Leaders of Catholic Orders say Vatican can't bully them

All puffed up with pride, many of these "religious" have become disobedient and choose to blame the 'hierarchy'. In short, they have revolted and become protestant.

The 1,000 leaders of U.S. Catholic religious orders meeting at the Fort Worth Convention Center on Saturday said that following Jesus simply didn't mean being dutiful mouthpieces for the Vatican or the American bishops.

Rather, they urged one another not to allow the church to be hijacked by seemingly dictatorial pronouncements by a conservative hierarchy. Be bold, prophetic and, when necessary, even defiant, they told one another.

Be prophetic? Many, if not most of their orders are dead or dying - what is so bold about that? Is that something of which to be proud? Their 'prophetic' voices will, in time, be silenced and will no longer be heard because they have chosen to reject the successors of the Apostles.

"A lot of religious communities have concerns about speaking out because they fear the Vatican or their bishops will sanction them," said Sister Carol Beckermann, a Franciscan nun from St. Louis. "We can't let that intimidate us any longer."

Sr. Carol is in St. Louis - We wait to hear more of her 'speaking out'...maybe she will tell us how many new vocations her order is getting. Maybe she can shout that from the rooftop of the cathedral?

The leaders were from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, which represents 73,000 U.S. nuns, and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, which represents 2,000 priests and brothers belonging to male religious orders.

Nothing else needs to be said!

The organizations represent the majority of religious orders in the United States, which have seen dramatic drops in membership since the 1960s. The groups tend to be progressive theologically. Only a few sisters wore traditional veils, and almost none of the men were cloaked in clerical garb.

Theologically progressive? That must be why thousands of young people are being called by God to a vocation in one of those orders...Some fail to grasp that the 60's are over - and for good reason. Pray for them - and pray especially, for those whose minds and souls are poisoned by the heterdoxy of these people.

Article here.

Fr. John Perricone to speak in St. Louis September 19

Credo of the Catholic Laity is proud to present
Father John A. Perricone

Speaking on the Topic “Put Not Your Trust in Princes”

Sunday Sept, 19, 2004 6:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 7750 Carondelet Blvd., Clayton Mo.

Father John Perricone is a Professor of Philosophy at St. Francis College in Brooklyn New York. He is also the Administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Orange New Jersey. In addition he is the Founder and Director of ChristiFideles. The organization was founded in 1989 and provides spiritual guidance and theological/philosophical formation for Catholics.

Father Perricone is Co-Founder and Vice-President of The Montfort Academy, Katonah New York. This is a private academy for boys grades 9 – 12 with a classical curriculum with Roman Catholicism as its core. He has made presentations on EWTN and is a well known author, lecturer and retreat master.

His educational credentials are impressive:
He has an A.B. in Philosophy and Classical Languages from Seaton Hall, Orange New Jersey. His Masters degree in Biblical Studies is from Immaculate Conception Seminary in Mahwah New Jersey. A second Masters in Dogmatic Theology was earned at St John’s University, Jamaica New York. And he has Ph.D. in Medieval Philosophy that comes from Fordham University, Bronx New York.

Join us for a delicious sit down dinner at the Radisson Hotel, 7750 Carondelet in Clayton 6:00 p.m. Sunday Sept, 19th. The cost is $20.00 per person.

Park free in the parking garage at 7777 Bonhomme. Take a parking ticket as you go in. Use the bridge on the orange level to access the Hotel. When you leave the gate will be open and you will not have to pay.

For more information call, Howard Brandt, Treasurer, at 314-894-0357

A shakedown of Deal Hudson?

I sure this is old news by now, but I just saw it. I understand the National Catholic Reporter has been on the case with its topnotch investigative journalism - how pathetic.

CRISIS Magazine - e-Letter
August 20, 2004
**********************************************
Dear Friend,

As you know, for many years I've encouraged faithful Catholics to get more involved in politics. My own involvement began unexpectedly after CRISIS Magazine published a series of articles on "the Catholic vote," which caught the attention of the Bush presidential campaign.

At that time, I was asked to be part of the team advising on their outreach to Catholic voters. I agreed.

For too long, the Catholic vote had been misunderstood, in part because of the simple enormity and diversity of the Catholic population in America. The CRISIS model assumed the targetable, crucial part of the Catholic vote could be found among the Mass-attending faithful. Indeed, those voters who are religiously active are most likely to let their faith guide their voting decision.

Employing this strategy, Governor Bush received ten percent more of the Catholic vote in 2000 than Senator Dole had in 1996.

The present campaign, however, is very different from the last one.

Senator Kerry, a pro-abortion Catholic, became the Democratic-party nominee. The question of the Catholic vote went to center stage. Controversies ensued. Kerry insisted he was Catholic in spite of his support for abortion. I argued, loudly, that the election of John Kerry would be a disaster for the Church. My first press statement after his nomination was that Church institutions -- parishes, schools, hospitals, etc. -- should be off limits to Kerry or anyone who wants to use the platform of the Catholic Church to undermine its authority and attack its teachings.

It was then I learned that the moderator of the "Catholics for Kerry" Web site -- a young man named Ono Ekeh -- was an employee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. A few days after I pointed this out in our CRISIS e-letter, he left his job at the Conference.

Right away, the phone rang and a reporter from a notoriously liberal Catholic publication requested a comment and an interview. A few days later, he came in to ask questions about my support for President Bush and the Catholic vote issues in general.

Weeks passed and no story. But then, over time, friends began telling me that the reporter was calling my past co-workers and associates and asking them about my personal life.

Yesterday, the article was published. In it, they dug up a truly embarrassing event from my past. Ten years ago, I committed a serious sin with an undergraduate student of mine while teaching at Fordham University. For this I am truly and deeply sorry. I have confessed this and asked for forgiveness, my family has worked through it, and time has passed. But I know this is news to you, and so I offer my sincerest apologies. I recognize that I have let countless people down and have brought scandal to myself, my family, and my Faith. For this, I beg your forgiveness.

Some may wonder why I speak of the event in a way that seems vague or abstract. Please don't mistake this for lack of shame, regret, or repentance. The simple fact is, I can't say any more about it. Ten years ago, I signed a confidentiality agreement, and so I'm seriously constrained in what I can say. I know this is frustrating for you, and so that's one more thing I apologize for.

I need to make one final point. There's much deserved condemnation coming down upon me right now, and I expect it will continue. But I do hope that this just anger will not spill over onto CRISIS Magazine. The simple fact is, CRISIS Magazine is far more than Deal Hudson. There is an entire staff of hardworking and faithful Catholics who, month after month, put together what has become the flagship publication for faithful Catholics. It would be a tragedy if my personal baggage were to harm CRISIS. Our many staff members, columnists, and writers have simply worked too hard and done too much good to be pulled down by my faults.

Please don't let that happen.

I'll talk to you soon,
Deal

Is there an old unused church and rectory in St. Chas County?

For those looking for a Tridentine Latin Mass with the Canons Regular or the Institute of Christ the King, this is what is needed.

I can think of a church which is now a chapel but there is no corresponding unused rectory or building which could be used as one.

Any ideas? I'm not well traveled in the county. I get lost really easily and as I am male, I rarely ask for directions.

On Retreat for a few days...

I will be absent for the next few days attending a silent retreat for meditation, prayer, and self-examination in order to learn to better conform my will to God's will. This will be the first such retreat in many years and preparation for it reminds me somewhat of the days of recollection and prayer from seminary life - again may years ago.

The retreat director is Archbishop Burke. I ask again that all who are so disposed, please keep Archbishop Burke in your prayers, especially as he must confront many tests and trials these days from within the Church and from without.

Religion Experts Ask How Jesus Would Vote

Just a few miles from George W. Bush's former office at the state Capitol, a panel of religious experts weighed a question with relevance to many people of faith: How would Jesus vote?

It's a complex topic that can't be boiled down to simple political terms, said religious leaders who attended a Texas Faith Network conference in Austin on Tuesday. Many at the conference voiced concerns that the religious right dominates discussions of faith and morality in politics. They complained that issues such as abortion and gay marriage seem to take priority over hunger, corporate crime and even the war in Iraq.

James C. Moore, co-author of ``Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George Bush Presidential,'' drew laughter and applause when he offered his view to the moderate to left-leaning crowd of about 250 clergy and lay leaders.

Experts....religious experts, no less....unable to distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic evils, covering themselves in moral relativism.

Article.

U.S. Priests urged to Make Abortion and Election Center of Sermons Until November

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., August 17, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Fr. Frank Pavone, director of the international pro-life organization, Priests for Life, will be coming into the Sioux Falls area to give several powerful talks to the clergy and the general public on August 18th and 19th. In what is being hailed as a "whistle-stop" tour of Sioux Falls, Fr. Pavone will be speaking to thousands of area residents about the November election.

Dismissing charges that he and Priests for Life are trying to unfairly influence the presidential election, Fr. Pavone stated: "All we are saying is that this year's elections are pivotal for the pro-life movement, and that it is therefore imperative that we elect more public officials who are willing to do something to restore full protection to the lives of unborn children."

LifeSite Article.

From Today's Post-Dispatch Sound Off

Stop giving

For those who don't like Archbishop Burke's decisions, especially about St. Stanislaus, stop giving to the local Catholic Church and he will be gone. That is one way to get rid of him.

Of course, this is the same rhetoric used by Voice of the Faithful and other less-than-faithful groups - and we can see what happens by looking at the church closings in Boston and other places when support is withheld.

While Archbishop Burke may be destined for for more importantant assignments, it won't be because a few prideful dissidents decide to withhold money.

And then we have this:

Take him back

I wonder if it's possible for Catholics in St. Louis to make Catholics in LaCrosse, Wis., an offer they can't refuse to take back Archbishop Raymond Burke.

I'm certain they would if they had the opportunity. We should thank our Lord that we have been blessed to have him here.

Source.

USCCB refuses to release the "Questionaire" to the Catholic Laity

Demonstrating once again its commitment to full disclosure, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has refused repeated requests to release to the Catholic laity a copy of the much maligned questionnaire directed at political candidates for office. Based on the amount of flack the document is getting, it is clear that copies have already made it to the public domain, but any efforts to identify exactly what questions were actually on the document have been quashed by what has become signature stonewalling by the USCCB.

With so much attention being paid to the elections of 2004 and the bitterly divisive debates over so-called "pro-abortion gay rights Catholic politicians", it is amazing that the USCCB would once again resort the cloak of secrecy and nondisclosure that has so poorly served the Bishops in the past. For an organization that should be interested in building credibility among Catholic voters, the USCCB seems utterly committed to continuing to embarrass themselves. (emphasis mine)

Where is the 'transparency' that was so highly touted a short time ago? Could it be, perhaps, that the 'questionaire' would expose agendas and priorities which are at odds with the more fundamental and more serious issues facing us today? How many more of the "Ono Ekeh-Catholics for Kerry" type people still work at the USCCB?

Catholic Citizens of Illinois article here.

More on St. Stanislaus...Video

(KSDK) — The tug of war over St. Stanislaus Kostka parish continues.

Parish Spokesman Rich Bach stated, "We don't have the right to that money once they have control of it, because then we need their permission and ultimately that permission does have to come from the Archbishop" (Video Link)

Archbishop Raymond Burke stated, "The Assets are put in a trust with all the other 212 parishes. That trust those assets can only be used by the parish. It's not possible for me to go in and take any of those assets." (Video Link)

Source.

Pope calls Women to Protect Right to Life

LOURDES, August 16, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Pope John Paul II concluded his 104th international trip yesterday, celebrating Mass at France's foremost Marian shrine in the presence of over 300,000 pilgrims. Lourdes is an especially meaningful place for the ailing Pontiff, who took time out between public appearances for private devotion at the shrine. When he instituted the World Day of the Sick in 1992, Pope John Paul chose February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, as the date on which the event would be celebrated each year.

The 84-year-old pope urged his hearers to respect, love and protect life. He said, "I appeal urgently to all of you, dear brothers and sisters, to do everything in your power to ensure that life, each and every life, will be respected from conception to its natural end. Life is a sacred gift, and no one can presume to be its master."

Article here.


Full text of the Holy Father's homily

Pastor’s religious path leads to Holley church

This is a good example of a priest who lost his way. Instead of following the path set before him by our Lord, he chose a path of rebellion, a path away from Christ.

It seems he was once tied to the "Spiritus Christi" group of James Callan, an ex-priest and the "priestess", Mary Ramerman. But that association was not destined to last very long.

Cadena’s split with Spiritus Christi came when he felt the church elders were still following the dictates of the Roman Catholic church and not necessarily following the ideals discussed when the “revolution” occurred.

It was in early 2002 that Cadena announced that he wanted to get married – to one of the Spiritus parishioners – an announcement that caused a further rift in his relationship with Callan, Ramerman and the newly formed church, he said.

Story here.

Diocese of Tuscon nears threshold on bankruptcy

Arizona Daily Star Article here.

Archbishop Burke on Catholic Answers Live

Yesterday, Archbishop Burke was the guest on the Catholic Answers Live radio program...I had turned on thre radio on my way home to be pleasantly surprised to hear him.

The archived radio show is on Catholic Answers web site here.

Fr Robert Drinan To Receive American Bar Association's Highest Honor

How has he remained a priest all of these years while rejecting the Church? I'm certain St. Ignatius must really be proud!

Article here.

Archbishop Burke: "Cafeteria" Catholics cannot be in ministry

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

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

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

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

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

Archbishop Burke writes open letter to St. Stanislaus parishioners

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

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

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke
Archbishop of St. Louis

From the St. Louis Review.

Q&A about St. Stanislaus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is there any hope of reconciliation?

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

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

Vocations to the consecrated life

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

Link is here.

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

Link.

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

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

Article.

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

Pope's Emissary Shuts Down Austrian Seminary

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

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

This action certainly was fast!

Article here.

Church law governs parishes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John P. Capellupo
St. Louis

Source.

A Bishop Slams The Questionnaire

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

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

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

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

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

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

Believe me: You want to read this.

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

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

STATEMENT OF BISHOP RENE HENRY GRACIDA
ON THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

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

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

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

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

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

Bishop urges parishes to hire lawyers as diocese bankrutpcy looms

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

Article here.

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

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

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

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

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

Article is here.

Women wed Jesus in ancient rite

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

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

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

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

Article here.

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

Mark your calendars:

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

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

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

See the booklet of the consecration here.

Catholic bishops' survey criticized as partisan

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

Article here.

More Letters regarding St. Stanislaus

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

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

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

Jim Russell
Florissant

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

More letters here.

Andrew Greeley has lost his mind

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Article

Bishops' Presidential Questionnaire Object of Criticism

Dear Colleague,

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

Spread the word.

Yours sincerely,

Austin Ruse
President

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bishop Sheridan to meet all comers in marriage debate

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

More info.

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

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

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

Article here.

Kerry Renews Calls for Tax-Funded Embryonic Stem Cell Research

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

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

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

Link.

Keyes Rips Obama's Views on Abortion

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

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

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

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

Article.

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

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

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

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

Article here.

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

*** UPDATED ***

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

I apologize for any inconvenience.

*** Updated again ***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Article here.

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

Keyes Steps Into Illinois Senate Race

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


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


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

Article here.

An article on Cardinal Ratzinger

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

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

Link.

Tug of war over church draws hundreds to prayer service

"We just want our tradition to be here."

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

Quite a charge from Mr. Krauze...

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

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

Article here.

Archbishop transfers Polish ministry

Here is today's article from the St. Louis Review about St. Stanislaus.

More Letters...

Archbishop has wrong priorities
The Aug. 4 article on the temporary closing of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church was one of the most disturbing pieces I've read recently.

I am dumbfounded that Archbishop Raymond Burke places greater emphasis on the financial protocols of the archdiocese than on the importance of people coming together to worship God.

Although I am not a parishioner of St. Stanislaus, I recognize the value of the church and the role it plays in our community.

First, it is one of the remaining sanctuaries in north St. Louis. Second, it binds those of Polish decent closely to their traditions and beliefs, yet welcomes those of other nationalities to worship as well.

Most important, the people of St. Stanislaus have worked together to sustain the church through the years for the sole purpose of having a place to worship together, which is a testament to what faith can accomplish.

I'm struggling to comprehend how focusing on financial procedures ties in with the mission of Jesus and the Catholic Church. I think Archbishop Burke needs to re-evaluate his priorities and remove the obstacles he is establishing to prevent people from worshipping.

Berta Simic
Kirkwood

A lack of one's comprehension of the issue does not indicate that the Archbishop is incorrect. Archbishop Burke fully addressed the issue here.

And then we have this:

Using religion
I am insulted at the statement in the Aug. 4 article about President Bush visiting the Knights of Columbus Convention in Dallas that John Kerry "does better with less-observant Catholics."

I am Catholic, and consider myself "observant." However, I support Kerry for president. The reasons are many and are not really important. I go to Mass every week, I say my prayers just as well as any other Catholic.

Just because I believe in the separation of church and state does not mean I am "less-observant." I also do not believe in the death penalty, a fact that Bush conveniently has forgotten, I guess.

I am sickened at Bush's latest attempt to use whatever it takes - in this case religion - to divide our country.

Tamara Whitman
Collinsville

And as a matter of fact, "I'm more Catholic than the Pope!" Poor woman. She apparently believes in whatever happens to be convenient and easy - Following Christ requires sacrifice. It's more than making a weekly Sunday appearance at church. It means following the way of the Cross with all the hardships and struggles that go with it. It means abiding in God's truth. It means accepting all of the truth - even that which we may find difficult.

'It is clear that the Catholic voter has to be opposed to procured abortion. Anybody who votes for a candidate who supports or favors procured abortion because the candidate favors procured abortion cooperates in evil." (Archbishop Burke)

Letters here.

Bishops' abortion decision sparks debate (poll)

Roman Catholics took sides Thursday, the day after three Southeastern bishops barred politicians who support abortion rights from receiving Holy Communion.

All that priests, politicians and parishioners have in common is passion for their position.

Article and an online Poll here.

POLL Results as of this morning.
Should Catholics allow abortion supporters to receive communion?
Yes 191 votes (51%)
No 182 votes (49%)

373 people have voted so far.

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, the new ‘John Fisher’

Barbara Kralis conducted an interview recently with Archbishop Burke while he was on vacation and she asked six questions which he answered:

Question:  Dear Archbishop Burke, regarding Cardinal Ratzinger’s June 2004 memorandum, were the contents of the memo made known to you and the other bishops at the Denver meeting?

 

Archbishop Burke:  “It certainly was not made known to me and I do not believe it was given to the other bishops.  Cardinal McCarrick referred to the memorandum.  We were told that, according to Cardinal Ratzinger, the application of the Canon 915 was up to the prudent judgment of each bishop.  The text of the memorandum would have been very helpful at the meeting in Denver.  Knowing now about the memo, I am disappointed it was not given to us at the meeting of the Bishops’ Conference,” said Archbishop Burke.

 

Question:  The Bishops’ Denver Statement reads:

 

“Bishops can legitimately make different judgments on the most prudent course of pastoral action.” 

 

Does this mean that one Bishop can deny Senator John Kerry Holy Communion and another Bishop can give Kerry Communion and both Bishops are correct?

 

Archbishop Burke:  “No, in fact, Canon 915 must be applied.  It does not give an option.  Canon 915 says that those persons who obstinately persist in grave manifest sin must be denied the Eucharist.  I strongly believe that if a bishop has spoken to someone who obstinately persists in grave manifest sin and he still presents himself for Holy Communion, he should be refused.”

 

Question:  Cardinal McCarrick received a letter dated July 9, 2004, from Cardinal Ratzinger saying:

 

“The ‘Statement’ is very much in harmony with the memorandum’s general principles, ‘Worthiness to receive Holy Communion,’ sent as a fraternal service – to clarify the doctrine of the Church on this specific issue – in order to assist the American Bishops in their related discussion and determinations.” 

 

Is it your understanding that Cardinal Ratzinger agreed that some ‘ministers of Holy Communion’ should admit John Kerry and that some should not admit him?

 

Archbishop Burke:  “That is not my understanding.” [vi]

 

Question:  In the Denver Statement, the fifth paragraph reads: 

 

“Our obligation as bishops at this time is to teach clearly.” 

 

Can one bishop admit and another bishop not admit?  Is this teaching clearly?  Is it not a contradiction of Canon 915, for one bishop to refuse John Kerry the Eucharist in one diocese and for another bishop to give John Kerry the Eucharist in another diocese?

 

Archbishop Burke:  “Yes, it would be a source of confusion.  I have refused to talk about individual candidates, but when a ‘Catholic’ pro-abortion politician knows the actions he has taken are gravely sinful in a public matter like supporting abortion, the only way to uphold church teaching is to withhold Holy Communion.  It is not right for one ‘minister of Holy Communion’ to give the Eucharist and another not to.”

 

Question:  Is it your understanding that the ‘Task Force’s’ work is completed.  Cardinal Ratzinger’s July 9 letter assumed that the ‘Task Force’ has not decided yet.[vii]

 

Archbishop Burke:  “I understood from the meeting that the work of the ‘Task Force’ was not completed and we would be given another report at our November 2004 meeting.  I do not know if there will be another vote.  Normally there is a vote to accept and not to accept.”

 

Question:  What can you tell us now about the ‘Note Bene’ statement of Cardinal Ratzinger’s at the end of his June memorandum?  In it, he states that ‘proportionalism’ or voting for ‘the lesser of two evils’ is acceptable.  Do you think it is possible to end abortion by always voting for the lesser evil candidate?  How would this apply to Pope Paul VI who stated? 

 

“Though it is true that sometimes it is lawful to tolerate a lesser moral evil in order to avoid a greater evil or in order to promote a greater good," it is never lawful, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil that good may come of it [viii]—in other words, to intend directly something which of its very nature contradicts the moral order, and which must therefore be judged unworthy of man, even though the intention is to protect or promote the welfare of an individual, of a family or of society in general.” [ix]

 

Archbishop Burke:  “It is clear that the Catholic voter has to be opposed to procured abortion.  Anybody who votes for a candidate who supports or favors procured abortion because the candidate favors procured abortion cooperates in evil.[x]

 

“A host of considerations enter in the decision to vote for a particular candidate.  The voter must be opposed to procured abortion and do everything as a voter to decrease the evil of abortion and eliminate it.

 

“If the Catholic voter votes for a candidate who is in favor of procured abortion, while the voter is clearly opposed to it, there must be some serious reason to justify such a vote.

 

“As Cardinal Ratzinger said, in his June memorandum, such a vote is ‘remote material cooperation,’ which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons. 

 

His position is not proportionalism, for the voter remains steadfastly opposed to procured abortion and works to eliminate abortion in society and its protection by the law.”

 

Question:  Thank you very much for granting this interview.

 

Archbishop Burke:  You are welcome, and please pray for me.

Complete article here.

St. Stanislaus Update

Members of the St. Stanislaus church in North St. Louis say they will not go without a fight. A meeting is scheduled Thursday night for members to decide how to respond to this week's temporary shutdown. That meeting is at the Polish Heritage Center at the church.

Organizers tell FOX 2 News it will be between the board of directors at St. Stanislaus and the congregation. The main topic of discussion will be what to do this Sunday.

The Archdiocese on Tuesday removed the two priests at the church effectively shutting down the church temporarily. The move after an ongoing controversy between St. Stanislaus and the Archdiocese over how the parish is run including financial control.

The boiling point apparently came after the board of directors ordered the Archdiocesan priest to turn over anything related to the church's finances to them--from priests (sic) stipends to parish electrical bills.

The church has always operated independent of the Archdiocese. Archbishop Raymond Burke says that can't continue. The Archdiocese has arranged for [M]ass to be held in [P]olish this Sunday at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist downtown for the congregation. St. Stanislaus has controlled its own finances since 1891.

Just a reminder that the traditional Sunday mass in polish is no longer being held at St. Stanislaus. It's been moved to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist downtown. St. Stanislaus church members will still meet at their church Sunday morning for a prayer service and support meeting at 10:00am.

Source Fox2KTVI.

On the report this evening, there was talk by some in the congregation to leave the Catholic Church. There was also some discussion of trying to get a couple of Franciscan priests from Poland to come here. Please pray for Archbishop Burke and the people of St. Stanislaus so that God may allow reason to prevail and that the church may be fully incorporated into the archdiocese.

Judge Legalizes Same-Sex "Marriage" for Washington State

This is precisely one of the primary reasons that Missouri voters were given the chance to vote on a constitutional amendment - to prevent judicial activists from usurping the rights of the people of the state.

A Seattle judge ruled Wednesday that denying same-sex couples the right to marriage defies the constitution.

The decision by King County Superior Court Judge William Downing will be stayed until the Washington State Supreme Court studies the ruling. No marriage licences will be issued until the Supreme Court review.

Washington state's current official definition of marriage is the union of a man and woman.

But we were told by the homosexual lobby that we didn't need a constitutional amendment as Missouri Law specified the same thing. The smokescreen didn't work here, praise God!

Article.

Various Letters regarding the Amendment to protect marriage...

...which many are calling the "Gay" marriage ban. Merely because the constitutional amendment affirms the natural law in that marriage is a union of a man and a woman, some see the word 'ban' where it does not exist. Some claim that their 'rights' are being denied - rights which appear to include the crime of sodomy.

Here are some excerpts from the letters:

How embarrassing that Missouri put bigotry into our state constitution.

As a new Missourian, I am disappointed in the passage of the same-gender marriage ban.

I mean if we're going to legislate morality, let's just do the whole thing. No divorce, criminalize adultery, ban drinking, ban swearing or working on Sundays.

For the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be have been born and raised in this state.

Read them here. The letters are decent examples of one's inability to reason or think in a rational manner.

Church plans to meet on Burke's action

Members of St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church plan to meet at 7 p.m. today to discuss Archbishop Raymond Burke's removal of its two priests in the continuing dispute over operations of the parish.

Spokesmen for the parish's lay board of directors said Wednesday that it will hold a prayer service at 10 a.m. Sunday at the church, at 1413 North 20th Street, just northwest of downtown. Because Burke removed both priests, the parish cannot celebrate Mass.

Burke sent a letter to parishioners on Tuesday informing them that the Rev. Philip J. Bene, the pastor, and the Rev. Adam Hurbanczuk will reside at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist downtown until St. Stanislaus' board "conforms to church law." Burke did so after the parish board told Bene that it had "reclaimed its authority" over parish funds.

Burke contends that St. Stanislaus' structure as a nonprofit group run by a lay board is contrary to church law. The board and some parishioners have resisted Burke's instructions to reform in a standard parish structure, saying they operated with the Catholic church's approval since 1891.

Roger Krasnicki, parish board spokesman, said the board plans to appeal Burke's instructions and is considering legal action.

The canonical structure has always been a problem but some would think that if a problem is ignored, it will disappear. News reports have indicated that the board is to retain a lawyer to fight the Archdiocese over this.

Archbishop Burke explained the entire situation in an article in the St. Louis Review some time ago in which the concerns the board keeps bringing up were addressed by him - but that seems to mean nothing for some who are more concerned with 'control' rather than obedience.

Source.

Reactions to Bishops' statement

"I am Catholic, but I am also a Democrat, so . . . it puts me in a tough position," said Georgia state Rep. Pedro Marin (D-Duluth). "I have to be pro-choice because that's the Democratic position."

Why doesn't he just say, "Because the devil made me do it." This is an excuse a child would use, not an adult. And this is to say nothing about the fact that his party loyalty is more important than his fidelity to Christ.

Marin said he was not sure whether he would continue to try to take Communion. "I will have to see if the Catholic religion still fills me up, spiritually," he said.

Again, it's all about "ME"...too many have forgotten why they even attend Mass.
Source.

And here's another:

National pro-choice Catholic groups called the Southern bishops' statement shocking because it goes beyond denying Communion. They found especially troublesome the requirement that politicians must publicly disavow abortion and get a bishop's permission to resume taking Communion.

"This is pretty draconian," said Frances Kissling, president of the Washington-based Catholics For a Free Choice.

"It certainly does not seem to be a mainstream strategy. The overwhelming majority of Catholic people do not believe it is appropriate for a bishop to use Communion as a political sledgehammer to gain obedience."

I don't understand why this woman is not formally and publicly excommunicated as an apostate of the faith.

This article here.

Worthy to Receive the Lamb: Catholics in Political Life and the Reception of Holy Communion

The full text of the letter from Archbishop Donoghue, Bishop Baker and Bishop Jugis can be viewed here at the Archdiocese of Atlanta web site.

Bishop Sheridan bishop urges protection of marriage

Marriage was created by God and must not be used to promote a "homosexual political agenda," Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan writes in the August issue of the diocesan newspaper.

What's more, civil authorities "should consider it a sacred duty" to acknowledge man-woman marriage and protect it against the movement to legalize same-sex unions, Sheridan writes in his monthly column, which appears today in The Catholic Herald.

Article here.

Institute of Christ the King to St. Louis?

I have been hearing more and more rumors that the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest is coming to St. Louis. I have also heard that the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem are coming here.

Hopefully, this will be confirmed soon...I will pass along any confirmed information as soon as I receive it.

Some "Catholics" opposed to Amendment 2

In reviewing the "Constitiution Defense League" web site and looking over the names of the "Faith Community Opposed to Amendment 2", the constitutional amendment to preserve marriage as an institution reserved to a man and a woman, I was more than a bit surprised to see the names of some Catholics on the list, particularly after the Missouri Bishops had, in recent weeks, expressed their concerns about upholding the sanctity of marriage.

Some of the more obvious names I saw were:

Rev. Gerald J. Kleba
(Pastor of St. Cronan's Catholic Church, St. Louis, a past Senior Associate Pastor at my parish)

Sister Barbara Ann Barbato
Sisters of Loretto

Claire McCaskill
State Auditor

Mayor Francis Slay
St. Louis, MO

Source

Have a look and see who I missed.

More Absurdities from the Sound Off Column

Church and voting

If the Catholic Church can tell its members not to vote for those politicians who support pro-choice, mainly Democrats, then it should also tell its members not to vote for those who support the concealed gun laws, mainly Republicans. Actually, the Catholic Church has no right at all to tell anyone how to vote.

Link

The individual fails to distinquish anything which is intrinsically evil about guns or about carrying a concealed gun. But then, there is confusion in the individual's assertion about "how to vote". Even the polling place workers instruct new voters "how to vote". The Church informs the faithful how to apply Catholic moral teaching in voting - not for whom to vote.

It's unfortunate that so many people do not follow through to the logical conclusions in their thinking - if they did, perhaps, they might be less prone to speak out.

Detroit parish to celebrate Tridentine Mass

Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida is reaching back 40 years to revive a traditional form of the Latin mass, and he's hoping its unusual appeal will help save one of Detroit's most famous Catholic churches, St. Josaphat.

Starting Oct. 3, Sunday morning worship will jump back to an earlier era in this church whose soaring steeple is framed against the Renaissance Center from the perspective of thousands of commuters each day on southbound I-75 at Canfield.

How long have some people waited?

"When the pope authorized bishops to allow this mass in 1984, the idea was that this was a pastoral response to older people who still are so attached to this older mass that they need it," Rev. Thomas Reese, editor of America Magazine, said Monday. "The idea was never to create a new desire in people for this mass."

Hmmm....His version of Ecclesia Dei must have been a different than the one I read. I'm certain that some in Detroit are truly thankful. Perhaps this will be an impetus of things to come?

Article here

Three more Bishops forbid Holy Communion to politicians supporting abortion

Because of the influence that Catholics in public life have on the conduct of our daily lives and on the formation of our nation's future, we declare that Catholics serving in public life espousing positions contrary to the teaching of the Church on the sanctity and inviolability of human life, especially those running for or elected to public office are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in any Catholic church within our jurisdictions: the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the Dioceses of Charleston and Charlotte. Only after reconciliation with the Church has occurred, with the knowledge and consent of the local bishop, and public disavowal of former support for procured abortion, will the individual be permitted to approach the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

We undertake this action to safeguard the sacred dignity of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, to reassure the faithful, and to save sinners.

Most Reverend John F. Donoghue
Archbishop of Atlanta

Most Reverend Robert J. Baker
Bishop of Charleston

Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis
Bishop of Charlotte

Article here.

Missouri voters protect Marriage

Missouri voters gave resounding approval to an amendment to the state constitution banning gay marriage, putting the nation on notice that similar proposed bans in other states could be difficult to defeat.

The Missouri Constitution will now state that ``to be valid and recognized in this state a marriage shall exist only between a man and a woman.''

Article

Archbishop Burke removes St. Stanislaus priests

Archbishop Raymond Burke said he had temporarily removed two priests from St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church in a letter to parishioners today...

In his letter, Burke said previously scheduled weddings and funeral Masses will be allowed to continue at St. Stanislaus, but that no priest may celebrate Mass in the church without his consent. He said he will not assign another priest to the parish until the board "conforms to Church discipline."

Link here.

There is a copy of the letter floating around somewhere - maybe one of the media outlets will post it later.

St Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church temporarily shut down

From Fox 2 KTVI Television:

There is a startling development in the battle over a historic St. Louis Polish Catholic Church. Archbishop Raymond Burke has in effect temporarily shut down St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, moving it's priests to another church.

In a letter to parishioners on Tuesday, the Archbishop says the move is in response to recent actions by the St. Stanislaus board. Unlike other parishes, that board owns the church and runs its finances independently of the Archdiocese. [Archbishop] Burke says the board's recent demand that the parish priests immediately turn over any and all financial matters from priest stipends to electrical bills is an affront to the Archdiocese and "common decency".

So the priests and the Catholic [M]asses are moving. The Archdiocese will continue its parish ministries at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church downtown beginning this Sunday. [Archbishop] Burke is out of town attending religious conferences through Thursday.

They had to know this was coming. Archbishop Burke is committed to bringing all parishes into conformity with canonical regulations. It is unfortunate that the board of St. Stanislaus has rejected attempts to regularize the parish within the archdiocese.

This issue has been in and out of the news for at least the last five months. Certainly if nothing was done, it might have continued for many more years. It is an issue which should have resolved many years ago, but like so many other 'hard decisions', it appears to have been left to someone who had the courage to do what is required of him.

Illinois Usurps Rights of Parents

Dom Bettinelli had posted an article on "More Nanny Government".
This intrusion into the legitimate rights of parents is, frankly, orwellian.

This past spring, the Illinois General Assembly passed a new bill requiring compulsory mental health screening for children and pregnant women; it was signed into law by Governor Blagojevich. This program will require all pregnant women and children through the age of 18 be tested for mental health needs.

Source.

Something is wrong with the government bureaucracy there, or with the people of the state, or both.

Join a Prayer List for Archbishop Burke

I received this email this morning and I am passing it on for those who may be interested in offering prayers for Archbishop Burke.

We are forming a perpetual prayer list of people who are willing to dedicate one day each month for Archbishop Burke. The idea is to create an entire day of prayer specifically for His Excellency, offered through Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (if possible), our work, sufferings, joys, and prayers would be offered on a scheduled date, once each month, especially for Archbishop Burke.

If you are interested in helping us surround His Excellency with continuous prayers, GREAT! Please e-mail Mary Kroening at olfhvp@gdinet.com (If e-mail is not an option, please feel free to call Mary at home at ***.) If you would like to request a particular date each month, please let us know. Otherwise, we will contact you and let you know which date has been arranged for you.

His Excellency will be given a list of each day of the month with the name(s) of the person(s) praying for him.

Please forward this e-mail to anyone who might be interested. Our goal is to begin our monthly schedule on September 1, 2004.

Thank you for considering this important effort and may God bless you as we rally behind A TRUE SHEPHERD.

Mary Kroening

Marian Catechist Apostolate
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Phone: 608-782-0011
Website: www.MarianCatechist.com

*** I removed the phone number above but it is available on request.

Please consider joining in this act of charity for Archbishop Burke.

Vatican's Call for Broad Roles for Women Labeled 'Anti-Feminist' by Media

The media has an anti-Catholic tendency, but then you know that. The Vatican recently issued a very profound and positive letter on women and men in society. The media portrayed the document as an attack on "feminism," though that word is never used in the document. What the document focuses on is the inherent genius of women, and how men and women compliment each other in all aspects of their lives.

Spread the word.
Yours sincerely,
Austin Ruse
President

======================================
A letter published last week by the Vatican celebrates what Pope John Paul II calls the feminine genius and calls for women to have access to positions of national leadership. But the document received a largely negative reception in the mainstream press where it was characterized as "slamming feminism."

"Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World" was issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and made public on Saturday. As its title indicates, the letter's thrust is that women and men have complementary roles to play in the Church and in society. The letter warns against a tendency in "new approaches to women's issues" that make women and men adversaries in a struggle for power.

The document is critical of the idea, gaining traction in academic and public policy circles, that there are no differences in nature between the sexes and that apparent gender differences are the result of social conditioning. "According to this perspective, human nature in itself does not possess characteristics in an absolute manner: all persons can and ought to constitute themselves as they like, since they are free from every predetermination linked to their essential constitution."

The 7,000-word letter says that man and woman were created with differences that are complimentary and that both family and society benefit from feminine "values." Chief among such feminine values is what the document calls the "capacity for the other" which it defines as the ability to "elicit life, and contribute to the growth and protection of the other." While this feminine attribute is closely linked to a woman's ability to bear children, the letter stresses that "this does not mean that women should be considered from the sole perspective of physical procreation." The close link between motherhood and female identity does not require that a woman give physical birth, according to the document.

Women have a special role to play in the life of the family, the letter says, but her sphere of influence ought not to be limited to that role. "[W]omen should be present in the world of work and in the organization of society, and . . . women should have access to positions of responsibility which allow them to inspire the policies of nations and to promote innovative solutions to economic and social problems." The letter calls on society to not discriminate against those women who want to work exclusively in the home and to make it possible for those women "who wish also to engage in other work . . . to do so with an appropriate work-schedule, and not have to choose between relinquishing their family life or enduring continual stress."

Despite its calls for women to be treated equally, headlines from both the national and international press claimed the letter condemned feminism and this despite the fact that the word "feminism" never appears in the text of the document. Many reports, including the Washington Post's, claimed that document accused feminism of undermining the traditional family and paving the way for homosexual "marriage." In reality it is the blurring of the differences between the sexes that the letter said was having this affect. "This theory of the human person, intended to promote prospects for equality of women through liberation from biological determinism" calls into question "the family, in its natural two-parent structure" and makes "homosexuality and heterosexuality virtually equivalent . . ."

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

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