Archbishop Donghue: On Conscientious Voting

The Most Reverend John F. Donoghue, Archbishop of Atlanta, has issued a letter to the faithful of the diocese regarding how to vote as a Catholic with an informed conscience:

I can teach you, on behalf of the Church, the manner in which you must decide for whom to vote, and I hope that in this letter I have given you clear and helpful instruction.

"Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path, we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. We must also examine our conscience before the Lord's Cross. We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church." (CCC #1783-1785)

Letter here.

Bishop Wuerl: Prepare for fewer priests

Bishop Donald Wuerl is calling on the people of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh to prepare for a future with fewer priests.

"Fewer priests does not mean less ministry," Wuerl wrote in a pastoral letter in this week's Pittsburgh Catholic.

Article.

Sept 17-Stigmata

St. Francis of Assisi could not think of the Passion without weeping. God, to reward him for the ardor of his love, imprinted in his hands and feet and side the marks of the nails and of the lance.

These are special graces. There is no question at all of my aspiring to them.

But can I not, on the feast day of the stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi, examine myself on my love of Jesus Crucified?

Do I love to contemplate my good Master dying on the Cross? I was given a crucifix on the day of my profession, do I use it? Do I look at it often? Does it make Calvary and the painful Maryrdom of my Savior live for me again?

It is not merely a question of compassionating Jesus, but of reproducing my Savior. And without a doubt it will not be through nails, or sword thrust, or visible imprints in my flesh, that I reproduce my Savior crucified. It will depend rather upon my interior generosity, my aptitude of renunciation through love. How generous am I?

The stigmata of Francis were apparent; mine are entirely interior; but there is no need for anyone to see them; it is much better that they remain hidden from all. God alone knows them. They must, however, exist; they must be deeply imprinted. I am too easily contented with transports; my achievements do not correspond to them, not through disloyalty, but rather through weakness. I must learn to study Jesus Crucified, to be strong. The Master that I serve did not spare Himself at all. Forward, then, humbly but valiantly.

Today, particularly, I will refuse nothing to God, for love of my Savior on the Cross.

from the book Meditations for Religious
by Fr. Raoul Plus, S.J.

Why won't the Catholic bishops solve the 'gay priest problem?

The solution to that problem is simple and self-evident, according to Karl Keating, a lucid and sensible thinker if ever there was one:

"1. If a priest is ‘gay’ — living a homosexual lifestyle — he should be removed from ministry immediately….

2. If a priest is homosexual but not ‘gay’ — that is, if he is living chastely — let him continue in ministry until normal retirement.

3. Exclude from seminary formation and ordination any homosexual, whether ‘gay’ or chaste…. The latter should not sign up for ‘guy-only’ work that will have him living with other men (thus putting him into near occasions of sin)…. He should be encouraged to serve the Church in other ways…. If the priesthood in this country were healthy, little or no harm would come from ordaining chaste homosexuals whose homosexuality is kept private. But we do not live in ordinary times."

Of course, this suggestion follows the "KISS" principle (Keep it simple, Stupid) so there must be a problem with it. Perhaps, it needs more "bureaucracy" - perhaps a "task force" to study it for a few years. Maybe it is not "transparent" enough...

I can still see as if it were yesterday, Bishop Bruskewitz at the Bishops' meeting in Dallas asking for a special study of how homosexuality and dissent from Church teachings are a significant factor in the sexual abuse scandal - yet his intervention was voted down....Why?

Article here.

This Sunday is Stewardship Awareness Sunday

And this is the fourth year.

In truth, stewardship is the recognition of God in our lives, who is the source of all that we are and have. Recognizing God, we naturally place Him first in our lives and, therefore, place all of the many good gifts, which He has given us, at His service for the sake of others. Practicing stewardship, we acknowledge that the gifts which we enjoy are not ours to keep but to use in giving glory to God and in working for the salvation of the world. When we put God first in our lives, we consider His plan for us and our world in every decision we make, including budgetary and financial decisions. Putting God first in our lives means an active concern to be a co-worker with God in the care of the world and in the salvation of our fellow man. It means wanting to do God’s will in all things and to please Him by all our thoughts, words and actions.

Archbishop Burke's article is here.

Let us pray that this is not really true.

Catholic hospitals commit - and U.S. Bishops condone - live birth abortion

*** Updated 9/16

Aparrently there may have been a mischaracterization or misunderstanding of sorts about this story...You can read about it here.

*** Updated again 9/17 (and date changed from 9/15)

The story is apparently true...As noted in the above link comments:

Tom Szyszkiewicz here. A number of points to make.

1) The reason I wrote the articles was because the fact that Catholic hospitals are doing what they term early induction for fetuses with anomalies incompatible with life (EIFWAIL--my acronym) is disgusting. And it is morally abhorrent, in my opinion, that they are hiding behind certain of the USCCB’s Ethical & Religious Directives to justify their behavior. However, as a reporter, I did not make that opinion known in my stories.

2) I wrote two news pieces on this for the National Catholic Register and Our Sunday Visitor. Besides some slight attention in the Heart, Mind & Strength blog and a link in Jeff Ziegler’s morning e-mail, they were virtually ignored, which is not exactly what I was hoping for. Jill Stanek wrote an opinion column on my two news pieces. Suddenly the issue is gaining attention. That’s what I had hoped for.

3) As stated in #2, Jill wrote a column. Columns, if I’m not mistaken, are meant to grab attention and to state opinions. Jill could say things in a column I was not able to say in a news piece. I had people telling me that I should come right out and state that this is abortion and the bishops were waffling. I refused as what I wrote was news, not opinion. It is not that I didn’t believe it, but that I did not see a place for it in my pieces. Jill, however, was perfectly free to do so in a column. Was she accurate? From what I have learned in all the time I’ve been dealing with this story (over a year now), yes.

4) The coverage that Domenico mentioned with which I was unhappy was that provided by LifeSite News, not Jill’s column. Their story on the column claims that Jill & I said the hospitals were delivering the children and then killing them. Neither of us ever said that.

Jill Stanek's article is also here.

Catholic Answers, "This Rock" magazine online

Here:
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2004/2004_ann.asp

Sept 16-Cloistered

Speaking of religious who do not practice their Rule, but who follow from afar their ideal of life, St. Francis de Sales makes this comment: "Cloistered persons without a doubt, but no religious at all."

Fr. Lallemant, speaking to some young priests of the Society of Jesus, used a similar comparison, exhorting them not to be mere shadows of religious, that is, men in soutanes, whose souls are not wholly given to God, who are more like walking ghosts than true saints endeavoring to translate into their life the ideal of vocation.

Let me examine myself seriously: I am someone in the monastery; my name is on a door, or my number on a lingerie shelf; I walk through the halls as a figure in regulation dress. But these are merely appearances. In reality what am I? If at this moment I should appear before the Tribunal of God, what judgment would be passed upon me? In the community I can still keep up appearances, although more than one soul of keen insight must have seen through my life for some time. In any case, before God I am exactly what I am; and again, what am I?

What are the most glaring defects of my life? What observations are emphasized for my benefit in retreats? What faults am I asked to correct? What predominating cowardice does my examen reveal to me?

I must reflect, I must change, and to have the courage for this, I must pray much.

from the book Meditations for Religious
by Fr. Raoul Plus, S.J.

Please keep EWTN, others in your prayers.

I received notice that EWTN's offices are closing today & tomorrow.

Prayers are requested that the hurricane does not damage their facilities and cause any life to perish.

That was a request from Catholic radio station WRYT this morning.

Thanks to Marc for the update.

More Letters to the RFT re: Abp. Burke & the Church

"Immaculate" Reception
A bad match for St. Louis: This is just a quickie fan letter to tell you how much I value your courageous investigative journalism. Malcolm Gay's "Immaculate Deception" [August 25] provided a fascinating and damning view of Archbishop Burke's highhandedness. We in St. Louis know of it because of the political bombs he has lobbed against politicians who support reproductive choice, and because of his insensitive treatment of St. Stanislaus parishioners.

While I am not really surprised by what Gay discovered in La Crosse -- a church hierarchy that stonewalled abuse investigations and priests who left the priesthood because they could not in good conscience serve under Raymond Burke -- still his stories affected me viscerally. Burke's leadership style is so at odds with our city's temperament. I had often wondered why in the world St. Louis became afflicted with this man. And a funny thing: Only one day after your story appeared, the Post-Dispatch reported that the archdiocese had just settled eighteen abuse cases. Hmmm, could there be a connection? Maybe Burke's hardball ways made him the "perfect candidate" for St. Louis!

Thanks again for a terrific job.
Anne Bader
Frontenac

An eye opener: Thank you so much for all the time and trouble that you went through to put this amazing article together and for having the courage to print it. It is time that we all opened our eyes and see what is happening in the way the Catholic Church is being operated. There are some very wonderful priests and they certainly deserve credit for the work they do, but it is long past time that we clean up the running of the church and bring it back to what Christ wants.
Mary Ellen Kruger
Webster Groves

Lies and the lying liars who tell them: Apparently the "dirty little secret" that followed Archbishop Raymond Burke to St. Louis is that he is loath to blindly accept the validity of decades-old allegations from accusers who have no evidence to substantiate their claims. The lawyers for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests would of course prefer that they not be challenged to prove any of these charges and that the archdiocese simply open the checkbook.

The American bishops' imprudent methods in the past of attempting to keep a lid on the scandal with hush money have damaged their credibility. Now victims'-support groups are counting on the attitude that when an accusation is made there should be no other alternative than to believe everything the claimant says. The large settlements made in the Boston archdiocese have cemented the tactic of "hitting the jackpot" by threatening litigation.

No one disputes that child abuse is a terrible crime, but no crime is so terrible that someone wouldn't lie about it for a payoff.
George Haberberger
Imperial


Ken Lay has nothing on Raymond Burke: The article about Archbishop Burke should be published in every Catholic Church bulletin. His handling of victims of clergy sexual abuse would put a corrupt corporate executive to shame. He is supposed to be the good shepherd leading his flock to a moral and Christ-like life and instead he is practicing slimy legal tactics.

I hope this article will encourage Catholics to write the archbishop and demand that he reach out to victims and work to protect all the children in this diocese.
Barbara Doris
St. Louis


Raymond Burke -- not to be trusted: Thank you for the article about Archbishop Burke, who I considered from one look into his eyes as someone who couldn't be trusted. Of course, I knew about him prior to his arrival in St. Louis from my relatives in Wisconsin. I am a supporter of the SaveSt.Stans effort and attend prayer services each Sunday. I recently moved to rural De Soto from St. Louis and almost missed this issue of RFT because of infrequent visits to my favorite saloon.

Once again, congratulations on this information and don't let up exposing the criminal activities of this man. He is in the words of the times "an extremist," but his views are distorted and to effectuate his desires, he twists the meaning of the rules of the church to meet his end results. I hope this article will help divert his attentions from St. Stans.
Frank Medved
De Soto

The cold dead heart of the church: My compliments to the Riverfront Times and especially to Malcolm Gay for his extremely well-written and informative piece, which exposes, in graphic detail, the "deficiencies," not only among the hierarchy of the Diocese of La Crosse, but in the Wisconsin state house as well.

I do however, disagree with Peter Isely's statement that "[l]oyalty to the church is of the highest order" for these men, whom I prefer to call the anointed yet tarnished princes of the church. From East Coast to West Coast, and everywhere in between, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States are only concerned with the loyalty they owe to themselves and to each other. These lofty positions to which they have risen and the power that comes with those positions have made them lose sight of why they entered into holy orders in the first place: to serve God, to serve His people, to serve His church. There is no love of God or fellowship of the Holy Spirit present in their treatment of these brokenhearted, broken-spirited children of the church who have been raped in body, mind and soul. In truth, these "men of God" have only proven how cold and dead the heart of Holy Mother Church really is.

Anyone who has read the Report of the National Review Board is aware of that now-famous quote: "The smoke of Satan was allowed to enter the Church." With this quote in mind, we can only wonder: What master does the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church really serve? Can the church be saved? Do the laity have strength and courage enough to take back their church?

Time, as they say, will tell.
Victoria Martin
Santa Monica, California

More on Mason: I was a member of the Roncalli Newman Center when Jim Mason joined us. We found out about his "ways" through the media when he was charged with third-degree sexual assault. Truly a sorry time. I am happy to see this in print.

He was a troublesome man and I can't believe he is still on the La Crosse Diocesan payroll. 'Tis a pity. This man was charming and smart but got to be a very disturbed man. I hope he is kept away or stays away from underage or vulnerable people. Thanks for listening.
Sarah Hundt
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Scapegoating the Catholics: I am greatly saddened by the crimes committed by those priests of the Catholic Church, and I believe that such wrongdoings, when substantiated, should result in ecclesiastical, civil or even criminal punishment.

What perplexes me is that recent allegations of similar sexual abuse in our nation's public schools have been practically ignored, while we have experienced several years of intensive scrutinization of Catholic clergy abuse. The Shakeshaft report on public-school sexual abuse estimated that approximately 4.5 million children in eighth to eleventh grade in the year 2000 had experienced sexual harassment or abuse by school workers. In contrast, the National Review Board report on child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy reported 10,667 individuals alleging abuse by ordained clergy during the 53-year period from 1950 to 2002 (17.2 percent also said they had siblings who were also abused). Both reports included incidents ranging from inappropriate touching and sexual language to statutory rape.

The difference in absolute numbers between the two reports, both issued this year, is staggering. Even if the public schools' figures are wildly exaggerated, and if the Catholic numbers are far higher than reported, the public schools seem to have a much higher incidence of sexual abuse than the Catholic Church.

The real difference in interest in these two reports is due to an impression of hypocrisy in the Catholic Church. The Catholic clergy are assumed to affect an image of holiness and to promote an impossible standard of conduct, while the public schools are assumed to be progressing toward an ideal of openness to universal sexual expression. In other words, the alleged sexual behavior is unbecoming to a Catholic, while the same behavior is admired, at least in some circles, by the secular world. This is then a secular examination of Catholicism by Catholic standards, and not by the standards of the secular world -- which I consider unfair, even though I must admit it is very effective.

Archbishop Burke is a lawyer by training and is acting like the chief lawyer of any large organization would do in similar circumstances. Punitive lawsuits are so potentially destructive to any organization that a certain measure of secrecy is prudent; corporations, governments, and academic institutions are also secretive. Perhaps doing the right thing -- even though it means total worldly loss -- is heroically virtuous, but the church does not require such heroism of its members.

American Catholics were a persecuted minority until the Second World War. During that war, Catholic mothers who hung four, five or six service stars in their front windows, symbolizing sons in military service, demonstrated the patriotism of Catholics and their commitment to the United States. The election of John F. Kennedy to the presidency proved that Catholics had finally arrived, even though he promised no influence of his Catholicism in his service. Catholics supported Martin Luther King in the civil rights struggle and also assured equal employment rights for themselves. Vatican II liturgical and artistic reforms assured that Catholics would not be distinctive anymore and would be viewed as normal Americans. Catholics did all they could to please the world. Acceptance was assured for a while, but then came pressure to conform to new worldly standards. Now we are told that we were no longer liked and have to change again.

The resurgence of traditional Catholic practices and increasing Catholic moral pressure against the mainstream may mean that Catholics are once again outside the pale, but at least high Catholic standards will recover, and this sexual abuse will diminish further.
Mark Abeln
St. Louis

Irreverent, indecent and disgusting -- an unholy trifecta! Your display of bitterness toward Archbishop Burke reached the limit of decency in your deplorable caricature of the archbishop in your endeavor to belittle him in the eyes of your readers. Granted, you have the right to criticize, but to display all the intimate happenings serves little purpose but to arouse disgust in the minds of readers.

Your paper should be a sounding board for good happenings for St. Louis. I feel sure you have not turned many Catholics against the archbishop but have turned away many from your low-grade endeavor to smear him.

Finally, your play on words using a Catholic doctrine of the Mother of God to further insult the archbishop is a true lack of reverence for the Catholic Church.
Fr. Valentine Young, O.F.M. Cap
St. Patrick Church
St. Louis

Posted in it entirety since it changes weekly. Link here.

Holy Democrats!

The Catholic presidential questionnaire is dead — thank God

The Presidential Questionnaire from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is dead. But do not mourn. Its death is a good thing, and is important not just for Catholics but for all who were concerned that candidate Kerry was about to get official Church cover for his pro-abortion position.

The problems with the questionnaire are many. First, the document is almost guaranteed to confuse the typical pew sitter as to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Faithful Catholics and others may applaud that the presidential questionnaire is dead, at least for this election cycle, and may also hope that its death portends more profound changes at the USCCB, what Henry Hyde once called "the Democratic party at prayer."

— Austin Ruse is president of the Washington, D.C.-based Culture of Life Foundation.

Highly recommended article.

Limiting the harm using proportionate reasons

Bush Not 100% Pro-Life But Can be Supported Says Barbara Kralis Explaining Catholic Theology of Proportionate Reasons

Sept 15-The Seven Sorrows of Mary

Mary, from the time of the Annunciation, did not pass a single day without suffering, and that for a very simple reason; she knew that the life of her Son would end in the Crucifixion.

This suffering which permeated her whole life became more acute under certain circumstances which the Church wishes us to meditate on particularly.

The Purification: "Oh, poor child," exclaimed Simeon in substance, "the world will be torn in two on account of Him: there will be those who will be for Christ and those, and how numerous they are, who will be against Him. And for you, poor mother, a sword . . ."

Then again, consider the command Joseph received to Take the Child and its Mother and flee into Egypt. . . .What an exodus, what a precipitate departure, and to such a place!

Jesus lost in the temple: I must be about my Father's business.

The meeting of Mary with Jesus on the Ascent to Calvary. What a scene! Contemplate their tender exchange of glances; compassionate these two broken hearts; I will unit myself with their hearts.

The three hours at the Foot of the Cross: How she suffered, our poor Mother! And for me! Chancellor Gerson claims that if Jesus would have tried to descend from this cross, Mary, through love for men, would have begged Him to remain nailed to it.

Mary holds Jesus in her lap after His removal from the Cross: Isn't it true that any one of these scenes would nourish my contemplation for days and weeks?

Mary, after a last look at her dead Jesus, leaves the tomb to return to Jerusalem, the evening of Good Friday.

"Ah," cried the prophet years before, "do not forget the groans of your mother!"

I wish that they would resound so profoundly in me that never, never, would I forget them; that in hearing them, I would understand the whole price of my divine life, of the divine life in all souls.

from the book Meditations for Religious
by Rev. Raoul Plus, S.J.


See also the "Discourse IX Of The Dolours Of Mary" by St. Alphonsus Liguori for more meditations.

Karl Keating's E-Letter of Sept 14

KARL KEATING'S E-LETTER

September 14, 2004

TOPICS:

VOTER'S GUIDE VIDEO
VOTER'S GUIDE FLAK
VOTER'S GUIDE COMPETITION
AN IMPOSSIBLE QUIZ

Dear Friend of Catholic Answers:

"Goofy." I think that's the proper word for it.

The National Coalition of American Nuns, a group that claims only 500 members, has called for the resignation of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who heads the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. NCAN says Ratzinger should be replaced with a "feminist woman."

The Vatican should grant more decision-making power to women, says NCAN, and women should be included in the election of the next pope. As an aside, the group said the Church should endorse same-sex marriage.

VIDEO VERSION OF VOTER'S GUIDE

This is an early heads-up. A friend of our apostolate is making an online video out of our "Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics." We have the scripting done, and next comes a professional voice-over, followed by matching the visuals to the voice.

Our plan is to upload the video to our web site and to send the link to it to you and to thousands more via e-mail. The short video--about nine minutes long--will be available in several file formats and will be viewable by those with either high-speed or dial-up connections.

THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN

Our voter's guide has received lots of praise and some opposition. Why the opposition? The voter's guide does nothing more than repeat Church teaching. Well, okay, it does more than that. It says Catholics ought to follow Church teaching, even when in the voting booth. Is this so radical? Some people seem to think so.

It's not that they have come out against the teaching contained in the voter's guide. None of its opponents has said, "Vote for those who support abortion, euthanasia, fetal stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual 'marriage.'" Nothing that crass. What opponents have said is that
lots of other issues should be taken into account.

If they meant that the five non-negotiables should be handled first, and then the Catholic voter should factor in other, lesser issues, that would be fine. That's just what our voter's guide says anyway. But that's not what opponents really are doing. They're giving the impression that other issues, on which Catholics are permitted a range of opinions, should be given the same weight as the five non-negotiables.

What is the Catholic position on the minimum wage? Actually, there isn't one. You can be a good Catholic and think that the minimum wage should remain as it is or that it should be increased--or even that it should be eliminated. (Many economists argue that the minimum wage, while well-intentioned, actually ends up hurting the poor, by throwing many of them out of work.)

I'm not interested in discussing what to do about the minimum wage (so please don't write to me about it), but, no matter where you find yourself on the issue, one thing you must admit: Other Catholics legitimately may differ from you, and they still will be counted as good Catholics.

You can't say the same thing about those who support the five non-negotiables.

IF YOU CAN'T INGORE US, COMPETE

The Catholic Voting Project was started in response to the success of Catholic Answers' "Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics." The organizers, several of whom are students and many of whom have been active in left-wing politics (there seems to be no political moderate or conservative associated with the group), have been described in a newspaper article as "nonpartisan," but their web site has a clear bias in favor of John Kerry. See for yourself at http://www.votingcatholic.org/

The spokesman for the Catholic Voting Project is Chris Korzen, who also is the site's webmaster. He is a student at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The web site has a discussion forum, which has 30 registered members. (As a comparison, Catholic Answers' discussion forum has more than 11,000 registered members.) One person posted this message on the Catholic Voting Project discussion forum:

"In your 'Why a Catholic Voter Guide?' statement, you claim, 'There are many other voter guides for the 2004 elections that claim to be "Catholic," yet they focus on only a handful of issues, depending largely on the ideology of the sponsor.' Name one. It is clear you are referring to Karl Keating's 'Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics.' I believe it would serve you better to just be honest."

Korzen responded by saying, "We feel there is an important place for the Catholic Answers voting guide in the broader public debate surrounding the Catholic vote in this election. However, we could find no definitive magisterial statement to substantiate the claim that the five issues laid
out in the CA guide are the only ones Catholics should consider when making their voting decisions."

Of course the five non-negotiables aren't the only issues Catholics should consider. The "Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics" says precisely that--after it says that these five issues are so important that they should be used to narrow down the field of acceptable candidates. The Catholic voter first should eliminate candidates who are wrong on the non-negotiables, and then he should look at where candidates stand on other issues. This means other issues aren't ignored, but they are secondary.

ANSWER ME THIS

The Catholic Voting Project web site features a quiz designed to tell you "how your own beliefs compare to the positions of the U.S. Catholic bishops and the two major presidential candidates." The quiz is divided into eleven sections, each with three statements about which you are asked to agree or disagree. The bias of the organizers is found in the odd phrasing of the statements.

Consider the topic of abortion. Here are the three statements you are asked to agree or disagree with:
1. "I oppose abortion except when the life of the mother is threatened or in cases of rape or incest, but I support anti-abortion legislation that makes no exception for the health of the mother."

2. "I oppose abortion in all circumstances, except for when the life of the mother is threatened."

3. "I oppose abortion in my personal life but publicly support the right of women to choose abortion."

Which of these, if answered "agree," states the Catholic position? None, of course, since each statement allows for abortions.

Which of these, if answered "disagree," states the Catholic position? Again, none, although this might be a little harder to see.

If you disagree with statement 1, does it mean you oppose anti-abortion "legislation that makes no exception for the health of the mother"? If so, you support some abortions.

If you disagree with statement 2, does it mean you approve generally of abortion?

If you disagree with statement 3, does it mean you "support the right of women to choose abortion" but not publicly--that is, that you keep your opinion to yourself?

The ten other sections of the quiz are similarly confused. False choices are given and false implications are made. Beyond that, one is left with the impression that such things as the minimum wage are morally on the same level as abortion and that immigration regulations are as important as
euthanasia.

Oh, wait a minute. The quiz doesn't even mention euthanasia. And it doesn't mention human cloning. It entirely leaves out two of the five non-negotiables. But it does wonder who should benefit most from tax cuts.

Until next time,
Karl

********************
To learn more about the Catholic faith and about Catholic Answers, visit us
at http://www.catholic.com/.
********************
The content of this E-Letter is copyright 2004 by Karl Keating.

Healing Mass/Service Question from EWTN

This is another question which has come up recently in the neighborhood. Again, this may contradict what some others have stated.

This is taken from the "EWTN Q&A" site.

Healing Mass
Question from Nick on 02-04-2004:

I attended a healing mass the other day and everyone was on the floor and it seemed like the healers goal was just to get you on the floor. There were priests there, but the focus was on the lay healers.

Some of the healers were waving their arms and speaking in tongues it seemed like a tent revival meeting. Is this a licit practice in the catholic faith? Thank you
-------------------------------------------------------

Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL on 02-25-2004:

No it is not. It contravenes an Instruction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith intended to put an end to such unlawful abuses.

[See: this document, www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFHEAL.HTM]

Art. 2 – Prayers for healing are considered to be liturgical if they are part of the liturgical books approved by the Church's competent authority; otherwise, they are non-liturgical.

Art. 3 – § 1. Liturgical prayers for healing are celebrated according to the rite prescribed in the Ordo benedictionis infirmorum of the Rituale Romanum (28) and with the proper sacred vestments indicated therein.

Art. 5 – § 1. Non-liturgical prayers for healing are distinct from liturgical celebrations, as gatherings for prayer or for reading of the word of God; these also fall under the vigilance of the local Ordinary in accordance with can. 839 § 2.

§ 2. Confusion between such free non-liturgical prayer meetings and liturgical celebrations properly so-called is to be carefully avoided.

§ 3. Anything resembling hysteria, artificiality, theatricality or sensationalism, above all on the part of those who are in charge of such gatherings, must not take place.

Link.

"Baptism in the Holy Spirit"

Some questions have arisen lately in the neighborhood, so I'll see what I can find. This is the first 'issue' being addressed. This may contradict what some others have stated.

This is taken from the "Ask Father Hardon" series.

Question:
Is the charismatic practice known as "baptism in the Holy Spirit" 1) an integral part of either the sacrament of Baptism or Confirmation, 2) a new sacrament, 3) a part of the liturgy, or 4) an authentic Catholic practice?
-K.A.K., Michigan


Answer:
No, the charismatic practice of baptism in the Holy Spirit is not: 1) an integral part of either the sacrament of Baptism or Confirmation, 2) a new sacrament, 3) a part of the liturgy, or 4) an authentic Catholic practice.

What is called the "baptism in the Holy Spirit" is variously interpreted by charismatics. The most common interpretation is the belief that some people receive what is called the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

These would be persons who receive certain extraordinary gifts, such as those received by the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday.

This claim is purely gratuitous. It is part of a larger claim by some charismatics.

They say the Church of the future will be the Church of the Holy Spirit and no longer the Church of the hierarchy and the sacraments instituted by Christ.

© 1997 Inter Mirifica

Link.

An bad example of a professed Catholic...?

This was in today's issue of the Post Dispatch's "Town Talk" feature.

I think most people will see what happens when one's intellect has not been properly informed:

See here, archibishop

I SEE ARCHBISHOP Burke is at it again with his politics and abortion. I have one message to you, Mr. Archbishop, I'm a Catholic, but you keep your nose out of how I vote and who I vote for. You just take care of your church and take care of all these pedophile priests you've got and you'll have a full-time job.

THIS IS TO point out a typo in Town Talk where it refers to Archbishop Burke as the good Archbishop. That's either a typo or an oxymoron. And in addition to him not missing our two bucks a week or two bucks a month, that's correct since he continues to try to rape the good people of St. Stanislaus of their $10 million.

He (or she) claims to be Catholic? How sad...We should continue to pray for the conversion of souls to Christ.

Source.

Michigan Catholic voters in abortion firestorm

Michigan Catholics are fiercely debating comments made by the Vatican's top theologian [Cardinal Ratzinger] that give them some leeway to vote for politicians who support abortion rights.

At issue are statements made by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who heads the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, that became public in July. Reflecting longstanding Catholic teaching, Ratzinger gave Catholics who oppose abortion rights leeway to vote for politicians who support them, provided the voter believes the candidates' other positions outweigh the abortion issue.

The Detroit Free Press gets its wrong as do some of the priests who are quoted in the article.

They also refer to the Post Dispatch article about Archbishop Burke:

In the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Burke said that Catholics opposed to abortion rights could support a candidate who supports them if they feel the candidate's positions on other moral issues outweigh the abortion issue, although Burke said he couldn't imagine any issue outweighing abortion.

"If they feel"...hmmmm...I don't believe that is what Archbishop Burke said...

Article here.

Evansville Bishop warns defiant politicians

Evansville Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger said Tuesday he would deny Communion to Catholic politicians who publicly defy their faith or who dare church leaders to block them from receiving the sacrament.

Catholic politicians who vocally support abortion rights or gay marriage are not in communion with Catholic teachings, the bishop told Rotarians. Those politicians, whom he did not name, should expect the bishop to refuse Communion.

It takes courage for a bishop to do what he is supposed to do. We must continue to pray for our bishops and priests.

Source.

For C.S. Lewis fans...

The Question of God: Sigmund Freud & C.S. Lewis, is a four-hour PBS series scheduled to air on consecutive Wednesday nights, September 15 and 22. It is a superb journey into the critical distinctions between the competing worldviews which underlie the cultural war currently convulsing Western Civilization.

Source.

Vatican Document Misused by Kerry Supporters in the Church and Media

This is from an Email from Austin Ruse, of the Culture and Life Foundation:

CULTURE & COSMOS

September 14, 2004 Volume 2, Number 6

Vatican Document Misused by Kerry Supporters in the Church and Media

A memo released privately two months ago by the Vatican's leading theologian, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, is being portrayed by the media and liberal Catholics as giving Catholic voters permission to vote for the pro-abortion Democratic candidate for President.

So far, a moral theologian and a high-ranking official of the Detroit Archdiocese, where the story first broke, say the document's precise language is being distorted.

Ratzinger issued a private memo in the spring that explored whether pro-abortion politicians ought to be denied communion. He concluded that they must be denied communion if, after consistent teaching by the bishop, they persist in their error regarding abortion.

It is the final and separate paragraph to his memo that is causing all the confusion and controversy. In a short "nota bene," Ratzinger answers the question whether a voter may receive communion if he has voted for a pro-abortion politician. He concludes that any vote for a pro-abortion politician is cooperation in "evil." He goes on to say that a person who votes for a pro-abortion politician may receive communion but only if he voted that way for "proportionate" reasons. And this is the phrase that the media and liberal Catholics have used to give permission to vote for the pro-abortion John Kerry. Some are claiming that "proportionate" reasons may be any serious issue that the voter cares about, the war in Iraq, for instance.

Father Stephen Torraco, chairman of the theology department at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusettes, says this interpretation of "proportionate" is wrong. Taracco says the term "proportionate" has a very specific meaning within atholic moral theology and that "proportionate reasons" for voting for a pro-abortion candidate would have to be limited to stopping other intrinsically evil acts similar to abortion. Even a candidate's support for capital punishment or war could not be used to justify voting for a pro-abortion candidate, he said, because neither of those things are intrinsically immoral according to Catholic teaching.

Besides Taracco's, a response was issued by the chancellor of the Archdiocese of Detroit, where the story first broke. Presumably writing for the Archbishop of Detroit, Cardinal Adam Maida, Father Robert J. McClory, wrote that the issue was "much more nuanced than was reported in the Free Press article . . ." He said that Ratzinger's note did not clear the way to vote for a pro-abortion candidates. "The distribution of this text has led to much debate over what might be 'proportionate reasons' in the context of the moral evil of abortion, including how this might apply when all the candidates for a given office support abortion to varying degrees. Suffice it to say that 'proportionate reasons' go far beyond simply 'agreeing with the candidate's other stands.'"

Many other news outlets including The Washington Post have reported on the note but have omitted an adequate explanation of the term "proportionate reasons." Culture and Cosmos has learned that at least one, possibly more, prominent bishops are planning to address the problem in the coming days.

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

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This feast was observed in Rome before the end of the seventh century. It commemorates the recovery of the Holy Cross, which had been placed on Mt. Calvary by St. Helena and preserved in Jerusalem, but then had fallen into the hands of Chosroas, King of the Persians. The precious relic was recovered and returned to Jersualem by Emperor Heralius in 629.

The Breviary lessons tells us that Emperor Heraclius carried the Cross back to Jerusalem on his shoulders. He was clothed with costly garments and with ornaments of precious stones. But at the entrance to Mt. Calvary a strange incident occurred. Try as hard as he would, he could not go forward. Zacharias, the Bishop of Jerusalem, then said to the astonished monarch: "Consider, O Emperor, that with these triumphal ornaments you are far from resembling Jesus carrying His Cross." The Emperor then put on a penitential garb and continued the journey.

For more information, read this.

“Woe to those who call evil good.”

Images of innocent children with no place to run, having the backs of their skulls ripped open by masked men under the guise of “freedom” should make us squirm.

Pope Tells Bishops to Make Known Full Teaching of Church on Defense of Marriage

In feeble attempts to defend marriage several bishops and bishops conferences throughout the world have failed to present the full teaching of the Catholic Church. Some have gone so far as to back unacceptable compromises when confronted with homosexual 'marriage' such as same-sex civil unions or some such scheme to give societal benefit to homosexual couples. In that light, Pope John Paul's comments to the bishops of New Zealand today are of particular significance.

"I encourage you to continue to ensure that your statements clearly convey the whole of the Church's magisterial teaching."

Now, if all bishops and priests would listen and do this. One can only imagine!

Source.

The Ratzinger Fiasco

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Never have I seen a more shameless abuse and distortion of somebody's words than in the recent articles that some secular and Catholic publications have run regarding a memo written by Vatican Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger about abortion and voting.

The Cardinal wrote, "Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia...There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia...A Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for Holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidate's permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia."

That's pretty clear. Those who want to keep abortion legal and therefore vote for candidates who have promised to do that are sinning and are excluded from Communion.

Instead, some publications are saying that the Vatican now gives Catholics permission to vote for pro-abortion candidates! One article I saw said this is true "if a voter feels a candidate's position on other issues outweighs his or her stand on abortion."

But whether abortion outweighs other issues is not for a voter's feelings to decide. The Holy Father has written, "The common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights -- for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture -- is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition of all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination . . . " (Christifideles Laici, n.38)

The full body of United States bishops, moreover, went so far as to say that legal abortion is so unacceptable that it may in fact require us to abolish our entire system of government. The exact words, found in paragraph 3 of their 1998 document Living the Gospel of Life, are, "When American political life becomes an experiment on people rather than for and by them, it will no longer be worth conducting. We are arguably moving closer to that day."

Cardinal Ratzinger's memo does answer a dilemma that many good Catholics find themselves in when all the candidates -- at least among those likely to win -- seem to support at least some abortions. What then? Are we required to vote for a candidate who does not have a sufficient base to win? Are we required to abstain from voting altogether? The answer to both is no. We may vote for the candidate who supports less abortion than his or her opponent. This is supported by the following sentence in the footnote to the Cardinal's memo: "When a Catholic does not share a candidate's stand in favor of abortion ... but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it ... can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons."

The Cardinal had already explained that abortion is not proportionate to other issues, but is certainly proportionate to itself.

See further comments at www.priestsforlife.org/elections/ratzingerletter.htm

Comments on this column? Email us at mail@priestsforlife.org, Priests for Life, PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314; Tel: 888-PFL-3448, 718-980-4400; Fax: 718-980-6515; web: www.priestsforlife.org

Archdiocese of Chicago to be consecrated to Mary’s Immaculate Heart

On December 8, 2004 - the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s solemn proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception - Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, will consecrate the Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The consecration will take place at Holy Name Cathedral.

Article here>

Prosecutor: Diocese of Phoenix Can Handle Own Affairs

The Roman Catholic Diocese has made changes in the way it handles priest sex abuse allegations and no longer needs to be supervised by prosecutors, authorities said Monday.

The Diocese operated under the watchful eye of the county prosecutor's office under a deal reached last year. It barred Bishop Thomas O'Brien from being involved in sex abuse allegations in return for not charging him with covering them up.

This is due to the efforts made by Bishop Thomas Olmsted, no doubt, who must be a welcome relief for the Diocese. PLease remember to keep him in your prayers as he continues his work for the Church.

Article.

Bishop Wenski: Citizenship more than an oath

President Harry Truman established Sept. 17 as Citizenship Day. The choice of this date was not arbitrary: Friday marks the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution -- and it is this hallowed document that defines what it is to be a citizen of these United States.
...
Whether we are already citizens by birthright or naturalization, or whether we are still in a seeming interminable queue awaiting our opportunity to swear allegiance, Citizenship Day is worth celebrating.

Source.

Prior of the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem request your prayers

Dom Daniel Augustine Oppenheimer, Prior, Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem, celebrated the first public Mass of the Canons in the St. Louis Archdiocese yesterday at St. Joseph Church in Josephville.

He asked that we keep them in their prayers in their search for a church and rectory in which to relocate and commented on how fitting it was to have celebrated the first public Mass at a church and in a town named after St. Joseph, who intercedes in helping to find homes.

Archbishop Burke and the Canons are presently engaged in a search for a suitable location for their canonry in the general vicinity of St. Charles. The Canons' priestly ministry will include daily Mass in the Tridentine rite, and the religious education of children and adults.

If anyone is aware of facilities which could be used, Fr. Oppenheimer may be reached at (314) 633-2407.

In the meantime, please keep the Canons in your daily prayers so that suitable facilities may be located.

Archdiocese of Boston faces 140 new claims of sex abuse

Less than a year after it paid $85 million to settle 541 sexual-abuse claims, the Archdiocese of Boston is facing at least 140 new claims that a church spokesman says the church cannot now afford to settle, in part because it has been unable to recoup money from its insurance policies to cover last year's settlement.

140 new claims? What is going on?

Article.

Priest admits he stole $1 million from church

CHICAGO

A Catholic priest who resigned earlier this summer from his church has admitted stealing more than $1 million from his parish on the city's southwest side, church officials said. The priest returned the money with interest.

In a letter read to parishioners at St. Bede the Venerable, an Archdiocese of Chicago bishop who oversees the parish wrote that the Rev. Brian Lisowski had misappropriated $1.1 million in church funds between January 1999 and July 2004.

Lisowski resigned in July after acknowledging he had relapsed into alcoholism and had been stopped by police in the company of an alleged prostitute, church officials said. After resigning, parish collections rose, and the archdiocese reviewed the priest's records, the bishop said in the letter. Lisowski repaid $1.2 million to the parish, the letter said.

How was he able to repay this? Was it stashed somewhere for "safekeeping"? Article here.

The Bishop is above all a witness, a teacher and model of holiness

Pope John Paul II spoke of "the need today for each bishop to develop 'a pastoral style which is ever more open to collaboration with all'." He added that "a sound ecclesiology of communion ... should not be misunderstood as a concession to a secular 'democratic' model of governance, but as an intrinsic requirement of the exercise of episcopal authority and a necessary means of strengthening that authority."

"Every act of ecclesiastical governance, consequently, must be aimed at fostering communion and mission. ...The three 'munera' of teaching, sanctifying and ruling are clearly inseparable and interpenetrating. ... Experience shows that when priority is mainly given to outward stability, the impetus to personal conversion, ecclesial renewal and missionary zeal can be lost and a false sense of security can ensue.

"The painful period of self- examination provoked by the events of the past two years will bear spiritual fruit only if it leads the whole Catholic community in America to a deeper understanding of the Church's authentic nature and mission, and a more intense commitment to making the Church in your country reflect, in every aspect of her life, the light of Christ's grace and truth."

Words of the Holy Father to the 33 bishops from the ecclesiastical region of Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the United States.

SNAP wants two clergy sent elsewhere

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has asked Archbishop Raymond Burke to have the two clergymen sent elsewhere. But Burke, through a statement, said he lacks the power to have them removed.

Source.

Bishop Malone hears criticism at "Pro-Life" luncheon

When the highest-ranking Catholic priest in Maine spoke at an anti-abortion luncheon Saturday, he drew criticism from an audience member who said the bishop is "talking the talk" but not "walking the walk" in opposing abortion. Speaking to a crowd of about 100, Bishop Richard J. Malone of the Diocese of Portland faced a University of Maine professor who said priests should not give communion to politicians who support a woman's right to choose.

These people have not been excommunicated," Malone said. "I have to try to work with these folks. ... A whole lot of our Catholic brothers and sisters are not with us on this thing. We need to engage these people in dialogue."

How many more years of "dialogue" is needed? If our Catholic brothers and sisters support abortion and those who further that crime, have not rejected Catholicism?

Source.

Catholic Schoolteachers in Brooklyn in Dispute with Diocese

It seems to happening everywhere. Teachers "up in arms", taking on an adversarial role in unionizing to fight against the Church.

Article here.

Fraud: What Ratzinger didn't say

If you live anywhere in the United States, you probably saw news stories this past week, reporting that Cardinal Ratzinger had issued a new statement, saying that Catholics can vote for a candidate who promotes legal abortion-- as long as they're casting that vote for other reasons.

Cardinal Ratzinger said no such thing.

In fact, Cardinal Ratzinger didn't issue any new statement on the subject recently!

The story that has spread through the American press this week is a complete fraud.

Full CWN Forum Article here.

The Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem

I received this today and wish to share it.
Please pass is along to those who may be interested.

Your family is invited to join us in welcoming to St. Louis a new order of Latin Rite priests.

Saturday, September 25

3:00pm Latin Tridentine Mass
Celebrant: Dom Daniel Augustine Oppenheimer, Prior, Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem

4:00pm The Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem
Dom Daniel Oppenheimer will speak on the work and ministry of his traditional foundation.

4:30pm Barbeque and Potluck Dinner

Location:
Knights of Columbus Hall
3rd Street and Lincoln
O'Fallon, Missouri

The Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem is a new order of priests dedicated to the traditional Latin Liturgy and following the rule of St. Augustine. Archbishop Raymond Burke, who established and approved their religious constitution, is effecting their transfer from Wisconsin to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Archbishop Burke and the Canons are presently engaged in a search for a suitable location for their canonry in the general vicinity of St. Charles. The Canons' priestly ministry will include daily Mass in the Tridentine rite, and the religious education of children and adults.

Father Oppenheimer would be very happy to speak with and visit families who are interested in their upcoming ministry in St. Louis. You may reach him by calling (314) 633-2407. he is presently living at the Archbishop's residence on Lindell Blvd.

Please RSVP for Dinner by 9/23.
Call Mark & Linda Bromeier at (636) 458-1515 or Terry Rohan (636) 566-6924.
Barbecued hamburgers, hot dogs, buns and beverages will be provided, along with table service. Please bring a potluck dish to share.

Mark this date on your calendar and try to attend. This is great news and a welcome opportunity for the faithful of St. Charles county.

The 1962 Missal Epistle and Gospel for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost

EPISTLE
Galatians 5: 25-26; 6: 1-10

Brethren: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be made desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, and if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the Spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ. For if any man think himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let everyone prove his own work, and so he shall have glory in himself only, and not in another. For every one shall bear his own burden. And let him that is instructed in the word, communicate to him that instructeth him, in all good things. Be not deceived: God is not mocked; for what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption: but he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting. And in doing good, let us not fail; for in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.


GOSPEL
Luke 7: 11-16

At that time, Jesus went into a city called Naim; and there went with Him His disciples, and a great multitude. And when He came nigh to the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and much people of the city were with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said to her: Weep not. And He came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it stood still. And He said: Young man, I say to thee, Arise: and he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on them all: and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet is risen up amongst us, and God hath visited His people.

Pope urges openness among bishops in sex-abuse scandal

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II discussed the U.S. sex-abuse scandal with Cardinal Justin Rigali and other American bishops Saturday, encouraging them to be more open to the needs of parishioners in the wake of a "crisis of confidence in the church's leadership."

John Paul noted that Roman Catholic bishops had "an unequivocal right and duty of governance." But he indicated that the approach of some American church leaders may have driven a wedge between them and churchgoers.

This from the St. Louis Post Dispatch...

And this is the actual text of the Holy Father's address to the Bishops.

St. Stanislaus parishioners reject archbishop's proposal

That's nothing new...

Parishioners from St. Stanislaus Kostka church said this week that they are rejecting a proposal by the Archdiocese of St. Louis to end a dispute over control of their church.

Source.

Fr. William Barnaby Faherty writes book on Germans

German spouses of area Irish should give themselves a pat on the back.

The newest book by Jesuit Father William Barnaby Faherty was written in part, he said, because of their pull.

This looks to be another good book by Fr. Faherty who has written over 30 books on the history of St. Louis and Catholicism.

Article.

Archdiocese considers responses to appeals

Archbishop Raymond Burke is preparing a response to an appeal filed with the Vatican by the St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish board of directors over proposed parish restructuring.

Archdiocesan officials last week also responded locally to an appeal filed with the Vatican by the Association of Catholic Elementary Educators (ACEE) stemming from its attempts to represent teachers. In a prepared statement, the archdiocese defended its past labor relations with teachers.

Source.>

Archbishop Burke's Pastoral Letter on Civic Responsibility to be issued on Oct 1

Pastoral Letter on Civic Responsibility

During the time of my pilgrimage to Rome to receive the sacred pallium, at the end of June and beginning of July, I promised to write a pastoral letter to assist the faithful in the archdiocese in exercising their civic responsibility, especially the duty to vote, in accord with the moral law. A number of factors have kept me from finishing the writing of the pastoral letter until now. In the meantime, a number of reports in the secular media have raised serious questions about the Church’s teaching in the matter. Some of the reports have generated confusion and frustration. Be assured that I have wanted to complete the letter as soon as possible, in order to present clearly the Church’s teaching and to clear up confusion. I am happy to report to you that the pastoral letter should be issued on this coming Oct. 1, the memorial of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower.

When the pastoral letter is completed, it will first be published in the St. Louis Review. Aids for the reading and study of the pastoral letter also will be provided.

Please pray for me as I bring to completion the writing of the pastoral letter, so that it may truly serve well the consciences of the faithful in the archdiocese. Please pray that the pastoral letter may contribute to the building up of the life of our society, in accord with God’s law.

Source.

In this article, the archbishop talks about St. Thérèse of Lisieux and advises us on what we can do to bring the new movie about St. Thérèse to St. Louis. This will be covered in a separate post later.

In the meantime, we should pray for Archbishop Burke as he requested for the completion of his pastoral letter and pray also that it may help in building the culture of life in our society, as he asked.

ICD event tonight - from the Post Dispatch

The Rev. Donald Wester, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Bellefontaine Neighbors, will be the featured speaker at 7:30 tonight at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 7717, Highway N, Dardenne Prairie.

Wester's talk is titled "God's Love and Our Response." The event is sponsored by Inspiration Quest, an adult Christian learning series. A free-will offering will be taken. For child-care reservations, call 636-561-4269. Information: 636-561-6611.

Source.

Miami Herald Opinion on Voting and Abortion

Of course, they misunderstand Cardinal Ratzinger's use of the term "proportionate reasons"...

It says, in other words, that if a Catholic thinks a candidate's positions on other issues are more important [than abortion, euthanasia], a vote for that candidate is not considered a sin.

Source.

But if one wishes to read what "proportionate reasons" actually mean, Jimmy Akin has written a rather good report here, titled, "What Ratzinger Said".

Cardinal Mahony's statement on Redemptionis Sacramentum

I pity the people of his archdiocese...

The implementation of Redemptionis Sacramentum
By Cardinal Roger M. Mahony

While we all must constantly re-evaluate our liturgical practice and not allow it to become routine or careless, I have determined that there is no need to make any significant changes in our liturgical practice at this time.

How nice it must be to be so perfect that one can ignore the Holy See...

Church Leaders Who Equivocate on Abortion and Voting Asked to Resign

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life (PFL) has called all Church leaders "who fail to point out the difference in seriousness between abortion and other issues" to "resign their positions." In the latest release from PFL, Fr. Pavone explains that the reason for his suggestion is that such Church leaders "obviously lack the most basic capacity for moral judgment."

While this seems to be a laudable goal, I believe the purpose may be to shame those into examining their consciences. Why? Any Church leader (and we know who some of them are) who lacks the moral capacity to speak the truth about brutality of the crime of abortion and voting for those who support abortion certainly lacks the courage to resign his position.

Article here.

Nov 7-11 - Fr. Bill Casey at St. Rita's

Come to the Mission!
St. Rita's Church
November 7-11th, 2004
(Sunday through Thursday)

Fr. Bill Casey, of the Fathers of Mercy, will preach at both the morning Mass at 8:30 AM and the evening Holy Hour at 7:00 PM; confessions after all services.

Parish of St. Rita
8240 Washington Street
Page Ave. (at North & South Washington St.)
Rectory: (314) 428-4845
Mass Schedule: Saturday, 5:00 PM
Sunday, 8:00 & 10:00 AM
Weekdays: 8:30 AM

The Eye of God?

This was sent to me the other day.

This is a picture NASA took with the Hubble telescope.

It is simply called "The Eye of God." This is all the information I have.

Columnist should avoid discussing Catholic doctrine

Another Letter to the Editor (Post Dispatch)

To the editor:

At the end of his September 1 article. "Have pharisees taken over the Vatican" you identify John R. Stoeffler as president of a think tank dedicated to upholding principles of the U. S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Whether or not Mr. Stoeffler has the expertise expected of him in those two fields, he has neither knowledge of nor expertise in Catholic Church Canon Law and theology.

I respectfully suggest that Mr. Stoeffler continue to pursue his commendable efforts on behalf of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. They need all the help they can get. In justice, however, I suggest that he maintain silence about matters concerning which he displays only ignorance, on the basis of which he presumes to tender advice both unsolicited and unwarranted.

Edward A. Rohde
South County

An excellent response to a previous Post Dispatch article.

Source.

Ugandan priest finds differences, similarities here

The Rev. John Ssebitosi, pastor of churches in Valmeyer and Madonnaville, says the church's message translates from one continent to another.
The Rev. John Ssebitosi notices much that is different in Valmeyer and the United States from his native Uganda.

"The Catholic church is the same everywhere," he said. "Maybe some of the singing is different, because of the different cultures. The lessons (in Uganda) can be the same here."

"I've come to learn. To take back what I've learned to Uganda," he said, noting that he had heard stories about the United States but that his imagination hadn't prepared him for the reality of what he has seen.

"The development here is incredible," he said. "And the standard of living. You people are blessed."

An interesting story in the Post Dispatch today about this priest from Uganda. There were two things, in particular, which I thought were interesting - that the Church is the same everywhere (universal) and how blessed we are.

Sometimes it takes someone from outside the US to remind of just how fortunate we are. We should give thank God everyday for His blessings and generosity He bestows on us.

Article.

Judge Rules Homosexuals a Distinct, Protected Class, akin to Race or Gender

A Washington state Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that same-sex couples not only have a constitutional right to marriage, but that, as a group, are a distinct, protected class or subset of society, akin to race or gender.

Judicial activism at its best - which is to say, worst! Wayward judges attempting to enshrine evil as a right, vice as a virtue. Judges like this should be impeached.

Source.

BISHOPS CONFERENCE WITHDRAWS PRESIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO THE PRESS

Release Date: September 8, 2004
Contact: Mark Adams 318-794-1170

BISHOPS CONFERENCE WITHDRAWS PRESIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

In a letter released to the US Bishops on Friday, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Government Liaison announced they have withdrawn the Presidential Questionnaire which had been delivered weeks ago to the Bush and Kerry campaigns.

At this moment the press office of the USCCB has no statement prepared but we are told by diocesan sources that at least one of the campaigns did not return the questionnaire by deadline.

"We have been critical of the Presidential Questionnaire because it improperly equates doctrinal issues like abortion with judgment calls like the minimum wage," said Austin Ruse, President of the Culture of Life Foundation.

"We also welcome the fact that candidate Kerry will not be able to use the questionnaire to claim he is a faithful Catholic when we know he actively opposes Church teaching on fundamental issues."

Pressure, perhaps?
Is it time for cleaning house at the USCCB offices yet?

A Congress Sings the Praises of Gregorian Chant

.
Now if only more parishes around here would do the same....

Meeting Aims to Promote "Liturgical Correctness"

A recent congress here highlighted Gregorian chant as a manifestation of the faith of modern men and women.

The Pope thanked them for their effort "in the field of sacred music, always attentive to the teachings of the magisterium. In this way, you offer a valid contribution to the application of the Second Vatican Council's liturgical reform."

What a blessing it would be to be able to hear, once again, Gregorian chant instead of the stuff that we must endure today, in many places, that purports to be 'sacred music'. Am I the only one who is sick of guitars, bongos, drums, and pianos? Thirty five years worth of guitar music at Mass is too much - it's like being frozen in the 60's and 70's...If the Vatican II Council stated that Gregorian chant and the the organ hold pride of place, why are these things relegated to the dust bin?

Source.

Some Rebuttals to the RiverfrontTimes...

Regarding its articles about Archbishop Burke.

Sin No More
A cheap shot:
Malcolm Gay's "Immaculate Deception" [August 25] reveals that the author cares less about the welfare of the victims of sexual abuse, but rather aims to promote his own agenda by unjustly attacking the actions and character of the Archbishop of St. Louis. Mr. Gay would serve his journalistic integrity better if he clearly stated and defended his position on contraception, abortion, euthanasia, for example, rather than taking cheap shots at those he regards as being on the "ecclesiastical fast track."

The current incumbent of the See of St. Louis is clearly a man of faith, conviction and moral principle. I personally disagree with the Archbishop on many issues, but what he says challenges the liberal status quo. As such, my suggestion must be that the issues themselves be debated, and that the use of the victims of sexual abuse as pawns in such debates remains a scandal.
Patrick J. O'Rourke
St. Louis

And there is this one:

Good riddance to the disgruntled:
In "Bishop Takes Queen," his sidebar to "Immaculate Deception," Malcolm Gay focuses more on Archbishop Raymond Burke than on Sister Julie Green. What is his point? How does Sister Green's supposed operation reflect negatively upon Archbishop Burke? I thought reporters were supposed to report the news and leave personal opinions out of it; clearly this writer has an agenda. Perhaps you are hard up for good, objective writers in St. Louis.

In regard to "Immaculate Deception," I found, as a former religious education director for a small parish in the La Crosse Diocese, then-Bishop Burke to be a sincere, authentic and prayerful man, even holy. It seems you have chosen to interview some disgruntled, renegade priests who weren't doing what they were ordained to do anyway. I say good riddance to those who won't obey the Magisterium.

Finally, the titles of the articles are clearly designed to stimulate readership but are crass. Where is the truth in reporting? I feel that this reporter is not interested in getting at the truth, but only to further his own views.

Archbishop Burke is a heroically courageous man. There are many of us in his former diocese that were sad to seem him go. St. Louis is blessed to have him as their shepherd.
Monica Kolars
River Falls, Wisconsin

I posted these letters in their entirety since it does not seem that they are archived at the RFT. The original articles are pathetic examples of journalism and are juvenile attacks on Archbishop Burke. I did not link to them then, and I will not link to them now. They are still posted on the site, if one wishes to see them.

I have to agree with Monica Kolars above that Archbishop Burke is an heroically courageous bishop. And I have repeatedly stressed how blessed we are to have him here. We must continue to pray for him as the attacks against him for proclaiming the truth will only increase. We must ask our Lady to intercede for him so that he might be protected from those who so ardently desire that he fail in his mission to teach and sanctify the faithful entrusted to him.

Link.

More confusion re: the Archbishop Burke article

Here are a couple of a recent letter to the editor:

Burke explains
In attempting to clarify his prior comments on the voting controversy he has created, Archbishop Raymond Burke seems to speaking with forked tongue.

In legalistic terminology, he defines voting decisions based on "proportionate reasons" and those based on "formal cooperation." A voting decision based on the former would allow a Catholic to vote for a candidate who supports abortion rights but based on the latter would, in the archbishop's words, result "in an intrinsically evil act."

However, in his final statement, he says, "It is difficult to imagine what that proportionate reason would be."

This implies to me that he does not believe conscientious Catholics could adopt the proportionate-reason defense in exercising their voting rights in the election. Consequently, it appears Catholics will continue to hear highly charged rhetoric from the pulpit on this issue until Election Day.

Rosalie M. Laune
New Haven
>

I think it would be wise to determine just who is speaking with a "forked tongue" - I am certain that it is not the Archbishop.

Secondly, how one understands (or fails to understand) 'legalistic teminology' is not as much the issue as is the issue of obedience to the Church in matters of the moral law. One has a duty to learn and try to understand so that one's conscience may be rightly formed in moral matters.

Finally, the Archbishop makes it quite clear that there are no proportionate reasons for which one could vote for a pro-abortion politician whose successful election would result in furthering the crime of the murder of innocent unborn children - unless the opposing candidate would do likewise AND cause even more harm to society. There are no other issues which rise to the level of importance today as that of protecting 4000 children per day. If these innocent children are deemed expendable at will, then other rights mean absolutely nothing. A truly "conscientious" Catholic will understand this. A confused Catholic will not.

The "proportionate-reason defense" is a misnomer - there is no such thing. Proportionate reasons may allow one to vote for a pro-abortion candidate - but this does not apply in the current presidential race.

Move over, Sen. Kerry. You have competition with another flip-flopper. Archbishop Raymond Burke now says it is OK for Catholics to vote for an abortion-rights candidate if his other moral issues outweigh the abortion-rights stance.

Margaret L. Young
St. Louis

It is amazing how some people fail to understand what is being said. It is a certainty that Archbishop Burke has not 'flip-flopped', despite the wishes of so many that he will.


Source.

Bishop Burke Has Remained Consistent on Voting Pro-Life Despite Media Misrepresentation

Campaign Life Catholic, told LifeSiteNews.com that Bishop Burke's position has remained consistent. Suresh Dominic, spokesman for the organization, explained to LifeSiteNews.com what proportionate reasons could be.

"In North America, where abortion - the slaughter of the innocent and most helpless among us - is rampant, abortion is the central human rights concern and thus the overriding political concern in all elections.

"All who would vote for a pro-abortion politician would associate themselves with that atrocity.

"However, in a case where two pro-abortion politicians are vying for election, a pro-life Catholic may, in good conscience, vote for the politician who will give at least minimal protection to life such as the case where one of the pro-abortion politicians would support a partial-birth abortion ban."

This is exactly what must be stated loudly and clearly to Catholics who are confused on the issue!

The St. Louis diocese will release a document clarifying the moral position of Catholics who support pro-abortion politicians. This statement will include Burke's qualifications that the reasons a voter is supporting a candidate have to weigh more heavily than his or her support for the killing of the unborn. However, the damage to the Bishop's position will have been done by the time any official statement comes out. By Saturday, newspapers in Chicago, New York, Fort Worth, Seattle, Sioux City, London England and Taiwan had run the story and flashed headlines around the world that the Archbishop has 'flip-flopped' on his strong stand.

This is, perhaps, the main reason to limit one's interviews with reporters from the Post-Dispatch.

Will all of these news outlets give as much coverage to Archbishop Burke's upcoming pastoral letter when it is released? We'll see.

Source.

Spread of "Culture of Death" Worries Pope

"The threats that continue to arise against life are well known, especially against unborn life," the papal message continued.

"I must call for reflection especially on the worrying spread of a 'culture of death' which leads large sectors of public opinion to justify some crimes against life in the name of the rights of individual liberty and, with this assumption, pretends its legitimization by the state," the Pope wrote.

Not only is the Holy Father worried, but many others are as well. We are witnessing a complete disregard and disdain for life and the continued attack on all that is good. Pray for the Holy Father, and pray that those who advance the "culture of death" may be converted.

Zenit article.

Crying to Heaven for Vengeance

The Bible mentions only four sins which cry out to God for vengeance. Considering the source and the emphasis, we have little choice but to examine our consciences on these points. A cursory examination will not do; we must cast off our cultural preconceptions to see beyond the obvious.

Catholic Culture Article by Dr. Jeff Mirus

Editorial: Grave sin to vote for Kerry?

OPINION -- Last June Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote a memorandum on “Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion,” to assist the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops.

Cardinal Ratzinger noted that (1) for a Catholic to vote for a candidate because the candidate favors abortion is so sinful as to render that Catholic unfit to receive Communion, but (2) voting for a pro-abortion candidate despite that candidate’s support of abortion is not sinful, if “proportionate reasons” justify voting for that candidate.

Unfortunately, Catholic News Service misreported that Cardinal Ratzinger “said it is not necessarily sinful for Catholics to vote for politicians who support abortion, as long as they are voting for that candidate for other reasons."

“Other reasons” do not suffice unless they are “proportionate reasons.”

This must be stressed over and over again - and explained to those who don't quite 'get it'.

Bishop Emeritus Rene Henry Gracida of Corpus Christi, Texas, issued a valuable statement explaining “proportionate reasons”:

The explanation us here.

Comparison of statements of Cardinal McCarrick, Bishop Gracida

An review of statements which show the contrasts regarding the obligations of voting with an informed conscience.

Donations by nuns to Emily's List

The Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters, the blue-robed nuns who have educated legions of Catholic children in southeastern Michigan, donated $200 to Emily's List, which raises money for Democratic female candidates who support the right to have abortions.

Despite the church's teachings against abortion, the IHMs made the donation in August 2003 to promote electing more women into office, said Sister Mary Katherine Hamilton, IHM vice president.

Paul Long, executive director of the Michigan Catholic Conference, denounced the IHM donation to Emily's List. He said there are other ways to advance women in politics, without "contributing to an organization that solely promotes the destruction of human life."

Source.

Whoever loves your law will have abundant peace

A sermon by Pope St Leo the Great

The blessedness of seeing God is justly promised to the pure of heart. For the eye that is unclean would not be able to see the brightness of the true light, and what would be happiness to clear minds would be a torment to those that are defiled. Therefore, let the mists of worldly vanities be dispelled, and the inner eye be cleansed of all the filth of wickedness, so that the soul’s gaze may feast serenely upon the great vision of God.

It is to the attainment of this goal that the next words refer: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. This blessedness, dearly beloved, does not derive from any casual agreement or from any and every kind of harmony, but it pertains to what the Apostle says: Be at peace before the Lord, and to the words of the prophet: Those who love your law shall enjoy abundant peace; for them it is no stumbling block. Even the most intimate bonds of friendship and the closest affinity of minds cannot truly lay claim to this peace if they are not in agreement with the will of God. Alliances based on evil desires, covenants of crime and pacts of vice – all lie outside the scope of this peace. Love of the world cannot be reconciled with love of God, and the man who does not separate himself from the children of this generation cannot join the company of the sons of God. But those who keep God ever in their hearts, and are anxious to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, never dissent from the eternal law as they speak the prayer of faith. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

These then are the peacemakers; they are bound together in holy harmony and are rightly given the heavenly title of sons of God, co-heirs with Christ. And this is the reward they will receive for their love of God and neighbour: when their struggle with all temptation is finally over, there will be no further adversities to suffer or scandal to fear; but they will rest in the peace of God undisturbed, through our Lord who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

Marriage Is Only Between Man and Woman, Pope Reminds Canada

Only marriage between a man and a woman can guarantee the survival of a society and its culture, and hence cannot be equated with same-sex unions, says John Paul II.

"Any attempts to change the meaning of the word 'spouse' contradict right reason: legal guarantees, analogous to those granted to marriage, cannot be applied to unions between persons of the same sex without creating a false understanding of the nature of marriage," he added.

Full Zenit article here.

Mandatum Schools

I was not aware that a list had been published on colleges and universities which have embraced the mandatum as required both by Canon Law and by "Ex Corde Ecclesia".

However, I noticed that the National Catholic register has posted such a page on the web here.

This is a great resource for those who wish to do the best to ensure their children receive an authentic Catholic education.

Can the Vatican stop liturgical meddling?

Liturgical abuses are not problems only in the US...

For Irish Catholics, the most common experience of this reluctance to obey the rules comes at Sunday Mass. An increasing number of priests have taken it on themselves to ignore official directions and make up their own personal liturgies.

Since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the Church has experienced a tidal wave of liturgical abuse, not infrequently inspired by professional liturgists determined to challenge Catholic tradition and teaching.

"Guitars. Love songs. Dance.

"Background music. A few cushions, maybe.''

It sounds more like a lap-dancing club.

Article.

USCCB questionaire...

Bishops survey of politicians reflects 'seamless garment' mentality that continues to pervade the 'modern' US Catholic hierarchy

Questionaire here.

Bishop Gracida: No Catholic could vote for Kerry...

...with a clear conscience."

"No Catholic could ever vote for John Kerry because he is 100 percent pro-abortion whereas President Bush is not," he told NewsMax just before Bush's speech."

Source.

Archbishop announces new stance

As you can see from this headline, the media is playing this out like there is no tomorrow.

Burke clarifies past remarks on voting.

Published Saturday, September 4, 2004
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Archbishop Raymond Burke, who sparked a national debate on denying Holy Communion to abortion rights candidates, has given an opening to Catholics in his archdiocese who vote for such politicians.

In June, Burke said Catholics cannot vote for candidates or policies in support of abortion and be worthy to receive Communion.

He now says Catholics can at times vote for those who favor abortion rights without committing a grave sin or having to go to confession.

In clarifying his stance this week, Burke said he believes Catholics could vote for a politician who supports abortion rights as long as that’s not the reason they are voting for the candidate. Catholic voters also must believe the candidate’s stance on other moral issues outweighs the abortion rights stance.

Of course there is no discussion of what constitutes "proportionate reasons". We are only told that "a Catholic could vote for an abortion rights politician without committing a grave sin after weighing all the moral issues a candidate stands for."

However, and this part is never stated in the newspapers, Archbishop Burke has previously said he finds it difficult to imagine any "proportionate reasons" which would permit one to vote for a candidate who supports and defends abortion. He would agree that "In some political races, each candidate takes a wrong position on one or more issues involving non-negotiable moral principles. In such a case you may vote for the candidate who takes the fewest such positions or who seems least likely to be able to advance immoral legislation, or you may choose to vote for no one."

This is a far cry from what we are reading in the papers these days.

Article.

Another example of the confusion...

A wide loophole

Pro-abortion Catholic voters and politicians must be breathing a sigh of relief after Archbishop Burke's clarification about how Catholics can support pro-abortion candidates, so long as they vote for them for other offsetting reasons.

What other reasons are more important? This is a loophole wide enough to accommodate a semi-trailer.

No politician will ever admit to being in favor of abortion. Politicians are all "personally opposed" to abortion, but with an all-important "but" attached. President Jimmy Carter invented the "personally opposed but" defense, and every pro-abortion politician has been using it ever since.

The archbishop's "clarification" is not a clarification at all, but an all-out retreat from his previous principled and courageous stand on this matter.

If this represents my church's official position on pro-abortion politicians and those who put them in office to support the culture of death, our bishops can cease issuing high-sounding guidelines on Catholics in public life. They are beginning to have a hollow ring to them.

F. Douglas Kneibert
Sedalia, Mo.

This is precisely the confusion and dissatisfaction which can occur when a secular newspaper attempts to "clarify" Catholic theological or moral principles. Mr. Kneibert is not the only person who has been mislead and confused by the Post-Dispatch's recent article. We can only hope and pray that Archbishop Burke will issue his pastoral letter sooner rather than later now that this misrepresentation has occurred.

Letters to the Editor Link.

"Well formed" Consciences?

Burke clarifies position on voting

Archbishop Raymond Burke did not give St. Louis Catholics much credit for intelligence when he said that we were confused by what he meant to say in June about the sinfulness of voting the wrong way. We knew exactly what he meant to say.

His current backtracking - explained by calling it "remote material cooperation and if the reasons are really proportionate" - might sound good in La Crosse, Wis., but we call it "common sense" here.

Perhaps he is beginning to understand that we Catholics will act on our own well-formed consciences, whether he agrees or not. Welcome to St. Louis, Archbishop Burke.

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

Anybody who thinks the recent Post Article is a definitive statement from Archbishop Burke on voting and proportionality is confused. In a similar manner, anyone associated with a dissident group which rejects various teachings of the Church or which is opposed to the Church is devoid of a "well formed" conscience. It is an utter impossibility that the Holy Spirit would lead the Church in one direction while leading others in the opposite direction.

Letters to the Editor Link.