We seem to have a major problem in the Church in the area of reading comprehension. The problem is most obvious when the reading material asserts the primacy of abortion among issues that voters have to consider in elections.
Statements of the Pope, various Vatican officials, committees and officials of the USCCB, and the entire body of US bishops, all point to abortion as the fundamental human rights issue of our day. Even Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who during his life was a key spokesperson for the "consistent ethic of life," pointed out repeatedly that the fundamental right is the right to life.
To illustrate how profound the reading comprehension problem is, just take a look at the list of quotes I have added at the end of these remarks. Then determine for yourself whether they are clear or not.
Meanwhile, we have people in various positions within the Church saying that all the issues are equal. Excuse me, but not only does that violate Catholic teaching, it violates common sense. Ask any parent whether, among their daily activities caring for their children, all issues are of equal importance. In fact, you can ask the children themselves. They seem to know the answer better than some Church officials do.
I’ve been acquiring a whole file of letters sent out, often from offices of "social ministry" in various dioceses, which state that voters have to consider a wide range of issues. So far, so good. But then these letters say that no issue is more important than another. And that’s where the lack of reading comprehension reveals itself. Either they have never seen the quotes below, or they are deliberately ignoring them.
And neither is appropriate for a person who has the responsibility to convey Church teaching.
Two explanations can be offered for why some would distort the teaching.
The first is simply loyalty to the Democratic party. The problem has to be faced honestly that the loyalty of some Church ministers to the Democratic Party is deeper than their loyalty to Catholic teaching.
There is nothing wrong with belonging to a political party and being loyal to it. But when that party promotes the widespread, daily, legal killing of children, the voice of protest must be heard. Silence is not an option, neither for Democrats, Republicans, or anyone else - most certainly Catholics.
The second explanation for the reading comprehension problem is a legal concern. Unfortunately, the Church has been fed for decades with legal advice which is far more restrictive of the Church’s freedom than the IRS or the FEC has ever been. And this is wrong. Not only are the IRS/FEC restrictions on the Church minimal, but the enforcement policy is even looser.
No Church has ever lost its tax exemption by teaching about abortion, or the primacy of the right to life, or the duty of public officials and voters to advance the Culture of Life by voting. No Church has ever lost its tax exemption for doing what it exists to do, namely, convey the teachings of the Church.
No Church has ever lost its tax exemption for distributing materials that did not cover a wide-enough range of issues; in fact, no Church has lost its tax exemption for distributing voter guides, period.
Despite all this, various Church officials will go into all kinds of contortions to protect their assets from legal problems that they think will arise if the Church says that the right to life is primary among all the issues. Of course, the problem here is that this kind of legal advice, if it were accurate, would prove too much. Statements of the US Bishops themselves, like "Living the Gospel of Life" (1998), would constitute illegal activity under such an erroneous framework. The best way to describe the current problem with some of our attorneys is the bumpersticker that says "I Brake for Hallucinations."
The solution to all of this is for all of us, clergy and laity alike, to bear faithful witness to the teachings of the Church, no matter what the political implications may be. Bear witness to the consistent ethic of life, and to that which makes it consistent - the right to life. Proclaim that there are many rights, and proclaim the foundational right.
And be sure to keep your reading skills in top shape!
To read the quotes from the Church, Pope, and Bishops, visit this link:
Abortion: The Primary Issue According to Statements from the Pope and Bishops
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Distorted Citizenship by Fr. Frank Pavone
Saturday, 29th Week In Ordinary Time
From: Luke 13:1-9
The Need for Repentance
-----------------------
[1] There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. [2] And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? [3] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. [4] 0r those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
------------------------------
[6] And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. [7] And he said to the vinedresser, 'Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' [8] And he answered him, 'Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. [9] And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
****************************
Commentary:
1-5. Our Lord used current events in his teaching. The Galileans referred to here may be the same as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (5:37). The episode was fairly typical of the times Jesus lived in, with Pilate sternly suppressing any sign of civil unrest. We do not know anything about the accident at Siloam other than what the Gospel tells us.
The fact that these people died in this way does not mean that they were worse than others, for God does not always punish sinners in this life (cf. Jn 9:3). All of us are sinners, meriting a much worse punishment than temporal misfortune: we merit eternal punishment; but Christ has come to atone for our sins, he has opened the gates of heaven. We must repent of our sins; otherwise God will not free us from the punishment we deserve. "When you meet with suffering, the Cross, your thought should be: what is this compared with what I deserve?" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 690)
3. "He tells us that, without Holy Baptism, no one will enter the Kingdom of heaven (cf. Jn 3:5); and, elsewhere, that if we do not repent we will all perish (Lk 13:3). This is all easily understood. Ever since man sinned, all his senses rebel against reason; therefore, if we want the flesh to be controlled by the spirit and by reason, it must be mortified; if we do not want the body to be at war with the soul, it and all our senses need to be chastened; if we desire to go to God, the soul with all its faculties needs to be mortified" (St John Mary Vianney, "Selected Sermons", Ash Wednesday).
6-9. Our Lord stresses that we need to produce plenty of fruit (cf. Lk 8:11-15) in keeping with the graces we have received (cf. Lk 12:48). But he also tells us that God waits patiently for this fruit to appear; he does not want the death of the sinner; he wants him to be converted and to live (Ezek 33:11) and, as St Peter teaches, he is "forbearing towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). But God's clemency should not lead us to neglect our duties and become lazy and, comfort-seeking, living sterile lives. He is merciful, but he is also just and he will punish failure to respond to his grace.
"There is one case that we should be especially sorry about--that of Christians who could do more and don't; Christians who could live all the consequences of their vocation as children of God, but refuse to do so through lack of generosity. We are partly to blame, for the grace of faith has not been given us to hide but to share with others (cf. Mt 5:15f). we cannot forget that the happiness of these people, in this life and in the next, is at stake. The Christian life is a divine wonder with immediate promises of satisfaction and serenity--but on condition that we know how to recognize the gift of God (cf. Jn 4:10) and be generous, not counting the cost" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 147).
*********************
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
The Need for Repentance
-----------------------
[1] There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. [2] And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? [3] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. [4] 0r those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
------------------------------
[6] And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. [7] And he said to the vinedresser, 'Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' [8] And he answered him, 'Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. [9] And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
****************************
Commentary:
1-5. Our Lord used current events in his teaching. The Galileans referred to here may be the same as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (5:37). The episode was fairly typical of the times Jesus lived in, with Pilate sternly suppressing any sign of civil unrest. We do not know anything about the accident at Siloam other than what the Gospel tells us.
The fact that these people died in this way does not mean that they were worse than others, for God does not always punish sinners in this life (cf. Jn 9:3). All of us are sinners, meriting a much worse punishment than temporal misfortune: we merit eternal punishment; but Christ has come to atone for our sins, he has opened the gates of heaven. We must repent of our sins; otherwise God will not free us from the punishment we deserve. "When you meet with suffering, the Cross, your thought should be: what is this compared with what I deserve?" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 690)
3. "He tells us that, without Holy Baptism, no one will enter the Kingdom of heaven (cf. Jn 3:5); and, elsewhere, that if we do not repent we will all perish (Lk 13:3). This is all easily understood. Ever since man sinned, all his senses rebel against reason; therefore, if we want the flesh to be controlled by the spirit and by reason, it must be mortified; if we do not want the body to be at war with the soul, it and all our senses need to be chastened; if we desire to go to God, the soul with all its faculties needs to be mortified" (St John Mary Vianney, "Selected Sermons", Ash Wednesday).
6-9. Our Lord stresses that we need to produce plenty of fruit (cf. Lk 8:11-15) in keeping with the graces we have received (cf. Lk 12:48). But he also tells us that God waits patiently for this fruit to appear; he does not want the death of the sinner; he wants him to be converted and to live (Ezek 33:11) and, as St Peter teaches, he is "forbearing towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). But God's clemency should not lead us to neglect our duties and become lazy and, comfort-seeking, living sterile lives. He is merciful, but he is also just and he will punish failure to respond to his grace.
"There is one case that we should be especially sorry about--that of Christians who could do more and don't; Christians who could live all the consequences of their vocation as children of God, but refuse to do so through lack of generosity. We are partly to blame, for the grace of faith has not been given us to hide but to share with others (cf. Mt 5:15f). we cannot forget that the happiness of these people, in this life and in the next, is at stake. The Christian life is a divine wonder with immediate promises of satisfaction and serenity--but on condition that we know how to recognize the gift of God (cf. Jn 4:10) and be generous, not counting the cost" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 147).
*********************
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Bishops cite range of issues
Bishops cite range of issues
This is the excuse many use to support an avowed, unrepentant, committed supporter of violence against unborn children.
Here is a letter to the editor from a person who has not a clue and who sounds as if she is reading from a "Catholics for Kerry" talking points memo:
Source.
This is the excuse many use to support an avowed, unrepentant, committed supporter of violence against unborn children.
Here is a letter to the editor from a person who has not a clue and who sounds as if she is reading from a "Catholics for Kerry" talking points memo:
I am a Catholic. I will vote for John Kerry. I am guided by "Faithful Citizenship 2004," a voting guide issued by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and thus endorsed by virtually all the bishops in the United States.I would like to see the proof that virtually all US Bishops endorsed this. Can someone point to that proof, please?
The bishops caution Catholics that the "Christian faith is an integral unity, and thus it is incoherent to isolate some particular element to the detriment of the whole of Catholic doctrine. A political commitment to a single isolated aspect of the Church's social doctrine does not exhaust one's responsibility towards the common good."The Holy Father has been been clear about this - all others rights (& issues) are meaningless if the inviolable right to life is not protected. Archbishop Burke recently re-confirmed this teaching. It is erroneous to believe that issues such as free/socialized health-care, increasing the minimum wage, and other such issues are as important as the right of the unborn to life.
In addition to the single issue or three issues emphasized by a few bishops to the exclusion of other issues, the bishops teach Catholics that they must consider the following: (a) reduction of nuclear weapons (Kerry will end the development of nuclear weapons); (b) the banning of anti-personal landmines (Kerry co-sponsored a landmine elimination and victim assistance bill); (c) provision of a just wage (Kerry will fight for a minimum wage of $7 an hour).This woman needs our prayers so that her mind might be enlightened because she has been deceived.
The bishops also say "Affordable and accessible health care is ... a fundamental human right and an urgent national priority. A priority of John Kerry is to provide "the range of high-quality, affordable plans available to members of Congress, and extend coverage to 95 percent of Americans."
Finally, the bishops say they "have raised serious moral concerns and questions about pre-emptive or preventive use of force," an official policy of the current administration.
Patricia Chaffee
St. Louis
Source.
Archbishop Chaput: Faith and Patriotism
Archbishop Charles Chaput's Op-ed in the New York Times:
...I hear more lectures about how Roman Catholics must not "impose their beliefs on society" or warnings about the need for "the separation of church and state." These are two of the emptiest slogans in current American politics, intended to discourage serious debate.Great article by Abp. Chaput
Catholics have an obligation to work for the common good and the dignity of every person. We see abortion as a matter of civil rights and human dignity, not simply as a matter of religious teaching. We are doubly unfaithful - both to our religious convictions and to our democratic responsibilities - if we fail to support the right to life of the unborn child. Our duties to social justice by no means end there. But they do always begin there, because the right to life is foundational.
For Catholics to take a "pro-choice" view toward abortion contradicts our identity and makes us complicit in how the choice plays out. The "choice" in abortion always involves the choice to end the life of an unborn human being. For anyone who sees this fact clearly, neutrality, silence or private disapproval are not options. They are evils almost as grave as abortion itself. If religious believers do not advance their convictions about public morality in public debate, they are demonstrating not tolerance but cowardice.
As James 2:17 reminds us, in a passage quoted in the final presidential debate, "Faith without works is dead." It is a valid point. People should act on what they claim to believe. Otherwise they are violating their own conscience, and lying to themselves and the rest of us. (all emphasis is mine)
Bishop Schmitt Calls Abortion 'Greatest Evil of Our Age'
As my brother’s keeper, I feel guilty that I have said nothing to the priests of our Diocese to encourage them to preach the Gospel of Life each Sunday and to make the defense of innocent human life a pastoral priority. I would hate to come before the Lord our God and say that I was a Shepherd but that I did nothing to teach the people about the evils of abortion. Because I am my brother’s keeper, I never want it to be said that I was willing to tolerate evil or any cooperation in it.Here is the letter of Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston
All evils are not equal. Abortion, representing as it does an attack on the most innocent of all human life and the most sacred of all human relationships, is so grave and profound an evil that it calls all men and women of good will to action.
And so, I want to reiterate what I have said: abortion is the greatest moral evil of our age. In light of that truth, a Catholic who deliberately votes for a candidate precisely because of the candidate’s permissive stand on abortion is guilty of formal cooperation in grave evil. When a Catholic does not share a candidate’s stand in favor of abortion, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, such an action can only be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons. I cannot think of a value to put on innocent human life and the right to life; others, in conscience, may be able to.
Archbishop Burke: all bishops should follow canon law
Burke quietly told about 200 people at the Pewaukee dinner that it should be routine for all bishops to withhold Holy Communion from Catholic politicians whose votes support abortion or euthanasia because canon law allows no other option when people stubbornly persist in such grave public scandals.Source.
"People have asked me if I regret having taken the action that I did, and all of the publicity that has resulted, especially people who know that by nature I'm not very fond of controversy. And my response to that is, my only regret is that it took me so long to figure out what I needed to do and to do it."
South Deanery plan released
It is a recommendation — a draft proposal that is expected to be changed in its final form.St. Louis Review article.
St. Agatha Parish would merge with the territorial parish of St. Wenceslaus and the 1962 Roman Missal Mass community would move to St. Frances de Sales Church. On a typical weekend the parish has 770 worshippers. Parish finances are seen as strong.
Friday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Luke 12:54-59
The Coming of Christ
--------------------
[54] He (Jesus) also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, `A shower is coming'; and so it happens. [55] And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. [56] You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearances of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"
[57] "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? [58] As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. [59] I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper."
*****************
Commentary:
56. Jesus' listeners knew from experience how to forecast the weather. However, although they knew the signs of the Messiah's coming announced by the prophets, and were hearing His preaching and witnessing His miracles, they did not want to draw the logical conclusion; they lacked the necessary good will and upright intention, and they just closed their eyes to the light of the Gospel (cf. Romans 1:18ff).
This attitude is also found to be very widespread in our own time, in forms of certain kinds of atheism denounced by the Second Vatican Council: "Those who willfully try to drive God from their heart and to avoid all questions about religion, not following the biddings of their conscience, are not free from blame" ("Gaudium Et Spes", 19).
******************
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
The Coming of Christ
--------------------
[54] He (Jesus) also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, `A shower is coming'; and so it happens. [55] And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. [56] You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearances of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"
[57] "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? [58] As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. [59] I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper."
*****************
Commentary:
56. Jesus' listeners knew from experience how to forecast the weather. However, although they knew the signs of the Messiah's coming announced by the prophets, and were hearing His preaching and witnessing His miracles, they did not want to draw the logical conclusion; they lacked the necessary good will and upright intention, and they just closed their eyes to the light of the Gospel (cf. Romans 1:18ff).
This attitude is also found to be very widespread in our own time, in forms of certain kinds of atheism denounced by the Second Vatican Council: "Those who willfully try to drive God from their heart and to avoid all questions about religion, not following the biddings of their conscience, are not free from blame" ("Gaudium Et Spes", 19).
******************
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
United Nations Chief Kofi Annan Endorses Human Cloning
Breaking with customary neutrality on highly contested issues, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has come out publicly in favour of human cloning for research purposes just as the General Assembly commenced two days of critical hearings on the issue.Source.
The actions of this man are beyond contempt.
Here are more:
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Supports Homosexual 'Marriage'
Kofi Annan Enthusiastically Accepts Award from Radical Abortion Promoters
35 Catholic Leaders Sign Open Letter to John Kerry
An open letter to John Kerry from over 35 of the brightest and most influential non-clergy Catholic leaders in the United States has been published in major newspapers across the country. The letter calls Kerry to account for his claim to hold the Catholic faith while he continues to support abortion.Great work by this group of truly committed Catholics!!! Now if only more of our bishops and priest would follow suit.
Signatures include those of famed Catholic evangelist Scott Hahn, a Professor of Theology and Scripture at Franciscan University in Steubenville Ohio; Princeton Professor Robert George; Retired US Major General John Roth; and Former Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn.
The letter concludes, "As Americans and Catholics, both faith and reason lead us to President George W. Bush as the choice for life, compassion and justice for all. For that reason, we are urging fellow Catholics to join us in voting for the President on November 2."
Source.
The Cardinals Win the Pennant!!!
We're off to the WORLD SERIES!
The Cardinals beat the Astros 5-2 this evening in game 7....We're off to Boston to play the Red Sox in Game 1 on Saturday night at Fenway Park.
This ought to be a great match up...the last time the Cardinals & Red Sox met was in 1967. These teams also played in the 1946 Series. And, St. Louis won both of the match ups.
The only thing I really missed was the voice of Jack Buck with Mike Shannon's announcing the National League Champs!
The Cardinals beat the Astros 5-2 this evening in game 7....We're off to Boston to play the Red Sox in Game 1 on Saturday night at Fenway Park.
This ought to be a great match up...the last time the Cardinals & Red Sox met was in 1967. These teams also played in the 1946 Series. And, St. Louis won both of the match ups.
The only thing I really missed was the voice of Jack Buck with Mike Shannon's announcing the National League Champs!
Kerry’s Auxiliary Bishops
George Neumayr has written the above titled article for The American Spectator. I can't say that I disagree with him. As a matter of fact, I can agree with his observations, as troubling as they are.
Here a couple of excerpts:
And we must remember to keep our bishops and priests in our prayers.
Here a couple of excerpts:
The presidential race is full of religious ironies, pitting a Protestant who quotes the Pope against a Catholic who rejects the Pope.Hope I didn't spoil it...Here is the link.
In one more irony and historical marker of clerical decadence, the Catholic candidate will receive a higher percentage of support from the Catholic episcopate than the Catholic laity...
They [the Catholic hierarchy] have no problem supporting an open heretic like Kerry, because their faith in Catholicism is as ambivalent as his.
For the Democratic bishops, infanticide and minimum wage are weighted the same.
The story, ['Vatican Denies It Responded To Lawyer Seeking Kerry’s Excommunication'] came from the Catholic News Service, the propaganda outlet the bishops use whenever they want to muddy an issue to the benefit of a pro-abortion Catholic.
Kerry has rejected Catholic teachings Martin Luther didn’t touch, yet CNS was frantic to dispel the notion that he is a heretic.
And we must remember to keep our bishops and priests in our prayers.
Ed Peters: Retrospectives on the Balestrieri Matter
Perhaps it is too soon for retrospectives, events might not have come to rest yet. But here goes.Details here.
Don't make us protect the Holy Eucharist from profanation!
Priests urge bishops not to deny politicians Communion over abortionThat's right, it will cause confusion. Catholics might begin to think that sin is real, or that there might really be something special about the bread and wine which becomes consecrated at Mass. We certainly don't need anything like this in our parishes these days. Why - someone may even begin to question if there really is a....Hell! This would seem like a return to the Middle Ages! A turning back the clocks from our freedom to believe anything, post Vatican II.
ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (CNS) -- An organization of priests in the Milwaukee Archdiocese has urged that the U.S. bishops not refuse Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion legislation that is contrary to Catholic teaching. The priests made the comments in a letter to Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington as head of the U.S. bishops' Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians...
The priests expressed concern that using the Eucharist as a sanction may cause confusion among the faithful.
Father Burkert, who is also pastor of St. Roman Parish in Milwaukee, said in his view, "if Jesus could share the Eucharist with Peter and Judas -- and they would both deny and betray him -- then maybe we could be as generous as Christ in extending the Eucharist."Hey Padre, Peter hadn't sinned yet (by denying our Lord) and there is no definitive proof from the Gospels that Judas actually received the Eucharist.
CNS News Brief
What is taught in journalism these days? Anything meaningful?
The Post Dispatch is carrying this story:
Kerry is no heretic, says unnamed Vatican source.
The first paragraph caused me to spew my coffee all over my monitor and keyboard:
The article continues, using the phrase "conservative Catholic" to describe both Marc Balestrieri and the group "DeFide". I supposed this would be opposed to a "heretical Catholic"?
The story is not up-to-date, which is probable why the Post printed it. If you like reading old news, which is also inaccurate, go here.
Kerry is no heretic, says unnamed Vatican source.
The first paragraph caused me to spew my coffee all over my monitor and keyboard:
The Roman Catholic Church's official news service is quoting an unnamed Vatican official saying that John Kerry is "not a heretic" for his stance on abortion rights.And I always thought the National Catholic Reporter was the "official news service" of the "Roman Catholic Church". Maybe the New York Times got this bit of information from the unnamed Vatican official as a bonus for writing the article?
The article continues, using the phrase "conservative Catholic" to describe both Marc Balestrieri and the group "DeFide". I supposed this would be opposed to a "heretical Catholic"?
The story is not up-to-date, which is probable why the Post printed it. If you like reading old news, which is also inaccurate, go here.
Yes, Catholic Brothers & Sisters, the Truth Is Controversial
The headline reads:
Catholics here get controversial voters guide
and we are pleased!!!
The unfortunate aspect in all of this is the fact that Catholics who know and understand their faith, find nothing controversial in the Catholic Answers Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics but detect that a lack of prioritization of gravely sinful matters in the Bishops' guide to be troubling and confusing. It also seems that those who are opposed or ignorant of the Church's teaching on the grave moral issues discussed in the Catholic Answers Voter's Guide are the ones who are creating the controversy.
The Post provides this bit:
Later on in the article the mention this again, albeit in a different way.
The Post then comments on the opinions of the chancellor of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis:
Why did Archbishop Burke approve the Catholic Answers Voter's Guide?
Article here.
Catholics here get controversial voters guide
and we are pleased!!!
Since June, the Archdiocese of St. Louis has distributed 50,000 copies of a controversial voters guide to nearly half of its parishes. St. Louis is the only diocese in the country that ordered the guide to distribute to its parishes, according to Frank Norris, a spokesman for the organization that publishes the guide.I think it should be noted here, if memory serves, that the USCCB documnt, Faithful Citizenship, was published by the "Administrative Committee" of the USCCB - whatever that is...I could not find a reference in the 'Departments' section of the web site.
The message in the "Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics" is similar to part of the message in Archbishop Raymond Burke's recent pastoral letter and is at odds with parts of a voting guide published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility was developed under the leadership of the Committees on Domestic and International Policy, with the Committee on Priorities and Plans, in collaboration with many other USCCB committees and offices. It was reviewed and approved in September 2003 by the Administrative Committee and is authorized for publication by the undersigned. [Msgr. William P. Fay]
The unfortunate aspect in all of this is the fact that Catholics who know and understand their faith, find nothing controversial in the Catholic Answers Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics but detect that a lack of prioritization of gravely sinful matters in the Bishops' guide to be troubling and confusing. It also seems that those who are opposed or ignorant of the Church's teaching on the grave moral issues discussed in the Catholic Answers Voter's Guide are the ones who are creating the controversy.
The Post provides this bit:
This spring, the conference's legal counsel issued a document warning Catholic organizations to be wary of "outside groups" and their "voter education materials."It certainly is not because their materials are so wonderful. It's not as though the USCCB has a corner on Catholicism.
Later on in the article the mention this again, albeit in a different way.
The bishops' attorneys warned Catholic organizations: "Outside voter education materials should be approached with extreme caution." (italics theirs)....or the IRS will get you! Actually, they follow up with this bit of wisdom and prescient knowledge:
"Among other things, the issues covered in outside voter education materials typically do not illustrate the wide range of issues of importance to the church, but rather reflect the issue focus of the preparing organization."Much like the many "foci" (or "focuses") of the USCCB which do not need any discussion as it encompasses all that is good and true. Others can do a much better job with the proliferation of some of the useless documents emanating from the committees and subcommittees composed of completely objective, non-partisan, faithful, orthodox employees and others from the USCCB.
The Post then comments on the opinions of the chancellor of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis:
"We did not feel that the publication complied with the necessary broad range of issues - it only mentions five," said [archdiocesan chancellor, William] Fallon.Well, I guess I can agree with the chancellor on part of his statement. Those who voluntarily and freely vote for Kerry would by committing a mortal sin by encouraging and promoting the perpetuation of gross immorality, of unspeakable evils.
"Secondly, if you finish reading it, you can only come to one conclusion, and that is, if you vote for John Kerry, you're going to go to hell."
Why did Archbishop Burke approve the Catholic Answers Voter's Guide?
"'Faithful Citizenship' diminishes the specific issues the 'Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics' addresses as fundamental issues, and that Archbishop Burke set forth in his letter," said Molly Corcoran Kertz, director of the archdiocesan pro-life office. (my emphasis)Of course, some of our priests have refused to use it, preferring instead the "Catholic-Lite" voter guide - 'Faithful Citizenship'.
"He reviewed them all, and decided the 'Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics' was the most consistent," said Kertz.
Article here.
Thursday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Luke 12:49-53
Jesus the Cause of Dissension
-----------------------------
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [49] "I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! [50] I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! [51] Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; [52] for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; [53] they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
******************
Commentary:
49-50. In the Bible, fire is often used to describe God's burning love for men. This divine love finds its highest _expression in the Son of God become man: "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (John 3:16). Jesus voluntarily gave up His life out of love for us, and "greater love has no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
In these words reported by St. Luke, Jesus Christ reveals His abounding desire to give His life for love of us. He calls His death a baptism, because from it He will arise victorious never to die again. Our Baptism is a submersion in Christ's death, in which we die to sin and are reborn to the new life of grace: "We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
Through this new life, we Christians should become set on fire in the same way as Jesus set His disciples on fire: "With the amazing naturalness of the things of God, the contemplative soul is filled with apostolic zeal. `My heart became hot within me, a fire blazed forth from my thoughts' (Psalm 38:4). What could this fire be if not the fire that Christ talks about: `I came to cast fire upon the earth, and would that it were already kindled' (Luke 12:49). An apostolic fire that acquires its strength in prayer: there is no better way than this to carry on, throughout the whole world, the battle of peace to which every Christian is called to fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ (cf. Colossians 1:24)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 120).
51-53. God has come into the world with a message of peace (cf. Luke 2:14) and reconciliation (cf. Romans 5:11). By resisting, through sin, the redeeming work of Christ, we become His opponents. Injustice and error lead to division and war. "Insofar as men are sinners, the threat of war hangs over them and will so continue until the coming of Christ; but insofar as they can vanquish sin by coming together in charity, violence itself will be vanquished" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 78).
During His own life on earth, Christ was a sign of contradiction (cf. Luke 2:34). Our Lord is forewarning His disciples about the contention and division which will accompany the spread of the Gospel (cf. Luke 6:20-23; Matthew 10:24).
***********
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Jesus the Cause of Dissension
-----------------------------
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [49] "I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! [50] I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! [51] Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; [52] for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; [53] they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
******************
Commentary:
49-50. In the Bible, fire is often used to describe God's burning love for men. This divine love finds its highest _expression in the Son of God become man: "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (John 3:16). Jesus voluntarily gave up His life out of love for us, and "greater love has no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
In these words reported by St. Luke, Jesus Christ reveals His abounding desire to give His life for love of us. He calls His death a baptism, because from it He will arise victorious never to die again. Our Baptism is a submersion in Christ's death, in which we die to sin and are reborn to the new life of grace: "We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
Through this new life, we Christians should become set on fire in the same way as Jesus set His disciples on fire: "With the amazing naturalness of the things of God, the contemplative soul is filled with apostolic zeal. `My heart became hot within me, a fire blazed forth from my thoughts' (Psalm 38:4). What could this fire be if not the fire that Christ talks about: `I came to cast fire upon the earth, and would that it were already kindled' (Luke 12:49). An apostolic fire that acquires its strength in prayer: there is no better way than this to carry on, throughout the whole world, the battle of peace to which every Christian is called to fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ (cf. Colossians 1:24)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 120).
51-53. God has come into the world with a message of peace (cf. Luke 2:14) and reconciliation (cf. Romans 5:11). By resisting, through sin, the redeeming work of Christ, we become His opponents. Injustice and error lead to division and war. "Insofar as men are sinners, the threat of war hangs over them and will so continue until the coming of Christ; but insofar as they can vanquish sin by coming together in charity, violence itself will be vanquished" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 78).
During His own life on earth, Christ was a sign of contradiction (cf. Luke 2:34). Our Lord is forewarning His disciples about the contention and division which will accompany the spread of the Gospel (cf. Luke 6:20-23; Matthew 10:24).
***********
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
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