Let's Indulge the Times

1. I realize that you can't expect even rudimentary religious literacy in an article about indulgences in the Times (e.g., they never went anywhere, so they're not being brought back; there's no counting of days anymore; they have nothing to do with "absolution"; etc.), but at least they managed to find a bishop whom they let explain to some extent what the Church actually believes. As for the "liberal theologian" they quoted, there is just something unbearably aggravating about learned men who blithely dismiss teachings of the Church that offer hope to people who trust in God's mercy.

2. Senator Barbara Boxer (Democrat from the Temple of Moloch) is pushing for Senate action on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. As you can imagine, no rights are conferred on pre-born children, and parental authority over children will be undermined -- even to the point of endangering parental notification laws and requiring access to contraceptives without parental involvement (see, for example, this analysis from C-Fam).

3. An important debate is unfolding about whether to convert financially failing Catholic schools into Church-operated public charter schools. The fundamental religious mission of the Catholic school has long been maintained by the Church (see Vatican II's Declaration on Christian Education). What happens when the public school powers that be insist that our Church-sponsored charter schools teach immoral sex ed information, or insist on condom distribution or abortion referrals?

4. Prepare for the next step down the slippery slope. In Canada, activists are using the same-sex "marriage" precedent to push for polygamy. The cognoscenti scorns us whenever we point this out, but the truth is clear. And, in case you think that clear legislation in defense of marriage is sufficient, you don't realize the ability of judges to ignore the law and make it up as they go along. Anybody still think it doesn't matter who selects the judges?

5. Here's a beautiful reflection on the life of Msgr. William Smith, by Fr. George Rutler. Favorite quote from Msgr. Smith: "The new morality is nothing more than the old immorality."

6. Posted yesterday at my ArchNY blog on the horrible story of the late-term born-alive abortion in Florida. Read it if you have a strong heart, and pray for all involved.