Wednesday, December 31, 2008
You're Not Worth Healing
2. You must comply with the New Order or you will be re-educated! The New Jersey Division of Human Rights (sic) has ruled that a Methodist organization was required to rent its facilities for a same-sex "civil union", even though that would violate the group's religious beliefs. Article here, ruling here. "Tolerance", 21st Century style, coming to a Knights of Columbus hall near you.
3. Fr. Richard McBrien, dean of the revisionist wing of theologians, gave an interview with the Boston Globe the other day. He says all the expected things, which are of no interest whatsoever because we've heard them a million times already. What saddened me, though, was his answer to the question "Why don't you leave [the Church]?" He said, "Because it's my church. It's my home. And I was born in it. I've been a Catholic all my life. And I have affirmation from so many good people. I feel that I have a responsibility to them to continue working at it and doing the best I can." Sad that a priest of Jesus Christ for 40+ years didn't cite a deep love for Jesus in the Eucharist, a hunger for the salvation of souls, a desire to lead people to an intimate friendship with Christ, etc. Please pray for Fr. McBrien.
4. On the other hand, there's Pope Benedict on the task and role of theologians. Here's the money quote: "the fundamental virtue of the theologian is to seek obedience to faith, the humility of faith that opens our eyes. This humility renders the theologian a collaborator of the truth. In this way it will not happen that he speaks of himself. Interiorly purified by obedience to the truth, he will reach, instead, the point that the Truth itself, that the Lord, can speak through the theologian and theology." Amen.
5. Ok, this is a strange correlation -- the headline reads, "Teens Who Skip Breakfast Lose Virginity Earlier". What, earlier in the day? Are they so ravenous with hunger they're reduced to exchanging their virtue for food? Is their will weakened from lack of nutrition? What does oatmeal have to do with chastity, anyway? Who checks up on these things? I just don't get it.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Princess Caroline Condescends
2. John Allen, the veteran Vatican reporter, offers his insights into the least-reported but most important Church stories of 2008. Articles like this are especially useful for their international perspective, since they remind us that, despite our innate parochialism, we're actually members of the Universal Church.
3. Last week Pope Benedict gave his annual address to the Curia, highlighting some important themes of his preaching, particularly the notion that there is an "ecology of man" -- "This has to do with faith in the Creator and listening to the language of creation, which, if disregarded, would be man's self-destruction and therefore a destruction of God's work itself." (summary here, unofficial translation here). The usual professional complainers from the "gay" community immediately denounced the Holy Father for "homophobia", based on an entirely false and tendentious reading of his speech. Here's the ringing defense of the Holy Father from the USCCB press office: . Oh, that's right, there wasn't one. Now, I realize it was Christmas week and all, and that we don't want to be Jacks-in-the-Box whenever somebody misrepresents the Church's teaching. But no response in a week? None?
4. Here's why the Establishment Clause of our Constitution makes so much sense -- so you won't have politicians meddle in the affairs of churches that receive tax support, as they are in Germany.
5. So now there's iBreviary, which allows you to download the Divine Office for your iPhone. "O God, come to my assistance, O Lord, make haste to recharge my battery"?
6. Blogged yesterday on "Why Elections Matter" on my official ArchNY blog -- some reflections on the agenda for the pro-abortion crowd in the new Administration.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Last Thoughts Before Christmas
1. Since the Temple of Moloch, er, I mean Planned Parenthood, can't leave any women safe from exploitation, they are taking their "services" to homeless shelters. Wasn't one of Margaret Sanger's lovely eugenic slogans "More of us, fewer of them"?
2. Prof. Michael New has documented the positive effects of parental involvement laws in reducing the number of abortions. As expected, the self-interested pro-abortion crowd has objected, and now Prof. New lays out the defense of his position. This is an important argument, since the supporters of the 100% anti-life President-elect claim that social policies (i.e., public assistance, etc.) are sufficient by themselves to reduce abortions, without a need to actually enact any direct restrictions on abortion. Self-evident nonsense, yes, but the social science studies are an important part of our argument here, and it's vital that we are able to explain it to people.
3. Princess Caroline, apparently non-plussed by the failure of her social inferiors to show proper deference to her droit de seigneur, declines to reveal the nature and extent of her holdings in land and lucre. At what point does this joke get too old?
4. Just in case anyone is still willing to treat scientists as if they were the High Priests of the New Morality, here's a bunch of morally tone-deaf researchers who claim that incest isn't really all that bad, because the risk of genetic defects is "acceptable". What about the risk of moral defects?
5. Our Lord said, "Go and make disciples of all nations..." Here, the first ever public celebration of Christmas in Baghdad. Give Glory to God in the Highest!
6. I'm taking some time off during the holiday, so my missives will appear irregularly for the next two weeks. Try to have a blessed Christmas anyway.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Porn, Intolerance, and Other Oddities
1. Mona Charen on the devastating effects of the mainstreaming of pornography. We need to talk about this problem more, and more forcefully.
2. Now this is an odd symmetry. The appearance of Rick Warren at the upcoming inauguration is being critcized not just by "gay" rights groups, but now by Human Life International, a staunchly pro-life group, who think that Warren's participation implicitly endorses the views of the 100% anti-life President-elect. Unfortunately, I think that HLI is practicing the old "cut off your nose" approach to advocacy. One of the gravest threats to the pro-life/pro-marriage cause is the marginalization of our leaders by those who brand us as out-of-the-mainstream bigots. Warren's participation in the inauguration puts the lie to that nonsense, and is thus a good thing; it misleads nobody into thinking that pro-lifers endorse The One's anti-life agenda. If we flee the public square, guess who will be left there to dominate?
3. Pro-life ads from VirtueMedia (a Catholic-run operation) will appear on MTV and BET in the new year, perhaps including a post-abortion healing message. Welcome to the Real World.
4. A Catholic bishop in the UK says that it's not a good idea to go to Confession regularly, especially if all you're doing is confessing the same sins over and over again, since there's no conversion taking place. Um, Your Excellency, if I don't go to the doctor regularly for my chronic illness, won't I get worse?
5. Princess Caroline condescends to promulgate a decree to the peons explaining how she will rule them. Thank you, Your Grace. You are too, too kind.
6. Okay, this is just weird. Scientists studying the physiology of emotion say that people respond to the 100% anti-life President-elect by experiencing the physical sensation of "transcendence" or "elevation", which they describe as "a feeling of spreading, liquid warmth in the chest and a lump in the throat.". And all this time I thought it was nausea.
6. Ladies, for that last minute gift for your spouse, here's something that says it all -- Burger King has started marketing meat-scented body spray for men. Thank God I'm a vegetarian.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Conscience Rights Under Attack
1. Pharmacists in Illinois continue their fight to have their conscience rights protected. Kind of reminds you of the Book of Maccabees -- the little people, fighting against the powerful, who hold that you must sacrifice at the altar of their gods, or you will be persecuted.
2. Good interview with evangelical pastor Rick Warren, who is at the center of controversy because he supported Prop 8 and will be offering the invocation at the upcoming inauguration. He seems to have no trouble telling powerful pro-abortion political figures the truth (full transcript of the interview is here).
3. George Weigel comments generally on the new bioethics document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. I'm surprised at the relative lack of detailed reaction so far from Catholic theologians (confession -- I don't count anything published in Commonweal or the National Catholic Reporter in this category). Perhaps they're all out Christmas shopping. Interestingly, here's an article in Slate, of all places, that doesn't mention the document but supports its teaching against cryopreservation of IVF embryos, in stronger language than anything the Vatican has ever said.
4. The struggle for rationality regarding homosexuality continues at the home of the bizarre, the United Nations. Please support C-Fam, which is carrying on this difficult struggle at the Tower of Babel.
5. Charles Krauthammer thoroughly scorns and demolishes the idea of Princess Caroline becoming the newest member of the House of Lords, er, I mean the US Senate. It is worth noting that our accidental Governor's political career got its start only because he happened to be the son of a powerful Harlem Democratic mover and shaker. I realize that our next Senator will be bad no matter who is anointed, but does she -- and the entire process -- have to be such a joke as well?
6. I'm going to blog later today at my official ArchNY blog on the CDF document's section on "emergency contraception", which has important implications for the conscience rights of Catholic hospitals.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Ministers, Ex-priests, and Perspective from the Pope
1. Schadenfreude alert! Homosexual activists are annoyed with the 95+% pro-"gay" President-elect because -- horrors! -- he's chosen a religious leader who supported Prop 8 to offer the invocation at his inauguration. Rev. Warren is also pro-life, too, so I can't wait for the pro-abortion types to chime in. Sorry, I can't help it. Snicker, snicker, snicker.
2. It's very handy when dissident priests and nuns sign open letters protesting things, because it helps identify them so we know who we're dealing with. Here, a group of religious sisters express their opposition to the excommunication of Fr. Roy Bourgeois, MM (you remember, he openly advocated the ordination of women and participated in a sacriligious "Mass"). You have to love that they call excommunication "medieval" -- perhaps it's been a while since they cracked open a Bible and read Mt. 18:17, 1 Cor. 5:1-5, 1 Tim. 1:20, and Titus 3:10, not to mention the consistent practice of the ancient Church. I seem to remember someone famous who insisted "I will not serve". Not the best role model.
3. Sen. Sam Brownback, a solid Catholic pro-lifer, is retiring from the Senate, and will probably run for Governor of Kansas. Getting ready for a presidential run, we hope?
4. Unborn children can now have their movements posted to Twitter, thanks to the "Kickabee". From Twitter, it's just a short step to actual blogging, and surely life must begin at the moment of your first blog post.
5. Putting it all in perspective as usual, Benedict XVI, in his last general audience of 2008, reminds us that Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of our existence.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
What the Other Side is Up To
2. Last time I looked, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was still part of the Catholic Church. So why is its diocesan newspaper printing a column by an Episcopal "priest" who openly and bluntly criticizes immemorial Christian teachings on homosexuality and on priestly orders? Since when are diocesan papers an acceptable vehicle for proclaiming false doctrine and encouraging Catholics to embrace heresy? Here is what the Code of Canon Law, 823 §1 says: "In order to preserve the integrity of the truths of faith and morals, the pastors of the Church have the duty and right to be watchful so that no harm is done to the faith or morals of the Christian faithful through writings or the use of instruments of social communication." What in the world is going on out there? Hello?
3. The Temple of Moloch, er, I mean Planned Parenthood, is up to the same wicked evil tricks. Once again, an undercover "client" catches a "counselor" agreeing to hide the rape of a 13-year old and coaching her to evade the parental notification laws of Indiana. Finally, it appears that the authorities are taking action. And yet, the big private foundations keep throwing money at them.
4. Man, why didn't I think if this earlier -- just write a whole new book of the Bible to authorize my favorite sins. Let's see -- Booze? Check. Sex? Check. Bossing people around? Check. Making nasty comments about other people? Check. Not praying? Check. Always thinking I'm right? Check. Okay, I've got the basic outline ready, the trick is going to be getting those Bible publishers to include it in the next edition. Any suggestions?
5. So yesterday the accidental Governor of New York issued his proposed budget, chock full of new taxes. Yesterday was also the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Coincidence? I think not. Where's your Mohawk outfit?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Hello? Is Anybody Home?
1. What is wrong with the Catholic Health Association (the trade group for ostensibly Catholic hospitals)? They issued a statement applauding the appointment of 95+% anti-life former Senator Thomas Daschle as Secretary of Health and Human Services for the 100% anti-life President-elect. Are they unaware that this "extraordinary and capable" man (a former Catholic, by the way) is likely to do everything within the power of the federal government to gut their conscience rights and to advance the Culture of Death? I understand that they must keep good relations with Caesar, but this is beyond the beyond -- not even a mention of any threats to human life, nothing but gush. Perhaps they should be renamed the Laodicean Health Association (see Rev. 3:14-17)
2. It's not a good week for disobedient priests. First, on the sad story of Fr. Raymond Bourgeois, MM, having not repented of his public advocacy for women's ordination or for his participation in a sacreligious simulated Mass, he has now been excommunicated. Second, Bishop Olmstead of Phoenix has formally excommunicated the founder of LifeTeen and another priest for their own brand of disobedience, including schism -- see here and here. Let us pray for their repentance and return to the Body of Christ.
3. Kathryn Jean Lopez, on National Review Online, has an interesting take on the Chicago political scandal -- it's all about conscience, and if you're going to ignore truth and goodness in some areas, you'll ignore it in others: . We all know this. Sin is infectious, and can't be contained to one part of our lives. Once we let the disease grow, it spreads like cancer.
4. Just in case anyone has any illusions about what Caroline Kennedy might be like in the US Senate, recall that she was the featured speaker at NARAL's "Power of Choice Luncheon" in New York in October. The Party of Herod, at its finest -- shallow, dynastic, and anti-life. Perfect.
5. So the 100% anti-life President-elect, er, I mean The One, is being portrayed as one of the wise men in a manger scene in Italy. Given all the hype, I would have expected them to show him as the baby in the manger. Of course, there's also this odd contribution from our Catalan friends.
6. This is what it comes to -- surrogate parenthood for "gay" penguins. The world spins out of control.
7. Blogged yesterday about the new CDF document and embryo adoption at my official ArchNY blog. Check it out.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Whose Side are You On?
1. Okay, so the University of San Francisco has announced that it has stopped providing abortion coverage to students, but this means that it continues to provide it to staff. Yesterday's reading said it very plainly: "Refrain from every kind of evil" (1 Thes 5: 22). Hello? Anyone listening? Staff babies are real people too.
2. Yes, they claim that they're not pro-abortion, but only "pro-choice". But when you take blood money from the abortion industry and its shills, what does that say about you? Let me make this clear -- it makes you Judas, and you need to repent. Now.
3. As we mourn the death of Cardinal Dulles, if you really want to get a sense of the breadth and depth of his theology, check out these great collections of his writings (only if you have lots of time to spend following links and diving into his thought)
4. You can only shake your head in disbelief sometimes. In this recent Harris Poll, 26% of Catholics say they believe in reincarnation, and 40% believe in astrology. At least some of the core Christian beliefs (God, Virgin birth, resurrection, Jesus the Son of God) got over 75%. Another victory for modern catechesis.
5. A very sad article reflecting on recent studies of the legacy of the "hook-up culture" among the young. So many broken hearts, and so many people whose capacity for true love has been badly damaged.
6. Today is Presidential Election Day. No, I'm not delusional. Today the Electoral College meets to elect the President and Vice-President of the United States. You just voted for electors back in November. Sadly, I think the results will be as reported back last month. There's always hope.
7. I'm going to blog later today on my official ArchNY blog about the new CDF statement on bioethics, particularly about the claim made by some that it leaves the door open to embryo adoption. I don't believe that's a fair reading of the document, and I'll explain in the blog. If I'm wrong about this, please explain it to me, because I would never willingly say anything against the teaching of the Church. Later in the week I'm going to blog about the document's teaching on "emergency contraception", because I think it has very important consequences for public policy (and our hospitals).
Friday, December 12, 2008
New Vatican Document
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Dishonest Garbage from the Media
2. Apropos of that, see this interesting comparison of liberal Protestantism to "liberal" Catholicism. Actually, the term "liberal" really doesn't get it just right. We've already been liberated by Christ, so I'm ok with being a genuine "liberal" (see Gal 5:1). I prefer "revisionist", because I think that's what it's really all about -- revising Scripture, tradition, and doctrine according to one's private judgment, in order to fit with cultural or personal preferences. Hey, life is easy if you can just make up your own religion. Until Judgment Day, that is.
3. Sen. Biden's bishop has said that he will not "politicize the Eucharist" and will engage in dialogue with the pro-abortion Vice President elect. That's exactly how the process begins -- with the bishop admonishing the public official to be mindful of his duty as a Christian. But that's not where the process ends.
4. Cardinal Egan and Bishop DiMarzio have issued a joint statement regarding Intro 826, the bill before the NY City Council that would violate the free speech rights of pro-life witnesses in front of abortion clinics. Please call your council representative a.s.a.p. if you're a New York City resident. If not, please pray.
5. Politically correct cultural suicide from the UK is the gift that keeps on giving, because there's never a shortage of stories that make you shake your head in disbelief. Now they're editing the dictionary to take Christianity out:
6. Tomorrow, I'm going to that den of iniquity popularly known as Albany for a couple of days of meetings, so I'll be off the air. Hey, it's not that bad a place. At least our Governor hasn't been arrested for selling Senate seats today. But then again, it's still early in the afternoon.
7. Blogging later today at my official ArchNY blog about keeping our eyes on the ball, and not getting distracted by side issues.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Ecumenism
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The "Saxbe Fix" and Delicious Irony
2. The Temple of Moloch, er, I mean Planned Parenthood, is once again caught red handed conspiring to cover up the rape of a child, in order to cash in on the abortion. All with government funding. With complete impunity. Waiting for indictments or investigations? Don't hold your breath.