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

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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