parents of those in our CCD program and school.
5) We also welcome and strongly encourage a greater lay involvement in the mission of the Church, bringing Christ's teaching and love as leaven into our world.
In all of these areas priests and laity are already working together and, with God's help, bearing much fruit. If these were the only objectives of VOTF, the organization would not be objectionable.
The reason why VOTF is controversial, however, and why we cannot support it or recommend it to you is because VOTF has given indications by its deeds that its objectives transcend these publicly stated ones. By its failure to subscribe openly to the whole deposit of faith while at the same time publicly associating with groups that oppose the faith, VOTF has done nothing but strengthen suspicions that, while appearing to promote dialogue and cooperation, it actually promotes an agenda in conflict with the teachings of the Catholic faith.
There is a better alternative than VOTF for lay Catholics who want truly to "keep the faith and change the Church" in ways that are manifestly consistent with our Catholic faith. We invite them to become more involved in the mission of the Church here at St. Francis Xavier. We encourage them to join their priests and fellow lay people as together we strive to fulfill the mission which the Second Vatican Council and Pope John Paul II have entrusted to us: to live the faith and thereby, with God's help, strengthen the Church so as to change the world.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Thomas A. Frechette
Fr. Paul T. Lamb
Fr. Roger J. Landry
* * *
E-mail: rogerlandry@post.harvard.edu
for educating their parishioners. Sometimes these days, it seems
that many Church leaders are reluctant to take a stand and defend Holy Mother Church against those who seek to undermine her teachings.
I am sending them a "Thank You" letter for having the courage to inform and protect the faithful entrusted to their care.
==========================
From Zenit
Code: ZE03111926
Date: 2003-11-19
Critique of "Voice of the Faithful"
What Faith Are They Trying to Keep?
HYANNIS, Massachusetts, NOV. 19, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Several priests
in the Diocese of Fall River recently sent out a pastoral letter to
parishioners, to clarify the nature of Voice of the Faithful, a group
that gained attention in the wake of the clergy sex-abuse scandals.
Here we reprint the letter.
* * *
A Pastoral Letter From Your Priests
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In recent days, several parishioners have asked us for clarification about the group called "Voice of the Faithful," which is trying to make inroads on Cape Cod and within our Diocese of Fall River. Because we think that many parishioners beyond those who have approached us might have similar questions, we thought it would be appropriate to respond by means of a parish letter.
Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) was founded in the basement of a Wellesley church in January 2002 by those who wanted to express their concerns about the clergy sex-abuse scandals. Over the course of subsequent months, many good Catholic lay people, who were horrified (as were we!) by the scandals, joined the group as a means of expressing their justifiable outrage and firm commitment that this dark page in our Church's history must never be repeated.
When VOTF had its first major convention in Boston on July 20, 2002, many of us followed it closely to try discern its spirit. We were saddened to see the direction it took. The star speakers that day were well-known and oft-quoted critics of the Holy Father who publicly dissent from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. There's a truism that you can often learn a lot about someone from the people with whom he chooses to associate. The same goes for VOTF, the leaders of which, of course, invited and paid for these speakers to come to address those at the convention.
When faithful Catholic clergy and lay people criticized what was coming out of the convention, spokesmen from VOTF publicly stated that the group does not take any formal positions on the controversial issues being advanced by several of the convention speakers and VOTF members. But this is not sufficient. It is impossible for a group that wants to be authentically Catholic not to take a position on issues such as the ordination of women, sexual morality, abortion, and the divine foundation of the papacy -- all of which the Church has taken a position on. Not to take a position on such issues is to take a position; one cannot be both "agnostic" and "Catholic."
In short, because VOTF has given no indication that it fully supports all the defined teachings of the Church, we have grave misgivings about it and cannot recommend it to you.
As your priests, our foremost duty is to teach and defend the faith that has been handed down to us by Christ through the apostles and their successors. This is the Church's treasure and is the source of our unity as disciples of the Lord. The Church is not a society of independent thinkers with equally-valuable opinions, but the community of believers founded by Christ that remains faithful to His voice and follows His teaching as it has been handed on to us faithfully by the Church he founded. To be truly Catholic, you can't pick and choose some truths to follow and others to ignore. Embracing the Catholic faith means embracing all of it.
We have particular concern for those Catholics who want to remain faithful to the Church who now belong to an organization that calls itself Catholic but refuses publicly to embrace authentic Catholic teaching. VOTF says its motto is "Keep the Faith; Change the Church." But if the leaders of VOTF are unwilling to assent fully to Catholic teaching, what faith -- Catholics could legitimately ask -- are they trying to keep? And if organization is not really keeping the Catholic faith, then its proposals to "change the Church" should be viewed by faithful Catholics with justifiable suspicion. We encourage faithful Catholics who belong to VOTF to demand that the leadership of the organization explicitly avow Church teachings. If the leaders are not willing to do that, then we urge faithful Catholics to leave the organization.
The burden of proof is, of course, on VOTF to demonstrate its complete fidelity to Church teaching, by dissociating itself completely from groups and individuals that are obviously in dissent from Church teaching and gladly and willingly affirming their Catholic faith in all the defined teachings of the magisterium. No organization could never honestly claim to be the voice of faithful Catholic lay people without doing so -- as several parishioners, angry that the group claims to speak for them, have pointed out to us.
Until such time that VOTF demonstrates a transparent faithfulness to the teachings of the Church, no priest who takes his responsibility before God seriously to promote, preserve and defend the faith would countenance allowing the group to use Church property for their meetings. The people of ancient Troy learned a valuable lesson once and pastors would be derelict in their duty to do otherwise. We love you and love Christ too much to do otherwise.
If you find some of the statements of Voice of the Faithful to be attractive, we want you to know that we do, too. For instance, we agree with several of the organization's stated objectives:
1) We all support those who have been abused and want to prevent any recurrence of abuse.
2) We all support "priests of integrity" (although you might find it interesting that no priest from any of the parishes on Cape Cod present at our last meeting stated that he has received any sign of support from VOTF, which makes one wonder whether for VOTF this is just a paper objective).
3) We agree that there is a need for "cultural change" in the Church, if we define cultural change to mean a transparently greater cult (worship) of Christ among all of us in our daily decisions. The scandals resulted from the failure of priests to be faithful to Christ and to their promise of celibacy and of bishops to protect the flock from wolves in shepherd's clothing. But this grew within a general culture that was taking its moral obligations before God less seriously. Truly positive change will be directed toward a culture of greater fidelity to Christ in all the persons and activities of the Church.
4) We agree that there is a need for greater education of the laity in the teaching and ways of the faith, which is why, over the course of this year, we will be doing an extensive adult education series and why we have already started discussion sessions for parents of those in our CCD program and school.
5) We also welcome and strongly encourage a greater lay involvement in the mission of the Church, bringing Christ's teaching and love as leaven into our world.
In all of these areas priests and laity are already working together and, with God's help, bearing much fruit. If these were the only objectives of VOTF, the organization would not be objectionable.
The reason why VOTF is controversial, however, and why we cannot support it or recommend it to you is because VOTF has given indications by its deeds that its objectives transcend these publicly stated ones. By its failure to subscribe openly to the whole deposit of faith while at the same time publicly associating with groups that oppose the faith, VOTF has done nothing but strengthen suspicions that, while appearing to promote dialogue and cooperation, it actually promotes an agenda in conflict with the teachings of the Catholic faith.
There is a better alternative than VOTF for lay Catholics who want truly to "keep the faith and change the Church" in ways that are manifestly consistent with our Catholic faith. We invite them to become more involved in the mission of the Church here at St. Francis Xavier. We encourage them to join their priests and fellow lay people as together we strive to fulfill the mission which the Second Vatican Council and Pope John Paul II have entrusted to us: to live the faith and thereby, with God's help, strengthen the Church so as to change the world.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Thomas A. Frechette
Fr. Paul T. Lamb
Fr. Roger J. Landry
* * *
E-mail: rogerlandry@post.harvard.edu
The Massachusetts Bishops Speak...
As reported by Catholic News Service here:
Reacting to an "alarming" decision by Massachusetts' highest court to overturn a ban on same-sex marriages, Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley of Boston said he hopes the state's legislators "will have the courage and common sense to redress this situation for the good of society."
In a separate statement, the Massachusetts Catholic Conference said the decision "defies reason" and was a rejection of "an understanding of marriage tested over thousands of years and accepted nearly everywhere as the key to a stable society."
It remains to be seen if this judicial ruling will be overturned.
Reacting to an "alarming" decision by Massachusetts' highest court to overturn a ban on same-sex marriages, Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley of Boston said he hopes the state's legislators "will have the courage and common sense to redress this situation for the good of society."
In a separate statement, the Massachusetts Catholic Conference said the decision "defies reason" and was a rejection of "an understanding of marriage tested over thousands of years and accepted nearly everywhere as the key to a stable society."
It remains to be seen if this judicial ruling will be overturned.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Bishop J. Kevin Boland, who spoke last week about the Q&A pamphlet called "Between Man and Woman:Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions" which the U.S. Bishops approved, stated yesterday that the legalization of homosexual "marriages" would be "another diminishing of society, just like abortion.....Marriage is, in many ways, in a crisis in this country," Boland said. "... I see it as another diminishing of society, just like abortion." Read the story here.
The world, and especially the U.S., seems to slip further and further into the abyss of darkness every day, rejecting the light of Truth. Does not a day go by, in which we see the furthering of decadence and immorality on a level that seems to be greater than any other time in history? And what are we teaching the youth of today?
More prayers, fasting, and mortification are needed, at least to strengthen those who may yet accept the gift of grace which God offers to all of us.
The world, and especially the U.S., seems to slip further and further into the abyss of darkness every day, rejecting the light of Truth. Does not a day go by, in which we see the furthering of decadence and immorality on a level that seems to be greater than any other time in history? And what are we teaching the youth of today?
More prayers, fasting, and mortification are needed, at least to strengthen those who may yet accept the gift of grace which God offers to all of us.
Judicial Activism in Massachusetts
Catholics, other Christians, and all people who believe in Divine, moral, and natural law may soon become the targets of a new judicial mandate. The Massachusetts Supreme Court today ruled that the state must allow some form of "marriage" for homosexuals.
Forget the will of the people & the legislature! This is just too reprehensible to even address. Read all about it at http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=26013
I suppose we are, indeed, lucky that the U.S. Bishops just addressed this issue last week. Who will be the first Massachusetts bishop to loudly condemn this ruling by a wayward bunch of, as Ted Kennedy says, "neanderthals"!
Forget the will of the people & the legislature! This is just too reprehensible to even address. Read all about it at http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=26013
I suppose we are, indeed, lucky that the U.S. Bishops just addressed this issue last week. Who will be the first Massachusetts bishop to loudly condemn this ruling by a wayward bunch of, as Ted Kennedy says, "neanderthals"!
American Catholicism on the verge of collapse?
Well, so writes Garry Wills in his book review of Peter Steinfels' book, "A People Adrift".
As long as these people keep trying to remake the Catholic Church in their own image and likeness, they are correct and their 'church' will collapse!
I, rather, will continue to believe Jesus when He said about His Church, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
If you can stomach the same old, tired song and dance from those dissenters whose only authority comes from within, then read his review here.
As long as these people keep trying to remake the Catholic Church in their own image and likeness, they are correct and their 'church' will collapse!
I, rather, will continue to believe Jesus when He said about His Church, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
If you can stomach the same old, tired song and dance from those dissenters whose only authority comes from within, then read his review here.
Monday, November 17, 2003
New Toledo Bishop-designate defends celibacy
Another Bishop defends the disciplinary rules of the Church.
"Toledo Bishop-designate Leonard Blair, having just returned from a U.S. Catholic bishops conference in Washington, said yesterday that the church must continue its diligence in protecting children from sexual abuse, but said officials should "stay the course" rather than look to radical changes.
"Saying that he is still becoming familiar with the diocese he will lead starting Dec. 4, Bishop Blair said he saw some positive signs at the three-day meeting of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"Bishop Blair said he does not think the church should discuss optional celibacy for priests, as proposed by a group of 160 Milwaukee priests and supported recently by 25 retired Toledo priests."
See the full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031115/NEWS10/111150111
"Toledo Bishop-designate Leonard Blair, having just returned from a U.S. Catholic bishops conference in Washington, said yesterday that the church must continue its diligence in protecting children from sexual abuse, but said officials should "stay the course" rather than look to radical changes.
"Saying that he is still becoming familiar with the diocese he will lead starting Dec. 4, Bishop Blair said he saw some positive signs at the three-day meeting of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"Bishop Blair said he does not think the church should discuss optional celibacy for priests, as proposed by a group of 160 Milwaukee priests and supported recently by 25 retired Toledo priests."
See the full story at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031115/NEWS10/111150111
Georgetown Condemns Cardinal Arinze for Pro-Family Speech
See a related story at http://www.thehoya.com/news/110703/news2.cfm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matt Mauney
(202) 276-5982
mmm39@georgetown.edu
November 12, 2003
Georgetown University Student Government Condemns Catholic Cardinal for Pro-family Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a stunning blow to Georgetown University’s religious heritage, the student government of America's oldest Catholic university turned its back on a normally routine resolution thanking Nigerian Archbishop Francis Cardinal Arinze - thought by many to be next in line for the papacy - for his commencement speech last spring.
In his speech, Cardinal Arinze stood up for traditional Catholic teachings on the family and sexual morality, saying, “In many parts of the world, the family is under siege. It is opposed by an anti-life mentality as is seen in contraception, abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. It is scorned and banalized by pornography, desecrated by fornication and adultery, mocked by homosexuality, sabotaged by irregular unions and cut in two by divorce.”
Cardinal Arinze’s commencement address ignited a firestorm on campus that has continued in the current academic year. Theology Professor Theresa Sanders and several students walked out during the graduation speech on May 17th, 2003. Nearly 70 faculty members followed up with a letter to College Dean Jane McAuliffe to protest the address. Then, in October, the Georgetown University Faculty Senate passed a resolution prompted by the Arinze speech which called on the university to reaffirm its commitment to an “inclusive, pluralistic community.”
On November 4, 2003, the student government—known as the Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA)—debated a resolution sponsored by junior representative Matt Mauney that thanked Cardinal Arinze for an “appropriate and meaningful commencement address in keeping with Catholic teaching and the Georgetown University mission.” It also called on teachers and students who protested the speech “to affirm their commitment to an inclusive community.” GUSA rejected the resolution 3-11.
Mauney denounced GUSA’s actions saying, “By rejecting this resolution, the student association has said that the expression of Catholic faith is unwelcome at perhaps the most important university event for students. In doing so, it has pitted Georgetown’s Catholic identity against tolerance, implying that faithful Catholics, indeed the whole university, are bigoted.”
Nicholas Lizop, a GUSA representative who voted against the resolution, commented that “[I] would expect to be able to go through Georgetown without having to hear Catholic doctrine.”
“Unfortunately, there are many people on campus who are ignorant of Catholic teachings and Georgetown’s tradition,” Mauney said. “No one is compelled to agree with the Catholic Church, but as a non-Catholic, it is unconscionable to me that people who freely chose to come here are so hostile to the intellectual and moral tradition that founded this university. This decision undermines the 200-plus year tradition of America’s oldest Catholic university, and the students who opposed the resolution should be ashamed.”
GUSA’s actions have caused some students to reflect on whether conservative and traditional Catholic voices are really welcomed on campus. Jack Ternan, the chair of the student association and a Catholic, commented, “I can’t count the number of times I have been called a racist, sexist, homophobe, etc in an attempt to discredit or silence me.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matt Mauney
(202) 276-5982
mmm39@georgetown.edu
November 12, 2003
Georgetown University Student Government Condemns Catholic Cardinal for Pro-family Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a stunning blow to Georgetown University’s religious heritage, the student government of America's oldest Catholic university turned its back on a normally routine resolution thanking Nigerian Archbishop Francis Cardinal Arinze - thought by many to be next in line for the papacy - for his commencement speech last spring.
In his speech, Cardinal Arinze stood up for traditional Catholic teachings on the family and sexual morality, saying, “In many parts of the world, the family is under siege. It is opposed by an anti-life mentality as is seen in contraception, abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. It is scorned and banalized by pornography, desecrated by fornication and adultery, mocked by homosexuality, sabotaged by irregular unions and cut in two by divorce.”
Cardinal Arinze’s commencement address ignited a firestorm on campus that has continued in the current academic year. Theology Professor Theresa Sanders and several students walked out during the graduation speech on May 17th, 2003. Nearly 70 faculty members followed up with a letter to College Dean Jane McAuliffe to protest the address. Then, in October, the Georgetown University Faculty Senate passed a resolution prompted by the Arinze speech which called on the university to reaffirm its commitment to an “inclusive, pluralistic community.”
On November 4, 2003, the student government—known as the Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA)—debated a resolution sponsored by junior representative Matt Mauney that thanked Cardinal Arinze for an “appropriate and meaningful commencement address in keeping with Catholic teaching and the Georgetown University mission.” It also called on teachers and students who protested the speech “to affirm their commitment to an inclusive community.” GUSA rejected the resolution 3-11.
Mauney denounced GUSA’s actions saying, “By rejecting this resolution, the student association has said that the expression of Catholic faith is unwelcome at perhaps the most important university event for students. In doing so, it has pitted Georgetown’s Catholic identity against tolerance, implying that faithful Catholics, indeed the whole university, are bigoted.”
Nicholas Lizop, a GUSA representative who voted against the resolution, commented that “[I] would expect to be able to go through Georgetown without having to hear Catholic doctrine.”
“Unfortunately, there are many people on campus who are ignorant of Catholic teachings and Georgetown’s tradition,” Mauney said. “No one is compelled to agree with the Catholic Church, but as a non-Catholic, it is unconscionable to me that people who freely chose to come here are so hostile to the intellectual and moral tradition that founded this university. This decision undermines the 200-plus year tradition of America’s oldest Catholic university, and the students who opposed the resolution should be ashamed.”
GUSA’s actions have caused some students to reflect on whether conservative and traditional Catholic voices are really welcomed on campus. Jack Ternan, the chair of the student association and a Catholic, commented, “I can’t count the number of times I have been called a racist, sexist, homophobe, etc in an attempt to discredit or silence me.”
Friday, November 14, 2003
The Biblical Doctrine of Purgatory
I received an email today from Patrick Madrid, Catholic apologist and publisher of Envoy Magazine, in which he takes up the Church's doctrine of Purgatory and explains it a very understandable way.
This is a fairly long and thorough article but it is, like most of Patrick Madrid's works, easy to read and comprehend. It would be very helpful both for Catholics who do not quite understand what Purgatory is and isn't, as well as for non-Catholics who may not know the scriptural basis for it.
The article can be read or downloaded at http://www.envoymagazine.com/planetenvoy/special-PurgatoryEmergencyRoom.htm .
This is a fairly long and thorough article but it is, like most of Patrick Madrid's works, easy to read and comprehend. It would be very helpful both for Catholics who do not quite understand what Purgatory is and isn't, as well as for non-Catholics who may not know the scriptural basis for it.
The article can be read or downloaded at http://www.envoymagazine.com/planetenvoy/special-PurgatoryEmergencyRoom.htm .
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Bishops Approve Q&A Document on Marriage/'Same Sex' Unions
Yesterday, also, the U.S. Bishops approved a document called "Between Man and Woman:Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions" which is a Q&A format publication. It is intended to give witness to the truth and to reinforce Catholic teaching that acts of homosexuality are sinful. The word "sin", however, is never mentioned in the document. It does reiterate some of the ideas expounded in the document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons from July 2003.
During the debate on the floor, San Francisco Bishop Levada made an attempt to 'minimize' the impact that the document would have on the faithful by stating, "If two homosexuals live together in a chaste union, that would not be immoral". Raymond Arroyo of EWTN noted to Co-Host Fr. James Gould, "Two men living together in a chaste union might well be considered roommates".
The document may be reviewed at http://www.usccb.org/laity/manandwoman.htm
During the debate on the floor, San Francisco Bishop Levada made an attempt to 'minimize' the impact that the document would have on the faithful by stating, "If two homosexuals live together in a chaste union, that would not be immoral". Raymond Arroyo of EWTN noted to Co-Host Fr. James Gould, "Two men living together in a chaste union might well be considered roommates".
The document may be reviewed at http://www.usccb.org/laity/manandwoman.htm
New Q&A Brochure on Devotional Practices
The US Bishops approved a "pastoral statement" on popular devotions yesterday. The document is primarily composed in a "question and answer" format similar to the Q&A document on the Holy Eucharist a couple of years ago. The bishops did affirm that all devotional practices should be "Christo-centric", that is, centered on Jesus Christ.
The document (I suppose it will be in a small booklet form) may be order from the USCCB and may be read at http://www.usccb.org/bishops/devprac.htm
The document (I suppose it will be in a small booklet form) may be order from the USCCB and may be read at http://www.usccb.org/bishops/devprac.htm
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
High School Catechetical Textbooks Are Deficient
A U.S. Bishops Committee has determined that many high school religion textbooks are "deficient".
After reading the article, and I wish there were more details, it seems that use of the term 'deficient' is an understatement. Many parents have known for years that their children were being misled and poisoned in matters of Church teaching. See the article here.
Some of the heterdox examples cited:
The Catholic Church is one church among many churches.
Catholic doctrine reflects one opinion among many rather than truth.
Sacraments were "developed" over time and can change.
Sacraments celebrate a "moment in time" rather than an encounter with Christ.
The community confects the Eucharist rather than Christ through the priest.
The subject of women's ordination is ambiguous.
The Sacrament of Marriage refers to "partners" rather than husband and wife.
The inability to call pre- or extramartial sex a "sin".
Morality is presented as 'matters of options/personal choice".
Gender neutering of the nature of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture is a human work.
Miracles of Jesus were a result of 'lucky timing'.
Catechesis has been referred to as the "handing on, faithfully, of the teachings of Christ and His Church". Who are these "Catholic" publishers that produce this garbage? Why are they allowed to continue to use the name "Catholic" if this is an example of what they publish for consumption? Who are the administrators of the high schools who misuse the funds, usually provided by parents with much sacrifice, to purchase this kind of trash? Why are some allowed to 'teach' when they do not even believe what the Church teaches in the first place? This is too disheartening for words!
For those who may be concerned about the education of their high school children, you may want to look at a long forgotten series from years ago written by Fr. John Laux. It is an excellent resource and is available from Tan Books. You will find none of the poison in these books as you will find in many of those being used today. The Baltimore Catechism can still be purchased, if one is so inclined. One might also want to look to Ignatius Press for catechetical materials for younger children. Fr. Robert Levis (EWTN) also has an excellent resource for children.
I only recommend these as resources for parents because parents have the PRIMARY responsibility for education of their children. It is foolish these days, generally speaking, to rely on others to properly catechize your children. The task ahead for faithful Catholics looks quite daunting but I suspect we are being challenged for a reason. God permits evil in order that a greater good come from it. We have all the means necessary to pass on faithfully to the next generation the Faith which we have received. Parents must not neglect their obligations even if others have failed to live up to their responsibility.
After reading the article, and I wish there were more details, it seems that use of the term 'deficient' is an understatement. Many parents have known for years that their children were being misled and poisoned in matters of Church teaching. See the article here.
Some of the heterdox examples cited:
The Catholic Church is one church among many churches.
Catholic doctrine reflects one opinion among many rather than truth.
Sacraments were "developed" over time and can change.
Sacraments celebrate a "moment in time" rather than an encounter with Christ.
The community confects the Eucharist rather than Christ through the priest.
The subject of women's ordination is ambiguous.
The Sacrament of Marriage refers to "partners" rather than husband and wife.
The inability to call pre- or extramartial sex a "sin".
Morality is presented as 'matters of options/personal choice".
Gender neutering of the nature of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture is a human work.
Miracles of Jesus were a result of 'lucky timing'.
Catechesis has been referred to as the "handing on, faithfully, of the teachings of Christ and His Church". Who are these "Catholic" publishers that produce this garbage? Why are they allowed to continue to use the name "Catholic" if this is an example of what they publish for consumption? Who are the administrators of the high schools who misuse the funds, usually provided by parents with much sacrifice, to purchase this kind of trash? Why are some allowed to 'teach' when they do not even believe what the Church teaches in the first place? This is too disheartening for words!
For those who may be concerned about the education of their high school children, you may want to look at a long forgotten series from years ago written by Fr. John Laux. It is an excellent resource and is available from Tan Books. You will find none of the poison in these books as you will find in many of those being used today. The Baltimore Catechism can still be purchased, if one is so inclined. One might also want to look to Ignatius Press for catechetical materials for younger children. Fr. Robert Levis (EWTN) also has an excellent resource for children.
I only recommend these as resources for parents because parents have the PRIMARY responsibility for education of their children. It is foolish these days, generally speaking, to rely on others to properly catechize your children. The task ahead for faithful Catholics looks quite daunting but I suspect we are being challenged for a reason. God permits evil in order that a greater good come from it. We have all the means necessary to pass on faithfully to the next generation the Faith which we have received. Parents must not neglect their obligations even if others have failed to live up to their responsibility.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
I meant to post this the other day.
Divine Mercy in the Lord of the Rings
11/9/2003 10:09:00 AM
By Joseph Pearce - Friends of Mercy Newsletter - Vol. 15, No. 7 | November/December 2003
It's no surprise that Tolkein's trilogy is interwoven with Catholic themes - he was a devout Catholic.
The Return of the King, the final part of Peter Jackson's blockbuster film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, will be let loose on an expectant nation this December. During the coming months, it will be watched by millions of movie-goers throughout the world, most of whom will be unaware that they are watching a film version of a fundamentally religious and Catholic work.
The work's author, J.R.R. Tolkien, was a lifelong devout Catholic who poured his Catholic heart into the writing of the myth that is now captivating a new generation, half a century after its first publication. Tolkien insisted that the fact that he as "a Christian, which can be deduced from my stories, and in fact a Roman Catholic," was the most important and "really significant" element in his work. Indeed, it's not difficult to discover the manifestation of Divine Mercy in The Lord of the Rings.
In this epic tale of good and evil, the great Ring of power must be destroyed otherwise it will be used by the Dark Lord Sauron to enslave all of Middle Earth. The hobbit Bilbo and then his nephew Frodo come into possession of the Ring from Gollum - a hobbit who has been reduced to a crazed and pitiable shadow of his former self through long exposure to the Ring.
With his trusty servant Sam, Frodo accepts the daunting mission of destroying the Ring by returning to the fire of Mount Doom, where it was forged by the Dark Lord. On their quest to reach Mount Doom in the heart of the evil land of Mordor, Frodo and Sam's steps are dogged by Gollum, who willing to do anything to regain possession of the Ring himself.
The issue then becomes do Frodo and Sam take matters into their on hands by killing Gollum, or do they show him mercy even though he poses a threat to them at points on their arduous journey?
Knowing his treacherous intent, Frodo had wished that Gollum has been killed: "What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature when he had a chance!"
"Pity?" replied Gandalf, the wise wizard. "It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy." Gandalf believes Gollum is mystically bound up with the fate of the Ring. "My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many - yours not least." (Caution: Spoilers ahead for those who haven't read the book yet!)
These words are recalled later by Frodo when he, too, has the chance to kill Gollum. Like Bilbo, Frodo also chooses the path of mercy over vengeance, and, like Bilbo, his charitable choice comes to "rule the fate of many." At the climatic moment on Mount Doom, Frodo finds that he cannot, at the very last, cast the Ring into the fire. On the very brink of success, he finds himself on the verge of final,and fatal, failure.
It is at this crucial moment that Frodo and Middle Earth itself are saved by Gollum who rushes forward and bites the Ring from Frodo's finger before falling into the abyss, destroying himself and the Ring in the process.
The scene is not only a triumph of divine providence over fate, it is the triumph of Divine Mercy, in which free will, supported by grace, is fully vindicated. According to Tolkien himself, Frodo has been saved "because he had accepted the burden voluntarily, and had then done all that was within his utmost physical and mental strength to do. He, and the Cause, were saved - by mercy: by the supreme value and efficacy of pity and forgiveness and injury" (from Tolkien's Letters).
In the Church, the greatest manifestation of Divine Mercy is, of course, the Incarnation and the Crucifixion. At its deepest, Tolkien's myth serves as a reflection of this archetypal mercy. The journey of Frodo and Sam is emblematic of the Christian's imitation of Christ in carrying the cross.
Tolkien makes the parallel even more explicitly. "I should say," he wrote, explaining the final climatic moments on Mount Doom when the Ring is finally unmade, "that within the mode of the story [it] exemplifies (an aspect of) the familiar words: 'Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive [those who] trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.'"
Furthermore, Tolkien makes the Christian dimension even more unmistakable in the fact that the climatic destruction of the Ring - and in consequence the destruction of the Dark Lord who had forged it - occurred on "the twenty-fifth of March." That's believed to be the date Christ was crucified. It is also, of course, the Feast of the Annunciation, the celebration of the absolute center of all history as the moment when God Himself became incarnate as man.
As a Catholic, Tolkien knew March 25 was the date in which God had "unmade" Original Sin, which, like the Ring, has brought humanity under the sway of the Shadow. If the Ring, which is unmade at the culmination of Tolkien's Quest, is the "one ring to rule them all... and in the darkness bind them," the Fall was the "One Sin to rule them all... and in the darkness bind them." On the twenty-fifth of March the One Sin, like the One Ring, has been "unmade," destroying the power of the Dark Lord.
It is very comforting in the midst of these dark days that the most popular book of the twentieth century, and the most popular movie of the new century, draw their power and their glory from the light of the Gospel.
*****
Joseph Pearce is Writer in Residence at Ave Maria University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and author of Tolkien: Man and Myth (Ignatius Press).
11/9/2003 10:09:00 AM
By Joseph Pearce - Friends of Mercy Newsletter - Vol. 15, No. 7 | November/December 2003
It's no surprise that Tolkein's trilogy is interwoven with Catholic themes - he was a devout Catholic.
The Return of the King, the final part of Peter Jackson's blockbuster film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, will be let loose on an expectant nation this December. During the coming months, it will be watched by millions of movie-goers throughout the world, most of whom will be unaware that they are watching a film version of a fundamentally religious and Catholic work.
The work's author, J.R.R. Tolkien, was a lifelong devout Catholic who poured his Catholic heart into the writing of the myth that is now captivating a new generation, half a century after its first publication. Tolkien insisted that the fact that he as "a Christian, which can be deduced from my stories, and in fact a Roman Catholic," was the most important and "really significant" element in his work. Indeed, it's not difficult to discover the manifestation of Divine Mercy in The Lord of the Rings.
In this epic tale of good and evil, the great Ring of power must be destroyed otherwise it will be used by the Dark Lord Sauron to enslave all of Middle Earth. The hobbit Bilbo and then his nephew Frodo come into possession of the Ring from Gollum - a hobbit who has been reduced to a crazed and pitiable shadow of his former self through long exposure to the Ring.
With his trusty servant Sam, Frodo accepts the daunting mission of destroying the Ring by returning to the fire of Mount Doom, where it was forged by the Dark Lord. On their quest to reach Mount Doom in the heart of the evil land of Mordor, Frodo and Sam's steps are dogged by Gollum, who willing to do anything to regain possession of the Ring himself.
The issue then becomes do Frodo and Sam take matters into their on hands by killing Gollum, or do they show him mercy even though he poses a threat to them at points on their arduous journey?
Knowing his treacherous intent, Frodo had wished that Gollum has been killed: "What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature when he had a chance!"
"Pity?" replied Gandalf, the wise wizard. "It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy." Gandalf believes Gollum is mystically bound up with the fate of the Ring. "My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many - yours not least." (Caution: Spoilers ahead for those who haven't read the book yet!)
These words are recalled later by Frodo when he, too, has the chance to kill Gollum. Like Bilbo, Frodo also chooses the path of mercy over vengeance, and, like Bilbo, his charitable choice comes to "rule the fate of many." At the climatic moment on Mount Doom, Frodo finds that he cannot, at the very last, cast the Ring into the fire. On the very brink of success, he finds himself on the verge of final,and fatal, failure.
It is at this crucial moment that Frodo and Middle Earth itself are saved by Gollum who rushes forward and bites the Ring from Frodo's finger before falling into the abyss, destroying himself and the Ring in the process.
The scene is not only a triumph of divine providence over fate, it is the triumph of Divine Mercy, in which free will, supported by grace, is fully vindicated. According to Tolkien himself, Frodo has been saved "because he had accepted the burden voluntarily, and had then done all that was within his utmost physical and mental strength to do. He, and the Cause, were saved - by mercy: by the supreme value and efficacy of pity and forgiveness and injury" (from Tolkien's Letters).
In the Church, the greatest manifestation of Divine Mercy is, of course, the Incarnation and the Crucifixion. At its deepest, Tolkien's myth serves as a reflection of this archetypal mercy. The journey of Frodo and Sam is emblematic of the Christian's imitation of Christ in carrying the cross.
Tolkien makes the parallel even more explicitly. "I should say," he wrote, explaining the final climatic moments on Mount Doom when the Ring is finally unmade, "that within the mode of the story [it] exemplifies (an aspect of) the familiar words: 'Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive [those who] trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.'"
Furthermore, Tolkien makes the Christian dimension even more unmistakable in the fact that the climatic destruction of the Ring - and in consequence the destruction of the Dark Lord who had forged it - occurred on "the twenty-fifth of March." That's believed to be the date Christ was crucified. It is also, of course, the Feast of the Annunciation, the celebration of the absolute center of all history as the moment when God Himself became incarnate as man.
As a Catholic, Tolkien knew March 25 was the date in which God had "unmade" Original Sin, which, like the Ring, has brought humanity under the sway of the Shadow. If the Ring, which is unmade at the culmination of Tolkien's Quest, is the "one ring to rule them all... and in the darkness bind them," the Fall was the "One Sin to rule them all... and in the darkness bind them." On the twenty-fifth of March the One Sin, like the One Ring, has been "unmade," destroying the power of the Dark Lord.
It is very comforting in the midst of these dark days that the most popular book of the twentieth century, and the most popular movie of the new century, draw their power and their glory from the light of the Gospel.
*****
Joseph Pearce is Writer in Residence at Ave Maria University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and author of Tolkien: Man and Myth (Ignatius Press).
Bishops to Scold Some "Catholic" Politicians?
The Salt Lake Tribune reports this and the Associated Press, this.
I must have missed this last night as I was watching/recording the re-airing of the U.S. Bishops' meeting in Washington. This certainly was not in the morning session and the afternoon session was to be replayed about 2:00 or 2:30 CST. I hope I have it recorded.
"In a freewheeling discussion reflecting years of concern, some bishops suggested that the church should consider punishments ranging from denying honorary degrees to elected officials, refusing to allow them to speak at Catholic institutions, or even excommunicating them."
I'm not sure how denying an honorary degree to a defiant "Catholic" politician who proudly promotes abortion is really going to effect a change of heart in these people. I understand that excommunication is a 'medicinal' remedy that encourages one to repent and seek reconcilation with the Church. Considering the gravity of the scandal that pro-death politicians perpetrate by their outright rejection and repudiation of the moral teachings of the Church, I am often at a loss why so little has been done to address this.
They quoted one of my favorite bishops:
"It's a constant source of scandal that the most prominent pro-abortion people are Catholics . . . who seem to go unreproved," said Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Neb.
I hope, if this is indeed true, that the fruit of this endeavor comes more quickly and with better results than with the "implementation" of things like 'Ex Corde Ecclesia'.
I must have missed this last night as I was watching/recording the re-airing of the U.S. Bishops' meeting in Washington. This certainly was not in the morning session and the afternoon session was to be replayed about 2:00 or 2:30 CST. I hope I have it recorded.
"In a freewheeling discussion reflecting years of concern, some bishops suggested that the church should consider punishments ranging from denying honorary degrees to elected officials, refusing to allow them to speak at Catholic institutions, or even excommunicating them."
I'm not sure how denying an honorary degree to a defiant "Catholic" politician who proudly promotes abortion is really going to effect a change of heart in these people. I understand that excommunication is a 'medicinal' remedy that encourages one to repent and seek reconcilation with the Church. Considering the gravity of the scandal that pro-death politicians perpetrate by their outright rejection and repudiation of the moral teachings of the Church, I am often at a loss why so little has been done to address this.
They quoted one of my favorite bishops:
"It's a constant source of scandal that the most prominent pro-abortion people are Catholics . . . who seem to go unreproved," said Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Neb.
I hope, if this is indeed true, that the fruit of this endeavor comes more quickly and with better results than with the "implementation" of things like 'Ex Corde Ecclesia'.
Remember Veteran's Day
This came via email early this morning. Thought I would pass it on.
I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free!
Enjoy Your Freedom & God Bless Our Troops!
Show Your Support Send This Page Along Today !
I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free!
Enjoy Your Freedom & God Bless Our Troops!
Show Your Support Send This Page Along Today !
Monday, November 10, 2003
Gay Catholics Speak to US Catholic Bishops
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Gay Catholics Speak to US Catholic Bishops
On November 10, 2003 the National Council of Catholic Bishops will hold their annual fall meeting in Washington, DC. The Rainbow Sash Movement, a national group of Gay and Lesbian Catholics will be sending a delegation to Bishops Liturgy on Monday (November 10, 2003) evening at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC. The delegation will be identified by the Rainbow Sashes they will wear during the Liturgy. Joe Murray, the Rainbow Sash Movement Spokesperson, will be leading the delegation. The delegation will be headquartered at the Hyatt Regency, Capital Hill, Washington, DC.
The Catholic Church has become polarized, and its very unity depends on willingness among the hierarchy to acknowledge this, and to listen to the diverse voices within the Church, and seek common ground. On the progressive side, there is a certain anti-institutionalization, and more dangerously, an anti-dogmatic bias. For conservatives, there is a tendency to uphold doctrines even at the price of people's rights and freedoms. Is the Church becoming so focused on immutable doctrine and eternal truths at the price of human beings and their concrete needs? The Church has to expand its vision and see that gay men and lesbian women, as well as bisexual and transgendered people, are as fully human as anyone else, constituent members of the imago dei that is humanity.
Gay and Lesbian Catholics are deeply concerned about the future of the Church, and their place in it. Like others in the Catholic Church the Rainbow Sash Movement is calling the National Council of Catholic Bishops to official dialogue. The problem is not dogma; the problem seems to be how to promote dogma in the framework of love.
The Rainbow Sash Movement believes that the Catholic Church is the living continuity of faith that is why we bring our concerns to the Bishops, and remain faithful within the parish life of the Church.
Rainbow Sash Movement
========End of Release===========================================
I had missed this earlier. I'm curious to see what, if anything, will happen at Mass this evening. I, too, am deeply concerned about my place in Christ's Church, not because of this but because, like St. Paul, I , too, am working out my salvation in fear and trembling. Fortunately, the Church teaches with the authority of Jesus exactly what is necessary to abide with Him and His Church.
We can choose humilty and follow with obedience - choosing life over death, or we can choose pride and "make things up" as we go along, becoming false teachers and prophets, determining for ourselves what is right and wrong and end up rejecting God's gift of grace and everlasting life.
Newsflash!!!! The Catholic Church is NOT going to change the moral law to accomodate sin, in whatever form one wishes to re-define it. Is this really that difficult to understand?
For Immediate Release
Gay Catholics Speak to US Catholic Bishops
On November 10, 2003 the National Council of Catholic Bishops will hold their annual fall meeting in Washington, DC. The Rainbow Sash Movement, a national group of Gay and Lesbian Catholics will be sending a delegation to Bishops Liturgy on Monday (November 10, 2003) evening at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC. The delegation will be identified by the Rainbow Sashes they will wear during the Liturgy. Joe Murray, the Rainbow Sash Movement Spokesperson, will be leading the delegation. The delegation will be headquartered at the Hyatt Regency, Capital Hill, Washington, DC.
The Catholic Church has become polarized, and its very unity depends on willingness among the hierarchy to acknowledge this, and to listen to the diverse voices within the Church, and seek common ground. On the progressive side, there is a certain anti-institutionalization, and more dangerously, an anti-dogmatic bias. For conservatives, there is a tendency to uphold doctrines even at the price of people's rights and freedoms. Is the Church becoming so focused on immutable doctrine and eternal truths at the price of human beings and their concrete needs? The Church has to expand its vision and see that gay men and lesbian women, as well as bisexual and transgendered people, are as fully human as anyone else, constituent members of the imago dei that is humanity.
Gay and Lesbian Catholics are deeply concerned about the future of the Church, and their place in it. Like others in the Catholic Church the Rainbow Sash Movement is calling the National Council of Catholic Bishops to official dialogue. The problem is not dogma; the problem seems to be how to promote dogma in the framework of love.
The Rainbow Sash Movement believes that the Catholic Church is the living continuity of faith that is why we bring our concerns to the Bishops, and remain faithful within the parish life of the Church.
Rainbow Sash Movement
========End of Release===========================================
I had missed this earlier. I'm curious to see what, if anything, will happen at Mass this evening. I, too, am deeply concerned about my place in Christ's Church, not because of this but because, like St. Paul, I , too, am working out my salvation in fear and trembling. Fortunately, the Church teaches with the authority of Jesus exactly what is necessary to abide with Him and His Church.
We can choose humilty and follow with obedience - choosing life over death, or we can choose pride and "make things up" as we go along, becoming false teachers and prophets, determining for ourselves what is right and wrong and end up rejecting God's gift of grace and everlasting life.
Newsflash!!!! The Catholic Church is NOT going to change the moral law to accomodate sin, in whatever form one wishes to re-define it. Is this really that difficult to understand?
Virtual Tour - Redemptoris Mater Chapel
There is a new virtual tour of the Redemptoris Mater Chapel at the Vatican at
www.vatican.va/redemptoris_mater/index_en.htm. You must have or download the shockwave flash player to view it.
This is the chapel that is used by the Pope during his annual retreats and for the homilies given during Advent and Lent. Apparently, it received considerable notice for its Byzantine style mosaics.
www.vatican.va/redemptoris_mater/index_en.htm. You must have or download the shockwave flash player to view it.
This is the chapel that is used by the Pope during his annual retreats and for the homilies given during Advent and Lent. Apparently, it received considerable notice for its Byzantine style mosaics.
Bishops' Meeting Coverage
I had almost forgotten...and I'll have to catch the encore (re-run) shows later. Last time I tried to tape this thing, after having set up the VCR with all the dates & times, the entire schedule changed. As I was out of town, I called home to have one of my sons change the tape when I "knew" the next tape would be needed, based on the pre-planned VCR timer set-up. Of about 12 hours of tape, I only had 30 minutes of the bishops' meeting. Best laid plans, eh?
So unless the schedules change, here is EWTN's current schedule.
COVERAGE OF THE 2003 FALL SESSION OF THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
PREVIEW SHOW
Sunday November 9, 8:00 PM LIVE
MONDAY MORNING SESSION
Monday November 10, 9:00 AM LIVE
Monday November 10, 9:00 PM ENCORE
MONDAY. AFTERNOON SESSION
Monday November 10, 2:00 PM LIVE
Tuesday November 11, 3:30 AM ENCORE
USCCB MASS FROM BNSIC
Monday November 10, 6:00 PM LIVE
Tuesday November 11, 1:00 AM ENCORE
TUESDAY MORNING SESSION
Tuesday November 11, 9:00 AM LIVE
Tuesday November 11, 2:00 PM ENCORE
Wed November 12, 2:00 AM ENCORE
WEDNESDAY MORNING SESSION
Wednesday November 12, 9:00 AM LIVE
Wed. November 12, 9:00 PM ENCORE
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SESSION
Wednesday November 12, 2:00 PM LIVE
Thurs. November 13, 2003 2:00 AM ENCORE
WRAP UP SHOW - THE WORLD OVER
Friday Nov. 14, 8 PM
So unless the schedules change, here is EWTN's current schedule.
COVERAGE OF THE 2003 FALL SESSION OF THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
PREVIEW SHOW
Sunday November 9, 8:00 PM LIVE
MONDAY MORNING SESSION
Monday November 10, 9:00 AM LIVE
Monday November 10, 9:00 PM ENCORE
MONDAY. AFTERNOON SESSION
Monday November 10, 2:00 PM LIVE
Tuesday November 11, 3:30 AM ENCORE
USCCB MASS FROM BNSIC
Monday November 10, 6:00 PM LIVE
Tuesday November 11, 1:00 AM ENCORE
TUESDAY MORNING SESSION
Tuesday November 11, 9:00 AM LIVE
Tuesday November 11, 2:00 PM ENCORE
Wed November 12, 2:00 AM ENCORE
WEDNESDAY MORNING SESSION
Wednesday November 12, 9:00 AM LIVE
Wed. November 12, 9:00 PM ENCORE
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SESSION
Wednesday November 12, 2:00 PM LIVE
Thurs. November 13, 2003 2:00 AM ENCORE
WRAP UP SHOW - THE WORLD OVER
Friday Nov. 14, 8 PM
Dissenters still stirring things up in Milwaukee
The annual Call-To-Action conference was held in Milwaukee this past weekend and as I understand it, Arbishop Dolan was out of town, probably on his way to Washington for the Bishops' Conference meeting.
One of the "hot topics" included a program to begin a nationwide drive to push for optional celibacy. Some priests have gone so far as to include sample letters in parish bulletins. And at least one priest at this CTA/FutureChurch/et al meeting is quoted as saying about the ministerial priesthood, "I think that we just have to open ordained ministry up to everyone, both men and women, married and single." I guess some of these guys have never read the documents of the Church, the Catechism, or much of anything else of value.
The Journal Sentinel has an article on this here.
But that's just a part of this meeting. Illinois Justice Anne Burke, who is the acting chairwoman of the Bishops' National Review Board to oversee the clergy sexual abuse program, was to speak on the efforts of the petition drive. This was also in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
I wish I could understand the rationale for selecting advocates of dissent and heterdoxy to serve on the national abuse panel. It seems that it would be fairly difficult to make right moral judgements, if one is infected with dissent.
Archbishop Dolan really needs our prayers as do all of these others.
One of the "hot topics" included a program to begin a nationwide drive to push for optional celibacy. Some priests have gone so far as to include sample letters in parish bulletins. And at least one priest at this CTA/FutureChurch/et al meeting is quoted as saying about the ministerial priesthood, "I think that we just have to open ordained ministry up to everyone, both men and women, married and single." I guess some of these guys have never read the documents of the Church, the Catechism, or much of anything else of value.
The Journal Sentinel has an article on this here.
But that's just a part of this meeting. Illinois Justice Anne Burke, who is the acting chairwoman of the Bishops' National Review Board to oversee the clergy sexual abuse program, was to speak on the efforts of the petition drive. This was also in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
I wish I could understand the rationale for selecting advocates of dissent and heterdoxy to serve on the national abuse panel. It seems that it would be fairly difficult to make right moral judgements, if one is infected with dissent.
Archbishop Dolan really needs our prayers as do all of these others.
Sunday, November 09, 2003
Bishop Vasa's Statement on Terri Schiavo
Bishop Robert F. Vasa of Baker, OR, speaks out on behalf of Terri Schindler-Schiavo, the 39-year-old brain-disabled woman whose husband and legal guardian Michael Schiavo is determined to end her life by court-ordered starvation.
For Mary and Bob Schindler: ...."Cannot people see that Terri is their baby and that their love for her has a value and that their love tells the world that Terri has great worth? To treat her as if she were already dead is cruel and inhumane. To treat her as if she is dying is likewise ludicrous." Kindest Regards, +RFV
The Catholic Church teaches that hydration and nutrition are simply water and food. These must always be provided as long as the food or water itself or the method of delivery is not unduly burdensome to the PATIENT. There does not appear to be any indication from Terri that the provision or the method of provision of food and water is burdensome to her.
The one 'burden', which so many seem so determined to lift from her, is that one thing that allows Terri to continue to be a living breathing human person, life itself. Life itself cannot be the burden from which we in the Catholic Church seek to deliver the faithful. This is the Assisted Suicide attitude.
Life is a grace and a blessing and yes the living of that life does entail some burdens, sometimes great burdens, but the solution can be neither murder nor suicide — these are offenses against life itself and the Lord who gives it.
Terri is alive. She is kept alive by the same things that keep me alive - Food, water, air. Her disability deprives her of the ability to ingest these things, it does not deprive her of the ability to digest them. She may well die in the future from an inability to digest food but it would be murder to cause her death by denying her the food she still has the ability to digest and which continues to provide for her a definite benefit — life itself.
Kindest regards,
Bishop Robert F. Vasa
Diocese of Baker
Box 5999
Baker, Oregon 97708
(541) 388-4004
Also.
See Bishop Raymund Burke's statement here and Bishop Paul Loverde's re-statement of Church teaching here.
For Mary and Bob Schindler: ...."Cannot people see that Terri is their baby and that their love for her has a value and that their love tells the world that Terri has great worth? To treat her as if she were already dead is cruel and inhumane. To treat her as if she is dying is likewise ludicrous." Kindest Regards, +RFV
The Catholic Church teaches that hydration and nutrition are simply water and food. These must always be provided as long as the food or water itself or the method of delivery is not unduly burdensome to the PATIENT. There does not appear to be any indication from Terri that the provision or the method of provision of food and water is burdensome to her.
The one 'burden', which so many seem so determined to lift from her, is that one thing that allows Terri to continue to be a living breathing human person, life itself. Life itself cannot be the burden from which we in the Catholic Church seek to deliver the faithful. This is the Assisted Suicide attitude.
Life is a grace and a blessing and yes the living of that life does entail some burdens, sometimes great burdens, but the solution can be neither murder nor suicide — these are offenses against life itself and the Lord who gives it.
Terri is alive. She is kept alive by the same things that keep me alive - Food, water, air. Her disability deprives her of the ability to ingest these things, it does not deprive her of the ability to digest them. She may well die in the future from an inability to digest food but it would be murder to cause her death by denying her the food she still has the ability to digest and which continues to provide for her a definite benefit — life itself.
Kindest regards,
Bishop Robert F. Vasa
Diocese of Baker
Box 5999
Baker, Oregon 97708
(541) 388-4004
Also.
See Bishop Raymund Burke's statement here and Bishop Paul Loverde's re-statement of Church teaching here.
The Fascinated God
There is a new book written by a local St. Louis diocesan priest which is being marketed (selectively as I understand it) to some in the archdiocese.
I'm curious if anyone has read it and can offer any sort of evaluation of it. I am always hesitant to spend good money on any books dealing with the Faith, unless they are completely orthodox or, if not, to be used as reference material (like Loraine Boettner's Roman Catholicism). I still have several other good books that I want to get to. I'd like to finish Warren Carroll's The History of Christendom sometime soon. It's quite a read and well worth the time, if one likes history!
Anyway, back to the subject. You can read the abstract of the new book, titled The Fascinated God, here.
While I am not making any premature or undeserved judgements, a few things struck me as "odd" while I read the article about this book. Perhaps, these days I am just a tad overly cautious, but I find it difficult to read somthing like "Jesus...is now accessible in the sacraments of the church in a quasi-magic manner" and not feel concerned.
Any comments?
I'm curious if anyone has read it and can offer any sort of evaluation of it. I am always hesitant to spend good money on any books dealing with the Faith, unless they are completely orthodox or, if not, to be used as reference material (like Loraine Boettner's Roman Catholicism). I still have several other good books that I want to get to. I'd like to finish Warren Carroll's The History of Christendom sometime soon. It's quite a read and well worth the time, if one likes history!
Anyway, back to the subject. You can read the abstract of the new book, titled The Fascinated God, here.
While I am not making any premature or undeserved judgements, a few things struck me as "odd" while I read the article about this book. Perhaps, these days I am just a tad overly cautious, but I find it difficult to read somthing like "Jesus...is now accessible in the sacraments of the church in a quasi-magic manner" and not feel concerned.
Any comments?
Prof. James Hitchcock Dinner/Talk
We had a wonderful time at tonight's talk on "What has happened to our Catholic Colleges and Universities." A good dinner and an excellent talk.
Although the problem has been acknowledged by the Holy See and recognized by a number of parents and students, I suspect that the vast majority of Catholic parents are unaware of the dangers that await their children at many "Catholic" institutions of higher learning.
Dr. James Hitchcock addressed the issue from a perspective that I had never heard before, and, as an history professor, he did a remarkable job explaining how the problem of secularization of Catholic colleges appears to be cyclical.
There will be tapes and CDs made. I look forward to listening to Dr. Hitchcock's presentation again while driving to and from work. Credo St. Louis may be able to provide copies. See the Credo post here in you're interested.
I have only been to two of these talks (the first to hear and meet Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz) and both were very informative. It's really a joy to be able to learn from solid, orthodox Catholics.
Although the problem has been acknowledged by the Holy See and recognized by a number of parents and students, I suspect that the vast majority of Catholic parents are unaware of the dangers that await their children at many "Catholic" institutions of higher learning.
Dr. James Hitchcock addressed the issue from a perspective that I had never heard before, and, as an history professor, he did a remarkable job explaining how the problem of secularization of Catholic colleges appears to be cyclical.
There will be tapes and CDs made. I look forward to listening to Dr. Hitchcock's presentation again while driving to and from work. Credo St. Louis may be able to provide copies. See the Credo post here in you're interested.
I have only been to two of these talks (the first to hear and meet Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz) and both were very informative. It's really a joy to be able to learn from solid, orthodox Catholics.
Friday, November 07, 2003
Update on ICD's Liturgical Dance Performance on Oct 12
I received a response from Bishop Hermann a couple of days ago regarding a followup letter I wrote to him after his participation in ICD's Dedication Mass of October 12. My report and comments of the Dedication Mass are here.
I do not wish to post his letter as I am considering other options and what approach is necessary in pursuing this further. Suffice it say that the essence of the response was, more or less, what I expected. I was surprised by the reasoning and rationalizations given, though!
In summary, I have been enlightened as to the following:
That this diocese has a history of liturgical dance on special occasions.
"Arbitrarily" forbidding liturgical dance at ICD would be confusing for the faithful.
Prohibiting liturgical dance "in this Archdiocese" will require a "thorough catechesis". Lastly, since 'liturgical dance' occurred at the Vatican with the Beatification of Mother Theresa, it must be OK for us here in the US, because it was televised worldwide.
I guess Cardinal Arinze was mistaken when he said, "The do-it-yourself" Mass is ended. Go in peace." I suppose we have a ways to go before we are fully "inculturated".
I do not wish to post his letter as I am considering other options and what approach is necessary in pursuing this further. Suffice it say that the essence of the response was, more or less, what I expected. I was surprised by the reasoning and rationalizations given, though!
In summary, I have been enlightened as to the following:
That this diocese has a history of liturgical dance on special occasions.
"Arbitrarily" forbidding liturgical dance at ICD would be confusing for the faithful.
Prohibiting liturgical dance "in this Archdiocese" will require a "thorough catechesis". Lastly, since 'liturgical dance' occurred at the Vatican with the Beatification of Mother Theresa, it must be OK for us here in the US, because it was televised worldwide.
I guess Cardinal Arinze was mistaken when he said, "The do-it-yourself" Mass is ended. Go in peace." I suppose we have a ways to go before we are fully "inculturated".
Thursday, November 06, 2003
Enroll in a "Catholic" university & lose your Faith?
Read this:
Many Theologians in U.S. Dodging Canon-Law Norm
Journalist's Investigation Reveals Worrisome Trend on Mandatums
Yes, it has only been about 20 years since the new Code of Canon Law was promulgated and about 13 years since "Ex Corde Ecclesia" (1990) was issued by the Holy Father through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This requires that those teaching theology agree to teach the Faith in accord with the teachings of the Church.
The bishops of this country FINALLY got around to doing a little something about it 11 years later in 2001. And it wasn't much...
Do you want to find a good Catholic College for you or your children? One in which Faith is nourished and strengthened instead of assaulted? Well, good luck....
I have recommended to friends and family that they should write the office of admissions first and ask if their professors have a mandatum. If they are hesitant to respond in an affirmative manner for whatever reasons that they may cite, such as: privacy or academic freedom, then write them off. Why throw away good money so that your kids can be stripped of their faith?
Find a college which is up front about it and has professors who earnestly seek and obtain the mandatum, indicating to a great extent, that they are faithful to the teachings of the Church. These are the colleges that should be supported. It's truly shameful that many claim to be Catholic when, it seems, they are far removed from Truth, Himself.
You will be doing yourself and your children a great favor.
Many Theologians in U.S. Dodging Canon-Law Norm
Journalist's Investigation Reveals Worrisome Trend on Mandatums
Yes, it has only been about 20 years since the new Code of Canon Law was promulgated and about 13 years since "Ex Corde Ecclesia" (1990) was issued by the Holy Father through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This requires that those teaching theology agree to teach the Faith in accord with the teachings of the Church.
The bishops of this country FINALLY got around to doing a little something about it 11 years later in 2001. And it wasn't much...
Do you want to find a good Catholic College for you or your children? One in which Faith is nourished and strengthened instead of assaulted? Well, good luck....
I have recommended to friends and family that they should write the office of admissions first and ask if their professors have a mandatum. If they are hesitant to respond in an affirmative manner for whatever reasons that they may cite, such as: privacy or academic freedom, then write them off. Why throw away good money so that your kids can be stripped of their faith?
Find a college which is up front about it and has professors who earnestly seek and obtain the mandatum, indicating to a great extent, that they are faithful to the teachings of the Church. These are the colleges that should be supported. It's truly shameful that many claim to be Catholic when, it seems, they are far removed from Truth, Himself.
You will be doing yourself and your children a great favor.
Evidently St. Cronan's has their "Ministry of Danced Prayer" also.
This was in St. Cronan's bulletin for the week of November 9th.
KLEBA’S KORNER
THE PASTOR’S PEACE
“DANCE IS APPROPRIATE AT PAPAL MASSES ABROAD AND AT THE VATICAN. Papal celebrations need the adaptation and inculturation foreseen by the Vatican Council II.” Archbishop Piero Marini, Pope John Paul II’s chief liturgist. That is just what I thought about our liturgical rhythmic movement and other inculturation here at St. Cronan’s."
I guess we can all look forward to another new & improved Liturgy coming soon to a parish near you.
KLEBA’S KORNER
THE PASTOR’S PEACE
“DANCE IS APPROPRIATE AT PAPAL MASSES ABROAD AND AT THE VATICAN. Papal celebrations need the adaptation and inculturation foreseen by the Vatican Council II.” Archbishop Piero Marini, Pope John Paul II’s chief liturgist. That is just what I thought about our liturgical rhythmic movement and other inculturation here at St. Cronan’s."
I guess we can all look forward to another new & improved Liturgy coming soon to a parish near you.
Concerned about the Liturgy, Fidelity, Orthodoxy? Consider Credo-St. Louis
For the faithful in the archdiocese of St Louis, there is a local group, "Credo of the Catholic Laity", which you might find of benefit. I only recently became aware of it after attending a dinner meeting here in St Louis which hosted Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska, speaking on "The Injustice of Secular Culture".
Below I have posted Credo's introductory information.
About Credo
Back in 1994 a small group of concerned Catholics met in St. Louis to discuss what positive action could be taken by the laity regarding some of the increasingly deplorable conditions in the Church. The discussions resulted in formation of Credo of the Catholic Laity.
Some of the conditions we were concerned about were:
The fact that many Catholics no longer believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, that New Age philosophy was being accepted by some Catholics, including certain members of the clergy, and that Radical groups like “Call to Action,” “We Are Church” and “Catholics for a Free Choice” were becoming more influential.
We had heard horror stories about seminaries where orthodox Catholics were humiliated and forced out while active homosexuals were ordained. All sorts of strange concepts were being put forward as in the "spirit of Vatican II".
Needless to say the homosexual penetration of the clergy and the scandals that have followed have created another and even more serious crisis for the Church.
It was decided that Credo’s primary mission would be to promote solid Roman Catholic Orthodoxy through three vehicles: Education, Activism, and Advocacy. A steering committee was formed and work began. We now have in excess of 100 members.
We have sponsored over thirty educational presentations including such speakers as Dr. Wm. Marra, Professor James Hitchcock , Father Pablo Straub, Father John Trigilio and Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz. We have sponsored five Retreats, a Day of Recollection, Special Masses and a Wanderer Forum. We publish a newsletter at least quarterly. In addition we work behind the scenes to point out liturgical transgression and misinterpretation of Church doctrine to those involved and if necessary to the appropriate Church authority. We strongly support those good priests and bishops who are aligned with the Holy Father and the Magisterium.
Our basic doctrine: Faithful Catholics, obedient to the Holy Father and those many good bishops, priests and religious in union with him. Dedicated to preserving doctrinal orthodoxy and rubrical fidelity in the Church’s public worship and to enhancing the spiritual growth of our members.
If you agree with this doctrine we hope you will decide to join us. If you have a special area of concern you may want to become involved in one of our committees. You can join by filling out the application form below and submitting it with the appropriate fees. If you are already a member we urge you to pass this application on to someone else who might be interested.
If you would like to know more Call Howard Brandt at 314-894-0357 or Victor Mercurio at 314-878-2067.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credo of the Catholic Laity Membership Dues: $12.00 individual $15.00 family.
Please make your check payable to Credo of the Catholic Laity and remit to:
Credo of the Catholic Laity
C/0 Howard Brandt Treasurer
4386 Honeydew Lane
St. Louis Mo. 63128
Below I have posted Credo's introductory information.
About Credo
Back in 1994 a small group of concerned Catholics met in St. Louis to discuss what positive action could be taken by the laity regarding some of the increasingly deplorable conditions in the Church. The discussions resulted in formation of Credo of the Catholic Laity.
Some of the conditions we were concerned about were:
The fact that many Catholics no longer believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, that New Age philosophy was being accepted by some Catholics, including certain members of the clergy, and that Radical groups like “Call to Action,” “We Are Church” and “Catholics for a Free Choice” were becoming more influential.
We had heard horror stories about seminaries where orthodox Catholics were humiliated and forced out while active homosexuals were ordained. All sorts of strange concepts were being put forward as in the "spirit of Vatican II".
Needless to say the homosexual penetration of the clergy and the scandals that have followed have created another and even more serious crisis for the Church.
It was decided that Credo’s primary mission would be to promote solid Roman Catholic Orthodoxy through three vehicles: Education, Activism, and Advocacy. A steering committee was formed and work began. We now have in excess of 100 members.
We have sponsored over thirty educational presentations including such speakers as Dr. Wm. Marra, Professor James Hitchcock , Father Pablo Straub, Father John Trigilio and Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz. We have sponsored five Retreats, a Day of Recollection, Special Masses and a Wanderer Forum. We publish a newsletter at least quarterly. In addition we work behind the scenes to point out liturgical transgression and misinterpretation of Church doctrine to those involved and if necessary to the appropriate Church authority. We strongly support those good priests and bishops who are aligned with the Holy Father and the Magisterium.
Our basic doctrine: Faithful Catholics, obedient to the Holy Father and those many good bishops, priests and religious in union with him. Dedicated to preserving doctrinal orthodoxy and rubrical fidelity in the Church’s public worship and to enhancing the spiritual growth of our members.
If you agree with this doctrine we hope you will decide to join us. If you have a special area of concern you may want to become involved in one of our committees. You can join by filling out the application form below and submitting it with the appropriate fees. If you are already a member we urge you to pass this application on to someone else who might be interested.
If you would like to know more Call Howard Brandt at 314-894-0357 or Victor Mercurio at 314-878-2067.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credo of the Catholic Laity Membership Dues: $12.00 individual $15.00 family.
Please make your check payable to Credo of the Catholic Laity and remit to:
Credo of the Catholic Laity
C/0 Howard Brandt Treasurer
4386 Honeydew Lane
St. Louis Mo. 63128
Monday, November 03, 2003
UNESCO Calls Abortion on Demand "Proper" Medical Procedure for Girls
These people must really be concerned with children's health - going as far as to suggest that governments should subsidize abortions and offer "redress" to women who have been "denied" access to abortions "that should be made available to them."
Ahh, yes...use tax money to pay a women "just reparations" because she was unable to murder her children. The U.N. holds a such a special place in my heart.....
Ahh, yes...use tax money to pay a women "just reparations" because she was unable to murder her children. The U.N. holds a such a special place in my heart.....
Isn't belief in Christianity a crime yet?
Judges like this need to be impeached.
And whose subjective definition of "homophobic" will be used?
How much longer will it be until this country goes the way of the Roman Empire and collapses in on itself from depravity or is overrun by others?
God help us all!
And whose subjective definition of "homophobic" will be used?
How much longer will it be until this country goes the way of the Roman Empire and collapses in on itself from depravity or is overrun by others?
God help us all!
Coming soon to your parish?
Check out Our Lady of the Enneagram for the latest and greatest.
They say:
"We are a post-modern Catholic Community moulded on principles of pan-optic theology and Sophia restoration. Membership is automatic upon logging onto this site thus allowing you to experience full active and conscious participation in this inclusive non-judgemental, non-dicriminating, post-patriarchal, neo-feminist, depapalised, mono-lingual church."
Sound like any parishes you know? Before you get too upset (or elated, as the case may be), it is a parody!
They say:
"We are a post-modern Catholic Community moulded on principles of pan-optic theology and Sophia restoration. Membership is automatic upon logging onto this site thus allowing you to experience full active and conscious participation in this inclusive non-judgemental, non-dicriminating, post-patriarchal, neo-feminist, depapalised, mono-lingual church."
Sound like any parishes you know? Before you get too upset (or elated, as the case may be), it is a parody!
Sunday, November 02, 2003
Dr James Hitchcock Speaking in St. Louis
Dr. James Hitchcock will be speaking at a dinner hosted by Credo of the Catholic
Laity on Sunday November 9th at 6:00 p.m. The location is the Radisson Hotel in
Clayton. Cost $17.50 per person. The subject of his talk will be "What Has
Happened to Our Catholic Universities?"
Dr. Hitchcock is a professor of History at St. Louis University and is well
known for his orthodox books, articles, and talks. His wife Helen is president
of Women for Faith and Family.
For more information call 314-894-0357 or e-mail hbrandt@i1.net
Laity on Sunday November 9th at 6:00 p.m. The location is the Radisson Hotel in
Clayton. Cost $17.50 per person. The subject of his talk will be "What Has
Happened to Our Catholic Universities?"
Dr. Hitchcock is a professor of History at St. Louis University and is well
known for his orthodox books, articles, and talks. His wife Helen is president
of Women for Faith and Family.
For more information call 314-894-0357 or e-mail hbrandt@i1.net
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Another "Politically Correct" Bulletin Article
Since this link changes weekly, I have copied it here for posterity. I was at Adoration early last night and picked up a bulletin from St. Charles Borremeo Parish in St. Charles, MO. While I would not deny the pastor his right to his "perspective", are there not more important things to discuss in a weekly bulletin, especially in regard to the Solemnity of "All Saints Day" - to say nothing of the recent beatification of Mother Theresa or the Silver Jubilee of Pope John Paul II or the installation of the new Cardinals?
Note also, that when speaking of the President and our CongressCritters, no mention is made of the recent Partial Birth Abortion Ban....If I didn't know better, I would think this was written by one of the obnoxiously outspoken "left coasters" from HollyWierd. You know, the ones who have access to all the intelligence information!
Have a good read. I did!
===== Pastor's Perspective===============
Weekend of October 25/26, 2003
Greetings:
As we approach the end of October and the feast of All Saints, the stores are filled with candy, costumes and other reminders of Halloween. The parish school sponsored a Trunk or Treat program Saturday on the south parking lot and then moved to the gym at 7:00 p.m. Did you catch the “caveat” or warning not to bring scary or violent and gory costumes to the occasion? It is a subtle reminder that this evening is meant to be filled with fun. We have enough daily reminders of violence in our society and our world to mislead our young people as it is into thinking that “might makes right.” If the stories we read about in Iraq and the negative reaction to our attack among allies in Europe and other parts of the world doesn’t cause us to question the direction of the country as has been charted by Congress and the President, perhaps the recent passage of Missouri’s “conceal and carry” firearms law will.
In case you missed it, that law was passed by our Representatives and Senators and provides that, beginning October 11, 2003, any qualified individual of at least 23 years of age who has passed a firearms safety training course may obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Missouri. The only notice the police will have that a person is carrying a gun will be a “conceal and carry” endorsement on the driver’s license.
While the law does not permit a person to carry weapons into a church or school, we cannot check people’s licenses or install metal detectors in our buildings to prevent this from happening. Should someone enter our church, school or gym with a gun this is not considered a criminal offense. The only defense we have is to post signs advising people that we do not permit guns on the premises. When you see these signs appearing you will know their purpose. It certainly is much more serious a problem than our “No Skateboarding” signs attempted to remedy. They dealt with youngsters who really just wanted to have fun and ignored the property damage they caused. These signs reflect the violent nature of our society and the lack of courage among many of our legislators.
Winston Churchill, a man recognized by history as a great leader in Britain and the world that was proven over and over in World War II, once observed, “People will find it difficult to look up to leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground.”
When will we find leadership that actually leads us to become better citizens and better human beings rather than follow the opinion polls and vote to be re-elected? By doing so they are taking away the opportunity for young people to see leadership in action. Jesus makes it clear that the true leader shares his or her knowledge of the ways of God with all who will listen. God sent His Son to bring peace on earth. Guns do not bring peace or security in the hands of unstable, immature or angry people. May God protect us from all harm!
Your brother in Christ,
Father Rich Tillman
Note also, that when speaking of the President and our CongressCritters, no mention is made of the recent Partial Birth Abortion Ban....If I didn't know better, I would think this was written by one of the obnoxiously outspoken "left coasters" from HollyWierd. You know, the ones who have access to all the intelligence information!
Have a good read. I did!
===== Pastor's Perspective===============
Weekend of October 25/26, 2003
Greetings:
As we approach the end of October and the feast of All Saints, the stores are filled with candy, costumes and other reminders of Halloween. The parish school sponsored a Trunk or Treat program Saturday on the south parking lot and then moved to the gym at 7:00 p.m. Did you catch the “caveat” or warning not to bring scary or violent and gory costumes to the occasion? It is a subtle reminder that this evening is meant to be filled with fun. We have enough daily reminders of violence in our society and our world to mislead our young people as it is into thinking that “might makes right.” If the stories we read about in Iraq and the negative reaction to our attack among allies in Europe and other parts of the world doesn’t cause us to question the direction of the country as has been charted by Congress and the President, perhaps the recent passage of Missouri’s “conceal and carry” firearms law will.
In case you missed it, that law was passed by our Representatives and Senators and provides that, beginning October 11, 2003, any qualified individual of at least 23 years of age who has passed a firearms safety training course may obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Missouri. The only notice the police will have that a person is carrying a gun will be a “conceal and carry” endorsement on the driver’s license.
While the law does not permit a person to carry weapons into a church or school, we cannot check people’s licenses or install metal detectors in our buildings to prevent this from happening. Should someone enter our church, school or gym with a gun this is not considered a criminal offense. The only defense we have is to post signs advising people that we do not permit guns on the premises. When you see these signs appearing you will know their purpose. It certainly is much more serious a problem than our “No Skateboarding” signs attempted to remedy. They dealt with youngsters who really just wanted to have fun and ignored the property damage they caused. These signs reflect the violent nature of our society and the lack of courage among many of our legislators.
Winston Churchill, a man recognized by history as a great leader in Britain and the world that was proven over and over in World War II, once observed, “People will find it difficult to look up to leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground.”
When will we find leadership that actually leads us to become better citizens and better human beings rather than follow the opinion polls and vote to be re-elected? By doing so they are taking away the opportunity for young people to see leadership in action. Jesus makes it clear that the true leader shares his or her knowledge of the ways of God with all who will listen. God sent His Son to bring peace on earth. Guns do not bring peace or security in the hands of unstable, immature or angry people. May God protect us from all harm!
Your brother in Christ,
Father Rich Tillman
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Fidelity is the key to vocations!
Fidelity to the Church's Magisterium is the formula that works in increasing vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Archbishop Elden Curtis of Omaha, Nebraska addresses this "issue" quite well.
Archbishop Elden Curtis of Omaha, Nebraska addresses this "issue" quite well.
Monday, October 20, 2003
Cardinal Arinze and the Liturgy
Cardinal Arinze's Keynote Address to the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions in San Antonio Oct 8, 2003.
I briefly scanned it, looks good. I'll bet it's a great read. Maybe it has clues as to what might be coming soon in the new document the Holy Father requested in Ecclesia de Eucharistia?
I briefly scanned it, looks good. I'll bet it's a great read. Maybe it has clues as to what might be coming soon in the new document the Holy Father requested in Ecclesia de Eucharistia?
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