God Save the Queen

This week marked the 450th anniversary of the death of Queen Mary I (Mary Tudor), the only legitimate child of King Henry VIII and his his lawful wife, Queen Catherine of Aragon. Fr. Nicholas Scofield has an excellent piece on his blog, Roman Miscellany. One cannot help but imagine what would have happened had Henry VIII not separated from Rome and therefore not created the Church of England (Anglican). Had England remained Catholic either by Henry never divorcing Catherine OR if Mary had heirs from her marriage to Philip and thus preventing Elizabeth I from ever sitting on the throne. If England remained Catholic, would the colonies (USA and Canada) been Catholic? Scotland probably would have remained Catholic.

According to Thomas Woods in his book How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization, the English Reformation threw progress backward by centuries. Prior to Henry's usurping Church property in Britain, the English monks used to gather for their annual and international meetings. There they exchanged ecclesiastical and theological information BUT ALSO scientific, agricultural, economic and other fascinating facts which literally helped create, sustain and enhance Western culture as a CIVILIZATION. Once the monasteries were destroyed, the monks banned and the property confiscated and distributed among the Protestant nobility, the networking ceased and the flow and exchange of ideas halted. An information FREEZE of sorts occurred. The global interpedence of a unified CHRISTENDOM was replaced by a parochial and provincial NATIONALISM whereby each country with its own religion (cuius regio, eius religio ). Had England stayed with the Pope and remained Roman Catholic rather than establish the Anglican Church (Church of England), PROGRESS and technology, according to Woods, would have ushered in the industrial age centuries ahead of when it did finally happen.

Though many ascribe the financial power of the United States to the Protestant work ethic, imagine had the Pilgrims been Catholic or that the colonies were and remained Catholic from their foundation. The same networking which occurred in pre-Reformation England would have been brought to the New World. What if Spain had won the war against England and the Armada had conquered Elizabethan England? A Spanish speaking USA (soon to come?) and a Catholic USA would have replaced an English Protestant America.

Nevertheless, Queen Mary I gets a lot a bad press since her sister succeeded her and resented her staunch Catholicism. Consequently, English history sanitizes the reign of Elizabeth and demonizes the reign of Mary. The persecution of Catholics during and after the so-called glorious Elizabethan era surpassed anything done in the previous reign.

Open Letter to President-Elect Barack Obama

An Open Letter to President-Elect Barack Obama

November 14, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama,

As American Catholics, we, the undersigned, would like to reiterate the congratulations given to you by Pope Benedict XVI. We will be praying for you as you undertake the office of President of the United States.

Wishing you much good will, we hope we will be able to work with you, your administration, and our fellow citizens to move beyond the gridlock which has often harmed our great nation in recent years. Too often, partisan politics has hampered our response to disaster and
misfortune. As a result of this, many Americans have become resentful, blaming others for what happens instead of realizing our own responsibilities. We face serious problems as a people, and if we hope to overcome the crises we face in today’s world, we should make a serious effort to set aside the bitterness in our hearts, to listen to one another, and to work with one another

One of the praiseworthy elements of your campaign has been the call to end such partisanship. You have stated a desire to engage others in dialogue. With you, we believe that real achievement comes not through the defamation of one’s opponents, nor by amassing power and using it merely as a tool for one’s own individual will. We also believe dialogue is essential. We too wish to appeal to the better nature of the nation. We want to encourage people to work together for the common good. Such action can and will engender trust. It may change the hearts of many, and it might alter the path of our nation, shifting to a road leading to a better America. We hope this theme of your campaign is realized in the years ahead.

One of the critical issues which currently divides our nation is abortion. As you have said, no one is for abortion, and you would
agree to limit late-term abortions as long as any bill which comes your way allows for exceptions to those limits, such as when the health of the mother is in jeopardy. You have also said you would like to work on those social issues which cause women to feel as if they have a need for an abortion, so as to reduce the actual number of abortions being performed in the United States.

Indeed, you said in your third presidential debate, “But there surely is some common ground when both those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together and say, ‘We should try to prevent unintended pregnancies by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred and that they should not be engaged in cavalier activity, and providing options for adoption, and helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby.’”

As men and women who oppose abortion and embrace a pro-life ethic, we want to commend your willingness to engage us in dialogue, and we ask that you live up to your promise, and engage us on this issue.

There is much we can do together. There is much that we can do to help women who find themselves in difficult situations so they will not see abortion as their only option. There is much which we can do to help eliminate those unwanted pregnancies which lead to abortion.

One of your campaign promises is of grave concern to many pro-life citizens. On January 22, 2008, the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade,
when speaking of the current right of women in America to have abortions, you said, “And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president.”

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) might well undermine your engagement of pro-life Americans on the question of abortion. It might
hamper any effort on your part to work with us to limit late-term abortions. We believe FOCA does more than allow for choice. It may
force the choice of a woman upon others, and make them morally complicit in such choice. One concern is that it would force doctors and hospitals which would otherwise choose not to perform abortions to do so, even if it went against their sacred beliefs. Such a law would undermine choice, and might begin the process by which abortion is enforced as a preferred option, instead of being one possible choice for a doctor to practice.

It is because of such concern we write. We urge you to engage us, and to dialogue with us, and to do so before you consider signing this legislation. Let us reason together and search out the implications of FOCA. Let us carefully review it and search for contradictions of those positions which we hold in common.  If FOCA can be postponed for the present, and serious dialogue begun with us, as well as with those who disagree with us, you will demonstrate that your administration will indeed be one that rises above partisanship, and will be one of change. This might well be the first step toward resolving an issue which tears at the fabric of our churches, our political process, our families, our very society, and that causes so much hardship and heartache in pregnant women.

Likewise, you have also recently stated you might over-ride some of President G.W. Bush’s executive orders. This is also a concern to us. We believe doing so without having a dialogue with the American people would undermine the political environment you would like to establish. Among those issues which concern us are those which would use taxpayer money to support actions we find to be morally questionable, such as embryonic stem cell research, or to fund international organizations that would counsel women to have an abortion (this would make abortion to be more than a mere choice, but an encouraged activity).

Consider, sir, your general promise to the American people and set aside particular promises to a part of your constituency. This would indicate that you plan to reject politics as usual. This would indeed be a change we need.


Vox nova

Sincerely,

Deal W. Hudson
Christopher Blosser
Marjorie Campbell
Mark J.
Coughlan
Rev. James A. Nowack
Craig D. Baker
Susan DeBoisblanc
Megan
Stout
Joshua D. Brumfield
Ashley M. Brumfield
Michael J.
Iafrate
Natalie Navarro
Matthew Talbot
Paul Mitchell
Todd
Flowerday
Henry C Karlson III
Darren Belajac
Adam P Verslype
Josiah
Neeley
Michael J. Deem
Katerina M. Deem
Natalie Mixa
Henry
Newman
Anthony M. Annett
Mickey Jackson
Veronica Greenwell
Thomas
Greenwell PhD
Robert C. Koerpel
Nate Wildermuth

Drunk Drivers

VATICAN CITY - POPE Benedict XVI urged drivers to stay 'sober and alert' on Sunday and prayed for those who have died in traffic accidents.

'On this third Sunday of November, we remember in a special way all those who have died as a result of traffic accidents,' the pope said as he delivered the Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square.

'Dear brothers and sisters, I implore everyone - drivers, passengers and pedestrians - to heed carefully the words of Saint Paul in the liturgy of the word today: Stay sober and alert,' he added.

An initiative by the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims has made the third Sunday of November a day of remembrance for road traffic victims. --
AFP

My younger brother Joseph, was killed by an underage drunk driver on July 5th, 1997. He was on his way home (only three blocks) from visiting our youngest brother, Mark, who at the time was hospitalized for leukemia. The tragedy was so stressful that six months later, my dad (who had been battling leukemia) passed away as well.

The underage drunk driver got his blood alcohol results suppressed as evidence on a bizarre legal technicality. This unrepentant young man manipulated the legal system to his advantage. Seven years passed, with no jail time or fine, and the accused still possesses his driver's license. In an obscene coincidence, I saw a sign on a gasoline pump that said if you drive away without paying, you can and will lose your license as well as incur fines and possible jail sentence. Paradoxically, you drink and drive and kill a human being, and you can probably get away with it with little or no consequences. I tell my parishioners every year at New Year's Eve and on Holidays like Fourth of July or Labor Day, it is a MORTAL SIN to DWI (drive while intoxicated). My family suffered greatly and my mother ended up burying her third child and then her husband of 39 years thanks to a teenager who felt it necessary to get loaded and get behind the wheel. As a former hospital chaplain, I have seen paralyzed victims as well as dead victims of underage drinking and drunk driving. Road rage also played a part in my brother's death. Everyone acts as if where they have to go is more important that where the other drivers are going. No one has patience and no one remembers to be polite. Good manners are often missing in church parking lots. Daily communicants admit to cursing and flashing obscene gestures to fellow motorists. Parents show bad example to their kids when they drive aggressively let alone when they DUI (drive under the influence).

Thank God for what Pope Benedict said this past Sunday. Sadly, note that it did not make the major news agencies or networks and I doubt we'll see this in many national or diocesan newspapers.

American Pragmatism

The recent presidential election demonstrates a growing and menacing stranglehold of old fashioned 'pragmatism' and 'utilitarianism' within the Catholic population of America. John Dewey should be included in their litany of saints as he was the prominent exponent of this philosophy, along with William James (who espoused the criteria, if it works, then it is good).

Despite Barak Obama's and Joe Biden's blatant support for abortion, many Catholic voters convinced themselves that fixing the economy was a higher priority than saving innocent human lives in the womb. Outside the life and death issues of abortion and euthanasia, there is legitimate room to debate, argue and reasonably disagree on matters such as the economy, the environment, war and terrorism, et al. Political parties (democrat, republican, independent) do not have any monopoly on truth or ways to solve problems.

Pragmatism permeates our society in that many seek a practical solution even if it involves questionable or dubious means. "You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs" is a familiar proverb invoked by many who seek answers even at the cost of their immortal souls. Yet, the Natural Moral Law and the Divine Positive Law both clearly define that THE ENDS NEVER JUSTIFIES THE MEANS. Evil may never be intended and committed no matter how much greater good may come from it. Too many Catholics have been polluted by fuzzy morality taught to them during the zenith of the dissident theologian era when Humanae Vitae was being trashed in colleges and seminaries across the nation. Bad theology and bad morality (along with bad liturgy) were taught to some seminarians (between 1970-2000) so that as priests these guys teach in RCIA and preach from the pulpit that as long as you do not have formal cooperation in evil, it does not matter if you have material cooperation in that same evil. Situation ethics and consequentialism, both condemned by Pope John Paul the Great, were nevertheless part and parcel of some seminary morality courses. "Bonum faciendam et malum vitandum (do good and avoid evil)" as enunciated by the Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas, was replaced by "do as much good as possible AND as little evil as necessary."

Hence, what you sow, so shall you reap. Fuzzy morality which emboldened and rationalized contraception, in vitro fertilization, pre-marital sex, etc., would eventually lead people to overlook a candidates staunch support for abortion in order to embrace his economic proposals. Ironically, since the advent of global economy, presidential control over prices, wages, jobs, etc., has diminished greatly. Even Congress has less control since we trade with other nations all over the planet. Hatred and animosity for the current admininstration is evident not only here in the USA but while on pilgrimage to Lourdes and Fatima, we noticed Europeans ecstatic that President George Bush will soon be out of office and a different political party will be in the White House. Parliamentary governments in Europe are more affected by the party who wins the election (who thereby determine the Prime Minister) whereas in America, the Presidency is separate from the Congress. Hence, we can have a Republican President and a Democratic Congress or vice versa.

It is a wonderful and historic event that the first African-American has been elected President. Someday soon, the first Female President will also be elected. CAVEAT, just as the first Catholic President was not necessarily the best practicing Catholic candidate, so, too, there are other African-Americans (Alan Keyes, e.g.) who would have made an excellent president AND would have been PRO-LIFE besides! Joe Biden might be a Catholic Vice President but his statements before and after the election show he is not in harmony with the Magisterium on key moral issues.

The secular media, however, turned Sarah Palin into a scapegoat. They resorted to ad hominem attacks and portrayed her as a simpleton just as they had done with Dan Quayle. A pro-life woman and mother and a conservative was just too much for them to stomach. Hence, they needed to demonize her as some did with Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater beforehand. Her pro-life stand incurred venomous remarks from radical feminists who detested her successful political career in light of her moral values.

I made this parallel earlier, but very CAREFULLY. I hope and pray that President Elect Obama and Vice President Elect Biden will allow Divine Grace to move their minds and hearts to govern fairly, justly and in accord with the moral law. As legitimate elected leaders, I will pray for them and will obey their lawful authority AS LONG AS it conforms to the laws of God and the Natural Law. I would never equate the personification of evil as found in Adolf Hitler with either Obama or Biden. I beleive both Obama and Biden to be men of honor and committed to the common good, albeit I also believe they are terribly misguided in how to achieve that. My parallel is not with the moral character (which only the good Lord can judge) of these men, but with the REASONS why they were elected. There were some voters in pre-WWII Germany who were willing to overlook the Nazi anti-Semitism because they felt the times were so precarious and the economy so fragile, that significant change was in order. Economic promises to end inflation and unemployment helped elect Hitler and the Nazi party. My point is that some have overlooked the pro-abortion stand of candidates in this election in favor of their economic proposals and the prospect of a regime change in the White House. Besides those voters who were obviously pro-Obama, there were also those who were just anti-Bush and took out their animosity on John McCain because he was republican.

That is the only connection I make; NOT a MORAL connection between the person of Hitler (a reprehensible criminal) and the person of Barak Obama, (a decent human being and President-Elect of the USA). The parallel is not between the personalities but in the context of the election and the voters' decision to ignore pertinent policies of the candidate in favor of other policies they have consensus. Hence, Catholic voters erroneously thought they could overlook Obama's staunch defense of abortion and disagree with him (thus preventing any formal cooperation in evil) on that matter while agreeing with him on economic, military and other issues. Problem is the material cooperation in evil when you still elect a pro-abortion candidate even when you formally disagree in principle. Likewise, no one could morally ignore a candidate's anti-Semitism or racism merely to agree on their economic plans.

The practical solution is not always the moral solution. What works may work immorally, though efficiently. Hence, we can only have GOOD INTENTIONS and use GOOD MEANS to achieve them. Sadly, some Catholic voters were more concerned about the stock market and their 401K than they were concerned about curbing and eventually eliminating all abortions. The systematic murder of innocent unborn human lives is something which cannot be overestimated or overstated. If the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) becomes law, it would be like repealing the 13th ammendment which outlawed slavery. Neither the color of skin nor location (whether in the womb or outside the womb) changes the metaphysical status of a human person. You are a human person by virtue of having a body and soul (in which resides your rational intellect and free will). Human nature gives you rights, not the Constitution.

I hope and pray for an economic recovery, for an end to war and terrorism, for more employment and for lower gas prices. I want America to be respected around the world but I also want us to be safe and secure from our enemies. None of that, however, should be at the price of innocent blood. If we must sacrifice, better it be our comfort and convenience rather than to sacrifice millions of innocent babies in their mothers' s wombs.

PRAYER and FASTING may be our only hope at this point. President-Elect Obama may indeed change his position and embrace a more pro-life stance. It happened to Mit Romney, why not Barak O? Some evils can only be exorcized by prayer and fasting, Jesus said. So, if all pro-lifers committed themselves these next four years to one day a week of prayer and fasting for the unborn, we might witness a metanoia (conversion) of heart in our new president (and vice president).

Meanwhile, our bishops must also get tough and let Catholic politicians know there is a penalty for turning your back on the holy innocents in the womb. Denying Holy Communion and even Excommunication may be required to convey the gravity of the evil of abortion. Often, punishment has a medicinal effect to incur repentance and hopefully prevent reoccurence.

Our Lady of Lourdes

Here is the basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes we recently visited to honor the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the BVM to Saint Bernadette





The famous grotto.  A replica can be found at Mount Saint Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD and at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Hanceville, AL.

A Pastor Speaks the Truth

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

9 November 2008

Dear Friends in Christ,

We the People have spoken, and the 44th President of the United States will
be Barack Hussein Obama. This election ends a political process that started two
years ago and which has revealed deep and bitter divisions within the United
States and also within the Catholic Church in the United States. This division
is sometimes called a “Culture War,” by which is meant a heated clash between
two radically different and incompatible conceptions of how we should order our
common life together, the public life that constitutes civil society. And the
chief battleground in this culture war for the past 30 years has been abortion,
which one side regards as a murderous abomination that cries out to Heaven for
vengeance and the other side regards as a fundamental human right that must be
protected in laws enforced by the authority of the state. Between these two
visions of the use of lethal violence against the unborn there can be no
negotiation or conciliation, and now our nation has chosen for its chief
executive the most radical pro-abortion politician ever to serve in the United
States Senate or to run for president. We must also take note of the fact that
this election was effectively decided by the votes of self-described (but not
practicing) Catholics, the majority of whom cast their ballots for
President-elect Obama.

In response to this, I am obliged by my duty as your shepherd to make two
observations:

1. Voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative
exits constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil, and those Catholics
who do so place themselves outside of the full communion of Christ’s Church and
under the judgment of divine law. Persons in this condition should not receive
Holy Communion until and unless they are reconciled to God in the Sacrament of
Penance, lest they eat and drink their own condemnation.

2. Barack Obama, although we must always and everywhere disagree with him
over abortion, has been duly elected the next President of the United States,
and after he takes the Oath of Office next January 20th, he will hold legitimate
authority in this nation. For this reason, we are obliged by Scriptural precept
to pray for him and to cooperate with him whenever conscience does not bind us
otherwise. Let us hope and pray that the responsibilities of the presidency and
the grace of God will awaken in the conscience of this extraordinarily gifted
man an awareness that the unholy slaughter of children in this nation is the
greatest threat to the peace and security of the United States and constitutes a
clear and present danger to the common good. In the time of President Obama’s
service to our country, let us pray for him in the words of a prayer found in
the Roman Missal:

God our Father, all earthly powers must serve you. Help our President-elect,
Barack Obama, to fulfill his responsibilities worthily and well. By honoring and
striving to please you at all times, may he secure peace and freedom for the
people entrusted to him. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

Amen.

Father J. Scott Newman, St. Mary’s in Greenville, SC

thanks to Fr. Zuhlsdorf of WDTPRS

Thirty Pieces of Silver

While on pilgrimage, we learned of the results of the Presidential election in the USA. Almost everywhere we go in Portugal, France or Spain, nearly all Europeans congratulate us and express their gratitude that America has broken the racial barrier to the White House.

The deserved and rightful joy and pride, however, of the first African-American to be elected to the highest office in the nation, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the President of the United States, is painfully eclipsed by his undeniable and vocal support for abortion. How sad that this historic moment is tarnished and stained by the blood of innocent children. Candidate Obama openly, frequently and clearly stated his support and intent to sign FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act) which would unravel all or at least most of the progress made by Pro-Lifers to restrict, constrain and diminish abortions.

Senator Obama rejected the ban on partial birth abortion. He supports Roe v. Wade. He supports FOCA. Yet, many Europeans like him because he opposed the war in Iraq and promises to bring the troops home ASAP. The anti-war and anti-Bush factions like him for the same reasons. Some agreed with his economic proposals; others liked his health care plan.

Pundits tell us that Senator John McClain lost the election partially for the war and for his association with GW but most propose that it was his economic strategy (or lack thereof) which cost him the presidency.

What I find disconcerting and disturbing is the high number of Catholics who allegedly voted for Senator Barak Obama despite his position on abortion. Senator John McClain, despite his obvious shortcomings, has a better trach record of being Pro-Life and for supporting Pro-Life legislation.

IF some Catholics voted for Obama merely to save their 401K, then what is the difference had they been given thirty pieces of silver? Both are blood money and innocent blood at that.

The only time a Catholic can morally vote for a pro-choice candidate is when there is no viable pro-life opponent running against him/her. But we had a pro-life alternative, albeit not perfect, but more anti-bortion than Obama.

The courageous Bishops who enunciated this moral teaching preached to deaf ears, sad to say. While we are not one issue voters, there is a hierarchy of goods, values ans principles, which must be respected. The RIGHT TO LIFE outweighs all other issues, no matter how serious or important.

Now that there is a PRO-ABORTION Catholic Vice President, the US Bishops have a once in a lifetime opportunity. Senator Joe Biden has stated unequivocally he knows abortion is wrong as life begins at conception BUT he also vehemently supports Roe v. Wade and will always support legal abortions. He and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and all Congressmen and Senators who refuse to repent and abandon their support for abortion must be denied Holy Communion AND face the real possibility of EXCOMMUNICATION. If the Vice President and the Speaker flagrantly show contempt for the Moral Law and Magisterial teaching which condemn abortion, they cause great scandal when they approach Holy Comunion.

Certainly, they deserve a chance to repent and recant, but if unrepentant, then the Vice President and Speaker and all politicians who overtly, consistently and obstinantly suport abortion must be excommunicated.

These extreme measures are regrettable but necessary since our people do not realize that to refuse to protect the innocent unborn, we greatly offend God. Economic crises are indeed serious matters but the slaughter of millions of innocent unborn human lives is another holocaust.

I pray that President Elect Obama and Vice President Elect Joe Biden repent and change their position on abortion. Former pro-slavery politicians did it before; former pro-segregationalist did too. Former pr-choicers can become pro-lifers. Meantime, we must make a stand for those who have no one else to speak for them.

Marian Pilgrimage

Father Ken Brighenti and I are taking 40 pilgrims (including my Mom) to Fatima, Lourdes and Barcelona November 3-11

Please keep us in your prayers and I shall offer special prayers at Our Lady of Lourdes for my faithful readers. My Dad died on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (Feb. 11) 1998 after watching the Mass on EWTN. One of my two parishes I am pastor is named St. Bernadette. So, it was a must be for me to honor the 150th anniversary of Lourdes.

All Souls Day

Dies Irae

Priestly Support

The following appeared on ZENIT but I was unable after several tries to make a comment.

Here is the original post:

Support for Priests

A response to: Vatican: Future Priests Need More Than Prayer Life

As a priest, I more than anyone agree that many times, it is not until after ordination that a priest's difficulties in the psycho-social aspect come forth.

However, many times, there is a fear to be honest with struggles in the seminary for a fear of being dismissed. Unfortunately, many times, when a priest afterward finds himself in difficulty, he experiences very little support at times in his time of need.

I believe the bishops must examine not only the psychology of the priest, but also how they must support priests.

Fr. Francis Majors

Here is my response:


As a Priest and as president of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy (a national association of priests & deacons) I thoroughly agree that we desperately need the support of our bishops. Not only do they ordain and assign us, but we function in their name. Priestly ministry is dependent on episcopal ministry in that we assist the bishop in his three-fold task of sanctifying, teaching and governing. While lacking the fullness of the priesthood, priests and deacons, nevertheless are ordained ministers like bishops. Our job helps enable the bishop's job of caring for his flock throughout the diocese. As ordained helpers, priests and deacons are 'in the field' so to speak. We are 'on the front line' in the parish, the school, the hospital, etc. Vatican II and the Code of Canon Law make it clear that bishops need to support their clergy throughout their ordained ministry.

Weeding out bad candidates for the priesthood is the awesome task of vocation directors and seminary faculty but the ultimate responsibility lies with the Bishop who ordains the men to the diaconate or to the priesthood.

As the writer mentioned, however, some psychological or mental problems do not manifest themselves or do not exist before ordination. Like physcial ailments, some diseases appear suddenly and sporadically while others are congenital from birth.

Once ordained, however, every deacon, priest and bishop deserves support across the board: spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, financial, psychological. If he misbehaves, his is to be reprimanded and justly punished. Yet, does not the Gospel also command all the baptized to forgive and to seek forgiveness; to repent and accept the repentance of others?

Abandoning our own to the wolves has never been Christian practice. Justice demands that the innocent be protected and the guilty be punished. Christian charity also demands we forgive and be forgiven ourselves.

Today's climate of looming and pending lawsuits around every corner have made some ordained clergy very nervous. The past and previous practice of IGNORING problems and worst yet COVERING UP problems are not viable solutions. At the same time, hyper-reacting to problems and paranoia, skepticism and feeding franzies every time a Catholic clergyman is ACCUSED (note, I did not say CONVICTED) of any type of misbehavior, he is often left to defend himself and fend for himself. Although civil and canon law presume innocence until proven guilty, the court of public opinion is quite different. Ask any priest called into the Chancery Office after a parishioner complains that he or she was not treated properly. 99% of the time, the issue is not Father's alleged rude conduct but in reality it is his defense of orthodox doctrine or his refusal to violate canon law when someone asks for a 'favor' (usually means breaking the liturgical rules to accommodate someone who rarely goes to church)

We need the support of our bishops. We need the support of our laity. We need the support of our brother priests and deacons. Associations like the CCC help at one level among ourselves. We also need moral and spiritual support from our parishioners and from our shepherds themselves, the bishops. Pope Benedict XVI told the American bishops at his US visit to SUPPORT YOUR PRIESTS.

Yes, we are imperfect and peccable. We are weak and we are sinners. The same is true of each and every one of our lay brothers and sisters and the same is true of every bishop. Did Jesus cease His support for His Apostles and Disciples after the Resurrection? Did not many abandon Him on Good Friday? Yet, our Divine Savior forgave His followers and supported them in their repentance.

We live in world that thrives on hypersensitivity. People take too much out of context and react before all the facts are made known. If your parish priest was not part of the recent scandal and your bishop was not part of the cover-up, then both need and deserve your support. Deacons, priests and bishops exist to provide for the spiritual needs of God's people, not vice versa. Yet, the clergy need support and love to be effective and to resist DISCOURAGEMENT. Disenchanted and disillusioned clergy are on the verge of despair. Discouragement can sour a marriage and can tarnish a priestly vocation. Help us so we can help you. Support us so we can support you.

Whenever a phone call or letter comes into the Diocese complaining about a priest or deacon, the post-clergy-scandal reaction is to call the accused cleric in ASAP. If a matter of the Fifth or Sixth Commandment, that would be proper response. When it involves a petty complaint or a disgruntled mediocre Catholic not getting special favors, then a different response is in order.

I annually challenge my parishioners to overtly thank the receptionist at their doctor's or dentist's office; the school secretary where their kids attend; the salesperson at the store; the waitress at the dinor. We easily and readily complain when these people treat us less than we expect but do we acknowlege them when they are doing what they are supposed to do?

We write letters when we want to identify a problem person but do we write as often and as enthusiastically to thank the local bishop for the priest and deacon he sent us? Bishops get all kinds of letters, faxes, phone calls, etc. about their priests and deacons. Most will tell you that they so rarely get positive affirmation that when it does happen it almost seems unreal.

Those of you who have been blessed with wonderful, courageous, orthodox and very pro-life bishops, I ask you to write to the Nuncio (Archbishop Sambi) and thank him and write Pope Benedict XVI and thank him for sending you a good shepherd. If you have a good pastor, parochial vicar and/or deacon, write your local bishop and thank him. If enough good clergy are encouraged, then we might see more of them in terms of who is sent as well as who is ordained. Easy enough to complain when the one sent is not doing his job and he deserves to be corrected by his superiors. Likewise, though, the ones who do a good or even exemplary job deserve recognition, not for their ego but to show what people want and deserve in their clergy.

RETREATS

I preached a retreat this past weekend at Casa Maria retreat house, run by the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word.  They are located a mile from EWTN studios in Irondale, AL.  It is a marvelous place and the sisters are wonderful, orthodox, prayerful and joyful.  It is no accident that you find a thriving community of women religious, with young, vibrant and increasing vocations, wearing a complete habit, and exuding joyful smiles every time you meet them.  Other communities are dying off, their numbers decreasing, no new or younger vocations, no religious garb and no joyful faces. 

If any layperson is looking for an excellent place to make their annual retreat, I HIGHLY recommend Casa Maria.

If you are a priest, there are two superb alternatives.  One is the new clergy retreat house in Hanceville, AL.  Adjacent to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Knights of the Holy Eucharist run the place and it is FREE OF CHARGE.  A brother will pick you up at the Birmingham airport and drive you to Hanceville.  Meals are provided as well at no cost.

Another spectacular choice is Arnold Hall, run by the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei.

   It is located in Pembroke, MA, just south of Boston.  There are other Opus Dei retreat houses located at Schulenburg, TX (Feathercock Conference Ctr.);  Valparaiso, IN (Shellbourne Conference Center); and in Novato, CA (Trumball Manor)

Canon Law requires priests to make one five day reteat each year but the lay faithful are highly encouraged to Pray DAILY, attend Mass WEEKLY, go to Confession REGULARLY (optimally, once a month) and try to make an ANNUAL retreat (one weekend or one week)

BRAVO Bishop Martino

Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton, PA (where Senator Joe Biden was born), popped-in at a parish presidential election forum where the debate was on whether or not Catholics could vote for a Pro-Choice candidate. While 1/4 left the meeting in a huff once His Excellency clearly stated Catholic principles for moral voting at election time, the remaining 3/4 gave him a standing ovation.

Like Archbishop Burke and Archbishop Chaput, Bishop Martino did not mince words nor did he equivocate Catholic doctrine or morality. He spoke boldly as a bishop should and spoke with the proper authority of one who has the fullness of the priesthood and who was consecrated as a successor of the Apostles. He also pointed out that he is the chief shepherd in his diocese, not the USCCB.

Read more here ...

Joe Biden Says He is NOT a John Paul Guy

What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (I Cor. 1:12-13)


Whispers in the Loggia has an interesting quote from VP Candidate Senator Joe Biden:

"To sum it up, as a Catholic, I'm a John XXIII guy, I'm not a Pope John Paul guy." Ironically, St. Paul had to contend with the same kind of nonsense two millennia ago when some Christians claimed they were Apollos' guys, some were Cephas men, and some were even Pauli's boys. One cannot be a J23 but not a JP2 guy, or be a P6 and not a B16 guy. All popes are true Bishops of Rome and as such all are Vicars of Christ and Supreme Roman Pontiffs. Whether St. Peter himself or Pius XII, all of them are Vicars of CHRIST and therefore represent HIM and not themselves. Senator Biden appears to be clueless to this aspect of Petrine Ministry. Catholics do not pick and choose the popes they like and only follow that one's teaching. All popes have the charism of infallibility and all possess universal primacy. We don't have 'conservative' popes and 'liberal' popes. We just have popes. Each pontiff has full, universal, immediate and supreme jurisdiction over the entire Church. (CCC #937 and CIC #331) The faithful are asked to obey each and every pope, not just the ones they 'like' or feel an affinity toward. This is not a matter of opinion or taste, as one would prefer the Philosopher Aristotle over the Philosopher Plato, or a contest between Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth. Popes have the fullness of authority in doctrine, liturgy and discipline (canon law) regardless of their personality or even popularity. Joe Biden should know better.

Catholic Vote

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bishops Conference

The Pennsylvania Conference of Catholic Bishops (PCCB) issued a very good statement this week and of particular note are these pertinent paragraphs:

We wish to reiterate that the intentional destruction of innocent human life, as in abortion and euthanasia, is not just one issue among many. Time and time again, we bishops have taught that the right to life is the most basic and fundamental human right and must always be defended. Intrinsic evils can never be supported. Catholic teaching does not treat all issues as morally equivalent. The protection of human life from conception until natural death is the preeminent obligation of a truly just society.

The Catholic Church teaches a consistent ethic of life which includes important teaching also on issues of war and peace, economic justice, care of the needy and vulnerable, education, stewardship of the Lord’s creation, etc. We have a moral obligation to defend human life and dignity, to protect the poor and the vulnerable, and to work for justice and peace. At the same time, however, we must never forget the words of our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. He wrote, “Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights – for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture – is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination.” (On the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful, no. 38)

We encourage the Catholic citizens of Pennsylvania to study carefully the Church’s teaching as they prepare for Election Day. We bishops do not endorse any candidate or party. Our role is to teach and form consciences. Above all else, we seek to ensure that the message of the Gospel is heard and upheld. Many of the issues facing our nation and our Commonwealth have important moral and ethical dimensions. We urge our Catholic faithful to be informed and guided by the moral truths of our faith and to exercise faithful citizenship.


The Bishops of Dallas and Fort Worth, TX, issued a similar and equally well written statement

HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY

      

To the right of Admiral Christopher Columbus is a picture of the Columbus Chapel in Boalsburg, PA, just outside of Penn State University.  The Boal Family (founders of Boalsburg) married a direct descendant of the legendary discoverer. 

When the Quincentenary occurred in 1992, Father Ken Brighenti and I had the distinct honor and privilege of celebrating a Latin Mass (Ordinary Form) on the altar in that museum, just a few hours from my parish.  Here is what the brochure we picked up said:

Colonel Theodore Davis Boal was married to Mathilde de Lagarde, a French and Spanish woman, and a niece of the family of Christopher Columbus.  One of Mathilde's ancestors had participated in the conquest of Peru and Ecuador after Pizarro's expedition in the 16th century.  His descendants settled in Cuba, and Mathilde's mother, also named Mathilde, was born in Cienfuegos, near which the family had extensive sugar plantations.  The elder Mathilde and her sister Victoria went to stay with their relatives in Madrid, where she married Count Ludovic Denis de Lagarde and Victoria married Don Diego Columbus, direct descendant of Christopher, Discoverer of America and possessor of the family chapel, its relics and heirlooms.  When the younger Mathilde married the young American architect, Theodore Davis Boal, she brought into the family many family heirlooms.  Her aunt, Dona Victoria Columbus, died widowed and childless and left part of her estate to her niece Mathilde, notably Don Diego Columbus' Chapel.      Colonel Boal decided to bring the inheritance to the United States.  He constructed a stone chapel building on his estate, and brought from Spain to Boalsburg the entrance door and the interior of the Columbus Chapel with everything it contained--fine paneling and woodwork, the choir loft (with a great escutcheon of the Columbus family on the railing, its colored panels showing the castle of Castile, the lion of Leon, the Admiral's anchors, the islands of the Indies, and the colors of Spain with an eagle), reredos, the altar draped with fine Spanish linen and lace, the massive silver crucifix, silk and brocade vestments (one maniple is over five hundred years old), sacred church vessels, including large candlesticks, a tabernacle, chalices and a monstrance, paintings attributed to Ribera and Ambrosius Benson among others, handcarved Saints, and family swords.

Of all these heirlooms, the greatest treasure of the Chapel is contained in a silver reliquary: it consists of two pieces of the True Cross which was presented to the Columbus family by the Bishop of Leon, as certified by his signed and sealed document dated 1817, which is on display in the Columbus Family Chapel at the Boal Estate.

For Christopher Columbus buffs, the history of the original Chapel within the family is of interest.  Christopher Columbus's son and heir Diego, Admiral and Viceroy of the Indies, was better situated at court than his father, enjoyed more continuously the royal protection of Ferdinand and Isabella, and married a granddaughter of the Duke of Alba.

To the Discoverer's son fell the wealth his father had earned.  Some of the gold that began to flow from the Indies was transmuted into estates and castles--the trappings of nobility for the Columbus family.  One of the castles was in northern Spain, in the bleak mountains of Asturias, high tide of the Moorish invasion.  Amid these mountains the Moors had built a fortified round tower, which went by the name of "Llamas del Moro" (Flames of the Moor).  When the Moors had been driven out, the Spaniards added to thus rugged structure a large stone castle, two stories high, with higher square towers at each corner.

In the castle was set aside a place of devotion.  There family relics and heirlooms were kept--furnishings and family swords among religious paintings and statuary--dedicated to the glory of God and to the patron saints who had protected the Columbuses from the perils of the sea and of the New World.  Fine wood was carved and gilded, silver was wrought, and each generation added something to what might already have been preserved
there from the days and voyages of Christopher and his son Diego: the little painted statues of saints, carved of wood and embellished with glass eyes, suitable to the narrow chapel-places of the ships of discovery; the small painted wooden crosses which could be used for processions or slipped onto pikestaffs to be planted on the beaches of islands taken in the name of the Sovereigns; the admiral's desk studded with gilt cockleshells, emblematic of St. James of Compostella--a saint particularly revered by Christopher Columbus.  Such a desk could be securely locked with its great key to protect the logs of the voyages; carried ashore or from ship to ship by its strong gilded handles; or open, would provide a surface on which to write those letters the explorers and administrators sent to encourage and reassure their royal patrons.  All of these items, including the desk purported to belong to Christopher Columbus, are now located in the Columbus Family Chapel in Boalsburg.

The Chapel also contains 165,000 pages of Columbus and related family archives dating from 1451 to 1902 which have been catalogued by faculty of the Pennsylvania State University.  At the foot of the stairs to the choir loft is an intricate family tree of the descendants of Christopher Columbus.  There are also some Columbus-period memorabilia in the Boal Mansion, including a painting of Columbus' grandson, Luis Columbus, and a painting of
Queen Isabella.
 

Voting for Politicians

Moral weight isn't always the same

Monday, October 06, 2008

The claim that Catholics could vote for a pro-choice candidate as long as
they disagree on abortion is inaccurate. It isn't enough to disagree on this
crucial issue while agreeing on others.

The precise position of the church was clearly stated by Pope Benedict (then
Cardinal Ratzinger): "When a Catholic does not share a candidate's stand in
favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other
reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation in evil, which can be
permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons."

Note the important clarifier: "proportionate reasons."

Paragraph three of the very same document puts this in proper context: "Not
all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For
example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the
application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not
for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy
Communion ... There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among
Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with
regard to abortion and euthanasia."

Both involve the deliberate killing of innocent human life.

Hence, the only scenario where a Catholic can in good conscience vote for a
pro-choice candidate is when there is no pro-life alternative OR when both
candidates are only partially pro-life and you opt for the one who will
proportionally do more to end abortion and euthanasia.

REV. FR. JOHN TRIGILIO JR., Pastor, St. Bernadette, Duncannon Our Lady of
Good Counsel, Marysville Marysville

©2008 Patriot-News

© 2008 PennLive.com All Rights Reserved.

Catholic Voter

I am a Catholic and I am anti-slavery. I deplore slavery and have been an active part of the abolitionist movement. But this November of the year of Our Lord 1860 I am voting for Stephen A. Douglas.

Now I know my announcement will befuddle many Catholics who think that Abraham Lincoln is the only possible choice if you are truly as anti-slavery as I say I am. Some of my friends ask me how can I possibly support Senator Douglas when he was largely responsible for the Compromise of 1850 and supported the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision of 1857?

Though Senator Douglas does not regard a slaveholding society as one whit inferior to a free society I think he is the best choice to reduce slavery. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 proves that he is pro-choice on the issue of slavery since the act allowed these new states coming into the union to make up their own mind as to whether slavery should be allowed in their territory. He lets the people in the state decide as to whether slavery is moral or immoral. Surely this will limit slavery and as we work for a more just society more and more slaveowners will decide to reduce the number of slaves they own. Just because Sen. Douglas has invoked racist rhetoric and accused Lincoln of supporting black equality which he believes the authors of the Declaration of Independence did not intend, does not mean that he is pro-slavery. Even supporters of slavery can be conflicted about slavery and whether blacks are equal to us or not and we should work to move to a society where slavery is safe, legal, and rare. Plus it is not true to call him pro-slavery. He is for the choice of slavery and people can decide on their own whether they want to become slaveowners or not.

Shouldn't we let people make their own choices on this issue? Do we really want to legislate morality? Now as a Catholic I personally believe that slavery is wrong, but lawmakers need to represent the people.

Catholics should not be single issue voters and let slavery dominate the discussion. Human dignity and the acceptance of the government of human rights is just one issue of many. What about economic and other social justice issues? The election of Lincoln could even lead to civil war. Do we want a president whose "personal" moral code could lead us to war with all of the horrific deaths that could result? Plus if a war does start no doubt someone like Mr Lincoln would infringe on our civil liberties by suspending the right of Habeas Corpus.

This year the best choice to reduce slavery is to vote Sen. Douglas.

Signed Douglas Kmiec

taken from the CURT JESTER

substitute the word ABORTION for SLAVERY in the piece above and you would have the exact argument some claim they can vote for a pro-abortion candidate while personally disagreeing with them on abortion but agreeing on their other positions

Catholic Clergy Call Upon YouTube to Remove Sacriligeous Videos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY
Catholic PRWire

HARRISBURG, PA (SEPTEMBER 30, 2008) - The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy [www.catholic-clergy.org] requests that YouTube immediately remove all videos depicting the desecration of Catholic hosts. Currently, forty videos are online showing the blasphemous sacrilege against the Most Holy Eucharist (also known as the Blessed Sacrament). We urge YouTube to show the same respect and decency it recently extended to our Jewish brothers and sisters when a similar incident occurred that greatly offended the children of Abraham.

YouTube recently removed a video showing a teenager urinating on the Holocaust memorial in Greece. It was taken down on August 27th, 2008, after five days of protests from Jewish communities around the world. Sadly, the same response has not been extended to Catholic Christians as the offensive videos showing desecration of the Eucharist have been up for more than two months. One of these forty videos shows a host being flushed down the toilet.

Another video shows someone literally absconding from a Catholic Mass with a Host in his possession. The ease with which persons can take Holy Communion since the option to receive in the hand was introduced in the late 20th century, and the subsequent acts of desecration and sacrilege, make it paramount that our bishops seriously consider revoking this method. Restricting reception to Communion on the tongue and disallowing in the Hand is but one possible remedy. Frequent Eucharistic Holy Hours with Benediction will also be of great assistance and encouragement. Voluntary expansion of the Eucharistic fast from one hour to three hours before receiving Holy Communion is another help. Greater reverence for the Blessed Sacrament will be enhanced not only by removing reception in the hand but also by encouraging kneeling as well. Placing the Tabernacle back in the center of our church sanctuaries is another obvious sign of belief in the Real Presence.

We urge all our brother priests and deacons to be very conscious of our public acts of Latria (worship) of the Holy Eucharist as the real, true and substantial Body & Blood, Soul & Divinity of Christ. The attention, reverence and devotion we show to Blessed Sacrament as its ordinary ministers will only inspire our people to aspire to emulate our love for Jesus in this most sublime presence. We also pray for those poor souls who commit these vile acts of sacrilege and ask them to please stop.

We Report You Decide

  

Oakland Cathedral  (yuk)



  

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Hanceville, AL  (yeah)