Cardinal Burke: Theologians’ Mandatum Should Be Required by Colleges, Disclosed to Students

Catholic families have a right to know which theology professors have the mandatum, and Catholic colleges and universities should require it as a condition for employment, affirmed the Vatican’s chief judge Cardinal Raymond Burke in a new report prompted by recent concerns from Pope Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Burke and several bishops, canon law experts, and theologians discussed the mandatum with The Cardinal Newman Society in an online report published today at http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/.

The report, titled “A Mandate for Fidelity,” follows upon a May 5th address by Pope Benedict to several American bishops during their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope expressed concern that “much remains to be done” toward the renewal of Catholic identity in U.S. Catholic colleges and universities, “especially in such areas as compliance with the mandate laid down in Canon 812 for those who teach theological disciplines.”

...
Citing Pope Benedict’s description of the mandatum as “a tangible expression of ecclesial communion and solidarity,” Cardinal Burke said:

It’s tangible in the sense that it’s a public declaration, in writing, on the part of the ecclesiastical authority that a theologian is teaching in communion with the Church, and people have a right to know that so that if you, for instance, are at a Catholic university or parents are sending their children to the Catholic university, they know that the professors who are teaching theological disciplines at the university are teaching in communion with the Church. They are assured in that by the public declaration of the diocesan bishop.

“The fact that I teach in accord with the Magisterium is a public factor,” added Cardinal Burke. “That’s not some private, secret thing between myself and the Lord.”

More here: http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/Home/tabid/36/ctl/details/itemid/1585/mid/435/cardinal-burke-says-theologians-mandatum-should-be-required-by-colleges-disclos.aspx
  

Cardinal Burke: Authentic Catholic universities help resist ‘secular dictatorship'

The authentically Catholic university helps students resist “secularist dictatorship” by keeping Jesus Christ at the center of its mission and by exposing the moral bankruptcy of contemporary culture, Cardinal Raymond Burke said Dec. 4...

In a lengthy discussion of the nature of Catholic higher education, he said that a Catholic university faithful to its identity will help students give an account of their faith and help them resist “the secularist dictatorship which would exclude all religious discourse from the professions and from public life in general.”...

Cardinal Burke lamented the fall of many American Catholic colleges and universities that have become “Catholic in name only.”...

On the issues of creating curricula and hiring professors, Cardinal Burke advised “special care,” noting the poor religious formation of many young Catholics.

“Given the religious illiteracy which marks our time and in fidelity to the seriousness with which university studies should be undertaken, there is really no place for engaging in speculative theology and certainly no time to waste on superficial and tendentious theological writings of the time,” the cardinal contended...

Much more here from Catholic News Agency (CNA).

Rather timely considering the plans SLU has for a speaker

SLU Students Invite Controversial "Theologian" to Speak

The question is "Will Bishop Carlson stop it"?

The Post Dispatch states that:

Students at St. Louis University have invited....Todd Salzman, chairman of the theology department at Creighton University in Omaha, to give the keynote speech at its 6th annual Undergraduate Marriage and Dating Conference in April.

The problem is that Salzman has espoused views in his book, "The Sexual Person: Toward a Renewed Catholic Anthropology," which are contrary to the teaching of the Church. The book was co-authored by Creighton emeritus theology professor Michael Lawler, and published by Georgetown University Press in 2008.

Of course, it appears that every dissenting "Catholic" praised the book and we only need to imagine why.

The Post continues:

After "The Sexual Person" was published, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' committee on doctrine began examining the Creighton professors' conclusions.

In September [of 2010], the committee of nine bishops issued a 24-page statement on the "Inadequacies in the Theological Methodology and Conclusions" of "The Sexual Person." The authors, it said, "reach erroneous conclusions on a whole range of issues, including the morality of pre-marital sex, contraception and artificial insemination."

There we have it! It really is a no brainer these days.

But let's look a bit closer at what the bishops discovered. From the 'Conclusion' of the 24 page report (PDF found here), we read [all bolding mine]:

Professors Lawler and Salzman present their book as a quaestio disputata, as an examination of a disputed question in the way of the medieval universities(4). The scholarly disputations of the Middle Ages, however, took place in a framework provided by Catholic faith, requiring a recognition of the authority of Sacred Scriptures and authoritative Church teaching and a knowledge and appreciation for the Catholic theological tradition. The authors of The Sexual Person, by contrast, base their arguments on a methodology that marks a radical departure from the Catholic theological tradition.

Consequently, it is not surprising that they reach a whole range of conclusions that are contrary to Catholic teaching. The Committee on Doctrine wishes to make it clear that neither the methodology of The Sexual Person nor the conclusions that depart from authoritative Church teaching constitute authentic expressions of Catholic theology. Moreover, such conclusions, clearly in contradiction to the authentic teaching of the Church, cannot provide a true norm for moral action and in fact are harmful to one's moral and spiritual life...

That such people as this "theologian" be invited to speak at a presumably Catholic institution of learning is a scandal.

The invitation should be withdrawn, saving SLU the embarassment of having Bishop Carlson nix the whole affair.

Post-Dispatch link here

NEW ABORTION SCANDAL at Catholic College

From America Needs Fatima:

Ask this Catholic college to take Planned Parenthood off its web site - sign your protest here

The University of Detroit Mercy - a Catholic institution - lists Planned Parenthood on its web site under "Career & Professional Resources." Another pro-abortion group called the National Organization for Women (NOW) is also listed.

SIGN THIS E-PROTEST to get these listings removed

-- Fact #1:

Further investigation shows that Dr. Jane Schaberg, Professor of Religious Studies at the same university is a member of NOW and the dissident group Catholics for Free Choice.
Hard to believe. But it gets worse.

-- Fact #2:

Referred to as a "feminist biblical scholar," Prof. Schaberg authored a blasphemous book, first published in 1987, titled: The Illegitimacy of Jesus: A Feminist Theological Interpretation of the Infancy Narratives. The offensive work argues that Jesus was not conceived by the Holy Spirit, but most likely the offspring of a r a p e.

-- Fact #3:

On page 95, the book states: "…Mary, in the tradition Luke inherited, experienced a disaster worse than barrenness: sexual violation."

As far as I know, Prof. Schaberg has not publicly retracted this opinion. Her book is still available online through Amazon. Yet, she continues teaching religious studies.

Your instant protest message will go directly to Fr. Gerard L. Stockhausen, S.J., the president of the University of Detroit Mercy, urging him to remove every mention of Planned Parenthood from the university's web site.

I'd like to mention our recent victory at Rosemont College. Yes. In fact, Planned Parenthood was DELETED from the college website in less than 24-hours after we launched our protest.

A second victory is possible.

Will you help me ramp up this protest?

Let's delete Planned Parenthood - right now - here

And to give this peaceful effort much more impact, help me spread the word by forwarding this message to your pro-life friends (or even your entire address book).

With God's help, the truth will triumph.

Sincerely in Jesu et Maria
Robert E. Ritchie
America Needs Fatima
www.ANF.org

Is the National Catholic Education Association really Catholic? Hardly!

From LifeSiteNews:

Pro-Abort Garrison Keillor to Deliver Catholic Teachers Assoc. Keynote Address

The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) has invited Garrison Keillor, a pro-abortion, pro-gay "marriage" Episcopalian, as a keynote speaker at the group's annual convention. Keillor, well-known as a humorist and host of A Prairie Home Companion, has repeatedly published his pro-abortion, pro-same-sex "marriage" views - and has labeled pro-life, pro-family, and anti-pornography activists "shrieking ninnies and pompous blowhards."

On the issue of abortion, Keillor has been quoted as saying it should be decided "case by case," and that disabled embryonic children should be destroyed....

Where are the US bishops? Still AWOL?

More here.

Archbishop Raymond Burke Visits Thomas More College's Rome Campus

From yesterday:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2009

ARCHBISHOP RAYMOND BURKE VISITS THOMAS MORE COLLEGE’S ROME CAMPUS

(ROME, ITALY)—For the second time this semester, the students of Thomas More College’s Rome program enjoyed the company of Archbishop Raymond Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura. Effectively the Chief Justice of the Roman Catholic Church’s “Supreme Court,” Archbishop Burke is one of the highest ranking Americans in the Roman Curia, which governs the Church on behalf of the pope.

Archbishop Burke celebrated Mass in the College’s Rome campus chapel with students and staff on the Feast of Christ the King. His homily highlighted the importance of letting Christ reign as king in our lives and over society—and the practical steps Christians can take toward making this happen, principally by rediscovering devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Thomas More College was formally consecrated to the Sacred Heart on October 16, 2009.

Archbishop Burke then joined the students in the dining hall maintained by the Maronite Catholic monks who host Thomas More College’s Rome program each year. During the three-course meal accompanied by local red wine, Archbishop Burke gave the students free rein to ask questions on a wide array of subjects, according to sophomore William Russell.

“He was very amiable and answered the questions with frankness and sincerity,” said Russell. “The topics ranged from the centrality of the family to the social effects of technology, mediocrity in America, and even the goodness of family farming. Burke is a native of Wisconsin and the son of a dairy farmer, so he has firm opinions on the subject.”

Sophomore Mary Monaghan recounts: “After Mass, when we discussed problems of the world over pistachios and peanuts, it was particularly encouraging to hear Archbishop Burke’s response to the issue of the breakdown of the family—which he cited as the source of most of the troubles in modern culture. He encouraged familial devotion to the Sacred Heart, and the importance of working together and eating together as a family. Though the atmosphere can become tense when dining with a renowned person, our lunch with Archbishop Burke was not like that. He listened to our opinions, too. It was a pleasure speaking with him.”

Over cups of espresso in the formal reception room after dinner, the prefect described the work of the Apostolic Signatura and answered students’ questions about the inner workings of the highest levels of governance in the Church.

Sophomore Benjamin Bible asked Archbishop Burke about his public statements concerning Catholic politicians who dissent from core truths of the Faith, such as the sanctity of life. The Archbishop gave a detailed explanation, which echoed the position he has consistently pronounced publically—that dissenting politicians should not receive or be offered Holy Communion.

The students and the prelate also discussed more global issues, including the recent intervention by the European Court of Human Rights into the Church/State relationship in Italy. In that case, the court decided to pull out the crucifixes which have traditionally been displayed in Italian classrooms. As the chief jurist for a very different international tribunal, Burke offered a well-informed and incisive critique of that court decision.

As the archbishop was preparing to depart, William Russell and Mary Monaghan (who are engaged to be married) asked him for their blessing, which Archbishop Burke cheerfully gave.

“The visit was a great success,” Russell said. “After an afternoon of worship, discussion, and feasting, we all left feeling renewed and refreshed.”

For most of the school’s history, each sophomore at Thomas More College has taken part in the school’s required Rome Semester to gain a first-hand experience of the capital of Christendom. Whether they’re touring ancient pagan temples, navigating the catacombs that hold the bones of saints, or learning the Christian import of masterworks by Bernini and Michaelangelo, students are guided by Thomas More College faculty to place each experience in the context of their broad, liberal arts education and the Catholic tradition.

The Rome semester makes intimate and immediate the school’s tight focus on the history and classic texts of the Western tradition. It pushes students to go beyond their textbooks and lectures to grow in their faith—as well as their understanding of the foundations of Western civilization and American democracy.

Thomas More College’s Rome program is housed in a monastery just miles from the Vatican, where students interact daily with a community of monks—seeing firsthand the mode of life that gave birth to medieval academic culture.

While in Rome, students also are given the opportunity to meet with high level Church officials. In addition to Archbishop Raymond Burke, Thomas More College’s Rome program students have attended Masses with Pope Benedict XVI and dined with Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Archbishop Burke has consistently praised Thomas More College for its fidelity to the Roman Catholic Church. Earlier this year, the archbishop wrote:

Both the liberal arts curriculum and the extracurricular activities at Thomas More College are outstanding for their fidelity to the Magisterium. The teaching at Thomas More College exemplifies the right relationship between faith and reason, which is always at the service of the truth. The faculty of the College are faithful in their teaching and example, and, therefore, are able to educate students in the way which prepares them to follow Christ, the Truth, in both their private and public life. At a time when some Catholic institutions of higher education are drifting from the Catholic faith, it is most heartening to know that Thomas More College continues to promote and defend vigorously the Catholic faith and its practice. To put it simply, Thomas More College is a gift for which all of us should be most grateful.

Dr. William Fahey, president of Thomas More College, said, “Thomas More College is deeply grateful to Archbishop Burke for taking time to visit our Rome campus, and for allowing our students to interact with him in such an intimate and personal setting. We look forward to his continued guidance and support as we seek to develop in our students a profound love for Truth.”

The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts provides a four-year undergraduate education which develops young people intellectually, ethically, and spiritually in the Catholic tradition and in faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. Thomas More College introduces its students to the central questions of the Western civilization – and to the Church’s response. It teaches the skills in reasoning, speaking, and writing that will allow its graduates to become faithful leaders according to the individual vocations which God has given them. In recent years, the College has allowed the strength of its curriculum to radiate out into several new initiatives, such as its Vatican Studies Center, Center for Faith and Culture (Oxford, England), and the Way of Beauty Program. Through the lectures, books, workshops and other programs hosted by these centers, Thomas More College is consistently seeking new and better ways of communicating perennial truths amid the confusion of contemporary society.
###
Contact: Charlie McKinney
Phone: (603) 880-8308, ext. 21
Mobile: (603) 913-5939
Email: cmckinney@ThomasMoreCollege.edu

Pictures of the visit can be viewed here.

Lawsuit Filed Against Dearborn Schools and Muslim Principal

From the Thomas More Law Center:

Lawsuit Filed Against Dearborn Schools and Muslim Principal Over Firing of Legendary Christian Wrestling Coach

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan announced today that a federal lawsuit has been filed against a Dearborn, Michigan high school, Fordson High School, and its Muslim principal, Imad Fadlallah, over the firing of Gerald Marszalek because of Marszalek’s connection to a Christian volunteer coach.

Marszalek, who had coached wrestling for 35 years, had achieved a legendary status in the wrestling community. Earning more that 450 wins, and sending numerous wrestlers to various collegiate programs, he was elected to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, named “Sportsman of the Year” by the All-American Athletic Association. Marszalek’s contract was not renewed because of his association with a Christian volunteer coach, Trey Hancock, who the principal accused of converting a Muslim student to Christianity during a summer camp not connected with the school or Coach Marszalek.

The lawsuit was filed by the Thomas More Law Center, and a private litigation firm of Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C. located in Livonia, Michigan. [Read Complaint here.]

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center commented, “We are getting a glimpse of what happens when Muslims who refuse to accept American values and principles gain political power in an American community. Failure to renew coach Marszalek’s contract had nothing to do with wrestling and everything to do with religion.”

The city of Dearborn is one of the most densely populated Muslim communities in the United States. An estimated 30,000 of its 98,000 residents are Muslims. It is estimated that 80% of the student population of Fordson High School is Arabic and most of those are Muslims. According to the lawsuit, Fadlallah has publically stated that he sees Fordson High School as a Muslim school.

Trouble started between Fadlallah and Marszalek when one of Coach Marszalek’s assistant coaches, Trey Hancock, held a summer wrestling camp in which a Muslim camper converted to Christianity. Principal Fadlallah was so upset by the conversion that he punched the student and informed him he had disgraced his family. Fadlallah also ordered Coach Marszalek to ban the assistant coach from the high school and all wrestling events. However, since the assistant had a son that wrestled on the team, this was an impossible order to enforce. After the wrestling season was over, Coach Marszalek was not allowed to reapply to his coaching position—in clear violation of Union rules. Unfortunately for Coach Marszalek, his teacher’s Union did not help him in his hour of need.

The lawsuit claims violations of both the U.S. and Michigan constitutions and statutes including Michigan’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights. Coach Marszalek is seeking his back pay, injunctive and declaratory relief, damages, and to be reinstated as coach of the wrestling team.

Source: The Thomas More Law Center

Notre Dame Warns TV Networks that They Will 'Cut the Feed'

Other news: A Local attorney requested an emergency hearing, in order to request bond for the seven pro-lifers who were being held without bond. The judge granted the request, but placed a high bond on those in custody. Pro-lifers are currently seeking people to bond them out.

Other news: A journalist told a StopObamNotreDame official that the University threatened to "cut the feed" of any network that covers disruptions during Obama's address.

Randall Terry states: "Notre Dame is so desperate to hide the fruit of their sin, that they will cover up the truth of what happens inside the auditorium. We pray for the success of those who are committed to bearing witness during Obama's address."

Jenkins and company are a disgrace to all humanity for having Baraq Hussein Obortion speak and receive and honorary degree...Pathetic lost souls in Satan's grasp...

Read more here.

And for those interested:
Live Stream! Notre Dame Commencement Ceremonies
Each year, the University videotapes the Notre Dame Commencement exercises. This year, one can watch ceremonies live via streaming video.
Saturday:
11:30 a.m. (Tape delay from earlier)
ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

10:00 a.m.
Graduate School Commencement Ceremony

4:40 p.m.
Commencement Mass
Catholic TV – Music Texts

Sunday
12:45 pm
University Commencement Ceremony
Live video will be available starting at 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2009.

1:15 p.m. – Academic Procession

2:00 p.m. – University Commencement Ceremony

Why Does Our Lady Cry? Protesting Against the Scandal

The following begins TFP's statement on the Notre Dame graduation controversy:

Our Lady shed tears at the foot of the Cross, how could she not shed tears contemplating the Passion of Holy Mother Church today?

Our Lady cries when she sees how secularism has declared open war on the Catholic Church and Christian morals in our nation.

We see this in the increasing expulsion of the Faith from the public square in America. It is found in the efforts of activist judges and opportunistic legislators who are placing marriage and same-sex unions on the same footing.

We see this in the many new appointments of notoriously “pro-choice” officials who favor abortion on demand and American funding of this “slaughter of innocents” in foreign countries...

Dr. Alan Keyes Released from Jail -- And Will Bear Witness on Notre Dame Campus Again

SOUTH BEND, Ind., May 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Alan Keyes and 20 peaceful pro-lifers were arrested yesterday after they walked onto Notre Dame's campus praying the rosary and pushing baby strollers carrying baby dolls covered in "stage blood" to protest the invitation of Notre Dame to President Obama to deliver the commencement address at this year's graduation.

Dr. Keyes will be leading peaceful witnesses again on campus this coming Tuesday and Friday -- and is calling on others to join him...

More here.

The ND Petition Has Been Delivered!

From Patrick J. Reilly, President, The Cardinal Newman Society:

First 300,000 Petition Signatures Delivered to Notre Dame Board Members, Fr. Jenkins

Copies Are Being Rushed to Rome, Papal Nuncio, USCCB and ND Bishop John D’Arcy

Manassas, Va. – Today, April 29, 2009, the first 300,000 names of individuals who signed the petition at NotreDameScandal.com — opposing the University of Notre Dame’s decision to honor President Barack Obama at commencement — are being delivered to Notre Dame president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., the Board of Trustees and the Board of Fellows as they prepare for scheduled meetings on Friday, May 1, at Notre Dame.

As of this morning, more than 344,000 people have signed the petition, but because of the overwhelming numbers it took The Cardinal Newman Society more than 24 hours to prepare the data and print more than 64,000 sheets of paper, double sided, which were then bound in notebooks and sent via FedEx to Father Jenkins and individual members of the Notre Dame Board of Trustees and Board of Fellows.

Copies of the petitions are also being rushed by The Cardinal Newman Society, which sponsored the petition, to Archbishop Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education; Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican ambassador) to the United States; Francis Cardinal George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); Bishop John D’Arcy, of Fort Wayne-South Bend, who presides over Notre Dame; and Bishop Robert McManus, Chairman of the USCCB Education Committee.

“Only the Notre Dame Trustees and Fellows have direct authority over Father Jenkins, so their meetings on Friday are our best hope for an end to this scandal,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society.

“It is critical for all of us to pray that the Trustees and Fellows charged with safeguarding Notre Dame’s Catholic identity will heed the 50 bishops and hundreds of thousands of faithful Catholics urging Notre Dame to withdraw its invitation to President Obama.”

The University of Notre Dame is governed by a 12-member Board of Fellows, including six Holy Cross priests, who are charged with ensuring “that the University maintains its essential character as a Catholic institution of higher learning.” The Fellows delegate most of their governing authority to the 38-member Board of Trustees, comprised mostly of lay people.

The university’s charter states: "The essential character of the University as a Catholic institution of higher learning shall at all times be maintained, it being the stated intention and desire of the present Fellows of the University that the University shall retain in perpetuity its identity as such an institution."

# # #

Dr Edward Peters: Whither Notre Dame

Dr Peters writes:

I remember my dad saying forty years ago that "Notre Dame is the alma mater of every Catholic who never went to college." He was right.

Forty years ago, most Catholics, like most Americans, had not been to college, though there was a growing sense that college was a good thing to do and thus a good thing to support. More importantly, forty years ago, Notre Dame's Catholicism was still recognizable by Catholics in the pews of America, so when Catholic parents dreamed of college for a son (and later, for a daughter), they dreamed of Notre Dame.

But all that's changed now - read more here

St. Mary's Protest - First Amendment Under Assault

St. Mary's College in Moraga, California shuts off debate to protect "reputation" of domestic terrorist Bill Ayers.

Election III—Assault on Conscience and Reality

Fr Thomas Euteneuer writes in Spirit & Life:

November 4th was not just a historic date in history because of the election of the nation’s first black president; it also marked a new division that was established in our country between those who have consciences formed in the truth and those who don’t. I have constantly spoken of the need to battle for America’s very soul, but I am seeing that there is more at stake here: we are engaged in a battle to define reality, and the outcome of that battle undoubtedly determines the fate of souls.... (emphasis added)

Continued here.

Vote Wisely-The Future of Our Country & Our State Is at Stake

Sharing this this note, from Missourians Against Human Cloning:

Tomorrow could be the most important election of our time. I urge you to arm
yourselves with the facts regarding candidates and ballot issues and share those
facts with your friends and family. A few online resources for information on
candidates, judges and statewide ballot issues are:

MAHC Candidate Survey Results (updated)

Family Research Council Presidential Survey

Missouri Family Network

MetroVoice (provides links to other endorsements and
recommendations as well)

While a great deal of information regarding the Presidential candidates has been aired, published and emailed, one significant fact has NOT been widely publicized. You may well know Senator Obama supports human cloning and embryonic stem cell research and advocates using our tax dollars to fund this unethical research but did you realize he does NOT support funding adult stem cell research? He would deny funding to the broad arena of ethical stem cell research which is producing real cures and treatments and waste our tax dollars on destructive and unproductive human cloning (FRC Presidential Survey above).

I realize the Presidential campaign is critically important and garners most of our attention. However, we will also be electing five of our six statewide officials tomorrow. Every one of these offices provides a stark contrast between candidates who oppose human cloning and those who champion unethical human experimentation. The MAHC survey provides a clear key to those who support a true ban on human cloning and those who do not.

Lastly, thanks to all of you who have rolled up your sleeves and joined me in making a difference these last 40 days. We are down to the wire now.

Please make a few more phone calls.
Please send a few more emails.
Please help volunteer to help a campaign tomorrow.

Please, please, please VOTE WISELY!

Aledo High seniors pick classmate with Down syndrome as homecoming queen

Never has the selection of a homecoming queen sent so many tears falling so freely.

Kristin Pass, an 18-year-old senior with Down syndrome, became Aledo High School's homecoming queen Friday to a joyous standing ovation and the flutter of a thousand tissues on a remarkable night for an amazing young woman.

Her grandfather, Dr. David Campbell of Corsicana, escorted her onto the field and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as Kristin joined eight other young women in the Homecoming Court to await the results of the vote, cast by the 360-plus members of Aledo High's senior class.

Then came the announcement ... and pandemonium....

AWESOME!!!!

When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meets with San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer to discuss Catholic teaching on abortion, at least two paths could emerge. The strongly pro-choice Catholic politician might vigorously debate Augustine and church history with her archbishop. Or the two will try to put their heads together to create a public resolution that is acceptable for everyone. Or maybe they will do both.

But two Catholic scholars who know about butting heads with the church agree on this: The controversy that brought this meeting about could have been avoided.

As long as rebellious and arrogant or willfully ignorant Catholics are elected to public office and publicly support, as did the pagans of old, the murder of innocent unborn children and who continue to flaunt their "Catholicism", this "controversy" will not go away - as much as they might wish.

“I think it’s a mistake for politicians to talk theology,” said Jesuit Father Thomas J. Reese, senior research fellow at Woodstock Theological Center. “Let’s just say, it’s above their pay grade....”

I think it's a mistake for Resse to open his month with useless commentary. There are many who are speaking of things "above their pay grade."

...David J. O’Brien, professor emeritus of Catholic studies at Holy Cross College, said Pelosi is not necessarily off the mark in her statements.

Guess it depends if one claims to be an "ardent, practicing Catholic"?

“There is some validity to the idea that the church’s stance was somewhat different at the beginning of the last century,” O’Brien said. “But I would also say it’s her role to speak to the political realities of today rather than church history. She might not have framed it quite right, but she has a right to speak to the issue from her perspective.”

As abortion is a abominable violation of the natural moral law, any "perspective" that Pelosi embraces that is contrary to the truth has no validity and hence, no right. She might have the freedom or license to speak as a fool but she has no right to speak and promote error and evil. And, of course, she and her Washington comrades who claim to be Catholic are obligated to uphold the truth, and reject error and evil.

And from that perspective, all Catholics have a right and perhaps obligation to push for dialogue on the realities of the abortion debate.

This statment is patently false and any "professor of Catholic studies" should know better, unless, of course, he too has rejected certain tenets of the Church's teaching.

“I personally feel we should not be so passive in dealing with hierarchy and dealing with this question,” said O’Brien, an outspoken critic of church paternalism. “They should be challenged as to the political uses of this issue.”

Church paternalism? One must ask if he corrupted the youth with his bankrupt opinions and beliefs? And why must there be so many "professors" in so-called Catholic colleges who are at war with the Church and, indeed, with Christ Himself?

“I wouldn’t argue over the teaching of the church,” he said, “but I would argue about the experience of the church. What do Catholics in everyday life say about their experience with this issue.”

How's this for experience - 40 to 50 million butchered and murdered babies since Roe V Wade - Is that enough "experience" for these cafeteria Catholics?

Reese pointed to the Catholics United-sponsored study released last week that states overturning Roe v. Wade would do little to reduce the number of abortions in America.

No doubt a flawed study, especially from a group which obfuscates the Church's teachings to give cover for heretics.

Some faithful Catholics still wonder why the penalty of excommunication is so rarely used when onslaughts of heresy, error, dissent and rebellion are publicly voiced and spread like a plague among the faithful?

at National Catholic Distorter here.

Highly Recommended Voter Guides

From Catholic Citizens of Illinois (CCI):

CATHOLIC ANSWERS and KANSAS CATHOLIC BISHOPS Voter Guides Are Highly Recommended

CCI NOTES: Catholic Answers and the Kansas Catholic Bishops have each produced excellent Voter Guides for Catholics that clearly articulate the moral responsibilties of Roman Catholics. For Catholic Answers Voting Guide for Serious Catholics, CLICK HERE. For the Kansas Catholic Bishops guide, CLICK HERE.

For a commentary by Pope Benedict regarding the non-negotiable elements of Catholic citizenship CLICK HERE.

Stay away from bogus voter guides produced by dissenter or agenda driven organizations like Faith in Public Life and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.

Read more...

Support University of San Diego's Decision on Rosemary Radford Reuther!

From Thomas Peters at American Papist:

Please Sign the Petition to Support USD!

Brian McDaniel took up my challenge to collect 4,000 signatures supporting the University of San Diego's recent decision to rescind a prestigious position to heretical theologian Rosemary Radford Reuther.

If ever there was someone who clearly deserves no place of honor in a Catholic school of Theology - she's it. Beyond her long membership in the offensive "Catholics for Choice" organization, she also advocates women priests, homosexual marriage, and a litany of positions not in harmony with Church teaching.

The original San Diego Union Tribune article claimed that "Two national women's religious groups have sponsored a petition with more than 2,000 signatures demanding that she be allowed to assume the post."

I'd like to demonstrate to the University of San Diego that there are even more faithful Catholics who support them, and are with them attempting to live up to the challenge Pope Benedict has given to Catholic academe.

Please, go sign the petition and spread the word!

School prevails in English-only lawsuit

A federal judge ruled Friday that a Wichita Catholic school policy requiring students to speak only English didn't break any civil rights laws.

But U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten criticized both sides in the lawsuit for the way they handled the conflict and characterized St. Anne Catholic School's implementation of its English-only policy as "one-sided...."

The Rev. Thomas Leland, St. Anne's pastor, said that English was the "common ground" for all the students and teachers.

"As long as we have a common ground, that is where we have to meet," Leland testified Friday....

Leland said that when school starts Monday at St. Anne, the English-only policy will remain in force.