A bishop talks about encountering liturgical abuse while vacationing

An auxiliary bishop from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Bishop Christopher J. Coyne is a blogger. He decided to share an experience that may seem all too famliar - liturgical abuse. For some, it is not what they encounter on vacation, but what is happening at their own parish. The bishop was intending to go to Confession, as well, but decided against it.  He writes:

I do know one thing. I certainly wasn't going to ask him to hear my Confession. If he changed the words of the Institution Narrative, there's no telling what he might do with the words of Absolution...

On the one hand, it's sad to read.  On the other  hand, Catholics all across America experience this kind of thing every Sunday and they don't think the bishops see it.  The Mass doesn't belong to the priest, nor to the community.  It belongs to the Church and she is the one who decides how it is best celebrated.    

I"ve been to some parishes here in the Archdiocese of Detroit where it seems it would be fruitful to review Redemptionis Sacramentum (On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist).  It was written in the 90's to curb experimentation with the liturgy which ran amok.  I think some priests have become accustomed to doing things a certain way, and may have lost sight of what was in that document.   I've seen concelebrants without a chasuble, glass pitchers, the gloria omitted, along with some other things, and children taking up canned goods for Offertory (it's nice, but it's not what the Offertory is about - the food collection could happen in the vestibules each week). 

One priest from another country - a very devout man, who was learning the Latin Rite, was doing everything perfectly in the beginning.  He was reading the black and doing the red.  He went on the other side of town to help a friend for a month while that pastor was on vacation, and he came back committing all kinds of illicit acts.  I did not hold it against him, nor was I upset with him because he didn't know any better.   Among the things he "learned" on the other side of town, was to fracture the unconsecrated host upon saying, "...He blessed the bread and broke it...".   I won't discuss the other things he was doing.  I later provided him to with a copy of RS and just encouraged him to read it since he was new to the rite, without saying anything else.  Perhaps he did, or didn't read it.  I just know that when I went back once or twice a month, these things were gradually being sanitized out.  I suspect the pastor, who does not do those things, saw him as well, and may have spoken to him. He does a pretty stand up job now, from the few times I've seen him.

It's always important to approach such things with a certain amount of tact - you cannot judge the motive behind why a priest does these things.  Consider that some middle-aged priests, who in the 90's may have been young associates, may not have been given much exposure to RS when it first came out. We can't think in terms of how accessible information is today and apply it to the early 90's or prior.  Today, with the web, we all know what is happening - sometimes before the thing even happens.  That's why I think bishops ought to ask their priests to read from RS a little each day and make sure they are in harmony with it.  Some will blow it off, and some will work to make things right.  With the right kind of encouragement from a bishop, those who may not be as aware as we think they should be, could respond humbly.   You also don't want to make a laundry list of each and every problem.  Tackle the biggest problem first and talk to the priest about it - privately and nicely.  See how he responds.  If he's not receptive to correcting the problem, then write to the bishop.  They can't address what they don't know. 

My experience with younger priests is that they do know about RS.  Sometimes, the problem they run into is resistance at the parish level with the pastor.  This can be sticky for them and they have to choose their battles wisely.  We need these young men to become pastors, so they can follow the mind of the Church on liturgical matters.  I'm of the opinion that unless there is something which makes the Mass invalid, it is best to lay low and not make a fuss.  Pick one issue and make a suggestion.  If that goes well and the pastor is open,  try another suggestion after some time passes.  With such a shortage of priests, it won't take long for a new priest to become a pastor.  But, if he doesn't choose his battles wisely, he could be labeled in ways that will only delay getting that parish.  Of course, you never compromise on serious moral issues or on a matter that results in an invalid Mass.  Those things must be dealt with.


Fr. Z has some observations about the bishop's post and comments flowing.

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Rosary for the Bishop!

This is great.... I hope you will consider signing up for this new effort.  Find a bishop and pledge to pray a Rosary for him monthly, weekly, or on any number of other schedules offered.  Some bishops don't have anyone praying fo them yet (you can do searches on individual bishops). Cardinal George of Chicago already has nearly 500 Rosaries going for him. Word must have went through Chicago in a hurry since it's inception in January.

First, and foremost, we should all pray for our own bishops, then add others, as we can. 

I thought this might nudge metro Detroiters into action by seeing our Archbishop's page.  He's only got a handful of people thus far, but as news spreads, I'm sure it will explode. You can see his count in my sidebar (which, as of this posting shows 3 people in 3 parishes praying for him).  Let's move that bar!

I especially urge my fellow Grotto members to consider joining by clicking the link and following instructions (it is not under Assumption Grotto,  but under our official name of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

I would like to also mention, that auxiliary bishops are listed, as well.  Please remember them.

   From CNA:

New website organizes Rosary campaign for individual bishops

Madison, Wis., Feb 4, 2010 / 04:39 am (CNA).- Rosary for the Bishop, an online prayer campaign for Catholic bishops, has launched a new website to enroll participants and help remind them to pray.

The site, http://www.rosaryforthebishop.org/, opened on January 1, 2010.

The campaign was begun during Christmas of 2005 as a gift for Bishop of Madison, Wisconsin Robert Morlino. The year 2005 was difficult for the prelate, whose cathedral was destroyed by arson that year.

"We thought the good Bishop could use some prayers and encouragement," said Syte Reitz, a Madison-area Catholic.

Reitz collected about 30 prayer pledges from friends at an October meeting of the Madison Catholic Women’s Club. The pledges were presented to Bishop Morlino in a Christmas card thanking him for his work.

Reitz’s son Tom, a computer student, offered to make a website where people could sign up online. He had just begun to learn about the power of the internet as an “evangelization tool.”

The website attracted over 150 participants by Christmas 2005. By Christmas 2008 the campaign had over 300 participants from about 50 parishes throughout the diocese.

"This year, we wanted to make another Rosary for the Bishop campaign for Bishop Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa. We quickly realized that with only a bit of additional work, we could make Rosary for the Bishop available for all US bishops,” Tom Reitz reported. [Kudos!]

His web development company now oversees the website

Rosary for the Bishop was inspired by a passage from Exodus 17, which tells how Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands during battle. [excellent!]

“We need to support our Bishops' hands so that they do not weary in the battle for the faith. Many Catholics pray the Rosary every day. Why not pray one for our bishops?” Syte Reitz suggested. “They are our shepherds, and their job is not easy. They need and deserve our prayers."

Speaking to CNA in a Wednesday e-mail, Reitz said that the bishops have a difficult job of teaching “the unpopular truth of Jesus Christ.” [in season and ou of season]

“As Catholics, it is our responsibility to obey and support our shepherds. One of the best ways to support a Bishop is to pray for him, and that's the goal of Rosary for the Bishop. We took the effort online in order to reach the many Internet users around the country, especially young people.”

Response to the effort has been “tremendous,” he reported, with over 400 people now praying for 68 bishops. Several bishops have also expressed their appreciation for the site.

“I think we Catholics need to be unafraid to explore and new technologies like the Web, and to use them to further Christ's work on Earth,” Reitz told CNA. [The web is the new "mission territory"]

Participants can sign up for the campaign at http://www.RosaryForTheBishop.org/join

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Bishop Tobin badgered in lecture billed as interview on MSNBC's Hardball

MSNBC billed it as a Chris Matthew's interview of Bishop Tobin over the Patrick Kennedy matter.  It turned out to be a badgering lecture cloaked, as well as a Klingon warship, as an interview.

What happened to the days when dignified, professional journalists like Tim Russert would ask a question, then sit back and let the person answer?  A true interview will involve very few words for the interviewer in contrast to what the person interviewed will offer. 

Using the transcript from MSNBC, I filtered the word count for Chris Matthews, then Bishop Tobin.  Chris Matthews spoke about 1530 words and Bishop Tobin managed to get in just over 700.   It was disgraceful and insulting to the intelligence of viewers, as well as to the bishop.

Bill O'Reilly was suppose to have Bishop Tobin on tonight at 8:00 (re-airs at 11:00), but I missed it.  I'm sure we will pick that up on YouTube, as well, tomorrow.

Here is the interview interrogation:

Here is an interview that CNN did which, although imperfect, was an interview which gave the bishop a chance to speak:

EDIT:  Here is a good read over at Catholic News Agency

• Bishop Tobin’s response to Rep. Kennedy ‘eminently reasonable,’ non-Catholic political expert says
  

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Bishop D'Arcy and his new NORMS for TABERNACLE placement

This is awesome news....(h/t to Fr. Z)

Bishop D'Arcy, who heads the Fort Wayne - South Bend, Indiana Diocese has issued new norms to better align Tabernacle placement with universal norms, and the sentiments of the faithful. The people have been heard by their bishop and he responded.

Here is his lead in, with my emphases in bold and comments bracketed in red.

July 19, 2009
Bishop promulgates norms for tabernacle placement

To Priests, Deacons, Religious, and to All the Faithful,

The presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is at the center of our faith and of the devotional life of our Catholic people.

In recent years, the place of the tabernacle in our churches has become a source of controversy. This should not be. The Eucharist, whether we are referring to its celebration or to the place of reservation, should always be a means of unity and communion, and never of division [and he is putting an end to that division in his diocese, God bless him!]

The place of the tabernacle in our church should reflect our faith in the real presence of Christ, and should always be guided by church documents.

[Here is the kicker] My experience is that our people, with their instinct of faith, have always desired that the tabernacle be central and visible. They find it confusing when the tabernacle in their churches is not visible, and if possible, central. [He went by his experience, but somewhere along the line people were communicating to him what they wanted. If you want your bishop to follow suit, write him a letter and refer to Bishop D'Arcy's norms, or even send him a copy. Always be courteous, keep it brief (1 page), let him know you are praying for him and then be sure you follow through!]

Because of my responsibility to foster the devotional life of our people [Eucharistic devotion is back from the abyss where it was stuffed for the last few decades], and to keep it sound, I have asked our Office of Worship to prepare norms for the placement and design of the tabernacle in this diocese. These norms were brought before the Presbyteral Council, the Liturgical Commission and the Environment and Arts Committee. Suitable refinements and improvements were prepared [read that, "everybody's on board so lets implement this smoothly].

These norms are promulgated to the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend on June 14, 2009, the feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of the Lord. They will be effective on Aug. 4, 2009, the feast of St. John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of priests, in whose honor the present Year for Priests has been dedicated by the Holy Father Benedict XVI.

I urge all priests to follow these norms carefully and completely, and most importantly — to foster devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

Sincerely yours in our Lord,

Most Reverend John M. D’Arcy

Fr. Z has extracted a couple of interesting points from the actual document. I provide them here, as well. I have a link to the FWSB Diocese webpage which has the full text of the document.

4. In the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, the Bishop has judged that the tabernacle is normally to be prominently located in the sanctuary of the church, along the central axis behind the main altar. Under this arrangement, the tabernacle should be at an elevated, open location in the apse area, or in another central place in the sanctuary that is equally conspicuous. Where a high altar with a tabernacle remains in place, it is appropriate to continue using this noble structure for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament

5. This prescription is to be observed in all future construction or restoration projects involving places of sacred worship (including all churches, oratories, and private chapels) in the Diocese. Any exception to this norm must be approved by the Diocesan Bishop, and must clearly demonstrate itself as a worthy alternative that would accentuate the sacramental nature of the church building and contribute to the spiritual life of the worshiping community.

6. In those existing places of sacred worship where the tabernacle is currently located elsewhere in the sanctuary or the main body of the church, a liturgical consultation with the faithful and with the Diocese should begin, regarding the possibility of moving the tabernacle to a central position in the sanctuary. Especially if the tabernacle in a particular church was central at one time and then was moved, it should be returned to its original location.

[snip]

24. Aside from tending to the tabernacle itself, we must ensure that the faithful receive proper guidance and formation with respect to reverence before the Blessed Sacrament.Today there are many of all ages who inadvertently do not genuflect or bow in the correct situations.

Care should be taken to instruct the faithful that genuflection is the appropriate sign of adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, “whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration.” Before or after Mass, when the tabernacle is visible somewhere in the church, genuflection should be directed towards it. Although those who genuflect when a tabernacle is not present or when the Blessed Sacrament is clearly removed from the tabernacle (for example, during much of the Sacred Triduum) typically do so out of a commendable pious habit, they should instead bow out of reverence towards the altar.

25. Every church should strive to make the tabernacle accessible for prayer during the day, and to preserve a peaceful setting favorable to prayerful visits. Meetings and other activities without a strictly spiritual purpose should therefore be held elsewhere on the church premises whenever possible. Under extraordinary circumstances, such as if it became necessary for a church to host an event of a purely secular nature, the Blessed Sacrament may be removed from the tabernacle and transferred to the sacristy or another suitable place. The location should be secure, with the ciboria veiled and the Lord’s presence clearly marked.

As I said, if you like what Bishop D'Arcy has done, print out a copy of the document and cover letter and send it with a kind note to your own bishop.

Go to this page at the FWSB Diocese website to read the entire document in several formats. I recommend the PDF in Sequential Order, which has nice formatting and pictures.

Pray for our bishops and our priests!

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Archbishop Raymond L. Burke discusses Canon 915 in interview

EDIT: Actual video has been uploaded to YouTube and embedded here. Before watching, please read the statement released by Archbishop Burke in which he says he was misled as to the purpose of the interview, among other things.

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

Here is the interview we learned about earlier in the week....

(Pewsitter.com)March 25, 2009 - Washington, DC - Following is the transcript of Randall Terry’s interview with His Excellency, Archbishop Burke, Prefect, Apostolic Signatura on March 2, regarding Canon 915 and the withholding of communion from Catholic politicians that support abortion. The actual video footage of this interview was shown earlier today at a press conference at the National Press Club, in Washington DC. More information can be found at www.humbleplea.com


Mr. Terry: Your Excellency, it’s a delight to be with you. Thank you so much.

Archbishop Raymond Burke: Pleased to have you come, and to visit with you.


Mr. Terry: For the umpteenth time, I and the others are asking, under Canon 915 what should or should not be done?

Archbishop Burke: The Canon is completely clear, it is not subject in my judgment to any other interpretations. When someone is publicly and obstinately in grave sin we may not administer Holy Communion to the person. And that, basically, for two reasons: number one, to prevent the person himself or herself from committing a sacrilege, and secondly, to protect the sanctity of the Holy Eucharist. In other words, to approach, to receive our Lord in Holy Communion, when one insists on remaining in grave sin, is such a violation of the sanctity of the Holy Eucharist, so that Communion must not be given to people who are publicly, obstinately, in grave sin.


Mr. Terry: And so does that apply to politicians of any party that are saying: "Yes, it’s okay to abort children" –to kill children?

Archbishop Burke: Yes, for someone who in any way contributes in an active way to the murder of innocent defenseless infants in the womb—children in the womb—from the very inception of human life, this is the greatest of sins. And such a person, until he or she has reformed his or her life, should not approach to receive Holy Communion.


Mr. Terry: And if they do approach, the person who is administering Holy Communion should say, “No.”?

Archbishop Burke: Right. In fact, the Canon puts the burden upon the minister of Holy Communion whether it’s the ordinary minister which would be a bishop, a priest, a deacon—or an extraordinary minister—it doesn’t make any difference. It says they’re not to be admitted to receive Holy Communion. Normally speaking, in my experience, when I have spoken with, for instance, Catholic politicians who have insisted on supporting pro-abortion legislation and told them they should not approach any more to receive Holy Communion, in my experience they don’t. Now, where Bishops have not applied the Canon, often times it’s said that this will cause some kind of disorder at the time of distribution of Holy Communion. That’s not verified. It’s not using Holy Communion to make a statement at all, it’s simply respecting this most sacred gift we have - namely, the Body and Blood of Christ—which can only be received when one has repented of his sins. And I would also make the point—and I believe that it is true that on the contrary - those public figures—Catholics—who are consistently promoting pro-abortion legislation and policies—use reception of Holy Communion to try to justify what they are doing; in other words, to present themselves as devout Catholics, when in fact they are sinning against the most fundamental teaching of the moral law. [Thou shall not murder.]


Mr. Terry: When the election was approaching, Bishop Martino said he would not serve Communion to Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden. There were a handful of other bishops who made similar statements, for which the laity and the faithful were rejoicing.

But the deafening silence from so many other Bishops—and also the bishops who stepped up such as in Washington D.C., Virginia, others …Massachusetts…[and] said that we will serve communion—was so painful for us. What word of encouragement would you give, first to the laity on our struggle to bring orthodoxy back, and then to your brother bishops and priests?

Archbishop Burke: I think simply to say: reflect upon this norm of the Church’s discipline—Canon 915—which is one of the most important canons to safeguard the greatest treasure that we have in this life, namely, the communion that we have with our Lord Jesus Christ, and His true body and His true blood; and to, in every way work so that also public witness is given to the sacredness of the Holy Eucharist. And so I would encourage the faithful when they are scandalized by the giving of Holy Communion to persons are publicly and obstinately in sin, that they go to their pastors, whether it’s their parish priest or to their bishop, to insist that this scandal stop. Because, it is weakening the faith of everyone. It’s giving the impression that it must be morally correct to support procured abortion, in at least in some circumstances, if not also generally. So they need to insist that their parish priest and the bishops, and for the rest…to my brother bishops and brother priests…simply to say: the service of the Church in the world today has to begin first and foremost with the protection of the life of those who are the most defenseless and the most innocent, namely the unborn, and certainly has to extend also to those who are gravely ill, or burdened with serious illness, who have special needs; and also now more and more their lives are being threatened by a culture of death which sadly has infected our nation. So I would just urge my brother bishops and my brother priests to see as the most fundamental witness and service which they can give in leading also the faithful in their pastoral care is the apostolate of the respect for human life.


Mr. Terry: The election of Obama sent shock waves around the world concerning the right to life of babies because of his commitment to pursue FOCA, to try to force hospitals - Catholic hospitals - into giving the morning after pill, other things – [the repeal of the] Mexico City policy. From your vantage point here in the Vatican, what kind of fruit around the world is this poison that’s percolating in America producing?

Archbishop Burke: There is no question, and I certainly see it here, living now here in Europe, and Italy, and also with the kind of communication within all of Europe that Barack Obama—President Obama—is a charismatic figure. And there was a great deal of—especially through the media—a great deal of publicity and so forth regarding the “hope,” the word that he used so much, that he offered—not only for the United States— and for the world. And so you can be certain that the whole world, and especially the English speaking world—which let us recall, is a great part of the world—is following very carefully and attentively what this man is doing—this world leader—which he is. And therefore, it becomes more incumbent upon us then ever, also in our responsibility for the scandal and the harm being done, not only in our own nation which is in itself— which we think about 50 million since the Roe v. Wade decision, 50 million unborn infants murdered—but also to consider the effect that our nation is having on the whole world in this culture of death.

America has the call to lead—to use its influence in the way that will give glory to God and will serve the common good in its most essential element: and that is by turning around this culture of death, and especially protecting the right to life of the unborn. So our responsibility is even greater than just for our own nation - which is in itself such a weighty matter. But we have to see how this is also having, adding a tremendous influence in the English speaking world, but also in the whole world, because of the charismatic nature of our present President. 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.


Mr. Terry: If I was a Catholic in another country, I would be watching the news unfold in America hearing the silence of so many Catholics, the debate over communion, and it might have the effect of me just saying, “Well, we have abortion here, they’ve got it there, let’s just all learn to live with it and go on about our business.”

Archbishop Burke: Well, I think this is precisely the effect that it has had. The communications today are instantaneous. The whole world knows that a very high percentage of Catholics in fact voted for this very anti-life candidate and so they watch this very carefully, and what the world needs to see now is a strong witness on the part of all Catholics and we can’t be content with the fact that some 55% - or whatever it is - who for whatever reason, supported this anti-life program. They have to see now that Catholics in the United States are alive and faithful and that they are going to work to protect human life, and above all, to let the President of the United States know that this is the number one issue.


Mr. Terry: There are many Catholics who believed that to vote for Obama - knowing his promises to extend child-killing even further - that to knowingly vote for him under those circumstances was a type of cooperation with moral evil. It was cooperating with evil. Do you concur with that and if so, why?

Archbishop Burke: Well, the fact of the matter is, it is a form of cooperation, because by voting we put a person in office. And people say, “What does my vote matter?” Well, your vote is either a vote to put someone in office who will do what is right and just, or someone who won’t. And so if you, knowing that abortion is a grave crime against human life – is the killing of an innocent, defenseless human life - and you vote for the candidate who says that he intends to make that more available – that practice of infanticide - you bear a responsibility. That is, you have cooperated in the election of this person into office, there’s no question about it.


Mr. Terry: Archbishop, thank you for your time. Do you have any closing comments or exhortations?

Archbishop Burke: President Obama uses this word “hope” in a way that for us is very disturbing. We need to have hope, the hope that is founded in Jesus Christ, alive for us in the Church; Jesus Christ who gave His life for everyone without exception, and with a particular love for the suffering and for those who are the most defenseless. And so we have to be filled with hope and give ourselves more than ever to His work, to His mission of protecting human life, and so I ask God to bless you very much in what you are doing to advance the cause of life.

Mr. Terry: Thank you, Your Excellency; long life to you.


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Statement from Bishop Morlino to NCR on personnel matters after firing of pastoral associate

Bishop Morlino of Madison, Wisconsin took administrative action against a pastoral associate, Ruth Kolpack, firing her from the position she held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Beloit, WI since 1995. Her dismissal followed a meeting that lasted all of about 10 minutes.

The dissident weekly, the National Catholic Reporter, defended Ms. Kolpack in an article parsed well by Fr. Z, in his blogpost: NCR defends a fired parish worker. I highly recommend you read his comments woven throughout the article. It's a good way to see how dissidents spin things when someone sheds a spotlight on them.

Complaints being lodged against the pastoral associate over the last few years had been the focus of some meetings between the diocese, the pastor - Fr. Steve Kortendick, and Ms. Kolpack. They were unable to come to a resolution satisfactory to the diocese. An investigation led to a closer look at a Master's thesis she wrote in 2003. The bishop said he did not need to read the entire thesis, which focused mainly in "inclusivness" and attacked the "patriarchal tone of the liturgy".

From Ms. Kolpack's own account of the meeting, according to NCR, we learn the following:

• The bishop said her views on the teachings of Jesus were "off base".
• The bishop "asked her to denounce the thesis, make a profession of faith, and take an oath of loyalty in order to remain as a pastoral associate at the parish".
• Ms. Kolpack, "could not refute the thesis in good conscience, that to dos [sic] so would risk her reputation as a scholar and academician".
• She was fired 10 minutes into the meeting.

There you have it. Bishop Morlino didn't take her job from her, he gave Ms. Kolpack an opportunity to keep the job and she blew it.

It's a little hard for a bishop to respond to allegations of verbal heresy not recorded in audio, video, or on paper. However, if the accusations made against Ms. Kolpack could find their basis in the 2003 thesis, then it gives credibility to the accusations. The fact that the bishop didn't need to read the entire thesis says enough. If, for example, someone challenges the Divinity of Christ, there is no way to explain your way out of it later in the paper. It is what it is.

The bishop offered to come to the parish to explain the firing, but said he could not get into specific personnel matters. This is common folks. Whenever displinary administrative action is taken, there is a fine line that ought not be crossed, lest they risk engaging in detraction.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin speaks :

(emphases mine in bold)

Full statement offered to the National Catholic Reporter, regarding personnel issues.

It is out of respect for the dignity and good reputation of every person involved, in this and all personnel matters, that specifics cannot and will not be discussed. You can be assured that the canonical and civil rights of each individual have been upheld absolutely. The Church takes this very seriously. I cannot make statements regarding Ms. Kolpack, as they could injure her good reputation. If a person or group chooses to make public information or conversations that put someone’s reputation into question, that is their decision, but the Church, and individuals associated with it, cannot play party to the serious sins of detraction and calumny.

That said, in general, it is an absolute fact that through our Baptism in Christ, there is a genuine equality of dignity and action among all of Christ's faithful. Because of this equality, we all contribute, each according to our own condition and office, to the building up of the Body of Christ. Likewise, conscious of our own responsibility, we are bound to show christian obedience to what the sacred Pastors, who represent Christ, declare as teachers of the faith. The bishops and priests must teach the truth, without compromise.

This unadulterated truth, as taught by Christ’s bride, the Church, cannot ever be forsaken. Church personnel, likewise, must uphold the faith and morals of the Church, according to our their condition and office, through what they publicly teach and claim to believe, what they associate themselves with, and by their actions. Public actions, associations and teachings contrary to Church doctrine are at worst seriously scandalous, and at best very inappropriate for someone working for the Church, be it a bishop or a lay person. This must be corrected in every situation, as unpopular or as difficult as it may be.

This is not to say that if someone is let go, that they have not done some truly great things. However, bishops and priests have an obligation to stand up for the truth; the truth of the Catholic faith; the universal doctrine of the Church.

Folks, I think we are going to be hearing about more things like this. The bishops are getting their voice. Don't grumble about it being late. Just be grateful that they are acting on the graces falling upon them to clean up the mess spoken about by Archbishop Chaput at a conference in Detroit this past Saturday.

EDIT: My deepest sense is that we are going to see an increase in this kind of thing. In the past, valid complaints were merely dealt with behind closed doors and if the person didn't change their ways, the poor people of the parish were left to suffer. This doesn't mean the diocese didn't continue to talk to the priest or personnel involved, but at some point, talk needs to end and action needs to be taken for the good of the people, and ultimately for the Church. This newer generation of bishops is just getting warmed up and their zeal is rubbing off on other bishops.

Pray for our bishops! May they take back the Church in America from the grips of dissidents!

More on this story:

• Commentary on Catholic Dissidence and Morlino on Obedience (Te Deum)
• Diogenes: No Defense Intended (Catholic Culture)

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The USCCB's Perfect Storm: So-called Catholic politicians, educators, and journalists

If you were out in boat as three storms were about to converge over you, would you not drop to your knees and pray?

There are many attacks on the Catholic Church today. Groups of so-called Catholics are working in concert to generate a perfect storm for our bishops.

The consciences of these so-called Catholics are either uninformed or malformed, or their intellect has been clouded through their own sinful desires and actions.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But, this group would have us believe that Jesus is ever changing with the world over time. They advance "all sorts of strange teachings" (Heb 13:9) working to convince us that truth is something which can be designed by our own desires. They are undermining our bishops, feeding the media "doctrines" that are completely foreign to clear and consistent teachings. They take what is simple and make it complex so as to confuse the flock.

It amounts to "designer-morality" yet these people do not realize that the Church is not like Burger King where you get to "have it your way". They hold virtue as a vice, and value the ways of the world. Being politically correct is of great importance, even if it means being morally incorrect.

Is it any wonder why certain segments of the Church have been indifferent or even hostile toward's the Blessed Virgin Mary? She was a model of humility and obedience. Christ was obedient unto death, death on a cross? Perhaps that is why some so-called Catholics have made every effort to eliminate the cross not only from our parishes, but from or consciences.

The bishops have their work cut out for them. Pray for them. Pray that they:

"...proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. " (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

Do we need any further evidence that the time is here?

• Maddening: 26 prominent Catholics back Sebelius pick

MORE EXAMPLES

So-called Catholic Politicians:

• Sebelius Nomination a Test for New Progressive Catholic Groups (US News & World Report)
• Catholic governor criticized by archbishop nominated as HHS secretary (CNS)
• Kathleen Sebelius Explains Being a Pro-Choice Pro-Lifer (US News & World Report)
• BREAKING: Bishop Martino sends second letter to Sen Bob Casey; Issues Official Notice on Worthy Reception of Holy Communion
• Granholm's Stem-cell "Shock" (National Catholic Register)
• Pelosi on Kids: They're an economic drain (Catholic League)

So-called Catholic Educators

• Scranton Shepherd, Bishop Martino, calls for dissolution of Misericordia's "Diversity Institute"
• As Lent Begins, 3 Prominent Catholic Universities Celebrate Porn, Promiscuity (LifeSiteNews)
• Bishop Demands Evidence of University’s Fidelity to Catholic Teaching (Cardinal Newman Society)
• UPDATE: Catholic Cabrini College Gives Award to Catholic Bashing Media Personality (Cardinal Newman Society)
• A talk with The Rev. Richard P. McBrien (Boston Globe)
• Fr. Z analyzes theologians criticism of EWTN in What some Catholic Colleges have in their theology departments

So-called Catholic Journalists

• Canonist Ed Peters analyzes "I am a pro-choice Catholic" in the National Catholic Reporter in a blogpost entitled, Young Voices, old canards, and Canon 1369
• See my An Open Letter to US Catholic Bishops regarding National Catholic Reporter's Article: I am a Pro-Choice Catholic
• Our journey to a same-sex holy union (Kate Childs Graham, National Catholic Reporter)
• Female power and the power of God (National Catholic Reporter - Young Voices)
• I'll be voting for the Democrat -- and the bishops be damned (Joe Feuerherd - NCReporter)
• The 2008 Presidential Election (Richard McBrien)

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

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

An Open Letter to US Catholic Bishops regarding National Catholic Reporter's Article: I am a Pro-Choice Catholic

To all who read this open letter to US Bishops and the article about which it is written: Please consider emailing this post to your local bishop's office or printing it and sending it via mail. Be sure to include a printout of the linked article at the National Catholic Reporter. You may also contact the USCCB's office for pro-life activities at: prolife@usccb.org. Above all....pray that they read it.

Here is a permalink to this blogpost

EDIT: This post will be updated with additional links as articles and commentaries are made available. Be sure to read the commentary by Ed Peters, JD, JCD under my open letter to the US bishops at the bottom of this post.

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To US Catholic Bishops:

I wish to express my greatest desires that you receive many graces during this Lenten season. I thank all of you for your service and dedication as successors to the apostles.

I ran across something this morning that left me deeply troubled and would like to share my concern.

My attention was drawn to an article which was published online by the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) on February 26, 2009, by Kate Childs Graham, entitled: I am a Pro-Choice Catholic. It is in a high-traffic section of the site, namely - it's blog, under Young Voices. This, in itself, leads me to believe that young people are being exploited by dissident Catholics.

This article, published online by a Catholic newspaper, is an essay by a young woman about her journey from a pro-life position and activity, to a so-called, "pro-choice" position. After giving several reasons for her change of heart, she concludes (emphasis mine in bold):

Finally, I am a prochoice Catholic because my Catholic faith tells me I can be. The Catechism reads, “[Conscience] is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths.” Even St. Thomas Aquinas said it would be better to be excommunicated than to neglect your individual conscience. So really, I am just following his lead. After years of research, discernment and prayer, my conscience has been well informed. Being a prochoice Catholic does not contradict my faith; rather, in following my well-informed conscience, I am adhering to the central tenet of Catholic teaching -- the primacy of conscience.

First, neither Ms. Graham nor the editors at the National Catholic Reporter apparently understand that conscience must be properly formed with the mind of the Church. Upon a quick review of the article, you will see that there are many areas where the mind of the Church is absent and Her teachings distorted.

It brings into question the suitability of those responsible for it's publication to serve as editors and publishers of any Catholic newspaper. It also calls into question the suitability for the National Catholic Reporter to be sold or distributed in any Catholic diocese, at the parish level, or otherwise. In this instance, and I believe in others, the NCR is being used as an instrument to sow dissent and to undermine the efforts of our shepherds to teach the truths of our Catholic faith.

Second, Ms. Graham's erroneous position on conscience, citing St. Thomas Aquinas, comes months after similar arguments were brought forth by pro-choice Catholic politicians and educators. Is this a fruit of those efforts made publicly visible?

Her letter is a sad manifestation of the state of poor catechesis in the United States. The author deserves our deepest prayers, as do the misguided publishers and staff of the National Catholic Reporter who have brought it to the world online [EDIT: If it disappears, feel free to request a copy through my email address below. I have downloaded it for permanent reference].

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13:9). Yet, the National Catholic Reporter, with this publication, will have us believe that Our Lord is ever changing with the world. While Scripture admonishes us to "beware of all sorts of strange teachings", the same newspaper does not promote sound doctrine, but feeds on man's fallen nature for people to follow "their own desires and insatiable curiosity". Authors at the NCR "stopped listening to the truth" and it's readers are feeding heavily on their dissenting arguments (2 Tim 4:3-4).

There is a propensity of certain Catholic newspapers and periodicals, including the NCR, to advance the ideals, wishes and desires of poorly catechized people, in direct conflict with clear and consistent Catholic teaching. Many of these things are nothing more than the pursuit of the very things to which our fallen human nature is attracted. Rather than aiding people in developing virtue to fight the effects of Original Sin these sources enable readers to persist in this misguided pursuit. In the process, they pull in more people every day.

It is my hope that you will read the article in it's entirety, and consider a formal review of some of the leading Catholic newspapers and periodicals in the United States. I am not asking for an exhaustive review of every single publication as this would be impossible. However, we need our bishops to inform us of sources that are advancing teachings which are foreign to our faith. This could easily be made available on the USCCB website.

In the meanwhile, I hope and pray the USCCB will see it prudent to address this particular article given it's status on the world wide web. I am sending a copy of this post to prolife@usccb.org. Please consider the volume of Catholic readers who visit the National Catholic Reporter online, as well as the many Catholics who read the print edition.

Be assured of my deepest prayers for all of you. I continue to ask my readers, as I do now in this blogpost, to make a holy hour each week for US Catholic Bishops. May our prayers help you with the many crosses you carry, especially for what lies ahead in our country.

Thank you for taking the time to read my open letter.

Diane M. Korzeniewski, OCDS
TeDeumBlog@gmail.com

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UPDATES with coverage from others:

• H/T to Patrick Madrid: The 5 Most Pathetic Words: I am a Pro-choice Catholic
• Added 01-Mar-09: Young Voices, old canards, and Canon 1369 (Canonist Ed Peters)
• Added 01-Mar-09: Abortion Rhetoric (Jeff Pinyan)

NOTE added 02-Mar-09: Same journalist, Kate Childs Graham also authored this post, published in the National Catholic Reporter in December 2008: Journey of our same-sex holy union.

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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!

Please participate: Weekly Holy Hour for US Catholic Bishops

I realize this post is long, but please bear with me as I ask you to consider making a holy hour each week for our US Catholic bishops.

A thought came to me today after morning Mass and I thought I would pass it along here. It is my hope that other bloggers will also promote this idea with a link to this post.

I am speaking here, as a secular Carmelite - one who believes that prayer is primary.

Bishop Robert Baker of Birmingham, Alabama, in an interview with Raymond Arroyo on World Over Live this past Friday, urged, if not pleaded, for people to pray for the conversion of elected officials. That is, for those especially caught up in the culture of death mindset. Bishop Baker has provided a prayer to people in his diocese and Raymond has a copy of that prayer in this blogpost at the bottom.

Softening the Target

In battle, ground troops are rarely sent in to an area before the target is "softened". This usually means that heavy bombing from air, land, and sea takes place to take out supplies, infrastructure, and more. Fewer ground troops fall because they are less vulnerable as the enemy is weakened.

When we want people to change for the better spiritually, it is wise to pray for them first and foremost. This kind of prayer is a form of "softening of the target". Without it, we will make little headway. Included here are sacrifices made for such people and offered humbly to God, from an illness suffered, to putting up with others, and even giving up a favorite desert or a much loved television show in favor of spiritual reading.

Spiritual Warfare

For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:12)

We are not simply fighting human reasoning (or lack there of), when it comes to those who support and advance the culture of death. As Catholics we not only believe that there is a heaven and a hell, but good angels, and bad. The latter are having a field day as our Catholic faith is perverted beyond belief in very public ways, causing many people to be led into scandal.

We cannot fight Satan with reason. Rather, he and his legion must be fought with faith, prayer, fasting, and other forms of sacrifice.

Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, "Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!" Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, "He is dead!" But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, "Why could we not drive it out?" He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer." (Mark 9:25-29)

Prayer for people who are in positions of power, especially politicians, is good, as Bishop Baker and others are suggesting. What is even better is if we pray for our bishops as well, that God grace them with a level of holy boldness similar to that exhibited by bishops in the early Church.

The Angel of Darkness and the Mark of the Priesthood

Bishops are human and sinful creatures like the rest of us. They too suffer from the effects of Original Sin. While they are given graces by virtue of their office to assist them, they also have a target on their backs like all priests, but even bigger. The Angel of Darkness has the mark of the priesthood in his cross hairs. If he can get one pastor to dissent, he gets a number of people in the parish to dissent. If he gets a bishop to fall into lukewarmness, then a significant segment of his diocese will suffer likewise.

False charity has also been a problem. It has permeated not only our families and culture, but has affected many priests and bishops. False charity paralyzes a shepherd from acting because he is afraid that by doing so will cause a stir, and that this is somehow uncharitable. In reality, the opposite is true. By not confronting the matter, the opportunity to exercise great charity is lost and others are scandalized by what they witness. Archbishop Raymond L. Burke received back into the Church several members of a troubled parish whom he had earlier excommunicated. He did not excommunicate them out of anger or for punishment. Rather, it was a last ditch effort to get them to understand the seriousness of their actions.

A lamb who is caught in thickets sometimes needs to have the thickets pruned from around him. Doing so may inflict a little pain as the thorns shift during pruning, but the good shepherd knows that the lamb will die if he does not trim away the bush in an effort to release him.

We have to pray that our clergy will be more concerned with our salvation than our feelings. This doesn't mean they ought to check charity at the door. Rather, error needs to be dealt with in ways that are not condescending. Despite the best attempts to correct things pastorally and charitably, some will walk away sad or angry. They did when before Our Lord Himself, and he did not go chasing after them to force the issue. Some have illness that runs so deep they are a danger to everyone with whom they come into contact. These must be isolated unless they show signs of returning to good health, where they will strengthen the Mystical Body, rather than weaken it.

Pre-election Display of Solidarity Among US Bishops

Catholics around the world witnessed an almost shocking display of solidarity amongst many US bishops when they reacted to Nancy Pelosi's distorted misrepresentation of the faith on national television just before the presidential election. Their messages were clear and firm. It was also unifying among those who are loyal to the Church, causing eyebrows to raise, as well as hope. It lifted people who have been on the front lines of the pro-life movement and energized Catholics in the Walk for Life, even after presidential defeat. Many more bishops who did not write personal statements made the USCCB statement, penned by Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Lori, readily visible on their diocesan sites also as a show of solidarity. It all started with one or two bishops, then it just took on a life of it's own.

Years ago it was not uncommon to regularly see two names standing out in such ways: Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz and Bishop Raymond L. Burke. Unfortunately, in Catholic circles, these two bishops were seen as some kind of rebels. Should it be of any surprise that a bishop who acts like a bishop will be persecuted, even from within? Today, Archbishop Burke heads the Apostolic Signatura - the highest court in the Holy See.

The US Bishops are Emboldening One Another

Each bishop is graced with certain talents. Some are very good in explaining the faith to the media, such as Archbishop Charles Chaput. Others, like Bishop Robert J. Hermann keep the faithful focused on Christ in their pro-life work.

Each bishop is gifted in some way that not only serves his immediate diocese, but the larger Church. For some, it is in administrative or legal areas, in others more pastoral. We must pray that they use their talents to the fullest extent possible for the good of Holy Mother Church.

I believe we are in the midst of witnessing a great renewal in the Church. Our bishops are learning by the actions of the Holy Spirit, from each other, and it is generating the kind of holy boldness called for by Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon.

They will need this holy boldness because I believe we are headed into an era of persecution the likes of which we in this country have not experienced. It may come to pass that our priests and bishops will be jailed for preaching the fullness of the faith, as is being advanced in other countries.

Pray for Our Bishops

Not all bishops are blessed with the same level of strength to deal with disciplinary issues. While the bulk of problems we face today may very well be the result of reticence on the part of bishops who didn't address them, I believe a piece of it comes back to all of us. As a whole, we as Catholics have lost the art of prayer and sacrifice. Since we are fighting forces unseen, at many levels, we have to recover those arts. Lent is a good time to start. If you truly love the Church, you will give serious time to praying for the successors to the apostles.

Behind the scenes there is likely a flurry of communication going on between bishops, and between the Holy See and our bishops, over dissenting Catholic politicians who continue to scandalize others by their words and actions. The Holy Father will not step in and take action where protocol dictates that the bishop must handle the matter. Join him in his prayers for bishops to do what they must to correct the problem and mitigate the damage.

We must pray more fervently than we have before for our bishops. Make one Holy Hour per week for them, and include prayers for the conversion of politicians at the same time.

If you don't have access to an adoration chapel, then see if you can get to Church an hour earlier to sit in quiet meditation. If it is too noisy, then have a Holy Hour in your home, turning your heart to the Tabernacle closest to you. At the same time, entrust the bishops to Our Lady. She can influence them in ways all the blogposts in the world cannot, if we have faith in her.

A final note

One of my prayers is that more bishops will look at a fine pastoral letter by Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon. It is unambiguous and not condescending. We could use something similar in every diocese of the world.

• Giving Testimony to the Truth - a Pastoral Letter for Diocesan Lay Ministers (PDF)

And now, an example of the ultimate in holy boldness....

Holy Boldness: Blessed Noel Pinot going to his death fully vested in 1794 after refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the "Civil Constitution of the Clergy". Fr. Tim Finigan explains that it was a law passed by the Constituent Assembly of the Revolution which subjected the Church to the civil government.

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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!

Canonist speaks out on Pewsitter Online Petition aimed at getting Bishops attention

Fresh in from Canonist Ed Peters....

[updated at 5:22am, Feb 20th - scroll down]

Pewsitter.com has published an on-line petition by which Catholics may call upon bishops to withhold holy Communion from Catholic political figures who gravely disregard Church teaching on certain fundamental life issues. The petition invokes canon law in support of some of its propositions. I know nothing about the organization behind the petition, but I feel confident in commenting on its canonical aspects.

The petition seems to me to qualify under 1983 CIC 212.3 as one way of helping the faithful to express "to sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful." I do not think the petition pretends to an expertise it cannot claim, nor does it seem to be violative of basic norms on faith, morals, and reverence toward pastors, etc. It does not impugn the fidelity of those who choose not to sign.

The petition calls for withholding of holy Communion under Canon 915 and in this regard it avoids the highly contentious, and I think erroneous, claim that certain politicians should be subject to excommunication for their actions. Moreover, the petition avoids identifying specific politicians for action under Canon 915, even though a strong case can be made for such action in the case of, say, Nancy Pelosi. Each politician's situation, as I have said, needs to be examined individually by competent experts; this is by no means an impossible task, but it is not one best conducted in the blogosphere.

continue reading at, In Light of the Law...

It's ok to sign the petition, but don't forget to put some serious time into praying for our bishops. That prayer can move them, along with the knowledge that ordinary Catholics are tired of being scandalized, and seeing their loved ones and friends scandalized.

EDIT: Ed Peters has updated the post...

I just came across Michael Sean Winters' post on Canon 915 over at the America magazine group blog. Winter's qualifications to opine on matters canonical were not immediately evident to me, but he assures readers that applying Canon 915 in the response to the scandal of pro-abortion Catholic politicians would be "a radical innovation that should be resisted", that it "requires applying the canons in ways that are novel and dubious" and that canon law "should be applied with gentleness not vengeance" (you know, as if everyone agrees on what those terms actually mean in the concrete order), and so on.

Winters bravely confronts the evil unnamed blogger who, in a series of obvious misstatements, paints a picture of Canon 915 run amok. This device allows Winters to assume the mantle of moderation and warn us against those dangerous "cranks" who would substitute a blogger's opinion for that of pastor. Nice way to dispatch opposing views, that, present an obvious caricature, then tsk-tsk it away.

Ironically, it does not seem to occur to Winters that he quite willing to substitute his opinion on how canon 915 should be applied for that of actual pastors like Abp. Raymond Burke (a prelate whose credentials in canon law dwarf mine and, I'm guessing, Winters'). Burke offers a powerful, and I suggest compelling, case for the application of Canon 915 in the face of the metastasizing scandal of the prominent pro-abortion Catholic politician. Has Winters has read it?

In any case, I echo Winters' concern about "judgmentalism" being "profoundly uncharitable". But such concern should, I think, forbid labeling those who call for the correct application of Canon 915 as "cranks". Or is "judgmentalism" a temptation to only one side of this debate?

see the entire origial post and this update at, In Light of the Law...

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

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

Why did Bishop Martino Voice Disapproval of Talk by Keith Boykin?

Every now and then a comment drops into a combox that warrants a closer look. Since the post in question is not getting as much traffic as it was a few days ago, I thought I would draw your attention to it here. It comes from a woman named Leah in my post:

It's Bishop Martino....again, this time taking on Misericordia University for inviting gay-rights advocate
I'll accept comments to this post here, but I will only publish those made with the utmost of charity.

My response will come in between each paragraph. Leah says...

As a Catholic and as a student of Misericordia University, I was appalled by what the Bishop said about the school which has been so a part of my life for the past 10 years. My mother has worked at the institution and I am currently attending the university.

Leah, I'm glad that you take pride in your Catholic university. Let's look closer at some things...

What exactly did Bishop Martino say about Misericordia? Here is what he said:

“The faithful of the Diocese of Scranton, the Bishop observed, should be in no doubt that Misericordia University in this instance is seriously failing in maintaining its Catholic identity.”

Why is it seriously failing in "this instance" in it's Catholic identity?

Because it has invited a speaker who is a proponent of gay "marriage". By virtue of having a speaker at a Catholic institution who promotes something that counters Church teaching can lead others into scandal.

What is scandal? Let's look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.

2285 Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized. It prompted our Lord to utter this curse: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."85 Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account: he likens them to wolves in sheep's clothing.

2286 Scandal can be provoked by laws or institutions, by fashion or opinion

Now, here is something to consider with regards to scandal. If a bishop is aware of the potential for the faithful to be scandalized into thinking that, by virtue of the fact that this man is speaking on a Catholic campus, on gay marriage, and the bishop says nothing, does he not participate in that scandal through omission?

Similarly, is not reasonable to assume that if Mr. Boykin is advancing gay marriage on a regular basis off campus, that he might promote it at Misericordia? I think it is a very reasonable assumption on the part of Bishop Martino.

Leah continues...

I wonder how many people who are commenting on this speech, actually attended it, to see for themselves what the Bishop so disapproved of. I believe when Misericordia said in their statement, "Mr. Boykin’s speech is not meant to be a forum for advocacy on any single issue," was that despite him being a homosexual, his speech was not focused on his homosexuality, or in fact, any homosexuality at all.

The 8 o'clock talk did not even mention homosexuality besides in a laundry list of groups who are discriminated against and in a question that was asked of Mr. Boykin, uninitiated. His speech was on the Obama campaign and spoke a message of perseverance and hope.

Perhaps the 8:00 talk did not mention it, but according to that video news report I provided the other day, Boykin included discussion of gay marriage (at least at the first talk). That is a secular press source.

Secondly, it doesn't matter if the talk was not a forum on any single issue. If advocacy of gay marriage was one among many topics, then that is a problem on a Catholic campus.

By no means should a professional and scholar be singled out by his sexual orientation for any reason. Knowledge is knowledge, and to censor that would be a sin in itself. If we were to go back and take away any knowledge that we gained from homosexuals, we could not be learning about the man who painted the Sistine Chapel or any of the great musical compositions of Tchaikovsky.

The Catholic Church does not condemn or single out people because of their homosexual orientation. In fact, there is an apostolate approved by the Catholic Church called Courage and they should be welcomed on every Catholic campus. But, I'm sure Misericordia and other universities which solicit talks by people known for advancing gay marriage won't be inviting Courage to give a talk and start a chapter at the school. That is because Courage helps people with same sex attraction (SSA) to live chaste lives. This is unpopular because it is counter-cultural, yet it is just this counter-cultural life that all single people must live (remember, the road is narrow and difficult, not broad and easy). I'm certain Bishop Martino would approve of a member of Courage with SSA coming to Misericordia to talk. Just ask him. Please check out Courage and ask Misericordia to invite them. I'll be glad to plug the event here on Te Deum Laudamus!

Furthermore, I am heterosexual and single. If I love God, I love his commandments and I will live a life of perfect chastity unless I enter into sacramental marriage. Those with homosexual tendencies are also called to chastity if they cannot enter sacramental marriage with a member of the opposite sex.

Keith Boykin was not singled out because of his sexual orientation. Mr. Boykin is well known for promoting gay marriage and according to that secular news source in Scranton, advanced gay marriage at Misericordia. Nothing prevents him from doing that in secular settings. It's covered under free speech. By the same standard, the Bishop not only has a right, but an obligation to speak up on matters of faith and morals. Does he not have a right to free speech, especially when it pertains to things happening on a Catholic campus in his diocese? Nothing prevents people from blowing him off, but it is totally imprudent to blow off one's bishop on such things.

Further, you bring up famous artists who were allegedly of homosexual orientation. Were they using their sexual orientation to advance their art? If it is true that these artists were homosexual, even had they been invited to speak at an event that was "not meant to be a forum for advocacy on any single issue" in their day, it most likely would not have been a problem. This is assuming that they weren't publicly advancing homosexual activity and marriage which....leads us back to that thing called scandal. There can be no scandal where there is no public knowledge of what the Church defines as immoral behavior and advocacy.

It has recently been extremely upsetting to find so many Catholics being so extremely judgmental and so extremely unchristian. With the words of Bishop Martino, I find myself ashamed of my church. Not of my faith and my religion, but of the views of my church which would so censor a school for no reason other than the personal life of the man speaking.

It is truly regrettable that Catholic teaching for the last 40 years has been so banal and misaligned that you, and many others, should have to suffer because you don't understand.

At the same time, our bishops are also suffering because people have turned a deaf ear to them. Much of this is because they are accustomed to not hearing their bishops because the bishops were not speaking. Now they are and while it is music to the ears of faithful Catholics, it is annoying to those who don't want to hear it. This does not make them mean. We have to look at what they are saying and measure it against Scripture, Tradition and Church documents, as well as the Church Fathers and Doctors.

If the bishop has the mind of the Church then it is wise to mind the bishop!

As Fr. Corapi has said, "Truth is not a something, it's a somebody and that somebody is Jesus Christ". Truth cannot change with each individual's desires any more than we can have different versions of the same Jesus. You can't have a Jesus who is for sex only inside of sacramental marriage, while at the same time having a Jesus who is for sex inside of any kind of marriage, including homosexual, polygamous, or otherwise.....or a Jesus who is for people having sex any time, any day, with anyone, or with anything. Which is of these variables is the true, objective reality? Which one matches Scripture?

Bishop Martino is right to speak out and he has done nothing unchristian. If anything, your bishop is the one you SHOULD look to on matters of faith and morals. When he speaks you ought to give pause and listen to him carefully.

The Catholic faith is not something that can be based on feelings and emotion. Our Lord simply laid out a teaching and allowed people to accept it or not. If they rejected the teaching, he did not go running after them, begging them to exercise humility, which is what He exemplified when he accepted death on a Cross.

I'm not only pround of my Catholic faith, but I'm proud of Bishop Martino for not neglecting the faithful of their right to know when there is a spiritual danger. He is responsible before God for all that he does, or does not do, to protect the faithful.

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching. (Hebrews 13: 8-9)

If anyone else wants to join in, again...please consider that not everyone has the benefit of sound catechesis. Approach it with charity and I'll post it.

Also, I may only get to publish comments later in the evening, so don't assume I'm ignoring them. I just don't have access for much of the day while I'm at work.

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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!

A Must Read for Catholics: A Bishop's Humble Admission about Fear and Courage

More than 115 US bishops issued statements or written articles clarifying Catholic teaching since it was so grossly misrepresented by Catholic Democrats, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden on national television. The bishops have gotten fired up in this election cycle and as I have said before, they are not playing partisan politics. Rather, they have been dragged into the frey when Catholic pols and other Catholic public figures like Doug Kmiec have so distorted Catholic teaching so as to lead others into scandal. Several Catholic Democratic politicians and other Catholic public figures who support Obama have continued to use these perversions of the faith to get votes.

One of the most humbling and profound things I've read out of the many US bishops who have spoken up has been this recent article by Bishop Robert Vasa of Oregon. Keep in mind that euthanasia is legal in Oregon. His words should have us all thinking about the kinds of fears that motivate us - fears of speaking up for the common good, and for truth. What kinds of fears motivate us to vote our pocket book ahead of life or make us indifferent to the plight of a class of people?

First he calls to our attention some things from the Old Testament. Then he shifts to a reflection that is well worth pondering. Emphasis is mine in bold with added emphasis in blue-bold; comments in red.

BEND — Note that Eleazar has no illusion about the practical value of his fidelity. It would not cause the king to change the law, it would not cause his friends to convert, it would not result in a miraculous intervention by God. In worldly terms, his death is useless, his resistance futile. Yet, Eleazar states the hope implicit in his willingness to die: “I will prove myself worthy of my old age and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws.” This is what it means to be a witness, a martyr. It means leaving a noble example for the encouragement, the emboldening of one’s successors.

Another example is found in the chapter immediately following the story of Eleazar. It also happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law. One of the brothers speaking for the others said, “What do you expect to achieve by questioning us we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.” Then follows a description of a whole series of the most horrendous tortures which these brothers endured. All the while the mother watched and encouraged her sons. The Scriptures then rightfully recognize the dignity of the mother: Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother who saw her seven sons perish in a single day yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord. Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage she exhorted each of them in the language of their forefathers. The mother was the last to die after all her sons. None of these family members was given a name. In purely secular terms we could come up with all kinds of reasons why the mother and her sons should have feigned eating pork in order to spare their lives. These seven sons could have been valuable resistance fighters. They could have raised up faithful sons and daughters to assure the survival of Israel. It could be argued that their faithfulness, which led to the destruction of the entire family, was an exercise in complete futility and even foolhardiness. Was their witness foolhardiness or was it courage?

These Old Testament examples manifested wonderful and exemplary courage. Saint Thomas positions the Cardinal Virtue of fortitude or courage between fear and daring. Courage, he says, curbs fear and moderates daring. We would be more inclined to say that courage stands between cowardice and foolhardiness. A secularist looking at martyrdom would, almost of necessity, conclude that the death is the result of foolhardiness. Such bold actions, in our current, “can’t we all just get along” mentality, will always be viewed as imprudent, politically incorrect, and misguided. Such a disdain for martyrdom and for holy boldness is nothing other than a disdain for faith; a disdain for a hope in the Lord. It is perhaps, also a symptom of the hopelessness of which Pope Benedict XVI speaks in, Spe Salvi. In the case of these Old Testament examples it is clear that each was confronted with a very definitive choice. None of us have ever been confronted with such a dramatic choice but for these Old Testament heroes it came down to this, “Your faith or your life.” In a positive sense, using Pope Benedict’s words, the question would be: “In what do you hope?” We are edified, in the best sense of that word, by the witness, the martyrdom, the courage of Eleazar and companions. We could cite many such examples from the early years of Christianity. Even in our own day, the numerous saints canonized by Pope John Paul II, many of them martyrs, is a testimony to the fact that faith-filled courage is not dead. It is a testimony that hope is not dead.

[Watch where this goes now and reflect inward on it] When I consider the courage of these Old Testament figures and the firm witness of other saints and martyrs I would honestly have to say of myself, “I am a coward!” There are many times when fear impedes me from acting with what could be called holy boldness. The nature of that fear which impedes is perhaps different for each of us but I hope that each of us acknowledges such fear, grapples with it and even occasionally overcomes it, at least for a time.

Unfortunately, for me, the nature of the perceived threat is so paltry that allowing it to impede correct acting can only be the result of profound cowardice. The most serious threat to my well being for acting with greater boldness has been an intimation that I will be rejected, hated, ridiculed, rendered ineffective, deprived of financial support, judged to be insensitive, misunderstood, or verbally vilified. [Wow!] In other words the threats, all things considered, are quite innocuous and yet these things generate within me a variety of fears and doubts and misgivings. At times they even paralyze me into a state of cowardly inaction. [While there are things here for any priest or bishop to reflect on, ponder for a moment those times that we didn't want to leave our comfort zone to talk to our friends and family about what was right and just. Such things don't have to be confrontational. How many times were we silent in the face of distortions or misunderstandings about the faith to avoid discomfort? False charity can sometimes lead us in this direction]

It might be the perception of some that the issuance of my 2004 document, Giving Testimony to the Truth was a courageous act. [This was a bold document in which he told lay people involved in various "ministries" that they should be of high moral character. As you can imagine, it drew some serious flack, as well as support]. Others would classify it as foolhardiness. [ahh....here we go....]This is the document which required that individuals serving in a variety of Diocesan Ministries must affirm some basic tenets of the Church in order to continue to serve. [God bless this bishop. Consider how people are led into scandal by people who are openly pro-abortion handing out Communion as EMHC's]. It is, however, very difficult for me to see how the simple fulfillment of the episcopal duty which I have to teach could be considered an act of courage. In that I would turn to the Gospel of Saint Luke, 17:10: “When you have done all you have been commanded to do, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.” It is a rather sad commentary for our age that a simple fulfillment of duty is mistaken for a courageous act.

It might be a perception that my boldness regarding pro-abortion politicians is courageous but in truth I only follow the lead of those who exemplify a boldness far greater than my own. The bold speaking out on the part of Archbishop Raymond Burke regarding the contentious issue of Catholic pro-abortion politicians and Holy communion emboldens cowards like me to follow his example [Jesus chose more than one apostle and there are examples of where they embolden each other]. The firm and measured response of Cardinal Egan and a variety of other Archbishops and Bishops to misleading statements of the Speaker of the House emboldens others, like myself, to shake off the shackles of fear and to stand with them.

This is a point I have made about the bishops speaking up - it is catchy. Things really began to steamroll in this election when Archbishop Chaput of Denver didn't waste any time addressing the gross distortions of Catholic teaching presented on Meet the Press by Nancy Pelosi at the time of the Democratic National Convention. Several other bishops followed suit, and more joined in when Joe Biden went and did the same thing. Both of these politicians thumbed their noses at the bishops when they continued, after the public corrections, to distort Catholic teaching to crowds in an effort to get votes.


IT'S ALL ABOUT DYING TO SELF
We have to get out of our comfort zones if we are to follow Christ. We have to imitate His life. The Cross is something we should spend some time meditating upon. What does it teach us? We must die with Christ. Martyrdom is still seen in some places today, but the vast majority of us will need to work on dying to self. That is, chipping away at all that is displeasing to God. More often than not, there is great suffering in letting go of our sinful and unvirtuous attachments. Some of those attachments are subtle, such as being more concerned with what others think, than what God "thinks". We need to constantly evaluate whether we are following Christ by going with the flow, or going against the grain. As was pointed out to us today, the gate is narrow. This means, we cannot be liked by everyone and we should expect ridicule and misunderstandings.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you

Matthew 5:10-12

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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!