Bishop Sample on Bishop Gumbleton.....not in my diocese!

If you are looking for Call to Holiness pictures, you can scroll down or click here. 

I was just alerted to a statement by Bishop Alexander Sample of the Diocese of Marquette in which he has publicly made known that he has asked Bishop Thomas Gumbleton not to speak in his diocese.  It reads, as follows:

I attempted to handle this matter in a private, respectful and fraternal manner with Bishop Gumbleton. It is unfortunate that what should have remained a private matter between two bishops of the Catholic Church has been made available for public consumption.

I want to first of all say that my decision to ask Bishop Gumbleton not to come to Marquette had absolutely nothing to do with the group who invited him to speak, Marquette Citizens for Peace and Justice, nor with the topic of his publicized speech, since the Church is a strong advocate of peace and justice. I am sorry for the negative impact this has had on those planning this event.

There is a common courtesy usually observed between bishops whereby when one bishop wishes to enter into another bishop’s diocese to minister or make a public speech or appearance, he informs the local bishop ahead of time and seeks his approval. Only on October 9 did I receive any communication from Bishop Gumbleton, after this situation had already become public.

As the Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, I am the chief shepherd and teacher of the Catholic faithful of the Upper Peninsula entrusted to my pastoral care. As such I am charged with the grave responsibility to keep clearly before my people the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals. Given Bishop Gumbleton’s very public position on certain important matters of Catholic teaching, , it was my judgment that his presence in Marquette would not be helpful to me in fulfilling my responsibility.

I realize that these were not the topics upon which Bishop Gumbleton was planning to speak. However, I was concerned about his well-known and public stature and position on these issues and my inability to keep these matters from coming up in discussion. In order that no one becomes confused, everyone under my pastoral care must receive clear teaching on these important doctrines.

I offer my prayers for Bishop Gumbleton and for all those who have been negatively affected by this unfortunate situation.”

It's that simple folks. That's all that has to be done with any speaker who consistently spreads error through presentations and conferences, whether they are held on Church property or not. 


WHAT PROMPTED BISHOP SAMPLE'S STATEMENT?  UPDATE: 6:55PM

Curt Jester had this entry up earlier and in the combox I found a note on what likely prompted this action out of Bishop Sample:
I really don't think Bishop Sample would have addressed the exchange between himself and Bishop Gumbleton had the media not been involved once he was denied access to the diocese.  From the Mining Journal of the previous day: Bishop Sample tells Detroit bishop not to speak publicly

Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton, 79, of Detroit was invited by the Citizens for Peace and Social Justice group to talk about "Visions of Peace: Abolition of Nuclear Weapons" at a forum scheduled for Monday. He was also invited to give a speech on peace in a local church on Sunday.

"Yesterday afternoon he called us and said he received a letter from Bishop Sample to not speak publicly," Dreisbach said. "He was not told why."

Gumbleton, a retired Roman Catholic auxiliary bishop of the Detroit Archdiocese, is a longtime national and international activist in the peace movement, according to Dreisbach.

"He was the founder (member) of Pax Christi USA," she said. "He was one of the first bishops to speak out against the Vietnam War."

Gumbleton, whose homilies can be read in The National Catholic Reporter, has been known as an outspoken critic of violence and militarism; his stances have drawn national attention. He was arrested several times for anti-war protesting and performing acts of civil disobedience outside of The White House.

"I don't know how one bishop can deny civil rights," Dreisbach said, adding that she now has to cancel every event planned for Gumbleton's visit.

Keep in mind that "civil disobedience" has no place among the faithful on matters of faith and morals, "specifically with regard to homosexuality and the ordination of women to the priesthood".
Things are indeed changing. Please pray for our bishops. May God grace them with holy boldness.

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Notre Dame Scandal: List of Outspoken Bishops Updated - 18 and counting....

It may be of interest to those following this list that another Catholic school invited a well-known pro-abortionist: Pro-Abortion Journalist Chris Matthews to Offer Commencement Address at Catholic St. Joseph's University (LSN)

Here is are list of Bishops speaking out on the Notre Dame scandal as of April 4th, 2009 at 6:51 AM.

UPDATE at 6:17pm - Bishop Lori added, bringing my number to 18.

Some have the tally at 19, without a list. Who is missing?

• Bishop John M. D'Arcy - FWSB, Indiana (home of Notre Dame)
• Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted - Phoenix, Arizona
• Bishop Gregory M. Aymond - Austin, Texas
• Daniel Cardinal DiNardo - Galveston - Houston, Texas
• Archbishop-elect, Timothy Dolan - New York
• Bishop Robert C. Morlino - Madison, Wisconson
• Cardinal George, Chicago, IL
• Archbishop John Nienstedt, Minneapolis-St. Paul
• Bishop Robert Lynch - St. Petersburg, FL
• Archbishop Thomas G. Doran - Rockford, IL
• Bp Joseph F. Martino and Bp John M. Doughterty - Scranton, PA
• Bishop Edward Slattery - Tulsa, OK
• Archbishop John J. Myers - Newark, NJ
• Archbishop Eusebius Beltran - Oaklahoma City, OK
• Archbishop Alfred Hughes, New Orleans
• Bishop R. Walker Nickless - Sioux City, IA
• Bishop Kevin Rhoades - Harrisburg, PA
• Bishop William Lori - Bridgeport, CT

Please drop names and links into my combox as others come in. Please note it may take up to 12 hours or longer before I can publish some comments, but most are published within 6 hours.

SELECTED QUOTES

Bishop Thomas Doran, - Rockford, IL (strongest words yet)

I would ask that you rescind this unfortunate decision and so avoid dishonoring the practicing Catholics of the United States, including those of this Diocese. Failing that, please have the decency to change the name of the University to something like, “The Fighting Irish College” or “Northwestern Indiana Humanist University.” Though promotion of the obscene is not foreign to you, I would point out that it is truly obscene for you to take such decisions as you have done in a university named for our Blessed Lady, whom the Second Vatican Council called the Mother of the Church.

Bps Martino & Dougherty - Scranton, PA:

Through its President, His Eminence Cardinal George, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops acted swiftly and consistently to engage President Obama on human life issues. Your reported comment that “I think if he is going to reconsider his views, I think Notre Dame is the best possible place to begin that process” demeans, we believe, the intelligent urgency exercised by the nation’s bishops in this matter.

Bishop Thomas Olmsted - Phoenix, AZ

It is a public act of disobedience to the Bishops of the United States. Our USCCB June 2004 Statement "Catholics in Political Life" states: "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." No one could not know of the public stands and actions of the president on key issues opposed to the most vulnerable human beings.

Archbishop John J. Myers - Newark,NJ

When we extend honors to people who do not share our respect and reverence for life in all stages, and give them a prominent stage in our parishes, schools and other institutions, we unfortunately create the perception that we endorse their public positions on these issues. We cannot justify such actions, and the Bishops have stated so clearly and strongly.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo:

I find the invitation very disappointing. Though I can understand the desire by a university to have the prestige of a commencement address by the President of the United States, the fundamental moral issue of the inestimable worth of the human person from conception to natural death is a principle that soaks all our lives as Catholics, and all our efforts at formation, especially education at Catholic places of higher learning. The President has made clear by word and deed that he will promote abortion and will remove even those limited sanctions that control this act of violence against the human person......Particularly troubling is the Honorary Law Degree since it recognizes that the person is a “Teacher,” in this case of the Law. I think that this decision requires charitable but vigorous critique.

Cardinal Francis George, President USCCB

Whatever else is clear, it is clear that Notre Dame didn’t understand what it means to be Catholic when they issued this invitation,"

"As president of the U.S. bishops’ conference I have to precisely speak for the bishops and not in my own name, as I could as Archbishop of Chicago,"

[After stating that he had corresponded with the university several times, he says:] "That conversation will continue …. whether or not it will have some kind of consequence that will bring, I think, the University of Notre Dame to its [the USCCB’s] understanding of what it means to be Catholic...That is, when you’re Catholic, everything you do changes the life of everybody else who calls himself a personal Catholic – it’s a network of relationships.

Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, Oklahoma City, OK

I am appalled, disappointed and scandalized! Notre Dame University has certainly turned against the Catholic Church. I believe you have a moral responsibility to withdraw the invitation to President Barack Obama to be your commencement speaker in May. I also ask that you refrain from giving him any award whatsoever.

Bishop William Lori - Bridgeport, CT

“Notre Dame extended this invitation unilaterally, seemingly without regard for the consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is contrary to the efforts of bishops, parish priests, and laity to resist the anti-life decisions, policies, and legislation promoted by the Obama administration.”

Am I missing somebody? Drop a name into the combox. I'll moderate when I get home.

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Notre Dame Scandal: Updated List of Bishops Speaking out - March 31

Here we go, a few more added on to the bottom:

• Bishop John M. D'Arcy - FWSB, Indiana (home of Notre Dame)
• Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted - Phoenix, Arizona
• Bishop Gregory M. Aymond - Austin, Texas
• Daniel Cardinal DiNardo - Galveston - Houston, Texas
• Archbishop-elect, Timothy Dolan - New York
• Bishop Robert C. Morlino - Madison, Wisconson
• Cardinal George, Chicago, IL
• Archbishop John Nienstedt, Minneapolis-St. Paul

Am I missing somebody? Drop a name into the combox. I'll moderate when I get home.



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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Notre Dame Scandal: List of Bishops commenting as of March 30, 2009

There is an awful lot of interesting news out there, but I got home too late to cover it.

However, I would like to update the list of bishops who have spoken out on the Notre Dame Scandal:

• Bishop John M. D'Arcy - FWSB, Indiana (home of Notre Dame)
• Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted - Phoenix, Arizona
• Bishop Gregory M. Aymond - Austin, Texas
• Daniel Cardinal DiNardo - Galveston - Houston, Texas
• Archbishop-elect, Timothy Dolan - New York
• Bishop Robert C. Morlino - Madison, Wisconson

Got more? Email me at TeDeumBlog@gmail.com, or drop them into the combox. Either way, most will likely be updated in the evenings.

I also think it is noteworthy, since we are on the topic of bishops speaking up, is the words of Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver during a workshop on debate and discourse. It is not about the Notre Dame scandal, but worthy reading I want to pass along since I don't have time to make a post on it. Go read: Archbp. Chaput’s workshop on debate and discourse at the blog of Fr. Z.

For other interesting news commentary, I recommend checking out some of the recent posts at American Papist and Father Z's blog. New Advent has also had some interesting pics from the blogosphere.

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

USCCB addresses Reiki: Not Compatible with Christianity

Whoa! Who knew this was coming???

I have not read this in full yet. My own ordinary, Archbishop Allen Vigneron is one of the signing members (though he is listed as the bishop of Oakland, and probably still was when this was drafted). It was released on March 25, 2009.

I am going to read the entire document when I find time and encourage you to do the same. This is LONG overdue and there are a few other new age practices that have crept into Catholic hospitals and retreat centers that we ought to pray get addressed by the USCCB or Vatican.

If you want some background and commentary, Tom McFeely has a blogpost up at the National Catholic Register: Enough with Reiki Retreats

Let's cut to the chase:

III. CONCLUSION
10. Reiki therapy finds no support either in the findings of natural science or in Christian belief. For a Catholic to believe in Reiki therapy presents insoluble problems. In terms of caring for one's physical health or the physical health of others, to employ a technique that has no scientific support (or even plausibility) is generally not prudent.

11. In terms of caring for one's spiritual health, there are important dangers. To use Reiki one would have to accept at least in an implicit way central elements of the worldview that dergirds Reiki theory, elements that belong neither to Christian faith nor to natural science. Without justification either from Christian faith or natural science, however, a Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition, the no-man's-land that is neither faith nor science.9 Superstition corrupts one's worship of God by turning one's religious feeling and practice in a false direction.10 While sometimes people fall into superstition through ignorance, it is the responsibility of all who teach in the name of the Church to eliminate such ignorance as much as possible.

12. Since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centers, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy.

Source: GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATING REIKI AS AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY


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Archbishop Burke was duped by Randall Terry on purpose of interivew...

***Post Updated***

Oh, boy. This is interesting in many ways...

It surprised me that with all of the professional media outlets and worthy pro-life groups, Archbishop Burke would allow such an interview with Mr. Terry. Now we get the much needed clarification. It was a classic case of exploitation.

According to His Excellency, Randall Terry misled him as to how the videotape would be used. In it, the archbishop discussed Canon 915. The archbishop is dismayed with how it is being used to attack his fellow bishops.

Archbishop Burke does not criticize specific bishops in the interview, but in one question - which was somewhat awkwardly asked, Mr. Terry takes a jab at a few archbishops, naming their location and referring to their not denying Holy Communion ahead of the election. In watching the actual video of the interview (which has been added to my original post), I'm wondering if Archbishop Burke caught the jab made by Terry in the question.

Setting aside that question, if you listen to Burke's response it stands well on it's own, not as a criticism of other bishops, but as an invitation for everyone to look closer at Canon 915.

The Archbishop has released this statement:

ROME, Italy - In response to the March 25, 2009 press conference of Mr. Randall Terry in Washington, D.C., the Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Louis and Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, issued the following statement:

“Recently, Mr. Randall Terry and some of his associates visited me in Rome and asked to videotape an interview with me to share with pro-life workers for the purpose of their encouragement. The interview was conducted on March 2, 2009.

“Sadly, Mr. Terry has used the videotape for another purpose which I find most objectionable.

“First, Mr. Terry issued a media advisory which gave the impression that I would be physically present at the press conference during which he played the videotape, when, in fact, I was in Rome.

“Second, I was never informed that the videotape would become part of a press conference.

“Third, I gave the interview as a Bishop from the United States to encourage those engaged in the respect life apostolate, not as the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

“Fourth, I was never informed that the videotape would be used as part of a campaign of severe criticism of certain fellow bishops regarding the application of Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law.

“If I had known what the true purpose of the interview was, I would never have agreed to participate in it.

“I am deeply sorry for the confusion and hurt which the wrong use of the videotape has caused to anyone, particularly, to my brother bishops.”

Tom Peters got it right when he suggested that folks in the Vatican start using "google" to do some quick checks.

EDIT 5:00AM March 27th: InPhiladelphia's, The Bulletin, an article, Catholic Archbishop Remorseful for misuse of his comments, points out:

Mr. Terry responded Archbishop Burke knew the goal of the campaign and the interview would be distributed [he just doesn't get it - he exploited the archbishop and the headlines in the news are a manifestation of that exploitation]

While many media outlets are attributing the archbishop with having said President Barack Obama is an “agent of death,” the following is the actual quote given by Archbishop Burke:

“But in any case, no matter who is the President of the United States, here is a world leader with a tremendous capacity to promote the common good, but at the same time sadly, who could — by promoting and implementing anti-life legislation measures — could be an agent of death.”

Here is the full Associated Press version that will be plastered all over the nation this morning - it does not show the context. Note even the title which makes it sound like the Archbishop is sorry for his comments - which were in accord with Catholic teaching - as opposed to being remorseful for the exploitation of his words.

For myself, it is pretty much confirmed, that Archbishop Burke had no clue who he was dealing with in Randall Terry. I'm sure I'm not the only one who was raising an eyebrow about the interview when it was first announced. I always saw Terry as a loose canon, but had not heard anything about him in decades, aside from the fact that he became Catholic in 2005. I thought that perhaps he had lost his militant edge, but it is clear he has not.

In my personal opinion - an opinion I have held for many years, Randall Terry has done considerable damage to the pro-life movement through "in your face" tactics. Exploiting Archbishop Burke to call for Abp Wuerl and other archbishops to be removed from their post for not denying Holy Communion is just one more example. Pray for him, and pray for Archbishop Burke, Archbishop Wuerl and others who were harmed by this stunt.

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Bishop Olmsted: Notre Dame committed a public act of disobedience to US Bishops

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix, Arizona

In 2004, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a document - Catholics in Political Life, which included this line about how Catholic schools were to conduct themselves (emphasis mine in bold):

• 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.
  

I predicted several days ago in passing, that when Bishop D'Arcy - the Ordinary of Fort Wayne - South Bend issued his statement, we might see a flood of statements coming out of other bishops. It's only a matter of courtesy to let the local Bishop have his say first. It took just one day for us to hear from the first bishop. I suspect we may be hearing from more in the near future as diocesan papers with bishop's columns begin to circulate.

Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, Arizona sent a letter to Notre Dame president, Fr. Jenkins, yesterday - on the Feast of the Annunication He then authorized it's release.

Here it is in full:

Dear Fr. Jenkins,

I am saddened and heavy of heart about your decision to invite President Obama to speak at Notre Dame University and even to receive an honorary degree.

It is a public act of disobedience to the Bishops of the United States. Our USCCB June 2004 Statement "Catholics in Political Life" states: "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." No one could not know of the public stands and actions of the president on key issues opposed to the most vulnderable human beings.

John Paul II said, "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 the maximum determination."

I pray that you come to see the grave mistake of your decision, and the way that it undercuts the Church's proclamation of the Gospel of Life in our day.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted
Diocese of Phoenix

H/T to Tom Peters at American Papist and to LifeSiteNews

In the meanwhile, NotreDameScandal.com is on it's way to another 50k signature day with a total of 173,286 as of 6:05pm.


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Bishop D'Arcy speaks on Notre Dame's plans to honor Obama at 2009 commencements

Bishop John M. D'Arcy, the ordinary for the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend, issued a statement today on the invitation extended to President Obama by the University of Notre Dame. The statement, which had been anticipated this morning, appeared on the diocesan website early in the afternoon.

Before I get into the statement, note that I plan on another, more extensive post with reactions from various sources.

Emphasis mine in bold; comments bracketed in red. Links have been added for your convenience.

Concerning President Barack Obama speaking at Notre Dame graduation, receiving honorary law degree

March 24, 2009

On Friday, March 21 [!?!?!], Father John Jenkins, CSC, phoned to inform me that President Obama had accepted his invitation to speak to the graduating class at Notre Dame and receive an honorary degree. We spoke shortly before the announcement was made public at the White House press briefing. It was the first time that I had been informed that Notre Dame had issued this invitation. [Wasn't it respectful of Father to notify the bishop of the diocese AFTER the invitation was extended? It's the old "forgiveness vs. permission" thing, but in this case, Fr. Jenkins isn't seeking forgiveness].

President Obama has recently reaffirmed, and has now placed in public policy, his long-stated unwillingness to hold human life as sacred. While claiming to separate politics from science, he has in fact separated science from ethics and has brought the American government, for the first time in history, into supporting direct destruction of innocent human life.

This will be the 25th Notre Dame graduation during my time as bishop. After much prayer, I have decided not to attend the graduation. I wish no disrespect to our president, I pray for him and wish him well. I have always revered the Office of the Presidency. But a bishop must teach the Catholic faith “in season and out of season,” and he teaches not only by his words — but by his actions. [Bravo!]

My decision is not an attack on anyone, but is in defense of the truth about human life. [It's not a negative action, but a positive action, but the dissident Catholic journalists and secularists will spin it negative and call it "political", "right-wing", or "conservative".]

I have in mind also the statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops in 2004. “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.” Indeed, the measure of any Catholic institution is not only what it stands for, but also what it will not stand for.

I have spoken with Professor Mary Ann Glendon, who is to receive the Laetare Medal. I have known her for many years and hold her in high esteem. We are both teachers, but in different ways. I have encouraged her to accept this award and take the opportunity such an award gives her to teach. [It will be interesting to watch what she does. Will she go and use the opportunity to teach? Or, will she too feel the need to boycott?]

Even as I continue to ponder in prayer these events, which many have found shocking, so must Notre Dame. Indeed, as a Catholic University, Notre Dame must ask itself, if by this decision it has chosen prestige over truth. [Excellent! However, it takes a properly formed conscience - one formed in light of Magisterial teachings for the university to even begin a collective examination of conscience.]

Tomorrow, we celebrate as Catholics the moment when our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, became a child in the womb of his most holy mother [thank God she said "yes" to life!]. Let us ask Our Lady to intercede for the university named in her honor, that it may recommit itself to the primacy of truth over prestige.

Source: Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend (if you are reading this at a later date, you may need to select "past statements" at the top of the page).




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Cardinal Rigali Concerned with Incremental, Stealthy FOCA-like Changes

Cardinal Justin Rigali, president of the USCCB's Committee on Pro-life Activities is concered with reversal of pro-life policies incrementing their way through congress one piece at a time so as not to draw so much attention them in the way that a sweeping bill like FOCA would:

US Bishop Protests Taxes-for-Abortions

Urges Congress to Maintain Current Pro-life Laws

WASHINGTON, D.C., FEB. 6, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The United States has some "modest, common-sense" policies supported by pro-lifers and abortion advocates, and a U.S. bishops' official is urging Congress to protect them.

This appeal came in a Feb. 5 letter written by Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the bishops' Committee for Pro-life Activities.

He noted that one of Congress' first orders of business this session is examining appropriations bills to keep federal programs funded, and in this process, the bishop warned against removing anti-abortion clauses.

Noting the widespread lack of support for the Freedom of Choice Act, he cautioned: "While an extreme proposal like FOCA would overturn hundreds of pro-life laws at once, we are equally concerned that such laws may be overturned one at a time during Congress' appropriations process."

Continue reading at Zenit...

Here is the full text of Cardinal Rigali's letter (PDF)

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Bishop Martino to Sen. Robert Casey on Formally Cooperating with Evil

Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton Pennsylvannia has delivered a public dose of catechesis to Senator Robert Casey (D-Pa) when the politician would not back the Martinez amendment. This amendment would have prevented President Obama from rescinding the Mexico City Policy that permits the use of our tax dollars for overseas abortions.

Folks, hang on because I think this is just the beginning of public statements like these. The question one might have is, what happens if the Senator does not rescind his own vote?

Emphases mine in bold, comments in red brackets.

January 30, 2009

Dear Senator Casey:

I wish to thank you for voting in favor of the Hatch Amendment to the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reorganization Act of 2009 which would have made unborn children eligible for child health assistance had it passed. I am grateful for what you have done on behalf of children in America who are without health care.

It is with deep regret, however, that I learned of your vote against the amendment offered by Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) to the same Children’s Health Insurance Act. Senator Martinez’s amendment would have reinstated the Mexico City Policy. That policy, instituted in 1984, required foreign non-governmental organizations “to agree as a condition of their receipt of [U.S.] federal funds” that they would “neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning . . . .” It also prohibited them from lobbying governments to make abortion legal. In effect, the reversal of the Mexico City policy will mean that over 450 million dollars of American foreign aid will go to organizations that are militant in promoting abortion as a method of population control, particularly in countries that find abortion objectionable on moral grounds [abortion is not acceptable to certain countries where it is being imposed on the people to control their population]. Senator, is not this vote a contradiction of your repeated claim that you support the protection of unborn life?

Contrary to a release issued by your office yesterday, the 1973 Helms Amendment does not provide the same restrictions as the Mexico City Policy. The Helms Amendment prohibits only U.S. funds from being used to pay for abortions or to motivate or coerce anyone to practice abortions. It in no way keeps U.S. federal funds from organizations which use their own money to pay for or support abortions. Nor does it place restrictions on organizations that lobby foreign governments to reverse anti-abortion laws. While I understand that the Helms Amendment is still in place, it does not have the same effect in limiting abortions abroad.

On Respect Life Sunday, October 5, I addressed the faithful of the Diocese of Scranton. In keeping with the obligations of my episcopal office, I called upon my brothers and sisters in faith to be vigilant against the objections to the Church’s teaching on life so prevalent in current political discourse. I vowed to be vigilant in correcting Catholics who are in error with regard to the sanctity of life. Your vote against the Mexico City Policy will mean the deaths of thousands of unborn children. This is an offense against life and a denial of our Catholic teaching on the dignity of every human being. This action is worthy of condemnation by all moral men and women.

Your release also says that you support “family planning . . . specifically because reducing unintended pregnancies reduces the number of abortions.” I remind you that it is never permissible to use immoral means (e.g., artificial contraception) to achieve a good end.

As I have done on several occasions, Senator, I urge you to consider that Church documents speak clearly and compellingly on the special responsibility that falls to you as a lawmaker to oppose abortion and other clear evils, including contraception, infanticide, euthanasia and embryonic stem-cell research. To that end, I refer you to two documents:

1.Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life. It says, “Catholics . . . have the right and the duty to recall society to a deeper understanding of human life and to the responsibility of everyone in this regard. John Paul II, continuing the constant teaching of the Church, has reiterated many times that those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a ‘grave and clear obligation to oppose’ any law that attacks human life.”

2. Christifideles Laici. It states, “If, indeed everyone has the mission and responsibility of acknowledging the personal dignity of every human being and of defending the right to life, some lay faithful are given a particular title to this task: such as parents, teachers, health workers and those who hold economic and political power.”

I remind you further that when he was Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Ratzinger sent a memo to the bishops of the United States advising them that advocacy of, or participation in, abortion and euthanasia can never be justified by invoking respect for the freedom of others or by appealing to the fact that civil law permits or requires it. [In other words, the ends do not justify the means. Pope John Paul II put the kabosh to consequentialism in Veritatis Splendor]. He said there can be no diversity of opinion among Catholics regarding abortion and euthanasia.

It is my deepest wish, Senator, to convince you of the necessity of rescinding your vote on the Martinez Amendment. It is the height of irony that this amendment was defeated while the Senate passed legislation to provide health insurance for children who would otherwise be without it. What hypocrisy offers health insurance to children in one part of the world when children in another part will be deprived, by the stroke of the same pen, of their first breath?

I recognize and respect the burdens that you bear as a United States Senator; however, I remind you that your responsibilities as a Catholic bound by the faith of the Church exceed even those of your office. Your failure to reverse this vote will regrettably mean that you persist formally in cooperating with the evil brought about by this hideous and unnecessary policy.

As I have done several times before, I offer to make myself available to you to discuss the grave concerns that I raise here.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D.
Bishop of Scranton

Related links, and past news on Bishop Martino

• Diocese of Scranton coverage


• Bp. Martino (Scranton) to Sen. Casey (D-PA): materially cooperating in abortion


• Bishop of Scranton Martino refuses communion for politicians who campaign in favor of abortion rights


• Bishop Martino of Scranton, PA: "This is madness, people!"


• Bishop Martino on the "collective reticence" of his confreres for not being more vocal about pro-abortion Catholic politicians. (from the USCCB General Asm)
  
  
  
  
  
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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Bishop Hermann: Anger at Obama is anger misdirected...

Bishop Hermann of St. Louis processes at the Installation Mass of Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron last Wednesday.

I saw this probably a week ago, and have not had time to post it. I still don't have time to post it, but I am posting it!!!

Bishop Hermann is the administrator for the Diocese of St. Louis on the interim since Bishop Raymond L. Burke was appointed to head the Apostolic Signatura. You may recall Bishop Hermann by his words at the bishop's conference when he said he would be willing to die to end abortion.

Check this out, if you haven't already seen it...

Emphases are mind in bold, with added emphases in enlarged text.

Bishop Hermann: 'I thought you should know’

By Bishop Robert J. Hermann, Archdiocesan Administrator

January 27, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - I was very edified this past Saturday to see the Cathedral almost filled for the Pro-Life Mass. Then to see such a large contingent, on a very cold day, make a pilgrimage to the abortion clinic, praying the Rosary for Life, was truly heartwarming.

At the very moment I am writing this, our new president, Barack Obama, is being sworn into office. We congratulate him, and we pray for him, but we cannot condone his pro-death policies, even while we are happy that so many people feel they have new hope. We must do everything we can to oppose his pro-death-to-children efforts.

Joseph Bottum, in an article entitled "Abortion after Obama," writing in the January 2009 edition of First Things, pages 13-15, tells us, "Now the 2008 election has brought us the presidency of Barack Obama, the most consistent supporter of legalized abortion ever nominated by a majority party."

When asked about making decisions as to when a baby gets human rights, President Obama answered that "is above my pay grade." He also stated that he would not want his daughters "punished with a baby."

He has made it known that, upon taking office, he will remove all federal restrictions on funding embryonic stem-cell research. He also intends to sign the Freedom of Choice Act. Seldom has our nation ever been confronted with such an extreme measure. The Freedom of Choice Act will invalidate for the entire country all restrictions on abortion before viability, including parental notification, waiting periods and partial-birth abortion bans. President Obama has no problem supporting legislation that would even kill a child who survived a botched abortion.

If at this stage our anger is directed at President Obama, our anger is misdirected. Obama is not the enemy. He needs and deserves our prayers, not our condemnation.

As Catholics, we are not guiltless. It seems to me that when President Kennedy compromised Catholic teachings and accommodated political pressures in order to be elected to the highest office in the land, he set the tone for many Catholic leaders to follow and to compromise their Catholic principles to get ahead.

In our Supreme Court and in our Congress, we have a plethora of so-called Catholics who are failing to live their Catholic identity. Over 50 percent of our electorate voted for a president who is one of the most pro-culture-of-death candidates from a major party to run for the highest office of the land.

Yes, we can thank one-half of our Catholics for bailing out on their faith!

After almost 50 years of having 50 percent of Catholics abandoning their Catholic identity, we cannot expect to turn this culture around by short-term political efforts.

In order to bring about a transformation from a culture of death to a culture of life, we have to restore our Catholic identity.

This means that all of us, as Catholics, have to undergo a profound transformation. It means that we have to take a good look at every facet of our Catholic life, including the serious study of life issues, the regular and devout use of our Sacramental system, especially the devout and weekly attendance at Mass, the regular reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the devout praying of the daily Rosary, and then the faithful, loving and firm witness to lax Catholics about our Catholic beliefs and practices.

We have to live our lives in such a way that we will be unafraid to witness to what we believe and live.

I may courageously say that I am willing to die to end abortion, but am I equally willing to say that I am ready to let my ego get ruffled daily for the same cause? Yet … that is where I need to arrive if I am to be a credible witness.

What a glorious opportunity we all have to make a difference in the pro-life cause. Until we are willing to be politically incorrect in order to be biblically correct, we will never convince anyone that our religion is worth living.

It does not take 100 percent of our Catholics to transform this country. If 75 percent of our Catholics were steeped in Catholic identity, the abortion issue would be over for our entire country. We have many, many evangelicals on our side in the culture of life. Look at how many more of them would flock to our side if we really lived our Catholic teachings! They, too, are looking for changeless principles lived out in practice.

But there is more! Our laxity in living our Catholic life has blinded us into not seeing the role of Satan in the culture of death. Satan is having a heyday in our midst, because he has managed to remain invisible in the culture of death, and our laxity has granted him that luxury. Since we are not steeped in the Word of God as we should be, we do not recognize his darkness in our society. Our first reading from Hebrews tells us, "The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart."

St. Paul tells us that our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against the power and principles of darkness. He also tells us that we should not let the sun go down upon our anger so as to give Satan a foothold. These readings are wake-up calls for us all. I bring this up deliberately, because I do not want us to fall into Satan's trap of getting us to hate President Obama or any of the pro-choice Catholic legislators in Congress. Being pro-life means that we engage far more in spiritual warfare than in political warfare.

That Satan is very alive in influencing all of us is his best-kept secret. Becoming steeped in the Word of God and the teachings of the Catholic Church exposes his evil machinations.

President Obama, pro-choice legislators and Planned Parenthood are not our enemies. Our enemies are the invisible forces masked behind these people. Most of them do not have a clue that they are being deceived by our common enemy, the devil. They are used by our common enemy, Satan, and his evil forces, to get us to hate so that we, too, will end up in a culture of death. President Obama and all pro-choice and pro-abortion legislators, as well as members supporting Planned Parenthood (and we have in our own state a national legislator who has received over $900,000 from groups that advocate for abortion rights) — these are not our enemies. They are used by the evil one to get us to hate them in our efforts to be pro-life and thereby ditch our pro-life efforts. We cannot fall for that trap!

We owe all of them prayers and fasting for their conversion. At one point, Gov. Reagan was California's very pro-abortion governor. Yet he became a very pro-life president. He repented and regretted the evil he supported.

We must bravely witness against supporting pro-choice and pro-abortion candidates in political elections, but pray daily for their conversion.

This is a great time to be a Catholic. This is a great time to witness to such a clear choice, the choice of Christ or the anti-Christ.

We have only one life to live, and Jesus is it!

If our focus consists only in counting votes, we will be discouraged. If our focus is on giving ourselves and our activities totally to Christ so that He can use our witnessing as He wishes, our hearts will be throbbing and radiating with life and joy.

This is a great time to wake up from our slumber of simply calling ourselves Catholic, and wage war against the forces of darkness in ourselves first and then in our culture, a culture which is resting on the premise that God does not exist.

Our actions and our lifestyles have to radiate the inner presence of Christ in the home and in the marketplace.

This is a glorious day and a glorious opportunity for any follower of Christ! We need to recover our Catholic identity, and we can do it!

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!