Ecclesia Militans America

New Notre Dame Alumni Group Seeks Fr. Jenkins Removal

2009-04-16T15:58:00.002-04:00

From Catholic Online:

4/16/2009
Catholic Online
Father Jenkins is deliberately acting in contradiction to Catholic teaching. He should, in good conscience, resign.SOUTH BEND (Catholic Online) - We have done all we can to keep our readers up to date on the continued news following the University of Notre Dame's decision to invite President Obama to speak at their commencement and receive an honorary Doctor of Law Degree. The work of the Cardinal Newman Society has been at the forefront of galvanizing the extraordinary reaction of Catholics, other Christians and people of good will to this invitation.

Their petition has generated over a quarter of a million responses. Students have organized under the banner of NDResponse and a growing number of alumni under Project Sycamore. Thursday, another group of Alumni has been formed called "Replace Jenkins. ND Alumni for Restoring the Catholic Tradition to Our Lady's University."

They have a web site: http://www.replacejenkins.com/index.html

We present their statement below: "We believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a "Gospel of Life." It invites all persons and societies to a new life lived abundantly in respect for human dignity. We believe that this Gospel is not only a complement to American political principles, but also the cure for the spiritual sickness now infecting our society. As Scripture says, no house can stand divided against itself (Lk 11:17). We cannot simultaneously commit ourselves to human rights and progress while eliminating or marginalizing the weakest among us. Nor can we practice the Gospel of Life only as a private piety.

American Catholics must live it vigorously and publicly, as a matter of national leadership and witness, or we will not live it at all." Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics (23):A Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States (1998) "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions." Catholics in Political Life (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2004) We believe that a prestigious Catholic University such as Notre Dame must exercise moral leadership by its constant and faithful witness to the Gospel of Life and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

This duty is especially important when it comes to the selection of a commencement speaker, since that person is held out to students, graduates and the community as someone worthy of being emulated. When the University goes one step further, and also bestows an honorary degree upon that individual, it further suggests admiration and support for that person. The question one must ask is whether a commencement speaker at a Catholic University, or a recipient of an honorary degree, is someone who should be set as an example for the faith community. While the Catholic Church is fully committed to the sanctity of life, it is well known that President Obama supports abortion in the broadest possible context.

For example, President Obama has already signed an order to allow funding for international groups that perform abortions and he has pledged to sign the Freedom of Choice Act which would federalize abortion, remove state restrictions, and potentially force Catholic hospitals to offer abortion services. President Obama recently proposed overturning an important federal regulation designed to protect the conscience of health care works who object, on religious or conscience grounds, to participating in procedures such as abortion and sterilizations. In short, President Obama has advocated, and is now actively advocating, an agenda which is hostile toward core Catholic teaching. For Father Jenkins to invite President Obama to deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame, and to award President Obama an honorary degree, is a scandal to the Catholic Church and to faithful throughout the world. Some people have argued that concerns for academic freedom and free speech justify the University's decision to invite President Obama to deliver the Commencement address. Upon closer examination, these types of arguments lack weight.

If we have any right at all, it is the right to advocate for the moral principles we believe in and stand for. Concerns for tolerance and academic freedom do not obligate a Catholic University like Notre Dame to dilute their fundamental moral beliefs in order to accommodate the culture, especially when we would expect that the commencement speaker embodies the same moral vision of the University. Father Jenkins has also said that his decision to honor President Obama was motivated by a desire for dialogue and an exchange of views. While such an intention might be noble in other settings, one must wonder if such an argument makes any sense in a commencement setting. Will President Obama be giving a commencement address or will he be answering questions about his positions on life-related issues. Will he be receiving an honorary degree or will he be seeking to understand Church teaching?

Clearly, a commencement setting is not one of dialogue. Moreover, selecting a man who is actively promoting an agenda that is counter to the Catholic Church’s teachings on life, and who is preparing to support legislation that will remove abortion restrictions, promote taxpayer funding of abortions, require Catholic hospitals to provide abortion services and force health care workers to participate in procedures which they hold to be immoral reflects, in our mind, horribly poor judgment on behalf of Father Jenkins.

As Alumni and donors to Notre Dame, we maintain a deep, personal and cherished responsibility to the University. At the same time, our first responsibility must always be to Jesus Christ and to the faith which He gave us. Our decision to request Father Jenkins’ replacement comes only after deep introspection and prayer. There is nothing we want more than to see a successful, thriving Catholic Notre Dame – one which is a beacon to the Christian community and our entire nation. We cannot, however, support a University which would use our donations to promote an agenda which is inconsistent with our faith. We believe that Father Jenkins has, in the best case scenario, shown incredibly poor judgment in honoring President Obama given the radical pro-abortion positions Obama advocates; in the worst case scenario, Father Jenkins is deliberately acting in contradiction to Catholic teaching.

He should, in good conscience, resign. Alternatively, and with charity, he should be removed. We welcome the day when we can feel proud of our University once again – and when the University of Notre Dame leads all Catholic colleges as one deeply committed to a culture of life, a role one would expect from Our Lady’s University.

Obama Youth Brigade: Church Attendance Forbidden

2009-04-02T15:13:00.004-04:00

The latest in Obama Socialism, from The Voice Magazine:

By Jonas Clark

Is this the change you really voted for? President Obama has only been in office for two months. Now we have HR 1388. The Bill was sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) with 37 others. The Bill was introduced to the floor of the House of Representatives where both Republicans and Democrats voted 321-105 in favor. Next it goes to the Senate for a vote and then on to President Obama.

This bill’s title is called “Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education” (GIVE). It forms what some are calling “Obama’s Youth Brigade.” Obama’s plan is require anyone receiving school loans and others to serve at least three months as part of the brigade. His goal is one million youth! This has serious Nazi Germany overtones to it.

The Bill would forbid any student in the brigade to participate in “engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.” That means no church attendance or witnessing.

Again, is this what America voted for?

Here is part of the HR1388 Bill’s wording:
SEC. 1304. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.
Section 125 (42 U.S.C. 12575) is amended to read as follows:
SEC. 125. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Prohibited Activities- A participant in an approved national service position under this subtitle may not engage in the following activities:
(1) Attempting to influence legislation.
(2) Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes.

…
(7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.

Read the entire article, here.

Notre Dame "Shameful" in Honoring Obama; Stepping Away From Catholic Identity

2009-03-21T13:03:00.002-04:00

If the so-called Catholic leaders in this country are not going to protect the Truth of Faith, then it is up to us! Notre Dame is sliding further from its identity as a Roman Catholic university. As reported, ND has invited abortion-President Obama to speak at their graduation, and will confer an honorary doctor of laws degree. Seriously!?!?! Read this, from LifeSite News, and please, please use the contact information at the end of the article to voice your objection to this "shameful behavior by Notre Dame ... an alleged Catholic university:

Catholic Notre Dame University to Give Obama Honorary Degree on May 17, Against USCCB Policy

By Kathleen Gilbert

NOTRE DAME, Indiana, March 20, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - White House Secretary Robert Gibbs stated today that President Obama will give the commencement address at Notre Dame University this year. The school confirmed the announcement, stating on its website that Obama will also receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at the University's 164th University Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m. May 17 in the Joyce Center on campus.

In 2004, the United States of Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a policy statement called "Catholics in Political Life," which says, with reference to pro-abortion politicians, "They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

President Obama has been called the "abortion president" by pro-life activists, and his appearance at the university would appear to violate the USCCB's policy against honoring pro-abortion politicians.
One alumnus from the university has already expressed his displeasure in an open letter sent today to the president of Notre Dame, Rev. John Jenkins.

William Newton, a D.C. area attorney, wrote, "As an alumnus of Notre Dame Law School, I am deeply offended that you would invite President Barack Obama to speak at Commencement this year."

Newton then lists the numerous pro-abortion decisions that Obama has made since assuming the office of the presidency. "This is the person that you feel is worthy to address the students and faculty of Notre Dame, in the shadow of Our Lady atop the Golden Dome, with the spires of the Basilica in the background?" writes Newton.

"Father Sorin must be wringing his hands in heaven, that his successor would approve this disgrace. Shame on Notre Dame for choosing to scandalize the faithful who continue to support the Catholic identity and mission of the University."

Conservative commentator Kathryn Jean Lopez said on The Corner that the arrangement was "shameful."

"Last week the president of the United States perpetrated an assault on human dignity. No statements or press releases will undo what Notre Dame's position in the eyes of the world is in response: 'Doesn't matter,'" wrote Lopez. "We've got THE ONE. So much for the One the school's namesake gave birth to."

"I've been optimistic that the radicalism of this administration on life could be a real catalyst for renewal in many churches. At Notre Dame, the administration there just made a choice. They took a giant step away from their identity as 'Catholic.' They [sic] rather be of this world than the one they supposedly exist to bring people toward."

Notre Dame is among the most prestigious Catholic universities in America. The school's Center for Ethics and Culture recently established a pro-life fund in an effort to bolster Notre Dame's pro-life identity.

To contact Notre Dame:
Phone: (574) 631-5000
email form: http://president.nd.edu/contact-us

Notre Dame Fellows:
Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., President, U. of Portland(503) 943-7101

Patrick F. McCartan, Senior partner, Jones Day(216) 586-7272
Email: pmccartan@jonesday.com

William M. Goodyear, CEO, Navigant Consultingmain: (312) 583-5700

List of all Notre Dame Fellows: http://www.nd.edu/leadership/fellows/

To contact the USCCB:

Cardinal Francis George, PresidentArchdiocese of Chicagophone: 312-751- 8200
email: mfox@archchicago.org

Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Chairman, Committee on EducationDiocese of Worcester
phone: 508-791-7171
committee email: catholiceducation@usccb.org

To contact Notre Dame's bishop:
Bishop John D'Arcy, Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese
Fort Wayne Chancery
phone: (260) 422-4611

Pope Benedict XVI To Africa

2009-03-17T11:44:00.002-04:00

Catholic World News (CWN)

Feature Stories

The Pope's trip to Africa: ignore at your own risk

Mar. 16, 2009 (CWNews.com) -

Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) leaves Rome tomorrow, March 17, for a week-long trip to Cameroon and Angola: the 11th foreign voyage of this pontificate, and the first to Africa. Judging by their near-complete silence about the papal trip, the mass media evidently are not expecting much interesting news. They should know better by now.

When he first announced his plan to visit Africa, as the Synod of Bishops wrapped up its business in October 2008, the Pope gave a few formal reasons for his trip. In Cameroon he will unveil the instrumentum laboris for the next Synod meeting, which will be held this October and will focus on Africa. In Angola he will join in the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of that country's first evangelization. To be sure, those sound like routine events-- not the stuff of headline news.

But then, when Pope Benedict traveled to Regensburg, to speak on faith and reason, no one anticipated the fireworks that ensued. This Pope is capable of surprises.

The problems that afflict Africa-- and particularly sub-Saharan African-- are well known: poverty, disease, and violence. It is all too easy to slip into the habit of thinking that the only way to bring change to the continent is by spurring economic development, stopping the spread of AIDS, and ending bloody civil wars. In a week's time Pope Benedict cannot produce that sort of miracles.

But those large political issues do not completely define the lives of individuals and families in Africa-- any more than political issues define the entire lives of people in Europe or North America. Daily life in African countries is marked by many other influences. From the Pope's perspective, the most interesting influence is the powerful sense of religious faith that pervades African society.

While the influence of the Church is shrinking in the Western world, in Africa it is growing. New converts are coming to the faith. The numbers of vocations to the priesthood and religious life are steadily growing. Missionary activity is simmering throughout the region, and with only a bit more encouragement it might boil over, transforming whole societies.

As he prepared to leave for Africa, Pope Benedict told his Sunday public audience that he did not plan to propose grand political or economic solutions there. He said:
I leave for Africa with the awareness of having nothing to propose or to give to those I will meet save Christ and the Good News of His cross, the mystery of supreme love, of divine love which overcomes all human resistance and even makes it possible to forgive and love our enemies. This is the grace of the Gospel, capable of transforming the world; this is the grace that can also renew Africa, because it generates an irresistible force for peace and profound and radical reconciliation. The Church, then, does not pursue economic, social or political objectives; the Church announces Christ, certain that the Gospel can touch and transform everyone's heart, renewing people and society from within.

How will the Holy Father approach that evangelizing mission during this trip? He has not offered a preview of the public talks he will deliver in Cameroon and Angola. But he has established a track record. His style is to offer a challenge, in gentle but unmistakable form. He will undoubtedly challenge the people of Africa to unleash the power of the Gospel.

From the first days of his pontificate, Pope Benedict has emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity in the faith. In Europe, continuity means bringing the Christian heritage of past generations to bear on the problems of today. But continuity does not always mean looking to the past; it means caring for the future as well. So it is not surprising that Pope Benedict has shown a special interest in Africa. He has frequently offered his opinion that Africa could hold the key to the future of Christianity.

Special Interest Groups Attacking The Church

2009-03-15T15:26:00.007-04:00

If you hear someone use the phrase that our Roman Catholic Church is "under attack," and you do not understand what that means, read this article from the Hartford (CT) Courant (my emphasis is bolded):

CAMPAIGN FROM WITHIN
Catholic Dissidents Pressing For Liberalization Of Church Authority
By ANNE HENDERSHOTT
March 15, 2009

Critics of a now-withdrawn bill, designed to reshape the way the Roman Catholic Church in Connecticut governs itself, viewed the proposal as an attempt by the state to interfere with the free exercise of religion. But this is only part of the story. The legislation is one more example of what sociologist Peter Berger calls the "secularization from within" the church. [This is the direction of one prong of the attack ... from within!]

On the surface, the proposed bill, which would have relegated priests and bishops to an advisory role in their parishes, looks like unconstitutional interference by the state in church matters. [Who would want such a thing ... read on ...]

But the real force behind this bill is a small group of Catholics — unhappy with church teachings on moral and governance issues — attempting to enlist the state as a partner in radically transforming the church from within. To understand the underlying impetus for the proposed legislation, people can visit the website of Voice of the Faithful, a national organization of disgruntled Catholics [Of course!]. Fairfield University Professor Paul Lakeland, a longtime member of the group, has been on the front lines in leading the charge for the legislation. Among his publications is the book, "Catholicism at the Crossroads: How the Laity Can Save the Church." [Uh huh ... because the laity have done such a great job with the Episcopal/Church of England ecclesiastical community!]

Voice of the Faithful emerged in response to the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandals. Its goal from the start was to hold bishops accountable for abusive priests in their dioceses. But the group's agenda broadened from protecting children to reducing the power of the Catholic hierarchy, [socialists everywhere!] eliminating the requirement for priestly celibacy and supporting the ordination of women. And although the membership is small, this organization reflects a powerful minority within the church [small, but powerful ... and dangerous to the souls of many!] — one that has been engaged in a battle with the hierarchy over these and other issues including sexual morality, academic freedom on Catholic campuses and reproductive freedom. The Bridgeport chapter of Voice was revitalized in the past few years when the Rev. Michael Jude Fay, a Bridgeport pastor, was convicted of stealing $1.4 million in parishioner donations to support a lavish lifestyle with his gay partner. [So, the dissidents want to use the scandal of a dissident priest to argue for ... more dissident actions!?!?] The Fay case is most often cited by those promoting the new legislation.

The bill was raised by those who have an incentive to exaggerate the claims of abuse by priests and mismanagement of parishes by bishops and pastors. [Who, you may ask, are incentivised to exaggerate? Let's see ...] Catholic feminists, [Ah, yes, of course.] many of them teaching in theology programs on Catholic campuses, have exploited the clergy abuse scandal to criticize what they regard as the church's patriarchal hierarchy.

In the midst of the clergy abuse scandal, Lisa Sowle Cahill, theology professor at Boston College, published an opinion piece in The New York Times asserting that the priestly abuse "exposes the weaknesses of a virtually all-male decision-making structure." Her solution was to ordain women, and encourage "all Catholics to withhold funds from all diocesan and Vatican collections and organizations." [There are plenty of other places you may go to have your women priests and withold funds from Rome ... leave! Go choose another church to attend, Ms. Cahill, because you have obviously ceased being Roman Catholic.] Others have been relentless in drawing attention to the Catholic scandals of the past by presenting the cases as part of a systemic problem caused by the celibacy requirement and the church's teachings on homosexuality.

Former Maryknoll priest [get ready!] Eugene Kennedy claims to long for a "post-clerical, de-centered priesthood, in which the adjustments to celibacy are varied." For Kennedy, the priesthood must be changed to include "the love and understanding of a specific woman, or, in some cases, a certain man." [Sure, just make up your own rules ... or no rules! Nihilist!]

It is likely that the attempt to pass this legislation will continue in Connecticut and elsewhere — not because of a perceived need by most Catholics for state oversight, but rather because there are so many within the church who can gain by keeping this issue alive. [Why, to whom might they be referring?]

For [1] feminists lobbying for women's ordination, the image of the "problem priest" like the Rev. Fay surely points to the need for women to fill priestly roles. For [2] gay rights activists, intent on denouncing what they view as the church's hypocrisy on homosexuality, the Fay case is often used to illustrate what can happen when gay men are not allowed to express their sexuality openly as priests. And for [3] organizations like Voice of the Faithful that want the church to become a "democratic" institution, the state becomes a partner in creating an egalitarian church that reflects the will of the people rather than the guidance of her leaders. [This is what being under attack looks like! Unreal! So, are we to believe that all these activists know what is best ... much more than over 2000 years of the Magisterium! They are concerned with only one thing: bringing down The Church. They don't seek to reflect the will of "the people." They seek to impose their will on all people!]

• Anne Hendershott of Milford is professor of urban studies at The King's College in New York and the author of the recently released, "Status Envy: The Politics of Catholic Higher Education."

GOP Chairman Steele Pro-Abortion?

2009-03-13T16:34:00.003-04:00

Wow. How much longer can GOP Chairman Michael Steele hang on, while he makes statements like the following in an interview with GQ Magazine?

Steele: The choice issue cuts two ways. You can choose life, or you can choose abortion. You know, my mother chose life. So, you know, I think the power of the argument of choice boils down to stating a case for one or the other.

GQ: Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?

Steele: Yeah. I mean, again, I think that’s an individual choice.

GQ: You do?

Steele: Yeah. Absolutely.

I found this in an opinion piece at Creative Minority Report.

Plea To Rome for Intervention in the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S.

2009-03-13T15:32:00.004-04:00

I picked up a pretty interesting item from the Christian Newswire.

" ... Randall Terry, Operation Rescue Founder, led a delegation of nine pro-life leaders in an unprecedented series of meetings with Vatican officials from March 2-6 in Rome. ... The reactions ranged from shock to heartfelt agreement.

The purpose was to beg Vatican officials to intervene decisively in the American Catholic Church. Vatican officials were presented with irrefutable evidence that a majority of US bishops refuse to uphold key teachings of the Church."

This is pretty interesting, in that Mr. Terry and others went to Rome to, for one thing, ask the Vatican to replace Archbishop Wuerl of D.C., and Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington, Virginia. Their request in that regard centered on the fact that this group wants bishops in place that will refuse Communion to pro-abortion politicians.

Mr. Terry continued: "Recent headlines proved our point. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Kansas, recently excommunicated Governor Kathleen Sebelius. President Obama selected her to head Health and Human Services, where she will promote abortion. When she comes to DC, Archbishop Naumann will be scoffed at, she will receive Communion with Archbishop Wuerl's or Bishop Loverde'stacit approval, and American Catholics will descend further into scandal and confusion."

When Mr. Terry's group met with Vatican officials they asked, humbly, for the following:

1. Replace the DC-area Bishops;
2. Renew a call fo obedience in all U.S. Bishops;
3. Consecrate obedient new bishops; and
4. Investigate the corruption of government money (tax-exempt status is silencing prelates).

It is worth reading their document, "Oves Sine Pastore [Sheep Without a Shepherd] - A Plea to Vatican Leaders to Restore Faithful Catholic Leadership in America" here at A Humble Plea. Just click on "Download Document Presented to Vatican."

I become more and more convinced that the Holy Father's thoughts of a smaller but more faithful Church (see Pewsitter.com's note on this here), needs to be a reality. Why are we so concerned with keeping attendance up, or having huge Hispanic congregations if those in attendence are unfaithful to the Magisterium? It is time to carefully guard the faith, and teach uncompromised truth! The reason we are in such a time of scandal (pro-abortion politicians calling themselves "Catholic," and having no remorse about doing so), is because the Church in America has compromised so much on teaching Truth!

I am encouraged by Mr. Terry taking this matter right to Rome!

Professors at Catholic Colleges Cheering Pro-Abort "Catholic" Gov. Sebelius

2009-03-04T15:24:00.006-05:00

The Cardinal Newman Society gives us a great example of the problem of Catholic universities being used as platforms for pro-abortion politics (see the article here). Apparently26 activists calling themselves Catholic signed a statement supporting President Obama's pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services, pro-abortion Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (she blasphemously claims that she is "Catholic"). And half of those 26 activists are employed by Catholic universities!

Here is a list of scholars who call themselves Catholic, yet signed a statement supporting the appointment of a pro-abortion governor to the HHS post (note a few priests signed in support of pro-abortion!):

Lisa Sowle Cahill – Boston College
Nicholas Cafardi – Duquesne University
William D’Antonio – The Catholic University of America
Miguel H. Diaz – College of St. Benedict / St. John’s University (Minnesota)
Julia Dowd – University of San Francisco
Joseph Fahey – Manhattan College
Fr. David Hollenbach – Boston College
Delores Leckey – Georgetown University (Woodstock Theological Center fellow)
Fr. Thomas Massaro – Boston College
Vincent Miller – Georgetown University
David O’Brien – College of the Holy Cross
Fr. Thomas Reese – Georgetown University (Woodstock Theological Center fellow)
Stephen Schneck – The Catholic University of America

I do not understand the issue here. If you are going to call yourself Catholic, be Catholic. Be faithful to the teaching of the Holy Father and the Church. Otherwise, I have a simple solution: leave. There are unlimited protestant denominations that will fit perfectly with your political agenda, professors! I wonder how many of the listed professors calling themselves Catholic attended an Ash Wednesday Mass? 'Tis the Season to repent and believe in the Gospel!

Former Speaker Gingrich Converting to Catholicism

2009-03-04T10:52:00.002-05:00

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is apparently going to convert to Roman Catholicism. Father Zuhlsdorf did the heavy lifting here, finding this nugget within a long profile article of Speaker Gingrich in the New York Times.

The entire article can be found here; and

Father Z's post can be found here.

Cardinal Mahony Disgraceful

2009-03-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

How does a man who exhibits such an inability to read and comprehend papal documents (i.e., Pope Benedict XVI’s July 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum (Of the Supreme Pontiffs)) rise to such a level in our Mother Church? A flippant comment by Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles regarding the Traditional Latin Mass has caused quite a stir among Catholics, but is evidence of more, in my opinion. To wit, how does a Cardinal who is in charge of the huge Archdiocese of Los Angeles show such ignorance and insensitivity?

His Eminence made the inane comment during an online chat forum (to see the entire transcript go here.):

Ann Scolari: What are your thoughts on the Trindentine mass?

CardinalMahony: Ann: The Tridentine Mass was meant for those who could not make the transition from Latin to English [or other languages] after the Council. But there is no participation by the people, and I don't believe that instills the spirit of Christ among us.

I echo the question posed by Fr. Z: does he think people are stupid and could not "make the transition" to English or their respective languages? That is a ridiculous statement, Eminence! Latin is not the "native tongue" of any country I know, so how would people have a difficult time making "the transition" to their native language when Mass is in the vernacular? Father Zuhlsdorf concludes: "Even people who do not prefer to attend Holy Mass in the older form should be offended by what Card. Mahony said to the world in this online chat. He slapped our ancestors, Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and everyone who loves our Church’s Holy Mass and Divine Liturgy in all its beautiful, meaningful, sacred and legitimate forms. "

I love Damian Thompson's comment in the Telegraph (UK), under a headline calling the Cardinal's comments a disgrace:

"... The Cardinal's views are patronising, inaccurate and an insult to the Holy Father. How distressing for orthodox Catholics in LA to have this man as their bishop.
But then, how distressing to be a Catholic in LA, period. If you're looking to have the spirit of Christ instilled in you, then I'd advise you to avoid the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the only Catholic Church I've ever been in that actually gave me the creeps. Perhaps it was the cross in a side-chapel made out of the photographs of children abused by priests, a grotesquely ill-judged gesture of penitence; then again, perhaps it was the smug, secular air of the whole place. The cost? $190 million. Futurechurch doesn't come cheap."

I cannot believe this man is a Cardinal and Archbishop.

What I find very odd is his Eminence's contradictions. In a previous "chat," Card. Mahony responded to a question asking why the Catholic Church in the US does not "walk with the Catholic Church in Rome?" by positing: "... I sure don't see the disconnect you reference." He continues: "... My experience is that the Catholic Church in the USA is very dynamic, but very faithful to the Holy Father and to the Universal Church… ." Uhhhhh ... so you slam the Holy Father's motu proprio, but you just don't see that disconnect, eh?

And, in yet another response in the same chat, Card. Mahony thinks it "sounds good" to make the Catholic church "more fun" with things like "... dance, and make it more like gospel churches do, so kids will want to participate ..."

But then he makes the mother of all contradictions, adding: "... Our parishes need to offer a variety of liturgies ..."

I suppose his Eminence would not include the "Tridentine" Mass in that "variety?" After all, it isn't "more fun," is it? Apparently the Traditional Latin Mass is only for those who could not make the transition to the "more fun" way of the dancing Mass in LA? Your Eminence, quite frankly I don't think I have been able to "make the transition" to the "more fun" way of your view of "church."

Retire. Please.

The Myth of Obama's "Moderation on Abortion"

2009-03-02T18:07:00.000-05:00

If you fell for the rhetoric spewing from the Obama campaign that their policies would seek to reduce the number of abortions has been duped (is it time for "I told you so?"). The only "choice" the pathetic Democratic party is for is their choice. They are not interested in choice, they are interested in forcing their will upon all of us in evil ways and if you do not wake up to their evil dealings, you will wake up in 10 years and wondered what happened to your religious freedom.

Read the following article from WorldNetDaily: By Bob Unruh© 2009 WorldNetDaily

Doctors are forecasting the closure of hospitals and clinics across America and a mass migration of physicians and their assistances to other careers should the Obama administration succeed in its attempt to overrule their rights of conscience. "Thousands of conscientious and compassionate physicians, nurses, hospitals and clinics currently serve poor women and those who live in medically underserved areas," said David Stevens, CEO of the Christian Medical Association today. "Many of these professionals and institutions are motivated and guided by longstanding Hippocratic ethics and biblical principles that preclude participation in abortion and other controversial procedures. Infringing on their right to practice medicine according to these life-affirming ethical standards will force them to leave the profession and to shut down the hospitals and clinics," he warned. Stevens was reacting to reports in several newspapers that the Obama administration is moving quickly to rescind a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rule that currently protects civil rights and the exercise of conscience in healthcare. The rule had been adopted under the Bush administration. "The move to rescind the healthcare provider conscience regulation imperils women's healthcare access, threatens healthcare professionals' freedom to practice medicine according to ethical standards, and exposes the myth of moderation in Obama's abortion policy," he said. "The Obama administration claims, without offering a shred of statistical evidence, that the regulation has 'created confusion' and will somehow hinder access to healthcare. What can be clearer than not using federal funds to force healthcare professionals to violate longstanding principles of medical ethics like the Hippocratic Oath, which guided medicine for over two millennia? "The real threat to healthcare access is driving out every healthcare professional who conscientiously practices medicine according to life-affirming ethical standards," Stevens said. He said that four in 10 of the organization's members "report being pressured to violate ethical standards. Physicians report losing positions and promotions because of their life-affirming views. Residents report losing training privileges because they refuse to do abortions. Medical students report changing career tracks away from obstetrics for fear of pressure to do abortions." "We hear a lot of rhetoric from abortion advocates about the government not interfering with the physician-patient relationship. Why is this argument no longer employed when the physician and the patient disagree with abortion on demand? It would appear that for all the abortion 'choice' rhetoric, 'choice' is really a one-way street. When it comes to pro-life individuals, abortion choice quickly turns into abortion mandate," Stevens said. Stevens said Obama's attack on doctors reveals "the myth of their moderation on abortion." "They have no tolerance for moderate abortion policies like informing parents when their children seek an abortion, banning the essentially infanticidal partial-birth abortions, or protecting the civil rights of healthcare professionals who follow the Hippocratic Oath," Stevens said. The rule-change plan comes on the heels of Obama's decision to lift the Mexico City policy, which forces taxpayers to support international groups facilitating abortions. Obama also plans to give tax money to the United Nations population program that the U.S. State Department found to have been aiding China's mandatory abortion policy. According to the Los Angeles Times, Obama's move to demand doctors participate in the abortion industry came earlier today. The report said the move was being made "quietly" even as most of Washington was focusing on the president's budget plan. ... Read the rest of the article here ...

2009-03-02T12:17:00.000-05:00

Our country has now elected and sworn into office a President and Vice President who both embrace the culture of death (with one of them actually calling himself "Catholic"). I recently became aware of The Red Envelope Project which is a quiet, yet powerful, way to let the current administration know of the massive numbers of deaths that occur from the genocide that is abortion. From The Red Envelope Project website:

"... As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.

Here is what I would like you to do: Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then send this website to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

Warmly, [Unknown] ..."

(Oy Vey!) Left Wing of the Catholic Church Destroying the Faith Says Orthodox Rabbi

2009-03-01T12:06:00.000-05:00

This, from LifeSiteNews.Com:

By Hilary White, Rome correspondent ROME, February 11, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The dissident, leftist movement in the Catholic Church over the last forty years has severely undermined the teaching of the Catholic Church on the moral teachings on life and family, a prominent US Orthodox rabbi told LifeSiteNews.com.

Rabbi Yehuda Levin, the head of a group of 800 Orthodox rabbis in the US and Canada, also dismissed the accusations that the Holy See had not sufficiently distanced itself from the comments made by Bishop Richard Williamson of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) on the Holocaust. "I support this move" to reconcile the traditionalist faction in the Church, he said, "because I understand the big picture, which is that the Catholic Church has a problem. There is a strong left wing of the Church that is doing immeasurable harm to the faith."

Rabbi Levin said that he understands "perfectly" why the reconciliation is vital to the fight against abortion and the homosexualist movement. "I understand that it is very important to fill the pews of the Catholic Church not with cultural Catholics and left-wingers who are helping to destroy the Catholic Church and corrupt the values of the Catholic Church."

This corruption, he said, "has a trickle-down effect to every single religious community in the world." "What's the Pope doing? He's trying to bring the traditionalists back in because they have a lot of very important things to contribute the commonweal[th] of Catholicism. [Read the rest of the article here]

Fr. Newman On The Front Lines

2008-11-13T12:10:00.002-05:00

The Rev. Jay Scott Newman, a holy priest of our Roman Catholic Church, has taken a stand to defend the teachings of Christ's Church. In the bulletin for the weekend of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, he laid it out in no uncertain terms: if you voted for the pro-abortion president-elect and you are Roman Catholic, you should not receive Holy Communion until you have reconciled with God in the Sacrament of Penance. Father Newman is taking up the Cross of Truth, and preaching it to souls! He is to be admired, but he will need our prayers. An article is here, and here are Father's words (my emphasis and comments):

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 [his duty is to shepherd souls to heaven, which is why he is obliged to speak here] 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. [Father is not preaching division here; he is clearly teaching the Faith, not politics - although the far left will react with venom and hate to this teaching] 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. [Amen, indeed!]

Father Newman