SNAP to Protest against Cardinal Burke-- No Reason Required

Thanks to the reader who alerted me to this desperate cry for attention press release from the agitprop peddlers at SNAP announcing a protest of Cardinal Burke outside St. Francis de Sales Oratory tonight.  Why?  Oh, no reason, really.

It seems that they are motivated enough by allegations involving a case which, if true, had nothing to do with the Oratory or Cardinal Burke, as the alleged perpetrator was not assigned to St. Francis de Sales parish during the alleged incidents and the alleged abuse took place before Cardinal Burke became Archbishop. 

Ironically enough, the alleged abuse, if true, did take place while the priest was assigned to the "progressive" parish of St. Cronan.  But I doubt the good folks at SNAP have any intention of causing a fuss there.  Too many friends.  


If you were wavering about whether to attend the Solemn Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction tonight at 5 pm, please consider going to support our beloved Archbishop-Emeritus.

Protestant Is as Protestant Does

What would you say if I told you that a parish of the Archdiocese refuses to use the new, exclusive English translation of the Roman Missal (Ordinary Form)?  Instead, this parish stubbornly clings to the 1973 mistranslation and substitutes its own judgement for that of the Church? 

Well, that is exactly what is happening at St. Stanislaus Parish-- oh wait, that's right-- it's not Catholic and it's not a Parish.  Bozek strikes again.  From the bulletin for January 2012: 

At St. Stanislaus we continue to pray the originally authorized English translation of the Vatican II Catholic liturgy.  We will delay using the newly-revised translation of the Mass texts until a more understandable and prayerful adaptation is available... 

When you've already thrown out the baby, what's the big deal about a little bath water?  I guess if anyone is still pushing the notion-- in Court or elsewhere-- that this is a Catholic parish they may not want this known.  And yet, if you don't care about the rulings of the Pope or your Archbishop, why call yourself Catholic at all?

The War on Kids

The title of this post is the title of a film that provides a fresh look at the problems inherent in the modern, government-run system of education.  It covers all of the various issues that sometimes get attention in the media, but highlights that these problems are all related to the way the system itself is designed.  In other words, the problem isn't so much one of deficiency, but rather of intent. 

The film itself is posted in six parts at TagTele--  very revealing.  Thanks to Karen de Coster for the referenced link.  Below is the synopsis of the the movie, taken from its website: 

Blame for problems with schooling in America is often assigned to insufficient funding or the inherent failings of today’s kids. In rare cases, parents, teachers, and administrators are also implicated. However, all efforts to improve the quality of education are doomed to fail if the system itself is not examined and understood to be the most significant impediment. After over six years in the making, THE WAR ON KIDS reveals that the problems with public education ultimately stem from the institution itself. Astonishingly all efforts at reform consistently avoid even considering this to be a possibility and the future for children and American democracy are at stake.

In 95 minutes, THE WAR ON KIDS exposes the many ways the public school system has failed children and our future by robbing students of all freedoms due largely to irrational fears. Children are subjected to endure prison-like security, arbitrary punishments, and pharmacological abuse through the forced prescription of dangerous drugs. Even with these measures, schools not only fail to educate students, but the drive to teach has become secondary to the need to control children.

THE WAR ON KIDS begins with the history of “Zero Tolerance” policy. In the 1990s, almost all schools began instituting guidelines that were originally designed to keep weapons and drugs off campus. Very quickly, school officials began to arbitrarily decide what should be considered a weapon and what should be considered a drug. Hundreds of situations followed where children were (and continue to be) suspended or expelled for possessing food knives, nail clippers, key chains, chicken strips, aspirin, and candy. Kindergarteners were even suspended for playing cops and robbers and using their fingers as guns. Under the guise of Zero Tolerance, administrators have been able to wield tremendous power without the burden of responsibility and this authority continues to be increasingly abused. Students invariably feel despondent and fearful in the Kafka-esque state that has been created.

The film reveals that students’ civil rights have been virtually obliterated. They can be searched, drug-tested, denied the right to express themselves verbally and in print, as well as be physically punished without due process. They are routinely deprived of protection from self-incrimination and in some circumstances can even be strip searched without the consultation of parents. Courts typically uphold the rights of schools to behave in whatever manner they deem appropriate where children’s rights are involved.

Ultimately schools now look astonishingly like prisons in their structure and operation and the film shows that it is hard to tell them apart. A side by side comparison in the form of a tour displays the apparent inferiority of the average public school with regards to prison in terms of its resources and upkeep. Most disturbing of all, the school environment is clearly much more oppressive and dreary.

Schools have become obsessed with security and THE WAR ON KIDS shows how none of the profoundly invasive measures are effective. Security cameras were present at Columbine High School, for example, and did nothing to mitigate the massacre. From the students interviewed in the film, it is clear that cameras are unwelcome and breed paranoia and fear and may actually contribute to creating a hostile environment. Locker searches and metal detectors have been shown to be ineffective and contribute to creating an oppressive environment.

Police footage is shown from a 2003 SWAT team raid on Stratford High School high school students in Goose Creek, SC when the principal suspected illegal drug activity. In spite of the aggressive search involving guns and dogs, no drugs were found. The raid highlights the persistent scrutiny that students are under and the complete lack of boundaries that exist when children are involved.

Beyond physical intimidation, psychiatric abuse in schools is also rampant. Experts are interviewed about the epidemic of ADD and similar diagnoses. The preponderance of evidence is stunning and implicates drug companies in blatantly nefarious activities. Ritalin and other pharmaceuticals that are being heavily prescribed to children are not only physically harmful with lifelong consequences but can and do lead to murder and suicide. What is presented as treatment is more dangerous and debilitating than the condition it is supposed to cure. In addition, the condition itself is clearly dubious, and the kids getting treated are often the ones who question teachers and authority. Invariably, these kids are drugged into submission.

THE WAR ON KIDS shows how schools are authoritarian institutions that by their nature cannot be reformed. Children are subjected to the most invasive forms of control and are deprived of the most basic and fundamental human rights that are afforded even to prisoners of war. The net effect is chilling not just for the kids who are subjected to these extreme forms of control, but also for American society’s future as a generation grows up with no first hand experience or understanding of civil rights in a democracy.

Cardinal Burke at the Oratory Tuesday at 5pm

Everyone is welcome to attend the Eucharistic Benediction with Cardinal Burke on Tuesday, 5 pm, at St. Francis de Sales Oratory.  Reception with the Cardinal to follow.


This is a great opportunity to show our appreciation for all that His Eminence does for the faith. 

Feast of Saint Francis de Sales

From the Liturgical Year:

Peaceful conqueror of souls! Pontiff beloved of God and man! we venerate thee as the perfect imitator of the sweetness and gentleness of Jesus. Having learnt of him to be meek and humble of heart, thou didst, according to His promise, possess the land. Nothing could resist thee. Heretics, however obstinate; sinners, however hardened; tepid souls, however sluggish; all yielded to the powerful charm of thy word and example...

Pray for us to Our Lord, that our charity may be ardent like thine; that the desire of perfection may be ever active within us; that we may gain that introduction to a devout Life which thou hast so admirably taught; that we may have that love of our neighbour, without which we cannot hope to love God; that we may be zealous for the salvation of souls; that we may be patient and forgive injuries, in order that we may love one another, not only in word and in tongue, but as thy great model says, in deed and in truth.

It's a Good Question

Fr. Edward Richard asks it-- in the wake of the good news that the U.S. Bishops are taking a strong stance against the federal mandate to violate the natural moral law, Catholic teaching, and our own consciences to provide the means to kill babies, will they now police their own flock of Catholic legislators who support this federal mandate?

When will the excommunication and interdict decrees be issued against the "Catholic" politicians, public officials, interest group members, and public policy advocates who defy the teaching of the Church, the natural moral law, and the admonitions of their bishops and the Pope?  When will Holy Communion be denied by order of the local ordinaries of these people?  

(To be clear, Fr. Richard limits his post to the denial of Holy Communion and "canonical penalties" generally.  The use of the language "excommunication and interdict" is my own.)  

When will the shepherds who stand for the faith with their actions be able to be counted on more than two hands?

Because the soft-sell of friendly persuasion and example has been a complete bust.

The USCCB did not take on Obamacare as such, but merely said the right things about abortion and contraception mandates.  Ignoring the obvious Trojan Horse, the bureaucratic arm of the bishops issued mild platitudes, while encouraging the drive to place "universal health care" in the hands of a federal government that could decide who lives and who dies.  Anyone with eyes could see this coming, yet there was never even a debate about whether universal health care was a good thing or not.

We now reap the whirlwind.  Fine.  The rearguard action must be fought, of course.  But can we finally declare that the pro-death "Catholics" aren't Catholic anymore?  Are we still afraid to speak the truth?  Why?

Lives are at stake--those of the most innocent. But more importantly, souls are at stake-- not the least are those of the pro-death politicians themselves.  Excommunication, interdict, denial of Communion are medicinal remedies.  Yes, they are strong medicine, but medicine indeed. 

From the Catholic Morality blog:

_________________________________

OK. So Here's My Question... 

Will the Bishops' Conference deal with those of its own house before suing the U.S. Government? 

In the USCCB Media Blog of Tuesday, January, 24, 2012, concerning the recent Obama Administration ruling that Catholic institutions have to cover sterilizations and contraceptives (including abortion-causing agents), we read: 

This egregious violation of religious freedom marks the first time in our history that the federal government is forcing religious people and groups to ante up for services that violate their consciences. Some claim this is all about access to contraceptives—but everyone knows how and where to get them, and get them cheaply. And the mandate also forces coverage of sterilization and abortion-causing drugs. This is about forcing the church to pay for all these things through insurance coverage, to sponsor these “benefits” that it considers immoral. This is, in other words, about freedom of religion, which is a foundation stone of U.S. democracy.

The government allows other religions to live out their beliefs. The Amish and Christian Scientists have a conscientious objection to health insurance, and so the law exempts them from buying it. The government acknowledges the right of these religious groups to live out their religious convictions in U.S. society. Why are beliefs of Catholics and others dismissed? 

The course seems clear. If the administration persists, this is going to court. So, my question, from a priest, moral theologian, interested party, cheerleader for the bishops, and adherent to the authority of the magisterium, (the list goes on) is will the conference of bishops, or individual bishops, now correct individual Catholic legislators and administration officials who support these abridgments of the Church's freedom by pursuing the moral and canonical measures available? As we know, the bishops' conference has chosen not to speak in favor of adherence to the Church's long-standing, well-established, and incontrovertible moral tradition regarding the refusal of admission of public sinners to Holy Communion in the case of formal cooperation in abortion (referring to those politicians who promote and vote for the so-called right to abortion)--and it should be clear that the administration of Holy Communion to such public sinners entails cooperation in sacrilege and the sin of scandal on the part of the minister of Holy Communion.

Will the bishops' conference find in these offenses, the offenses against conscience and religious freedom committed by Kathleen Sebelius and others involved, serious enough reason to say that these actions are scandalous enough public sin to require that the ministers of Holy Communion not cooperate in the scandal and ensuing sacrileges involved in the reception of Holy Communion by these public sinners? If the bishops conference is willing to take the US Government to civil court to fight this on a legal basis, to have these offenses declared unconstitutional by government standards, has the time not come, as well, to say that the individuals involved in this should have to publicly repent from their moral and canonical offenses before being admitted to Holy Communion?

Archbishop Carlson Calls on Catholics to Fight for Conscience Rights Protections

Archbishop Carlson, in this week's Review, issued a call to Catholics to fight against the DHS/Obamacare mandate that all employers, regardless of religious or moral objections, provide free coverage for contraception, abortifacients, and sterilizations:


Archbishop Carlson calls on Catholics to fight for conscience rights protection

by Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

Today we are facing grave and unprecedented threats to our religious freedom here in the United States. The Obama administration, through the Department of Health and Human Services, has decided to impose a nationwide mandate for coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs — including at least one abortion drug — sterilization procedures, and education and counseling to promote these to "all women with reproductive capacity." The HHS rule includes an exemption for "religious employers" so narrowly crafted that Catholic health care providers, educational institutions and social services agencies would have to be listed in the tax code as a church or similar narrowly defined entity, make the inculcation of religious doctrine their organizational purpose, and largely refuse to hire or serve non-Catholics to be fully eligible.


This attack on our religious freedom is unacceptable to Americans who cherish the principles on which our nation was founded. Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has pointed out the following:


• The contraceptive mandate imposed on health plans by the Department of Health and Human Services violates freedom of conscience, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment and several federal laws.


• The Bill of Rights says we are free to live by our religious beliefs. Forcing all of us to buy coverage for sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that induce abortion, is a radical incursion into freedom of conscience.


• Never before in U.S. history has the federal government forced citizens to directly purchase a product that violates their beliefs.


The Church cannot, and will not, be silent in the face of this grave threat to religious liberty and the sanctity of human life. According to Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, chairman of the bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, "The bishops of the United States have long supported the goal of universal access to health care. We have encouraged government leaders to advance this goal through morally responsible health care reform. At the same time, we have consistently stated that such reform must not become a vehicle for abandoning or weakening longstanding federal policies that respect unborn human life and rights of conscience." We bishops will speak out boldly—at every opportunity—in protest against all efforts to violate the right to life and the right to act according to one's conscience.


But as Pope Benedict said recently, to be heard the Church's voice must include the voices of "an engaged, articulate and well-formed Catholic laity." All too often, the pope and the bishops are not taken seriously. We are "expected" to speak out on these issues, people say; it's part of our job. Only when the Catholic community as a whole joins us in refusing to accept the "radical secularism" of government officials, legislators and judges, will the voice of the Church be heard in all its strength and moral clarity.


I continue to urge everyone to write to your representatives in Congress and insist that respect for the rights of conscience be an integral part of all health care legislation and policy. This request has greater urgency now that the Obama administration has refused to allow Americans who work for religious organizations that serve all people the right to respect their consciences.


I call on every pastor in the Archdiocese of St. Louis to join me in urging Catholics in all 11 counties of our Archdiocese to add their voices to those of the American bishops. We will not be silent. We must speak out in defense of life and out of respect for religious liberty.


We will not be silent, but will the voice of the Church be heard? Only if you join us in giving witness to the right to life and the right to religious freedom! 

SPEAK UP

To contact the Department of Health and Human Services:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Toll Free: 1-877-696-6775


hhs.gov/ContactUs.html

To find contact information for you U.S. representative, see stlouisreview.com/1GL

To find contact information for your U.S. senator, see stlouisreview.com/1GM

Cardinal Burke at St. Francis de Sales Oratory on Tuesday, January 31

Just a reminder, the great defender of the faith, His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, will lead Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction on Tuesday, January 31, at 5 p.m., at St. Francis de Sales Oratory.


Afterwords, His Eminence will visit with the faithful at a reception in the Church hall.  Be there or be square, as they say.


Since we're reminding you of things, remember that this Sunday is the feast of St. Francis de Sales.  All who assist at Mass at the Oratory have the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions.

I FOR ONE AM VERY VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL KEEP ME SAFE AND AM THANKFUL FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL SET OF BENEVOLENT RULERS AND I WILL NOT HEAR OF ANYONE BAD-MOUTHING SUCH A WONDERFUL IDEA AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT THEN WELL MAYBE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE AND THE WORLD IS A SCARY PLACE AND WE NEED CONSTANT PROTECTION AND ALL THE MONEY WE GIVE THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL WORTH IT AND I ONLY WISH WE COULD GIVE MORE.

p.s.  They hate us for our freedoms.

Set before Us Are Life and Death

 From Deuteronomy 30:

30	17	But if thy heart be turned away, so that thou wilt not hear, and being deceived with error thou adore strange gods, and serve them:	sin autem aversum fuerit cor tuum et audire nolueris atque errore deceptus adoraveris deos alienos et servieris eis
30	18	I foretell thee this day that thou shalt perish, and shalt remain but a short time in the land, to which thou shalt pass over the Jordan, and shalt go in to possess it.	praedico tibi hodie quod pereas et parvo tempore moreris in terra ad quam Iordane transmisso ingredieris possidendam
30	19	I call heaven and earth to witness this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose therefore life, that both thou and thy seed may live:	testes invoco hodie caelum et terram quod proposuerim vobis vitam et mortem bonum et malum benedictionem et maledictionem elige ergo vitam ut et tu vivas et semen tuum

This verse is often called to mind and cited in the ongoing "long defeat" of the pro-life movement.  As God warned the Israelites who were to inhabit a land of promise and plenty, if we turn away from Him, how can we expect to receive blessings?  Whenever someone trots out the tired standard of the "war" on "terror"-- they hate us for our freedoms-- I think of a nation that kills more than a million of its babies every year.

Fr. Edward Richard, the excellent moral theologian formerly of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, has written an excellent post on his blog about the HHS announcement that all employers, regardless of religious or moral objections, will be required to provide free contraception coverage and sterilization coverage to their employees under the execrable universal "healthcare" act: 

_______________________
Time is Running Out 

Cardinal-Designate Dolan: "In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences." http://usccb.org/news/2012/12-013.cfm, January 22, 2012. 

I could not help but reflect upon the battle ahead in light of the 3rd Sunday Readings (OF).

"Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed….” God gave this prophetic message to Jonah as a sentence upon a nation that had become very proud of its own greatness. Thoroughly convinced of the wisdom and power of its own leaders, prophets, and achievements, it could not recognize its need to seek true wisdom and enlightenment of the omnipotent Father of all creation. God, in his mercy, sent Jonah to proclaim repentance.

“The time is running out.” To this people and their leader, the sentiment expressed in the words uttered by St. Paul, though yet to be spoken, seemed to be understood and to resonate in spite of Nineveh’s (the Assyrian Kingdom's) dominance, prosperity, and all around good fortune.

"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.” Words like these and concern about the judgment of God have certainly been prominent throughout the history of the Church. When our Blessed Lord comes in the flesh, he begins his public ministry with the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. “Repent, and believe in the gospel."

This past week, events have occurred which should direct us to meditate on these important and prophetic words.

An alarm was sounded in the address the Holy Father gave to some of the bishops from the US making their 5 year visit to the Holy See. He said there, “It is imperative that the entire Catholic community in the United States come to realize the grave threats to the Church’s public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural spheres.” He mentioned the need to be convinced of the seriousness of these threats. “Of particular concern are certain attempts being made to limit that most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion.” Then he pointed to two specific problems, the denial of the right to refuse to be part of evil practices and the denial of the respect for freedom of conscience.

He was referring to efforts on the part of the administration to require that Catholic organizations provide sterilizations and chemical abortions to employees in their health care insurance plans. This would mean, as well, that Catholic hospitals, Catholic doctors and nurses and other health care workers would be required to participate in these things against their conscience. This will mean that Church-run universities and hospitals will have to participate in these plans. The Department of Health and Human Services has given us one year to comply. “In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

What do you think of all of this, citizens of the United States? Woe to you. What do you think I will do when the government tells me to do this, to keep my mouth shut, or support this? ["Looming over the entire exemption is the regulation’s language that HHS “may” exempt churches within the provision’s narrow scope. Nothing aside from the government’s interest in avoiding a court battle stands in the way of simply refusing to exempt even a Catholic diocese from the contraceptive mandate." Patrick Reilly, "The Fight To Be Catholic, http://www.crisismagazine.com/2011/the-fight-to-be-catholic, January 22, 2012.] 

What will you do when I am removed from this parish, fined, or put in jail for refusal to participate or for teaching against these evils? I assure you, I will not go against my conscience or the Church’s teaching on this. 

You judges, you lawyers, you legislators, you politicians, you police officers? What will you do? What will you do when your doctor is suspended from his or her practice for violating these laws? Woe to you.

Perhaps hearing all of this is distressing to you. It is more than that to me. Hearken, therefore, to the words of Jesus: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." And to those of St. Paul: “The time is running out.”

I would like to be able to tell you that the Holy Father, Cardinal-Designate Dolan, and the many others who have voiced their alarm are just crying wolf. They are not. (Really, I ask, how often do we get anything that straightforward from the Pope or a major prelate when it comes to our government's actions? It must be bad!) We must be convinced, more than ever, that we need the power of God to assist us in this spiritual battle to protect our freedom and the right to live out our faith as followers of Christ.