Bishop Rhoades and Notre Dame's Defiance

The letter below was forwarded to me yesterday.
I have since been assured by Jean Scicchitano of the Harrisburg Diocese's Pro-Life Office that it is legitimate and that permission has been given for it to be distributed beyond the original recipient.


Subject: FW: Bishops statement re Notre Dame

Dear Christina,

Thank you for your note of concern which you recently sent to the Bishop’s office regarding the University of Notre Dame.

Maria Wood, secretary to Bishop Rhoades, referred your email to me. Bishop Rhoades has discussed this issue with me, as it pertains specifically to my office.

As is clear from Bishop Rhoades’ most recent commentary entitled "Disturbing advances for the culture of death", President Obama’s policies, and those of his administration, on abortion and embryonic stem cell research violate the moral law and Church teachings on the sanctity of human life and dignity of the person. Bishop Rhoades concurs with Bishop D'Arcy's statement and position on the matter. (Bishop D’Arcy is the bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, the diocese in which Notre Dame is located). Bishop Rhoades stands firmly with the US Catholic Bishops’ statement called “Catholics in Political Life” which unambiguously says –

The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.

Bishop Rhoades also supports those who exercise their freedom of conscience and speech to express their opposition to the university’s decision to have President Obama as commencement speaker and honoree. In fact, Bishop Rhoades has written to the president of the university to express his disagreement with the university’s action.

It is disheartening and distressing when an institution that is regarded as Catholic, such as Notre Dame, fails to follow the guidelines set forth by the Bishops of the Catholic Church, especially in these vital moral matters. It is not political nor partisan to stand for the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human person. President Obama clearly does not stand for or advance the cause of the defenseless unborn and their mothers and families. This is the tragic reality we must come to terms with as Catholics living in an increasingly secular environment. It is heartening on the other hand, to see how many Notre Dame students, faculty and alumni have made their commitment to human life known and how many Catholics and others of good will have done the same.

It is Bishop Rhoades’ hope and prayer that all the institutions that bear the name “Catholic” will affirm the Church’s teachings, expose the culture of death and build up the Culture of Life. Thank you for your selfless commitment to the defense of innocent human life. Please be assured of our prayers.

On behalf of Bishop Rhoades and myself, I am

Sincerely,

Paul CB Schenck, MA (Theol.), LHD

Director Office of Respect Life Activities
Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg

Bishop Aquila's Clear Statement

"Some believe that it is possible to be a faithful Catholic and be pro-choice. This is impossible."

"Abortion is an intrinsic evil, which means that in no circumstance is it permitted nor may it ever be supported, even as a means to a good end. No Catholic can be faithful to Jesus Christ and the Church and support an intrinsic evil."

+++Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, in the Fargo Diocesan Newspaper, "New Earth"

Humanae Vitae Mass of Thanksgiving

In that Bishop Rhoades, prelate of the Harrisburg Diocese, was out of the country on the actual anniversary of the encyclical "Humanae Vitae," he celebrated that landmark papal letter to the faithful this past Sunday, November 16, 2008, at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in center city Harrisburg.

To paraphrase the Bishop's homily:

Humanae Vitae was born in and of a turbulent time. When Pope Paul VI wrote it,there was significant turmoil in the Church and the world. There was descent then, as there is now, against this teaching which in reality has always been the teaching of the Church as it is now. It is the truth of the Lord Himself; therefore, it is immutable.

Pope John Paul II expanded on Humanae Vitae in his own encyclical Theology of the Body. A powerful letter itself, Theology of the Body not only illuminates our thinking, but it can change our lives. These encyclicals are treatise of what the Master taught. It is incumbent upon us to be good and faithful servants. If we are, much like the parable in the day's Gospel, we will receive our Master's joy.

The heart of Humanae Vitae is that a married couple is to give themselves to each other completely. Through the conjugal love of marriage, by freely and completely giving of themselves, the couple becomes part of the mystery of creating life. Children are an authentic gift that is a matter of responsibility to God.

The Church is calling couples to say "yes" to life and "yes" to authentic love.

There may be times when couples must space children, or even suspend births. During those times, a husband and wife bear a responsibility to respect each other and their love. Within the framework of the conjugal love, couple should use Natural Family Planning methods. Part and parcel of NFP methods is mutual respect between the spouses. These methods entail a maturity of love that is part of the journey in virtue and of holiness.

Not only must marriage be respected, but also the dignity of human procreation itself. Science has blessed us with technology to help couples struggling with infertility. Care needs to be taken in the development and administration of technology though. Such research needs to be ethical - within the design and will of God. Unfortunately, there have been developments which have produced methods which spurn the God's plans - unethical methods of dissociation. Within these unethical dissociative methods is a void, a void wherein the respect for the dignity of the spouses and the child to be born ought exist. The Church recognizes the fact that a child deserves the dignity and respect of personhood from the moment of conception. It is essential that methods used respect the dignity of spouses and the child.

It is important for us to pray for couples facing the pain of infertility. It is a heavy burden they bear and we as the Church must pray for them.

Our teaching is counter-cultural, but following this teaching is part of following the way to holiness, to following Christ. It is part of fidelity to God.

Update: I just found that the Bishop's homily may be seen HERE in PDF format.

Bishop - Catholics Should Defend Life

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Zubik urges Catholics to defend right-to-life stance

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik said Thursday he will urge local Roman Catholics to fight any effort to expand abortion rights across the country.

"That is part of the beauty of being citizens of the United States," Zubik said. "We can speak to our legislators and let them know, as Catholics, where we are coming from."

Zubik returned from this week's U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore, where about 300 bishops adopted a formal blessing for a child in the womb and drafted a document asking President-elect Barack Obama not to erode gains made by right-to-life supporters. "We really felt that it was important for a statement to come out as soon as possible," Zubik said in a phone interview.

The bishops are concerned that Obama and a majority of pro-choice Democrats in Congress might approve the proposed Freedom of Choice Act, which would override state-by-state limits on when a woman can abort a pregnancy, Zubik said.

That could eliminate "freedom of conscience" clauses for doctors who refuse to perform an abortion and limits against late-term and partial-birth abortions.

Pittsburgh Catholics should call their lawmakers to voice opposition to the proposal, Zubik said. But that stance could set church leaders against supporters of Obama, who has said he would sign the act into law if Congress passes it.

Nationwide, Catholics supported Obama over Republican Sen. John McCain by 54 percent to 45 percent, according to a CNN exit poll. In Pennsylvania, a pre-election Franklin & Marshall College poll showed Obama with a similar lead among Catholics who were likely voters.
Fifty-seven percent of Allegheny County voters chose Obama, compared to 41 percent who voted for McCain.

Zubik said he would not punish vocal Obama supporters by refusing them sacraments such as communion, but said he understands and respects bishops who are taking such positions.
"They are perfectly within their right to do that," he said.

Zubik said Catholics ultimately will be judged by how much they embraced the teachings of the faith.

"What I always tell people is this: 'If you make a decision, you have to imagine yourself looking at God eyeball to eyeball,' " Zubik said. "I think, in the end, we are all going to be judged by how sincere we were with God and how much we embraced the teachings of our faith."

Locally, perhaps no devout Catholic was a more outspoken supporter of Obama than Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney, who appeared at a rally with Obama and gave him a Steelers jersey a week before the election. Rooney could not be reached for comment.

The bishop might not be judgmental, but Rooney might have to make amends with one of his brothers.

Pat Rooney, one of five Rooney brothers who own shares in the Steelers, said he hopes Dan Rooney's influence and the Steelers brand name did not sway Catholic voters. He questioned how Catholics could balance a religious obligation to oppose abortion with a political inclination for a pro-choice president.

"We can't be smorgasbord Catholics, because morality cannot be negotiated," Pat Rooney said.
In politics, conflicts between governing and staying true to faith long have shadowed Catholics elected to public office.

USCCB Statement to President Elect

BALTIMORE—Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), voiced hope for the Obama Administration but pointed to possible obstacles to our desired unity, in a Nov. 12 statement at the end of the annual fall assembly of the USCCB.

"The bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States welcome this moment of historic transition and look forward to working with President-elect Obama and the members of the new Congress for the common good of all," he said.

He said that "the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis will be impossible to achieve," if the administration's policies increase abortions.

"Aggressive pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion."

"We express again our great desire to work with all those who cherish the common good of our nation," he added. "The common good is not the sum total of individual interests: it is achieved in the working out of a common life based upon good reason and good will for all."


Cardinal George's Prepared Statement:

STATEMENT of the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops"If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil." (Psalm 127, vs. 1)

The Bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States welcome this moment of historic transition and look forward to working with President-elect Obama and the members of the new Congress for the common good of all. Because of the Church's history and the scope of her ministries in this country, we want to continue our work for economic justice and opportunity for all; our efforts to reform laws around immigration and the situation of the undocumented; our provision of better education and adequate health care for all, especially for women and children; our desire to safeguard religious freedom and foster peace at home and abroad. The Church is intent on doing good and will continue to cooperate gladly with the government and all others working for these goods.

The fundamental good is life itself, a gift from God and our parents. A good state protects the lives of all. Legal protection for those members of the human family waiting to be born in this country was removed when the Supreme Court decided Roe vs. Wade in 1973. This was bad law. The danger the Bishops see at this moment is that a bad court decision will be enshrined in bad legislation that is more radical than the 1973 Supreme Court decision itself.

In the last Congress, a Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) was introduced that would, if brought forward in the same form today, outlaw any "interference" in providing abortion at will. It would deprive the American people in all fifty states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry. FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars. It would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government and others of good will to reduce the number of abortions in our country.

Parental notification and informed consent precautions would be outlawed, as would be laws banning procedures such as partial-birth abortion and protecting infants born alive after a failed abortion. Abortion clinics would be deregulated. The Hyde Amendment restricting the federal funding of abortions would be abrogated. FOCA would have lethal consequences for prenatal human life.

FOCA would have an equally destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children. It would threaten Catholic health care institutions and Catholic Charities. It would be an evil law that would further divide our country, and the Church should be intent on opposing evil.

On this issue, the legal protection of the unborn, the bishops are of one mind with Catholics and others of good will. They are also pastors who have listened to women whose lives have been diminished because they believed they had no choice but to abort a baby. Abortion is a medical procedure that kills, and the psychological and spiritual consequences are written in the sorrow and depression of many women and men. The bishops are single-minded because they are, first of all, single-hearted.

The recent election was principally decided out of concern for the economy, for the loss of jobs and homes and financial security for families, here and around the world. If the election is misinterpreted ideologically as a referendum on abortion, the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis will be impossible to achieve. Abortion kills not only unborn children; it destroys constitutional order and the common good, which is assured only when the life of every human being is legally protected. Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion.

This statement is written at the request and direction of all the Bishops, who also want to thank all those in politics who work with good will to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Those in public life do so, sometimes, at the cost of great sacrifice to themselves and their families; and we are grateful. We express again our great desire to work with all those who cherish the common good of our nation. The common good is not the sum total of individual desires and interests; it is achieved in the working out of a common life based upon good reason and good will for all.

Our prayers accompany President-elect Obama and his family and those who are cooperating with him to assure a smooth transition in government. Many issues demand immediate attention on the part of our elected "watchman." (Psalm 127) May God bless him and our country.

Child in the Womb Blessing Approved

BALTIMORE—The U.S. bishops approved the Order for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb for use in the dioceses of the United States with a 223-1 vote November 11, at their General Assembly in Baltimore. The bishops also approved a Spanish version of the blessing with a 224-0 vote.

The Blessing of a Child in the Womb was prepared by the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities after receiving requests from dioceses for such a blessing and not finding an existing blessing for a newly conceived child. In March, 2008 a blessing was prepared and submitted to the Committee on Divine Worship. The proposed blessing is distinct from the Blessing of Parents before Childbirth found in the Book of Blessings.

The Blessing of a Child in the Womb Within Mass and Outside Mass, in English and in Spanish, upon recognitio by the Congregation on Divine Worship and the Sacraments in Rome for use in the dioceses of the United States of America, will be included in future editions of the Book of Blessings (de Benedictionibus) when the text is revised.

Protest at Annual USCCB Meeting

WASHINGTON, Nov 07, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Pro-life Catholics from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania will "welcome" Catholic Bishops to Baltimore with two days of protests, decrying what is being termed the USCCB's silence and treachery concerning the unborn during the 2008 Presidential Election.

Some protesters will wear "Obama Masks" and hold signs saying: "Bishops: Thank you for your silence!" and "Bishops: I couldn't have been elected without You!" Other signs to be unveiled.
Randall Terry, Protest Organizer states: "A key factor in the election of Barack Obama was the silence of U.S. Catholic Bishops. They had a duty to clearly and courageously defend the lives of unborn children; most of them failed miserably. Their silence and cowardice over the last 12 months paved the way for Obama's victory, and will cost millions of innocent babies their lives."

"The USCCB's document, 'Faithful Citizenship,' is a disaster," observed the Operation Rescue founder. "It was used by every pro-abortion Catholic in the country to justify voting for Obama. The double tragedy is that the Bishops ignored John Paul II's directives in 'Evangelium Vitae' (the Gospel of Life), and chose their own failed document to vindicate their silence and inactivity."

"God have mercy on them. Let's hope they recognize the abject failure of 'Faithful Citizenship,' and formally abandon it, or radically rewrite it in a way that accurately reflects Church Teaching," concluded Terry.

Not only will pro-lifers will provide media with Church documentation, showing the betrayal their duty, but they will also be acknowledging and honoring the handful Bishops who made clear statements regarding Church teachings.

Where:
Marriott Water Front
700 Aliceanna St.
Baltimore Maryland, 21202

Dates and Times:
Sunday, November 9, 2008, 2-5 pm,
Monday, November 10, 2008, 12 Noon - 2:00 pm

Okay, it may seem out of character for me to promote something that may intially seem to be against the Church, but my perspective of this is that, in this matter, many of the Bishops let the Church and her people down.

People were really looking for direction this election. I have no idea how many people asked me if I knew where Catholic teachings placed the electorate, but there were quite a few. They wanted to know how doctrine should impact their vote. They wanted to be faithful to the Church!!!! Consciously, really and truly, wanted to vote in a morally relevant fashion -- yet didn't know how to go about so doing.

It wasn't just the people in my quiet country parish. This little blog had many visitors looking for Catholic and/or pro-life voting guides. They wanted to hear that the Church felt the evil of abortion supersedes other issues. They wanted to know that there is moral complicity in voting for a pro-choice candidate when the other one is very much more pro-life. They needed to know those things. Shamefully, they weren't told them.

Maybe if the Bishops are shown by the protest that the faithful recognize their need for direction, the Bishops will be less likely to shirk that responsibility.

Election Novena

The Bishops' election novena should be started tomorrow. The ninth day, and final day, of praying the prayer is the eve of the election - November 3th.

If your parish didn't distribute the prayer along with the daily reading and reflection, please visit the novena prayer page of the USCCB's Faithful Citizen site by clicking HERE.

The piece below is from almost two weeks ago. I had wanted to post it then, but time, obviously, got away from me. Just the same, it is unfortunately going to be relevant for awhile. We need to share it and pray for the obsolescence of its message.



Bishop Holley Calls on Black Community to Overcome Abortion

WASHINGTON—Bishop Martin D. Holley, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, issued a statement responding to a report by the Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood's research branch, showing that black women have abortions at five times the rate of white women.

"As an African American, I am saddened by evidence that Black women continue to be targeted by the abortion industry. The loss of any child from abortion is a tragedy, but we must ask: Why are minority children being aborted at such disproportionate rates?" Bishop Holley said.

"Our legitimate commitment to other social concerns must not push the primary moral issue of abortion onto the back burner. It clearly must be at the heart and center of our discussion of the survival of African American people," Bishop Holley said.

Bishop Holley serves as Chair of the Sub-Committee on African American Affairs and is a member of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).Bishop Holley called for the federal defunding of the abortion industry. "Every year the federal government gives over $300 million to Planned Parenthood. Last year for the first time, Planned Parenthood took in over one billion dollars and reported a profit of $51 million," he said of the non-profit organization.

The Bishop called upon African Americans to "defend our community by rededicating ourselves to family life and marriage, promoting the gift of chastity and marital fidelity, committing ourselves to prayer and service to others and defending the life and dignity of each human person. We can welcome every child as a gift and we can overcome abortion."

The full text of Bishop Holley's statement follows:

As an African American, I am saddened by evidence that Black women continue to be targeted by the abortion industry. The loss of any child from abortion is a tragedy, but we must ask: Why are minority children being aborted at such disproportionate rates?

Many African Americans are not aware that since the Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion throughout all 9 months of pregnancy, the number one cause of death in the African American community has been abortion. We have lost over 13 million lives. To put that in perspective, it is one third of our present Black population. Since 1973, twice as many Black Americans have died from abortion than from AIDS, accidents, violent crimes, cancer, and heart disease combined.

As I noted in my recent Respect Life Program article, "A Reflection on the African American Family and the Culture of Life" (www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/holley.pdf), our legitimate commitment to other social concerns must not push the primary moral issue of abortion onto the back burner. It clearly must be at the heart and center of our discussion of the survival of African American people.

The Guttmacher Institute called on policy makers to "redouble their efforts to improve access to subsidized contraceptive services for these women." Yet studies have shown that increased access to contraceptives, especially among teens, does not reduce unintended pregnancy and abortion. On the contrary, several studies link increased access to contraceptives to an increase in STDs, with no decrease in abortion rates.

As the research arm of Planned Parenthood, the Guttmacher Institute is shamelessly trying to build a case for receiving more of our taxpayer dollars. Every year the federal government gives over $300 million to Planned Parenthood. Last year for the first time, Planned Parenthood took in over one billion dollars and reported a profit of $51 million. I join my voice with others in the Black community who have called for the defunding of the abortion industry.

We must demand an end to the victimizing of African American children, women, families and communities by Planned Parenthood and others in the abortion industry. Over 80 percent of Planned Parenthood clinics are located in minority neighborhoods. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, began the "Negro Project" to reduce the Black population. We should be shocked and heartbroken by the findings of a recent phone investigation, that recorded a fundraiser at an Iowa Planned Parenthood clinic saying she was "very excited" about a donation specifically for aborting Black babies.

My brothers and sisters, we can overcome abortion in our nation. Let us defend our community by rededicating ourselves to family life and marriage, promoting the gift of chastity and marital fidelity, committing ourselves to prayer and service to others and defending the life and dignity of each human person. We can welcome every child as a gift and we can overcome abortion.

If anyone doubts what Bishop Holley has said in the above piece, please do your own research. Genocide is happening right here in our country.

Duluth Bishop Reassigned as Cincinnati's Archbishop

USCCB press release:

Pope Names Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Duluth
Coadjutor Archbishop of Cincinnati

WASHINGTON—Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Duluth, Minnesota, 60, coadjutor archbishop of Cincinnati.

The appointment as coadjutor bishop confers on Archbishop-elect Schnurr the right to succession to Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk of Cincinnati. Archbishop Pilarczyk is 74.

The appointment of Archbishop-elect Schnurr, who is treasurer of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, was announced in Washington, October 17, by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

Archbishop-elect Schnurr, a native of Sheldon, Iowa, was named Bishop of Duluth January 18, 2001, when he was General Secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, July 21, 1974.

Dennis Marion Schnurr was born June 21, 1948, and raised in Hospers, Iowa. He was educated in local Catholic schools and Loras College, Dubuque, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied for the priesthood at North American College and the Gregorian University, Rome, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology in 1974. He was awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America in 1980.

After ordination to the priesthood, he worked in parish assignments and as vice-chancellor and chancellor of the Sioux City Diocese. In 1985, he was assigned to the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, where he gave advice on canon law, monitored financial affairs and researched issues of interest to the church. In 1989, he was appointed Associate General Secretary of the United States Catholic Conference/National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB/USCC), where he supervised pubic policy departments and was principal staff person for an assessment and overhaul of the Conferences' budget and staffing procedures. In 1995, the bishops elected him General Secretary of the NCCB/USCC.

After being named a bishop, Archbishop-elect Schnurr served on the USCCB Administrative Committee and Executive Committee and was vice-president of the Priorities and Plans Committee, a member of the board of trustees of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., and on the Task Force on Promotions of Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.

Archbishop Pilarczyk, a native of Dayton, Ohio, was ordained December 20, 1959, for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati where he was chancellor and on the faculty of St. Gregory Seminary. He was named Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati in 1974, and named Archbishop of Cincinnati, November 2, 1982. He holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Urban University, Rome, and a Doctorate in Classics from the University of Cincinnati. He served as vice-president of the NCCB/USCC from 1986-1989, and president from 1989-1992. He also served as a consultant to the U.S. bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs.

The Cincinnati Archdiocese includes 19 counties in Ohio. The total population of the archdiocese is estimated at 2,988,285 people, with 485,112 of them Catholic.

Cardinal Rigali and the Freedom of Choice Act

Yesterday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Pro-Life released a statement made by Philadelphia's Cardinal Rigali, USCCB Committee on Pro-life Activities Chairman. The statement was written to mark this weekend's Respect Life Sunday.

There was one portion I think needs highlighting:

We face the threat of a federal bill that, if enacted,would obliterate virtually all the gains of the past 35 years and cause the abortion rate to skyrocket. The "Freedom of Choice Act" ("FOCA") has many Congressional sponsors, some of whom have pledged to act swiftly to help enact this proposed legislation when Congress reconvenes in January.

FOCA establishes abortion as a "fundamental right" throughout the nine months of pregnancy, and forbids any law or policy that could "interfere"with that right or "discriminate" against it in public funding and programs. If FOCA became law, hundreds of reasonable, widely supported, and constitutionally sound abortion regulations now in place would be invalidated. Gone would be laws providing for informed consent, and parental consent or notification in the case of minors. Laws protecting women from unsafe abortion clinics and from abortion practitioners who are not physicians would be overridden. Restrictions on partial-birth and other late-term abortions would be eliminated. FOCA would knock down laws protecting the conscience rights of nurses, doctors, and hospitals with moral objections to abortion, and force taxpayers to fund abortions throughout the United States.

We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot tolerate an even greater loss of innocent human lives. We cannot subject more women and men to the post-abortion grief and suffering that our counselors and priests encounter daily in Project Rachel programs across America.

For twenty-four years, the Catholic Church has provided free,confidential counseling to individuals seeking emotional and spiritual healing after an abortion, whether their own or a loved one's. We look forward to the day when these counseling services are no longer needed,when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law. If FOCA is enacted, however, that day may recede into the very distant future.

Something Cardinal Rigali doesn't say about the Freedom of Choice Act is that presidential candidate Barack Obama has said that he looks forward to this being the first piece of legislation he signs into law.

Please contact your Representatives and Senators in Congress to express how you feel they ought vote on this matter. The Capitol switchboard number is (202) 224-3121 - an operator will then direct your call to either one of your Senators or Representatives. TTY (hearing impaired) calls may be placed to (202) 225-1904

United States Senate
For E-mail Address:
Member Web Site Listing

Address via U.S. Postal Service:
Office of Senator (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510


United States House of Representatives
For E-mail Address:
Visit Member Web Site Listing

Address via U.S. Postal Service:
Office of Representative (Name)
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Set the Spirit Free Conference

Saturday, September 20, 2008, the Harrisburg Diocese hosted its 2008 Day of Charismatic Renewal at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg. The theme was "Set the Spirit Free."The day began with faith filled music provided by the Upper Room Prayer Group Music Ministry.


They played, led songs and gave praise for about an hour before Mass began.
The five altar servers were from multiple parishes in the diocese.

Harriburg's Bishop Rhoades was the principal celebrant of the concelebrated Mass.
The religious pictured below are, left to right, Msgr. Robert Lawrence, Fr. Francis Karwacki, Fr. William Weary, Master of Ceremony Fr. Neill Sullivan, Deacon James Rush, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades and Bishop Sam Jacobs (Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana).
In Bishop Rhoades homily he told the congregation that we must take up the cross daily -- it is not an optional element of the Catholic Christian. We are called to embrace the cross everyday. We must love as Christ loved. Give of ourselves in imitation of the self-giving love of Calvary. The Eucharist strengthens us to do that.
In that Saturday was the feast day of the 103 Korean martyrs, Bishop Rhoades spoke of their willingness to take up the cross. They, individuals ranging in ages from 13 - 72, were true to Christ - they denied themselves and bore their crosses. The Bishop told us that we should pray to the martyrs - all martyrs - asking them to help us by their intercession to take up our cross.

Beyond the 103 Korean martyrs who are recognized as members of the communion of saints, the Church in Korea, young as it is, has had more than 10,000 martyrs. They knew ridicule, unpopularity and faced opposition - things that have kept lesser people from stepping up to embrace their cross. Bishop Rhoades implored everyone to hear again the words of Christ in the Gospel when He said that if we denied Him before men that He would deny us before the Father. Shame should not be a part of our relationship to/with Christ. We need courageous disciples of Christ in the Church. When the apostle Paul wrote, The love of Christ urges me on, he was witnessing to the fact that he didn't lose faith or courage, no matter the circumstances, because he KNEW Christ was with him. In the eighth chapter of his letter to the Romans, with conviction, Paul tells us to take up our cross and follow the Lord everyday for if God is for us, who can be against us? (31). Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (39). Bishop Rhoades concluded his homily by asserting that the love of Christ urges us.

Just before the the concluding blessing of the Mass, Bishop Rhoades came forward to address those present. He thanked the individuals who shared their inspiration, spoke of his experience at World Youth Day 2008 and encouraged everyone to evangelize.

After a break following Mass, because of concerns expressed by conference attendees, Bishop Sam Jacobs first spoke of the the state of his Diocese (Houma-Thibodaux) which was the hardest hit by Hurricane Gustav. He also spoke encouragingly of the outpouring of goodwill by some people, including a priest who was industrious enough to get a hold of a horse so as to visit areas in which people were stranded to ascertain conditions and needs.

There was a couple who went to shelters with the Bishop. The husband and wife were grateful for having not being adversely impacted by the hurricane and felt compelled to find and address the needs of those not so fortunate. Bishop Sam said the Red Cross was very good at addressing the very basic needs of those in shelters, but this couple took it a step further in that, after talking to shelter directors, they went to Wal-Mart and spent $1,000 on items such as fans, towels and food (emergency food ration packages were provided by the Red Cross, but some directors asked for things such as spaghetti and tomato sauce for meals).

Another person who understood that people were in need and wanted give immediate aid decided to raise funds by selling bracelets akin to Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG bracelets - having WINDSTRONG on the hurricane recovery bracelets. In the first day, Bishop Sam said, $10,000 was raised. The man and his friends procured a 16 ft truck with which they are directly taking down the bayous to the people in need. The Windstrong Foundation is directly asking people what their needs are and returning with the truck filled with those items which range from water to clothing.

The Bishop said that in spite of devastation there is faith, hope and love to be found. He asked that all pray for those hurt and the workers - both being groups that are very stressed and stretched thin. They were still try to recover from Katrina when Gustav and Ike hit. The USCCB has authorized a special collection at Masses this coming weekend (Sept. 27 & 28) to help the recovery efforts from the latest hurricanes.

Before moving to the "Set the Spirit Free" theme of the Conference, Bishop Sam concluded talk of the hurricane recovery by saying, "We are going to survive, but need the help of others."

Bishop Sam then moved to the topic of the day - Set the Spirit Free

Before we can set the Spirit free, the Spirit must set us free.

God's plan is that we be filled with the Holy Spirit.

In the first two chapters of Luke's Gospel it is noted that seven people are filled with the Holy Spirit. This is not coincidence that at the beginning of this book that such mention is made - it is documentation of God's plan. The seven people listed are:

• John the Baptist
• Mary
• Jesus
• Elizabeth
• Zachariah
• Simeon
• Anna

The Acts of the Apostles also has being filled with the Holy Spirit as a theme.

The Holy Spirit gives sanctification. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord - are personal sanctifers. They are tools for the use of those who have been filled by the Holy Spirit.

We need to get out of our comfort zone - to let God have control. We need to freely be a fool for Christ. In that the life Christ calls us to is in opposition to the ways of the world, to be for Christ is to be foolish in the eyes of the world.

The word "yes" can be seen as an acronym answer to the question of "How will you lead your life?"

• Y - Yield, E - Everything to, S - Self
• Y - Yield, E - Everything to, S - Satan
• Y - Yield, E - Everything to, S - Savior

God has given us freewill. He wants us to be reunited with Him -- freely chosen reunification. We must each decide how we will live our lives. Once we decide to yield everything to our Savior, we can then move toward setting the Spirit free in our lives and the world.

Having received sanctifying grace in the sacraments, we must now set the Spirit free to move in our lives. We need to act on the leadership of the Lord in the use of our freewill. We are filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can be holy -- holy so that we can enter into a relationship with God. This then lets us be witnesses to Christ.

Lacking in today's Church is evangelization, yet God wants it to be done.

God can do anything through you if you are open to Him working through you. What is the use of zeal for the Holy Spirit if you aren't a zealot? We have our marching orders but aren't marching.

Conversion is missing from the Church. That is why so few Catholics regularly attend Mass. We have all been baptized, but we aren't all on fire.

There once were two Baptist ministers - one having the charge of a predominantly African-American congregation which would have loud, nearly riotous, services of praise, the other having a congregation which was predominantly Anglo-American with very sedate services. One day the pastor of the reserved congregation asked the other how it could be that their services were so vastly different. The pastor of the lively followers paused in thought, then said, "Well, we both have filet mignon." He paused, again, then went on, "It's just that yours is still in the freezer. Ours is in the fire."

There is a need to reach out to people, to bring them to conversion. We must witness the Gospel to them.

As persons of God we are good beings; however, we may do bad thing. We should act out of the core of our being - out of the good of God. We should not be doing simply out of a desire to be doing.

We should be looking for opportunities to share what God has done for us. We are to stir the Holy Spirit within the people with whom we are sharing God's impact in our life. One of Bishop Sam's priests held a town hall sort of meeting with the people in the area of his parish -- Catholics and non-Catholics. He did this to find out the needs of the people. The next weekend he had people at Mass whom he had never seen in the church. They told him that the meeting was the first time they had experienced the Church as a church that cared about them.

People need to know of the love of Christ, the love of His Church. We catechize before God is real to individuals. We should be evengelizing them first. They need to be given a taste, then catechize/feed them. Right after Pentecost, Peter gave first gave the 3,000 the experience of Christ -- then brought them into the fold of the faithful.

Of course, the conversion moment is important, but conversion is and ongoing concern.

Solemnly I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these (John 14:12).

It is up to us to step out and do. Too often though, people get stuck in the preparation for doing stage and never get to the actual doing.

At some point during the early to mid 1970's, the prolific period of feel good felt banners, an elderly nun was scuffing through the convent when she began to pass by a room where some of the younger sisters were making banners. In an effort of redirection, she detoured through that room to see what was going on. Bend over by the weight of many years, the frail woman again took up her slow methodical pace. As she began to pass a postulant intent upon her purpose, the elderly sister slowly turned her head a bit, yelled, "Do it!," and continued on her way.

The message on the banner? "Love one another."

Today is the day.

"The Church exists to evangelize" (Pope John VI). Evangelization is the nature of the Church. Our faith must be evident. We must bear witness so people may look at the Lord when they see us.

For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? (Romans 10:13-14)

We must give the Spirit total freedom to lead us to what He has called us to do -- Evangelize -- to introduce others to Him.

At the end of his talk, before Exposition, the Bishop gave people who had never done so before the opportunity to come forward and publicly give their lives to Christ.

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This is a link to WINDSTRONG Bracelet web site

Meeting of the Candidates to Help Poor and Sick

Senators John McCain and Barack Obama are slated to be co-guest speakers at a dinner hosted by New York Cardinal Edward M. Egan. The October 16th memorial dinner, named for New York Governor Alfred Smith who was the first Catholic presidential candidate, is a black-tie affair that has raised millions of dollars to help the poor and sick of the New York Archdiocese.

The presidential candidates will come together at this the 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner for what should be a lighthearted evening. Although speakers at this dinner have traditionally been hard hitting politicos, as the foundation's site notes, the "luminous guest speakers have stepped from the world stage to honor and entertain Annual Dinner audiences with their light humor and political savvy."

"Indeed, the occasion has evolved into something of an opportunity for speakers - particularly ones whose mien is typically quite serious - to show, through quips and slightly irreverent humor, that they can poke fun at a political issue, an opponent, or themselves."

The first time presidential opponents came together for this event was in 1960 when John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon both spoke at the dinner. Click here to visit the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation's site where you may find more information, including a list of former speakers.

USCCB and Conscientious Voting

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishop has developed a Faithful Citizenship site that has information to help individuals be politically responsible. Part and parcel of the site's offerings is free downloads. The site address is http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org/

While you are there, be sure to sign-up for the Faithful Citizenship e-mail list to be entered to win an IPod from the USCCB. The drawing for the IPod will be on or after November 5, 2008.

Good Luck and Good Voting!


HT: Deacon Greg Kandra over at The Deacon's Bench

Chaput & Conley's Cross Country Clarification

I was reading the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper online when I came upon an article which made mention of a letter distributed in an Atlanta parish's bulletins this past weekend. It was a reprint of a letter the bishops of the Denver archdiocese addressed to the members of the archdiocese.


The article only included snippets of the letter, but the archdiocese web site had the complete document. In that it is reaching Catholics from across the country, I thought you might want to see it too.

Public Servants and Moral Reasoning:
A notice to the Catholic community in northern Colorado

To Catholics of the Archdiocese of Denver:


When Catholics serve on the national stage, their actions and words impact the faith of Catholics
around the country. As a result, they open themselves to legitimate scrutiny by local Catholics and local bishops on matters of Catholic belief. In 2008, although NBC probably didn't intend it, Meet the Press has become a national window on the flawed moral reasoning of some Catholic public servants.


On August 24, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, describing herself as an ardent, practicing
Catholic, misrepresented the overwhelming body of Catholic teaching against abortion to the show's nationwide audience, while defending her "pro-choice" abortion views. On September 7, Sen. Joseph Biden compounded the problem to the same Meet the Press audience.


Sen. Biden is a man of distinguished public service. That doesn't excuse poor logic or bad facts.
Asked when life begins, Sen. Biden said that, "it's a personal and private issue." But in reality, modern biology knows exactly when human life begins: at the moment of conception. Religion has nothing to do with it. People might argue when human "personhood" begins - though that leads public policy in very dangerous directions - but no one can any longer claim that the beginning of life is a matter of religious opinion.


Sen. Biden also confused the nature of pluralism. Real pluralism thrives on healthy, non-violent disagreement; it requires an environment where people of conviction will struggle respectfully but vigorously to advance their beliefs. In his interview, the senator observed that other people with strong religious views disagree with the Catholic approach to abortion. It's certainly true that we need to acknowledge the views of other people and compromise whenever possible - but not at the expense of a developing child's right to life. Abortion is a foundational issue; it is not an issue like housing policy or the price of foreign oil. It always involves the intentional killing of an innocent life, and it is always, grievously wrong. If, as Sen. Biden said, "I'm prepared as a matter of faith [emphasis added] to accept that life begins at the moment of conception," then he is not merely wrong about the science of new life; he also fails to defend the innocent life he already knows is there.


As the senator said in his interview, he has opposed public funding for abortions. To his great credit,he also backed a successful ban on partial-birth abortions. But his strong support for the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade and the false "right" to abortion it enshrines, can't be excused by any serious Catholic. Support for Roe and the "right to choose" an abortion simply masks what abortion is, and what abortion does. Roe is bad law. As long as it stands, it prevents returning the abortion issue to the states where it belongs, so that the American people can decide its future through fair debate and legislation.


In his Meet the Press interview, Sen. Biden used a morally exhausted argument that American
Catholics have been hearing for 40 years: i.e., that Catholics can't "impose" their religiously based views on the rest of the country. But resistance to abortion is a matter of human rights, not religious opinion. And the senator knows very well as a lawmaker that all law involves the imposition of some people's convictions on everyone else. That is the nature of the law. American Catholics have allowed themselves to be bullied into accepting the destruction of more than a million developing unborn children a year. Other people have imposed their "pro-choice" beliefs on American society without any remorse for decades.

If we claim to be Catholic, then American Catholics, including public officials who describe themselves as Catholic, need to act accordingly. We need to put an end to Roe and the industry of permissive abortion it enables. Otherwise all of us - from senators and members of Congress, to Catholic laypeople in the pews - fail not only as believers and disciples, but also as citizens.




+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Denver


+James D. Conley
Auxiliary Bishop of Denver

What I Saw in My Mind's Eye

Although not well rendered, the above image is what I saw in my mind's eye as my head spun while reading San Francisco Archdiocesan Archbishop George Niederauer's take on Nancy Pelosi's most recent Meet the Press appearance and her reception of communion. Archbishop Niederauer is Pelosi's prelate - and he is evidently very good at talking out of both sides of his mouth.

Head over to Deacon Greg Kandra's blog to see what I mean.

Bishop Ricken's Installation Scores a Touchdown

During his installation ceremony, as a nod to the home team, Bishop David Ricken, the man charged with calling the plays for the Green Bay diocese, decided to sing the chorus of the country song "Drop Kick Me, Jesus" before giving his homily in which he discussed St. Augustine's search for meaning.

I wonder if

"Drop kick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life
End over end neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them righteous uprights
Drop kick me, Jesus, through the goal posts of life"

fits within the parameters of what Pope Benedict XVI, the Church's General Manager, intends for the liturgical music changes.

May God Bless His Eminence, Bishop Ricken. May the angels direct his arm and may his opponents never recognize when he's going for a Hail Mary play.

Bishop Jumoad Receives Extortion Demand

Did you know that Bishop Martin Jumoad of the Basilan province in the Philippines has received a threat of violence if he doesn't convert to Islam?

The bishop received a letter written by persons calling themselves “Muslim warriors.” They said of they “don't follow any laws other than the Qur'an.” The letter instructed Bishop Jumoad to convert to Islam or pay “jizya.” A jizya is an Islamic tax generally assessed from non-believers being protected in Islamic states; however, it does not come into play in non-Muslim countries. The letter writing "Muslim warriors" said the jizya will afford the bishop protection “in the place of Muslims.”

The letter stated that if the Bishop did not comply, “force, weapons or war may be used” against him.

In other words, these thugs are solely seeking protection money - there is no way they, in their wildest dreams, are imagining a letter is going to cause Bishop Jumoad to convert. Absurdly, they are trying to legitimize the extortion by citing a taxation that is part of the social order in governments under Islamic rule. In those countries the tax is used to support the needy. I'm thinking that is not the case with these people.

Unfortunately, this is yet another volatile area of Muslim extremism. Other Catholics have received such threats. Just this past Monday five Catholics were abducted in Basilan. The three adults and two children were abducted from a public jeep.

Pauline Year

In recognition and celebration of St. Paul's Jubilee year, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Harrisburg Diocese commissioned Jody Cole, an iconography of the diocese, to create an icon of St. Paul the Apostle.

Below is a holy card of the image, along with the prayer found on the reverse of the card:

USCCB's Loss, Vatican's Gain

Sigh.

We're losing one of my favorite bishops. Archbishop Burke of the St. Louis archdiocese is leaving to join the Apostolic Signatura. His expertise in Church law that formed his opinions and that so irritated the selfish, is the reason for the Archbishop's departure. His new position could be equated with that of the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court in that he will preside over the judicial arm of the Vatican.

I know that Archbishop Burke will serve the Church well in his new capacity, but I will miss his voice in the popular media. It was like a clear ringing bell amid the cacophony.