ADVENT 2008: The People in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light!

Happy New Year! The first Sunday of Advent begins the new liturgical year. Like the Israelites of old we await the coming of the Messiah and I don't mean "the (false) one" being inaugurated in January. No we await the coming of the Savior, He who takes away the sins of the world. As we light the first candle on the advent wreath, my husband and I will reflect on:

1) Remembering - Bringing to mind that long first Advent which stretched from the Lord's promise to Adam and Eve and Noah and Abraham and all of the patriarchs that he would send a Savior who would open the gates of heaven to rescue man from eternal death.

2) Anticipating - Reflecting on the second coming of Christ at the end of the world. The trials and tribulations of these days, the growing darkness of the culture of death, will end and, with its end, will be the victory of Christ the King. This year is a living once again the spiritual journey from birth to death and resurrection.

3) Celebrating - The coming of the light of Christ into our hearts once again on Christmas day. But we can enjoy Christmas each and every day of the year when we receive Jesus in Communion at Holy Mass. What a gift from Him. And we can bring Him the gift of ourselves to offer at the altar purified in Confession and through daily prayer and sacrifice. Let us sweep sin and faults away and fill our hearts with the clean straw of virtue to prepare a soft manger where Mary can lay Him.

May this Advent be a joyous and grace-filled time of preparation for you and your family. For daily activities to use with your Advent wreath lighting visit EWTN's Advent calendar and click on the date. Daily preparation for the coming of Christ will make this a truly holy season for you and yours.

Margaret Sanger, an American Adolf Hitler

Eugenics: the word conjures up the macabre image of medical experiments in Nazi Germany to bring about a pure and unsullied "master race." But Hitler's ideas were preceded much earlier by activities in the United States. One of the earliest eugenics laws was passed in 1909 in Califoria. It resulted in the sterilization of over 16,000 "hereditarily diseased offspring."

The radical ideas of liberal eugenicists began in the U.S. They preceded and undergirded the evil philosophy of the Third Reich which murdered not only six million Jews in the death camps but millions of political and religious opponents. The January 1934 Nazi "Law Concerning the Reconstruction of the Reich" (Gesetz über den Neuaufbau des Reiches)was based on a "purified democracy" grounded in "racial foundations." It marked the eugenic foundation of the horrors to come. The far-reaching law referenced the Human Betterment Foundation and the California sterilization program. The Human Betterment Foundation, chartered in 1928, aimed to achieve the "advancement and betterment of human life, character, and citizenship, particularly in the United States of America." (Better for All the World by Harry Bruinius)These ideas fertilized the Nazi eugenicists and helped bring about the holocaust. (The Human Betterment Foundation was dismantled in 1945 and its papers turned over to Cal Tech, but its ideas live on.)

Before Adolf Hitler ever addressed the "Jewish problem" to eliminate the "defective race" he targeted defective Aryans in the population: the retarded, those with physical defects like cleft palate, the mentally ill, etc. Margaret Sanger targeted many of these same "defectives" as well as blacks, Irish-Catholic immigrants, and the poor.

The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery is currently celebrating American women with a federally-funded exhibit including racist eugenicist Margaret Sanger, our own Adolf Hitler. Sanger believed the purpose of birth control was to breed a master race. She defined those she considered unfit as "human weeds" who "clog up the path." The liberal elitist described charity as "cruel" because it perpetuated the unfit and wanted to create camps to isolate the weeds from the flowers in the human garden. To celebrate this woman's life is like putting up a shrine to Hitler and the Third Reich in the Capitol Rotunda.

American Life League has developed a video series outing Margaret Sanger as the racist she was and calling for the National Portrait Gallery to remove her from the exhibit. One quote alone is sufficient to justify her removal. In 1932 Sanger Called for a population conference to outline her plan for peace. The primary objective of the conference would be "to apply a stern and rigid policy of sterilization and segregation to that grade of population whose progeny is already tainted, to give certain disgenic groups in our population their choice of segregation or sterilization and to apportion farmlands and homelands for these segregated persons where they would be taught to work under competent instructors for the period of their entire lives."

Is Margaret Sanger with her racist and fascist ideals really a woman to celebrate in the "land of the free and the home of the brave." Watch the ALL video and contact the Smithsonian (www.npg.si.edu) to demand removal of Sanger from the exhibit.

Give the grim reaper for Christmas?

LifeNews calls it "what could easily become the most offensive Christmas offer ever." What is it? A gift certificate for services at Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the world. The only word to describe PP's latest money-making gimmick is macabre. On the feast day when the world celebrates the birth of the Savior of the world, conceived nine months earlier in the womb of the Virgin Mary, PP urges giving "a gift...that they really need." If Margaret Sanger were still alive she'd probably find a generous benefactor to underwrite this project and give out free gift cards in black, hispanic, and Catholic neighborhoods. These were all categories of people she called "human weeds." We suggest you send your local PP a Christmas card with a promise of a holy hour offered for their conversion. Don't put anything on the outside to identify it as a pro-life message or it may end up unopened in the trash can. But who knows what good can come to the person who reads it. The Lord moves in mysterious ways through our prayers and sacrifices.

Doug Kmiec for Ambassador to the Vatican? NEVER!

Michael Winters writing at the America Magazine website suggests Doug Kmiec would be the "perfect" ambassador to the Vatican for the Obama administration - not a suprising idea coming from the liberal Jesuit-run weekly. But how will this play at the Vatican or in the homes of pro-life Catholics? As one of the latter my reaction as a mom and grandma who loves and defends the faith and the unborn is bring out the barf bags. Kmiec's dishonest shilling for the most radical pro-abortion, pro-infanticide politician in history disqualifies him outright.

What does the Vatican think? Catholic News Agency responded to the Winters article with a quote from an unidentified official at the Vatican office of the Secretary of State. "It will never happen." Let's hope not!

Kmiec has been described over and over as having "impeccable" pro-life credentials. Maybe he did once, but no more. Anyone who claims he does must argue that the same proportional reasons he used to justify support for Obama exist to support politicians who advocate killing jews or blacks or any other "unwanted" class of human beings. Would anyone agree with that? Of course not, but unborn babies can't vote and their cries can't even be heard so they are expendable.

One could make a legitimate moral case to disqualify both Obama and McCain, but to say one can choose the candidate who takes the most radical pro-death position is ridiculous. Archbishop Chaput has challenged Kmiec, after all his rhetoric, to deliver a pro-life Obama. Considering that the candidate promised his first act would be to sign FOCA, I'm not holding my breath for that unlikely outcome. That's the only way I can see for Douglas Kmiec's "impeccable" pro-life credentials to be restored.

Rebellion in the ranks: priests alert their parishioners about CCHD problems

Washington Times religion editor, Julia Duin, had a front page article today reflecting that some priests in the Diocese of Arlington think their parishioners have the right to the truth about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Bravo for them and bravo for Julia Duin for her front page analysis.

Cardinal Arinze for President!

If we were going to elect a black, non-citizen as president, we got the wrong man! Cardinal Arinze is my hero and I've had the pleasure of meeting him at the Apostolate for Family Consecration. What a sense of humor! Pray that Rome names some good cardinals for the American church in the image of Cardinal Arinze instead of the sorry lot we've got like Cardinals Mahony, McCarrick, Egan, and Wuerl and Archbishop Niederauer who can't bring themselves to correct pro-abortion politicians. Not only are they not as smart as fifth graders, but, according to Cardinal Arinze's assessment, they aren't as smart as the second grade First Communion class.

The Real Thanksgiving Story: Socialism Doesn't Work!

There's a good article on the Ludwig Von Mises Institute website about The Great Thanksgiving Hoax. Did you think the Plymouth Plantation was a place where the pilgrims all landed on the rock then worked happily together and enjoyed the benefit of their labor? Unhappily that wasn't the case -- at least not in the beginning. No, the pilgrims were a contentious and lazy lot for the most part and the workers (remember the little red hen) were in the minority.

In his article, Richard Maybury writes that, "the governor of the colony, William Bradford, reported that the colonists went hungry for years, because they refused to work in the fields. They preferred instead to steal food. He says the colony was riddled with 'corruption,' and with 'confusion and discontent.' The crops were small because 'much was stolen both by night and day, before it became scarce eatable.'"

Well, gosh, how did these poor folks make it? You'll have to read the article. Then share "the rest of the story" with your family around the Thanksgiving table. You might end by quoting St. Paul's admonition that he who doesn't work doesn't eat. And remember, the cooks shouldn't have to do the clean-up. Pecan pie, anyone?

Yes, Virginia, Sometimes You Can Stop a Scandal!

A priest friend once told me, "If you can't stop a scandal, the next best thing is to shine light on it." Note the order here: try to stop the scandal first. If that fails, then expose it bigtime - with as much fanfare condemnig it as possible. Why? To prevent people from being confused and led into sin..... Continued on the Les Femmes website. Click on E-Letter.

On the other side of the Looking Glass: Obama's Transition

If you want to know what the U.S. is in store for, step through Alice's looking glass and check out Obama's transition website. What he promised for the gay agenda is there: the push for same-sex marriage and hate crime legislation to criminalize those who speak out against homosexual activity, forced adoption of little ones to same-sex couples (Won't they have fun changing diapers?), repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" to allow open gays in the military. (Just think - men sharing bathrooms with no doors and group showers with homosexuals. If men were sharing open showers with women, what would you expect. Uh-huh. And complaining, of course, will be proof of "bias" and a civil rights violation.) Does anyone think of the outcome of these idiotic policies? Talk about destroying military cohesiveness!

And then there's the women's agenda: pushing "reproductive rights," a code phrase for expanding abortion and eliminating every restriction, as well as increasing "comprehensive sex education" which means teaching children how to fornicate. ("All right, class, get out your banana and your condom, It's time for sex ed. Tommy, go to the principal for eating your banana. You were supposed to wait until after you put on the condom with the flavored lubricant!") There's lots more. One could spend an entertaining afternoon browsing the site and researching all the members of the transition team who used to work for the Clintons. (Oh look, another familiar face from Bill's time in the oval office. Isn't this nice, it's like old home week.) But hey, Obama is a pretty new liberal face and he's so well-spoken even if he didn't really mean all that silly talk about change.

Well, the American people asked for it. And this isn't the first time a people got more than they intended. The Israelites demanded a king so God instructed Samuel the prophet to give them what they wanted with the message that "It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me." Samuel warned the people they would become slaves of their kings who were mostly evil, but the people ignored the warning and demanded a king anyway. (Read about it in 1 Samuel 8.) America has her king now (oh wait...he's not just a king...he's the messiah. Reminds me of the third Reich... no God but Germany...no messiah but Obama).

Keep your sense of humor and keep all things in perspective. Christ is still king and this is a good week to remember it since we celebrated the solemnity yesterday. Those of us who serve the King know we must rededicate ourselves to repentance and intercession for our nation. Pray for the president-elect. But above all keep your children and grandchildren close to you and teach them to pray the rosary.

All Hail to Christ Our King!

Today is the feast of Christ the King. There is a great website that describes the rise of this wonderful holy day celebrated on the last Sunday of the Catholic liturgical year. (For Catholics the New Year is the First Sunday of Advent which begins on November 31st. ) Check out the wonderful origin of the Feast of Christ the King and promise Him your fealty as a faithful servant. This last week of the year offers the opportunity to meditate on the Kingship of Christ and what that means to us. Here are some places to go for meditation material. Why not make a Holy Hour with the King this week and ask Him what He wants from you.

Check out these websites for inspiration:

Plenary indulgence for Christ the King

Mary's Queenship closely connected to the Kingship of her Son

Christ’s Kingdom requires us to love our neighbor, Pope teaches

Before Him All Nations Will be Gathered:

Gospel Commentary for Solemnity of Christ the King
By Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap

More Clinton Retreads on Obama's Team

Ho-hum...Obama promised change, but continues to recycle the old, warn-out, liberal left for his "change" team of "hope." Biden was the first old boy drafted and the mantra continued with his Chicago democrat-machine chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel and former senator Tom Daschle. But Obama is an equal opportunity recycler so he's getting the women involved as well. He just named Clinton's transition-team lawyer and Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Dawn Johnsen, to his Department of Justice review group. Johnsen is another pro-abortion stalwart who was the Legal Director for NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) from 1988-1993. Arizona governor Janet Napolitano is also on the transition team and slated for Director of Homeland Security. Napolitano, another radical pro-abort (This will be the litmus-test government), got her political start in 1993 when Bill Clinton named her U.S. Attorney for Arizona. She also served as one of Anita Hill's lawyers in the failed attempt to abort the Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas, one of the most despicable acts in recent political history.

So it's good ole boy (and girl) politics as usual as Obama continues to pick his "new" team -- which looks a lot like the old Clinton team. Instead of "Bush 3," as the Dems warned during the campaign, it looks like "Clinton 3" only worse. Hmm...sounds like a good bumper sticker. Here are a few other suggestions: If we wanted Bill's team we'd have elected Hillary. Obama promised change but gives us Clinton 3! Clinton Retreads are Change? When Obama said hope he meant Clinton's hometown. Got one you'd like to add? Leave a comment.

Forced Abortion Incident in China Proves Pro-Choice Groups Are Pro-Abortion

Pro-abortion groups love to talk about "choice" but they never support any choice but the murder of children. Take the case of Chinese mother, Arzigul Tursun, who at six months pregnant was threatened with the forced abortion of her child. Did any of the usual "pro-choice" suspects intervene to defend Arzigul's choice to keep her child? Not a one. Nary a peep from the champions of choice. Not a single press release or comment to the media. NARAL, Planned Parenthood, Emily's list, NOW, et al save their outrage for people like Sarah Palin who dared not only to give birth to a precious little child with Down's Syndrome but didn't drag her pregnant teenager down to a PP mill to vacuum out the kid. Women who kill their grandchildren earn the admiration of the "pro-choice" crowd.

The choice propaganda is just that -- propaganda. The true pro-choicers are running the 3500 crisis pregnancies around the country offering women a real alternative, parenting or adoption, choices moms and their babies can live with. The only choice PP and their buddies want is a bloody, mangled body in the medical waste bag. And if the mother victim is a minor brought in by a sexual predator who committed statutory rape and is bringing his little sex-object to be recycled, that's okay with them too. In a Life Dynamics investigation a young woman posing as a thirteen year old with an adult "boyfriend" called over 800 Planned Parenthood facilities. Ninety-one percent instructed her how to cover-up for the predator and get the abortion. Whose choice were they protecting? The statutory rapist. Don't hold your breath waiting for the mainstream media to imitate this excellent example of investigative journalism. That would conflict with their activist approach shilling for the leftwing culture of death. Join the movement to STOP PLANNED PARENTHOOD today.

BOYCOTT THE CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT THIS WEEKEND!

We are happy to announce that at least two dioceses in the United States have informed their people that they will redirect monies collected this weekend from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The Archdiocese of Birmingham will send the collection to the Church in Latin America. The Diocese of Charleston, SC will donate the money to Catholic Charities. The CCHD collection is a serious scandal and has been for years. If you want to support left-wing politicos who practice a Marxist liberation-theology philosophy it's the collection for you. If you want to help the poor give to the Missionaries of Charity, your local St. Vincent de Paul Society or a crisis pregnancy center. Don't throw your money away this weekend. Boycott the CCHD. You won't be hurting the poor just the salaried community organizing bureaucrats who run the organizations.

Sodom and Gommorrah on the Potomac

It's shaping up to be a lavender and red inauguration: lavender for the gays, red for the blood of the babies.

These headlines are bad news for morality. We may as well rename our nation's capitol Sodom and Gommorrah on the Potomac. How long will the Lord withhold his wrath against a people who flaunt sins that cry to heaven for vengeance? Pray to Our Lady of America for a return to purity.

Obama names 7 gays to transition team
Gay groups considering Inaugural events
By LOU CHIBBARO JR, Washington Blade |
The Blade is the local gay paper in D.C.

Obama Picks Pro-Abort Tom Daschle, former senator from South Dakota, to head up HHS This is a pro-life disaster.
Daschle, a baptized Catholic who is divorced and remarried was publicly reprimanded by his bishop in 2003. Robert Carlson of Sioux Falls, SD, sent a letter "directing him to remove from his congressional biography and campaign documents all references to his standing as a member of the Catholic Church." (See article.)

Obama Has Pro-Abortion Supreme Court Litmus Test Despite Debate Remarks LifeNews.com

Get ready for a rocky ride come January. Take your rosary out of your pocket and pray it!

The Family that Prays Together Stays Together

"The family that prays together stays together." You've heard that right? It was the slogan of a man called the rosary priest, Fr. Patrick Peyton. Father Peyton used the media (like St. Maximillian Kolbe before him) to spread the faith. His Family Theater and Rosary crusades reached millions of people on every continent.

Fr. Peyton's cause for canonization is being introduced in Baltimore today. It certainly is timely and I urge you to pray your rosary today offering it for God's will in this matter. Suffering families surely need prayer. And if you want to read a great autobiography see if you can find All For Her. Thank you, Lord, for giving us such men to serve your Church.

The Land of the Free? What every happened to Choice?

After a three year fight, the matchmaking service, eHarmony, has agreed to link-up homosexual couples. This bodes ill for the future. We've already seen agressive action against pro-life pharmacists who are often punished or fired for refusing to dispense abortion drugs like RU-486. Medical personnel also face discrimination for refusing to participate in abortions. And with a new, more aggressive administration what can we expect? The force of government coming down hard on anyone who resists cooperation with the culture of death. The freedom to choose crowd has always been about coercion. No choice but their choice.

Pray, hope, don't worry and take a young person to lunch.

One of my favorite groups working for restoration of Catholic culture is the Cardinal Newman Society. Those who influence the young own the future and CNS's activity on college campuses offers hope that Catholic truth will survive the dark ages we presently face. When my old eyes look out and see young Catholics like Patrick Reilly of CNS, David Bereit of 40 Days for Life, Eric Scheidler continuing the legacy of his heroic father at the Pro-Life Action League, Eduardo Verastegui of Bella fame, and many others I am hopeful for the future. These leaders are just the vanguard of an army of youth, many coming out of the home school movement and others being raised from the very stones (of secularism) as God promised. Don't ever give up hope. Dispel the darkness: light a candle and take a young person to lunch. Listen to their hopes and dreams and share your faith.

And for the Judas award we nominate........Doug Kmiec

How glibly they lie. Now that they got their guy elected, the most radical pro-abort in history, those who claimed to be pro-lifers for Obama are calling to end efforts to ban abortion legally. How convenient that would be for the new abortion president as he puts his radical agenda in place.

Douglas Kmiec, a professor at Pepperdine, claimed in an interview with the Washington Post today that the strategies of the past have failed. He and other members of the religious left mentioned in the article, (Sojourners; Catholics United; Richard Cizik, of the National Association of Evangelicals; Rev. Thomas Reese of Georgetown University's Woodstock Theological Center and former editor of the liberal Catholic magazine America, and Nicholas Cafardi, former dean of the Duquesne University School of Law) have few credentials as real pro-lifers as far as I can determine. There's plenty of evidence of their demonizing the "religious right", however. Sojourners networks with dozens of groups actively working to expand abortion and homosexual rights. What have they ever done to defend unborn children or help their mothers? Nothing. And these are the advisors who will determine a more effective strategy for life? PLEASE!

Already they're talking about government programs to help women, like the Reducing the Need for Abortion and Supporting Parents Act, sponsored by Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, a former NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League)staff member. Can anyone really believe that a NARAL activist is interested in reducing abortion? If you think so read the bill's description. It would increase funding for sex education and contraception including contraception for teens. Those things don't reduce pregnancy, they increase promiscuity and teen pregnancy which leads to more abortion. Humanae Vitae predicted it and subsequent history has born it out. These people are either useful dupes or liars and, frankly, when I read their disingenuous mouthings I come to the conclusion that they are people of the lie.

The outcome of bills like the "Reducing...Abortion...Act" will mean more money for Planned Parenthood and other "reproductive health clinics" that offer the pill in one room and abortions in another. And it is absolutely predictable that legislation will be introduced to hamper the 3500 crisis pregnancy centers in this country, especially those that offer medical care. Archbishop Chaput of Denver said Kmiec and some of these groups have "undermined the progress pro-lifers have made and provided an excuse for some Catholics to abandon the abortion issue." Pro-life activist Joe Scheidler called it a "sellout."

As for the "failed" efforts of the past 35 years, that contention simply isn't true. Abortion rates are down. And Life Site News reports that "Research from University of Alabama professor Dr. Michael New shows states that have passed the most pro-life laws to reduce abortions have seen the biggest abortion declines."

But that is a thing of the past. The people of America have put a killing machine in place and once it starts working in earnest the blood will flow at a greater rate than we have ever seen before. It's a machine that thrives on human corpses. It is unlikely to stop with the tiny bodies of our unborn children. The only answer for Christians is to continue to defend the innocent and to fall on our knees before the Lord of life and beg his mercy on our poor country.

Know Your Legal Rights and Defend Them!

Home-school family harassed by social worker

Common Sense on the Election and What it Means to Conservatives

Fr. Thomas Berg, Executive Director of the Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human Person has a great column analyzing the recent presidential election. If you're still hyperventilating, try some deep breathing in a paper bag and then read Father's column. Life goes on. God is still the Lord of the universe. And to paraphrase Padre Pio, "pray, hope, work, and don't worry."

From the Feeding the Christians to the Lions Watch

A group of Christians who regularly meet on a corner in the Castro District of San Francisco to pray and witness were surrounded by a homosexual mob on Friday night; things got ugly and physical. Homosexual activists surrounded the small band, began to blow whistles in their ears, snatched a Bible from one, hit a young woman, knocked her to the ground, and kicked her. They also groped and attempted to pull down the pants of one of the group leaders who was leading the Christians in song and prayer. The Christian men surrounded the women in the group to protect them.

As things got nastier, police in riot gear showed up to keep the peace and escort the Christians safely out of the area. This is tolerance? Who's demonstrating hate here? You have free speech except in the Castro District of San Francisco? Get used to it and read the news items because this type of thing can be expected in cities all over the United States. There is also a homosexual hate list to target anyone who contributed over $1,000 to the Proposition 8 campaign. Browse the list. A wedding planner gave $10,000. Think about it. She will be forced to plan same-sex weddings. If she's a Christian she will have to close her business rather than cooperate with a grave moral evil. Gay "marriage" has ramifications many have not thought about. Forget choice; there will be NO CHOICE FOR CHRISTIANS. "Feed them to the lions" will be the mantra. As a rescuer on the front lines of the abortion wars, I've heard it before.

Governor Schwarzenegger threw gasoline on the fire by encouraging the homosexuals to continue their opposition to Proposition 8. What they can't get through the vote, they will force through the courts. The will of the people means nothing! Christians, wake up! You helped to elect a man who champions abortion and homosexual "rights". He will crush YOUR rights if he can.

I remember the March for Life the year the feminists were afraid the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade with the Webster v. Reproductive Health decision. When pro-lifers marched down Constitution Avenue that year, hundreds of feminist and gay activists many dressed in black leather with body piercings, spiked hair and signs spouting blasphemy and satanic messages lined the streets screaming obscenities at the peaceful marchers. More than a few dangled plastic baby models suspended from nooses. I predict the March for Life this year will be just as confrontational. Barack Obama has not brought unity, but hostile division. If the anti-Christian bigots could feed us to the lions they gladly would.

Pray and fast for Christ's enemies. And say over and over, "Father forgive them, they don't know what they are doing." But don't follow the example of the young woman who refused to press charges against her attackers. If they assault you, make them accountable. It's called tough love. Then if they get a prison sentence visit them in jail. When Jesus said turn the other cheek, he wasn't advising us to be doormats.

Hmm...Was AB Gregory Behind Msgr. Laughlin's Repudiation of Fr.Newman?

The latest round of publicity on Fr. Newman indicates that Archbishop Wilton Gregory may have been behind Msgr. Laughlin's flipflop on Fr. Newman's letter. Catholic World Report's Diogenes suggested the link in a Sound Off post on Saturday. Catholic News Agency ran an article today elaborating on the story. If you read Msgr. Laughlin's letter on voting published before the election, it's hard to imagine his later response to Fr. Newman -- unless he was acting under obedience to a higher authority.

On the other hand, one can easily believe that such a response could come from Archbishop Gregory, one of the most liberal bishops in the USCCB, who is currently responsible for the Diocese of Charleston which is without a bishop. An archbishop who called the election of a man who champions infanticide a "great step forward for humanity" is clearly blinded by racial bias. He needs to read more Martin Luther King. Dr. King believed an individual should be judged not by the color of his skin, but the quality of his character. Amen. I think both Obama and Gregory fail the test.

Let's hope the rumors Gregory may replace Cardinal Egan in New York are just that -- baseless rumors. Pray instead for the advancement of a black bishop who speaks clearly about the devastating impact of abortion on the black family, Bishop Martin Holley. His statement exposing Planned Parenthood's exploitation of minorites makes him a hero in the pro-life community. Thank you, Bishop Holley.

Is This Coming to a Church Near You?

Young person tells experience of defending Cathedral from feminist horde

Catholic News Agency reported in October on a massive demonstration outside the cathedral in Neuquen (western Argentina) by feminists demanding the right to kill their children. The ferocity of the women (notice the lesbian sign on one protestor) is similar to the one against the 69 year old woman by proposition 8 opponents. Are you ready to defend Holy Mother Church as these courageous young people did? Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially fear of the Lord and fortitude. And make the five first Saturdays in reparation for blasphemies against the Blessed Mother.

Sodomy is not a Civil Right; Defending Traditional Marriage is not Hate

Marriage is both a civil and religious issue. All civilizations have protected marriage between a man and a woman. Why? Because it's the safest and healthiest place to raise the next generation upon which survival of the culture depends. The traditional nuclear family is the basic building block of society. The breakdown of the family through divorce and cohabitation has already taken a serious toll on the culture. Just ask teachers in the classroom. When I taught fourth grade, about a third of my students came from dysfunctional homes and the impact on the classroom was serious. It's hard to learn when you are angry that Dad abandoned you and Mom is shacking up with a boyfriend. How is redefining civil marriage to be whatever one says it is going to help? Caligula married his sister; polygamy was common in many pagan cultures. Once you redefine marriage, what possible limit can you put on it? Is the solution to the breakdown of the family to shoot another arrow into its weakly-beating heart? What insanity!

The fight over homosexual marriage will continue as those who want to see the United States survive as "one nation under God" fight for the truth. Same sex couples began to "marry" in Connecticut a few days ago and in California gays attacked the Mormon Church for its support of Proposition 8. The homosexual propaganda machine says marriage is a civil right and cannot be denied to same sex couples. Nonsense! In other words, they equate their right to bugger one another and engage in mutual masturbation with marital intercourse, the unitive and procreative love of husband and wife for the good of each other, children of the union, and society. Homosexuals also equate defending traditional marriage with supporting slavery and segregation. Then they attack their critics as hatemongers who want to murder gays, a strategy called "jamming." It's a brilliant maneuver if they can pull it off, and they may. I have yet to see a reporter challenge their claim to marriage as a civil right. And sadly, there may be enough dumbbells in America to swallow the camel.

There is no civil right for gays to marry. Homosexuals can't be mothers and lesbians can't be fathers because they don't have the right body parts. Same-sex couples can't "marry" because the nature of marriage requires two bodies that fit together for the procreation of children which is a societal good. As for love, homosexuals haven't got a clue about it. Love wills the good of the other. Read the obituaries in gay newspapers and take a look at the perverted behavior at the Folsom Street Fair and other obscene gay pride parades. AIDS didn't come from nowhere, but from filthy practices that threaten your life. Lust and perversion are not love. The tactics being used by homosexual activists are as deliberate as they are deceitful. You can read about them in my article Sodomizing the Culture: Creating a Gay America.

No civilization, even the most depraved, has ever recognized homosexual sodomy as "marriage." But plenty of cultures have collapsed because they embraced sexual immorality and the murder of the innocent. The culture of death has a stranglehold on America and the barbarians are within the city destroying her foundations. Is it too late to save our beloved country? No, but it will take a miracle of grace. Pray the rosary and ask Our Lady of America to raise up young people to evangelize for purity and restore our country to sanity. St. Philomena, little apostle of purity, pray for us.

Cardinal Stafford at Catholic University

Cardinal at CUA: Obama is ‘Aggressive, Disruptive and Apocalyptic’
by Elizabeth Grden November 14th.

His Eminence James Francis Cardinal Stafford criticized President-elect Barack Obama as “aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic,“ and said he campaigned on an “extremist anti-life platform,” Thursday night in Keane Auditorium during his lecture “Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II: Being True in Body and Soul.“

“Because man is a sacred element of secular life,” Stafford remarked, “man should not be held to a supreme power of state, and a person’s life cannot ultimately be controlled by government.”

“For the next few years, Gethsemane will not be marginal. We will know that garden,” Stafford said, comparing America’s future with Obama as president to Jesus’ agony in the garden. “On November 4, 2008, America suffered a cultural earthquake.”

Cardinal Stafford said Catholics must deal with the “hot, angry tears of betrayal” by beginning a new sentiment where one is “with Jesus, sick because of love.”

The lecture, hosted by the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, pertained to Humanae Vitae, a papal encyclical written by Pope Paul VI in 1968 and celebrating its 40 anniversary this year.

Stafford also spoke about the decline of a respect for human life and the need for Catholics to return to the original values of marriage and human dignity.

“If 1968 was the year of America’s ‘suicide attempt,’ 2008 is the year of America’s exhaustion,” said Stafford, an American Cardinal and Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary for the Tribunal of the Holy See. “In the intervening 40 years since Humanae Vitae, the United States has been thrown upon ruins.”

This destruction and America’s decline is largely in part due to the Supreme Court’s decisions in the life-issue cases of 1973, specifically Roe v. Wade. Stafford asserted these cases undermined respect for human life in the United States.

“Its scrupulous meanness has had catastrophic effects upon the unity and integrity of the American republic,” said Stafford.

Humanae Vitae (“On Human Life”) reaffirms traditional Catholic teachings regarding abortion, contraception and other human life issues. Pope Benedict XVI said in May it is “so controversial, yet so crucial for humanity’s future…What was true yesterday is true also today.”

Monsignor Livio Melina, president of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, gave the opening address at the lecture and spoke about the importance of agape love to gain knowledge.
“Love itself is a form of knowledge, and this knowledge cannot be objectified,” said Melina. “It is a unique relationship between the believer and God.”

Stafford said the truest reflection of the love between the believer and God is that of the relationship between husband and wife, and that contraceptive use does not fit anywhere within that framework.
According to Stafford, the inner dynamic of a spousal relationship is much like the body itself, which ‘speaks’ in terms of masculinity and femininity.

“The experience of love introduces us in a specific way to moral knowledge,” added Melina.

Bishop Gracida reacts to Fr. Newman's letter with "admiration and awe"

A number of Church leaders have chimed in on the action taken by Fr. Jay Scott Newman in warning his parishioners of the spiritual danger of voting for pro-abortion politiicans. LifeSiteNews reports on reactions including this one from retired bishop of Corpus Christi, Rene Gracida.

"Bishop Emeritus Rene Henry Gracida of Corpus Christi, TX, told LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) his reaction to Fr. Newman's letter 'is one of admiration and awe. I find nothing in what he has written that is at variance with the Magisterium of the Church. He is to be congratulated.'"

Thank you, Bishop Gracida. Let us pray for all those priests with the courage to speak the truth in love to save the flock from destruction for "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul in the process."

Listen to another good priest, Fr. Paul Weinberger, preach on abortion and pro-abortion politicians.

Bishop Baker of Birmingham Nixes CCHD Collection

Prayers and thanks to Bishop Robert Baker of Birmingham who has declined to participate in the CCHD collection next weekend and will collect instead for the Church in Latin America. The text of the letter, dated November 16, is below. If you would like to thank the bishop personally you can reach him at P.O. Box 12407, Birmingham, AL 35202-2047.

Dear Friends:

This year, we will take up a collection for the Church in Latin America on November 22nd and November 23rd rather than the scheduled collection for the Campaign for Human Development.

I am a member on the Bishops' Committee for the Church in Latin America at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops which seeks ways to build communion and solidarity between the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean and the Church in the United States in accordance with the exhortation of Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in America. I can attest to the variety of worthwhile pastoral endeavors that result from the generosity of the Catholic communityin the United States in providing ministry formation of priests, religious, and lay leaders; catechesis for all age groups; sacramental preparation; and evangelization to those fallen away from the Catholic Church.

These good Latin American people struggle with the challenges of poverty, government corruption, growing violence and unrest. At the same time so many desire to know Christ, to be the leaven of the Gospel in their societies, and to create a hopeful world freed from the shadows of fear and neglect. And these are the faith-filled aspirations that you would support through your generous contributions.

I know you will be generous and participate in this collection. Please use the envelopes that your parish provides for Nov. 22nd and 23rd.

May God bless your generosity.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Robert J. Baker, S.T.D.
Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama

Fr. Newman's Letter to His Parishioners

Father Newman's letter has been removed from the St. Mary's website. We print it in full here. That this charitable letter which is in complete agreement with Catholic doctrine has brought criticism and retribution to this good priest is disgraceful!

9 November 2008
Dear Friends in Christ,

We the People have spoken, and the 44th President of the United States will be Barack Hussein Obama. This election ends a political process that started two years ago and which has revealed deep and bitter divisions within the United States and also within the Catholic Church in the United States. This division is sometimes called a “Culture War,” by which is meant a heated clash between two radically different and incompatible conceptions of how we should order our common life together, the public life that constitutes civil society. And the chief battleground in this culture war for the past 30 years has been abortion, which one side regards as a murderous abomination that cries out to Heaven for vengeance and the other side regards as a fundamental human right that must be protected in laws enforced by the authority of the state. Between these two visions of the use of lethal violence against the unborn there can be no negotiation or conciliation, and now our nation has chosen for its chief executive the most radical pro-abortion politician ever to serve in the United States Senate or to run for president. We must also take note of the fact that this election was effectively decided by the votes of self-described (but not practicing) Catholics, the majority of whom cast their ballots for President-elect Obama.

In response to this, I am obliged by my duty as your shepherd to make two observations:

1. Voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exits constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil, and those Catholics who do so place themselves outside of the full communion of Christ’s Church and under the judgment of divine law. Persons in this condition should not receive Holy Communion until and unless they are reconciled to God in the Sacrament of Penance, lest they eat and drink their own condemnation.

2. Barack Obama, although we must always and everywhere disagree with him over abortion, has been duly elected the next President of the United States, and after he takes the Oath of Office next January 20th, he will hold legitimate authority in this nation. For this reason, we are obliged by Scriptural precept to pray for him and to cooperate with him whenever conscience does not bind us otherwise. Let us hope and pray that the responsibilities of the presidency and the grace of God will awaken in the conscience of this extraordinarily gifted man an awareness that the unholy slaughter of children in this nation is the greatest threat to the peace and security of the United States and constitutes a clear and present danger to the common good. In the time of President Obama’s service to our country, let us pray for him in the words of a prayer found in the Roman Missal:

God our Father, all earthly powers must serve you. Help our President-elect, Barack Obama, to fulfill his responsibilities worthily and well. By honoring and striving to please you at all times, may he secure peace and freedom for the people entrusted to him. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

Amen.

Has Father Newman Been Silenced?

Sad to say, the original positive statements of support coming out of the Diocese of Charleston, S.C. are now being repudiated by the Administrator. Msgr Martin T. Laughlin.

To recap from my original post, Fr. Newman addressed a letter to his parishioners on the parish website, which was distributed the following Sunday, calling on those who voted for Barack Obama to voluntarily refrain from Communion until going to confession. He did not deny anyone Communion, but admonished those who committed a grave sin by supporting a pro-abortion candidate, an entirely appropriate thing for a pastor to do. Many bishops during the presidential campaign said exactly the same thing!See an article that gives a good rundown of what happened.

Well, it appears the diocese has reconsidered its position and is now repudiating Fr. Newman's actions. The Administrator has posted a video and PDF file on the diocesan website that imply Fr. Newman's statements were a violation of personal freedom. Quoting from the catechism and stating that the pulpit is for preaching the word of God, Msgr. Laughlin accuses father of partisan activity. So now warning your parishioners that they must have an informed conscience and act according to God's law and not man's is partisan. The message is presented in a confusing way that I think could easily lead one to the view that personal conscience always trumps God's law. This is the same confusion that has led 90% of Catholics to reject Church teaching on birth control, the sanctity of marriage, and other key doctrines. Frankly, I wonder if the diocese is acting more out of fear of the IRS than fear of the Lord.

Local Catholics in Charleston who are organizing a prayer vigil during Masses this weekend are calling for support for Fr. Newman whom they say has been "rebuked and silenced". If this is true, it's a shameful outcome for this courageous priest. Please call the Chancery next week and ask for the status on Fr. Newman. Send letters of support to the Diocese asking that they go into his personnel file. A personal letter of support to Fr. Newman would also be appropriate. And please pray. When Jesus said he came to divide families, he also meant the family of the Church. My Jesus, have mercy on our poor Church.


Send a copy of diocesan correspondence to:
Apostolic Nuncio
Most Rev. Pietro Sambi
3339 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008

Rev. Msgr. Martin T. Laughlin, P.A, Administrator
Diocese of Charleston Chancery
119 Broad Street
P.O. Box 818
Charleston, SC 29402
Phone: (843) 853-2130
Fax: (843) 724-6387
mlaughlin@catholic-doc.org

Barack Obama is an Uncle Tom says Pro-Life Physician

Calling it like it is, Dr. Patrick Johnston, a family physician in Ohio has written an article called Barack Obama Is an Uncle Tom and Abuses Black Slave Children

Dr. Johnson, who treats babies in his practice every day, says, "A black baby in America is five times more likely to be killed in the womb than a white baby. Even so, that's not enough dead black babies for Barack Obama. The preborn child is Obama's 'nigger-slave' - the dehumanized expendable human being whose rights are to be ignored and who is to be exploited and destroyed for the profit of the powerful."

Wow! this is is one brave doc!

Dr. Johnston is the founder of the Association of Pro-life Physicians, "which is dedicated to restoring a remnant of physicians in our communities who are convinced that life begins at conception and who will not commit nor refer for abortions." Dr. Johnston and his wife Elizabeth also began the Alliance to Reform Education Funding to fight public school levies and promote Christian home-schooling and the Coalition for Justice for All Ohioans to fight abortion. The site includes graphic photos exposing abortion. The Johnstons also homeschool their six children.

God bless Patrick Johnston for his courage and leadership! Pray for him and his beautiful family. Also pray for our bishops and pastors, the men we call "Father", to be such faithful men of God.

Why Can't Our Bishops Speak So Clearly?

A bishop in Uruguay, Archbishop Nicolas Cotugno of Montevideo, recently said that any politicians voting for abortion incurs automatic excommunication. No nuance there - just the plain truth. You vote for abortion; you are excommunicated. Obviously, he believes voting for abortion involves direct cooperation with evil. The bishop didn't dance around the issue. He said, “all those who vote, support and promote abortion are, in fact, excommunicated. And it is an excommunication that, according to canon law, is immediate. They are ipso facto excommunicated.”

Wow! Why can't our bishops speak so clearly? Cardinal George danced around the issue at a press conference this week when he was asked whether politicians voting for FOCA would be directly cooperating with evil. Unfortunately, most of our bishops sound like politicians trying to please both sides of every issue, you know, the "common ground" approach. But where is the common ground between killing babies and defending babies? There isn't any. Could this courageous bishop's clear teaching have something to do with the president of Uruguay's recent veto of an abortion law?

Archbishop Cotugno isn't the first Latin bishop to warn pro-abortion politician. Last May Mexican bishops warned that lawmakers who voted for the legalization of abortion during the first 12 weeks would incur automatic excommunication. The pope affirmed it when reporters asked him enroute to his American visit.

With FOCA looming on the horizon expanding abortion and limiting every iota of protection for unborn children, their mothers, minor children, and health care professionals isn't it time for some clear teaching from the American bishops to Catholic politicians? The Church Militant needs leaders giving marching orders not toe dancers in tutus dancing around the issues.

U.S. Bishops Nix all ACORN funding -- Is that enough?

Catholic World News reports that "The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops yesterday released a report in which Bishop Roger Morin discussed the reasons behind the Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s decision to end funding to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)....(more)

Is that enough to satisfy concerns about CCHD? NO! One of the main problems with the campaign is that it consistently gives 30% to 50% of grants to organizations founded on Alinsky principles: the end justifies the means, winning is everything and whatever tactics accomplish a "win" are justified, grasp power, demonize your "enemy", etc. There are too many good alternatives to justify throwing your money away to groups that end up supporting liberalism and secularism including abortion and the homosexual agenda. Give, but wisely -- not to CCHD. It's time to hang a rest in peace sign on the office door of the CCHD.

And if you want to see what others are saying check out these sources:

Te Deum Laudamus blog

Phyllis Schlafly of Eagle Forum

Fr. John Neuhaus of First Things

Joseph Lawler at the American Spectator

Tom McFeely at the National Catholic Register website

Pray for Renegade Priests

Father Andrew Greeley suffers severe injuries in fall

Fr. Bourgeois will not renounce stand to avoid excommunication

Increasing Hate Incidents Against Proposition 8 Supporters

Demonstrations / Intimidation Getting Out of Control
Prayer Urgently Needed -- Bill May

Intimidation and abuse of supporters of Prop 8 is increasing in California and protest demonstrations are expanding across the country. The Yes on 8 campaign is responding with a press conference on Friday, November 15 in Santa Ana at noon PST.

The opponents of Prop 8 in California have convinced a large number of people that they have a right to redefine marriage and anyone standing in their way is motivated by hate. Leaders of the homosexual "rights" movement and the politicians who have supported them must take responsibility for creating what has become a dangerous situation. The news media is also culpable for refusing to cover the systematic persecution of people for merely participating in the democratic process.

The names and addresses of many supporters have been posted on websites encouraging retribution. As a result, businesses are being boycotted, careers are being threatened and a large number of supporters have received intimidating phone calls. Mormon temples have been attacked and defaced, including a Catholic church near Sacramento that was desecrated with eggs and feces. One man in Sacramento was forced to resign from a theatrical production company after 25 years of exemplary service. His only mistake was to donate $1,000 to ProtectMarriage.com. Systematically, opponents are trying to make us afraid to witness the truth about the human person, the nature of marriage, and human sexuality. This would be a good time to write charitable letters to the editor.

This is a spiritual battle so please put out a call for prayer for our opponents and for all Prop 8 supporters who may be suffering retribution in any way. Our most powerful weapons are the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Also, consider spending time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament over the next few days.

Be sure to stay away from any demonstrations in your area for your safety and to avoid anything that might antagonize. For Californians, we suggest removing any "Yes on 8" signs or bumper stickers for your safety and that of your family.

With the passage of Prop 8, the homosexual agenda suffered the first reversal in their 35 year campaign to redefine marriage, the family and human sexuality. Finally the American people are seeing the real agenda. It has never been about tolerance and acceptance, it has been about compliance with their vision of marriage, family and human sexuality which is being forced on our children.

This is tyranny, but "if we adopt the tactics of our opponents, we have lost," an Archbishop once told me. First, remember, we can do nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit. We must give ourselves over to the One who died for our sins. Our response must be prayerful and our witness of the truth must be charitable.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. I have posted below, a statement from the ProtectMarriage.com campaign that provides more information. For the Common Good,

Bill May, Chairman
Catholics for Protect Marriage
(415) 651-4171

Satanist link in attack on Mt. Hope Church in Lansing

The mainstream national media has completely ignored the invasion by homosexual activists of the Mt. Hope Church in Lansing, MI last Sunday. One alternative paper covered the event painting it in pale pastels, the homosexual thugs just out for a Sunday picnic, not quite the way eyewitnesses saw it according to News Busters. The church posted a press release on the incident on their website. The event was covered by NBC local news in Lansing, but there was no comment about the satanic link as evidenced by their signs. Bill Donohue of the Catholic League commented on the "Nazi" tactics of the group. What's particularly frightening about this violent action by "Bash Back" is that it was apparently a response to passage of Proposition 8 in California. What did Mt. Hope have to do with that? Nothing...but this is war on Christianity. If you dare to stand for Biblical principles watch out. Hold on to your rosaries and pray the St. Michael prayer. We need to demand that church invasions be treated as hate crimes.

Refrain from Communion Priest Tells Obama Voters

LifeNews.com has posted an article about a South Carolina priest, Fr. Jay Scott Newman, who has warned his congregation not to receive Communion if they voted for Barrack Obama until they repent and do penance.

The article reads in part:
Newman told the Greenville News on Wednesday that he will continue preaching on the "intrinsic and grave evil of abortion" and called Obama and Joe Biden's abortion support a "divisive issue" with a "moral dimension."

The priest posted a letter on the church web site saying that "voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exists constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil."

Catholics who do not ask for forgiveness before receiving communion "eat and drink their own condemnation," Newman writes and cites a passage from I Corinthians in the Bible which talks about recognizing Christ before participating.

Newman told the newspaper that members of his church have been very supportive and claims the reaction has been favorable by a nine to one margin.

Stephen Gajdosik, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Charleston, told the newspaper that Newman's actions are within Catholic Church guidelines. he said local priests can best determine how to encourage their member's relationship with God.

If you would like to send an email thanking Father and assuring him of your prayers I'm sure he will appreciate it. The Diocese of Charleston is currently without a bishop since Bishop Robert Baker was assigned to Birmingham, AL, but you can send a thank you to the Diocesan Administrator, Msgr. Martin Laughlin at mlaughlin@catholic-doc.org. May God reward this courageous priest who is a true shepherd to his flock. Please pray for him.

Statement of Cardinal George, President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on FOCA

“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.

And the winner is....Grading the USCCB Committee Picks

The bishops have voted, the tallies are in, and new sub-heads at the USCCB are chosen. Some good news; some bad from my perspective (take that for what it's worth). If I were grading the picks on a pass/fail scale here's what I would say:

FAIL -- The new Conference Secretary is Bishop George Murry, SJ of Youngstown who will continue in the position he took over last year when Bishop Gerald Kicanas was elevated to Conference Vice President. He beat Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton 150 to 69. While I don't know a lot about either bishop, Bishop Blaire was a strong and outspoken proponent of Proposition 8 in California. In view of the battle he definitely earned combat points. On the other hand, the SJ behind Bishop Murray's name cannot, unfortunately, be taken as a good sign these days. As an order, the Jesuits are among the chief underminers of Church doctrine, particularly through their scandalous Catholic colleges. Bishop Murray has served on the Board of Detroit Mercy which is among the worst Catholic colleges in the country, but bishop board members are often mere figureheads. I pray that Bishop Murray is among the few (and lonely) holy Jesuits around.

PASS ++ Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas beat out Bishop Michael Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston 139 to 84 to head the National Collections Committee. Thank God! Bishop Bransfield, former rector of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, was known for his lavish parties in Washington, D.C. The first thing he did in the See of Wheeling, my husband's home town, was to renovate the bishop's Victorian mansion to the tune of over a million dollars. He called for every fireplace (I believe there are nine) to be brought up to working code and installed a wine cooler that cost tens of thousands of dollars and a large-screen plasma television. In a city where many workers are losing their jobs and pensions due to the collapse of the steel and coal industries, Bishop Bransfield's lavish spending on his personal comfort is a scandal. Some of the workmen on the renovation who were not Catholic were sickened by what they saw. Great ad for Catholicism eh? That 89 of his brother bishops thought Bransfield was fit to oversee national collections does not speak well of their discernment.

FAIL -- Archbishop Donald Wuerl of D.C. defeated Bishop Jerome Listecki of LaCrosse 140 to 85 to become head of the Doctrine Committee. I think this is another unfortunate sign of business as usual. Bishop Listecki has spoken clearly on Church doctrine relating to the life issues, chastising pro-abortion politicians like Nancy Pelosi. Archbishop Wuerl has frequently demonstrated that it's politics as usual (following the McCarrick model) since he took over Washington. He has made it clear that pro-abortion politicians will not be impeded from photo ops at the Communion rail.

FAIL -- Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston will preside over Pro-Life Activities beating Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City 165 to 59. Both bishops have been outspoken on the life issues, but Archbishop Naumann is a personal hero of mine since he has made it clear he will implement Canon Law 915 by refusing Communion to rabid pro-abortion governor Kathleen Sebelius. Sebelius is a fellow alumna of Trinity College in Washington, D.C. graduating two years behind me. I'm afraid the bishops' vote shows they don't want someone who takes Canon Law TOO seriously to be the national spokesman on pro-life. It might make their wishy-washy (political)positions obvious. Are they being pastoral when they let pro-abortion politicians receive the body of the Lord sacrilegiously or are they cowards? You can probably guess my answer to that question.

FAIL -- Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala of Los Angeles beat out Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas 129 to 97 for the Office of Communications. Zavala is the bishop rep of Pax Christi, whose peace position never extends to the war against society's weakest members. Zavala falls short on communicating the fullness of truth about the pro-life cause. This was not a good pick for the unborn since Bishop Finn speaks with strength and clarity, perhaps more clarity than the majority of the bench of bishops will tolerate.

PASS ++ Coadjutor Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento beat Bishop Terry Steib of Memphis 134 to 92 to take over the committee on Cultural Diversity. Bishop Soto's strong and unequivocal address to the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries last September gives me confidence in his choice for this position.

Unfortunately, the bulk of the picks illustrate that, despite many bishops being a sign of contradiction to the world according to their evangelical calling, the old guard, the bishop-politicians, are still running the show. If they elevate Bishop Gerald Kicanas next year to president, which is almost certain, faithful laity (and orthodox bishops), will still be out in the cold. That Bishop Kicanas would not allow the distribution of the excellent voter guide developed by Bishop Olmstead speaks volumes. The Holy Family Society of Tucson has posted many articles about the troubling positions and actions of Bishop Kicanas. Start now to oppose his elevation as President of the Conference.

Pray for all the bishops, strong and weak, as they continue to lead their flocks. That Catholic voters ignored the teachings of the Church when they went into the voting booth this month is a sad reflection of the shepherding most Catholics receive today in their parishes and dioceses. Pray, fast, and work for Church renewal.

Choose Life Plates for Virginia - IM4IT

Virginia State Senator Ken Cuccinelli (The picture is not Ken, but former state delegate Dick Black, a pro-life hero who fought unsuccessfully for the tag in previous legislative sessions) will be introducing a bill to approve Choose Life license plates in the state. Let's make 2009 the year. The vanity plate will cost $25, but $15 from every plate will be used to promote adoption. We can do this! A website has been set up where Virginians can sign a petition for the plates and download a hard copy to collect signatures. Jump on the Choose Life bandwagon and help to bring the pro-life tag to Virginia. The pro-aborts will fight this tooth and claw because they are not "pro-choice" at all; they are pro-abortion and they oppose the choice for life!

Two Thumbs Down for the Bishops on Election of Zavala!

The bishops' meeting in Baltimore continues, but one decision merits two thumbs down as it indicates episcopal politics as usual.

The bishops elected Gabino Zavala, auxiliary of Los Angeles and affilitated with the liberal group Pax Christi to head up the Communications Committee passing over Bishop Robert Finn, a strong advocate for the unborn.

While some bishops were strongly defending abortion as the central issue in the recent presidential campaign, Bishop Zavala was mouthing nuanced interpretations of the bishops' document on Faithful Citizenship providing cover for liberals voting for Obama. Washington Post Columnist E.J. Dionne, an abortion champion, praised the bishop's statement which says more than enough about its impact.

That the bishops chose Bishop Zavala over Bishop Finn who called voting for pro-abortion candidates a grave sin sends a clear message to pro-life Catholics who believe abortion is the central issue of our day. "We don't want to be embarrassed by a bishop who might speak TOO clearly on this issue."

More homosexual hate

The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission website is documenting attacks by gay activists. Will homosexuals be held accountable for their hate crimes? Don't hold you breath, but take action. Sign the petition calling on California Attorney General Edmund Brown, Jr. to uphold the law (CA penal code 302) against disrupting church services. Vandalism, intimidation, and assault are the weapons of anti-Christian homosexual thugs. Return their hate with love, but be prepared to suffer for Christ.

Kristallnacht (the night of broken glass): Is it beginning in the United States?

On the night of November 9-10, 1938 in Nazi Germany a coordinated attack against the Jews took place all over the country. Two hundred synagogues and thousands of German businesses were ransacked and destroyed. It also marked the beginning of the massive deportation of Jews to the concentration camps.

The attack on the Church in the United States is beginning. In Lansing, Michigan on Sunday, the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Bash Back, an anarchist group of homosexual activists infiltrated the congregation of Mt. Hope Church while others dressed in pink and black created a loud disturbance outside. At a pre-set moment the insiders, dressed conservatively, began the disturbance and those outside entered the church to terrorize the congregation and vandalize. City Pulse covered the story and blogs4god lists links to commentary around the internet. For the most part the invasion of Church is being ignored by the mainstream media. Can you imagine the reaction if straights had invaded a gay bar? It would be front page news for weeks.

We haven't seen the end of this. The rage over passage of California's Proposition 8 upholding traditional marriage is sparking action against churches all over the country. In fact a national protest is scheduled for this weekend. Any violent actions will be covered up, just like the brutal murder of Mary Stachowicz by homosexual Nicholas Gutierrez in 2002. You haven't heard about that you say? Bet you recognize the name Matthew Shepherd. Did you know that all of Jeffrey Dahmer's victims were young men? No? The mainstream media hides homosexual crimes. Watch for homosexual hatred against Christians coming to a church near you. But don't expect it to be called a hate crime. Those intolerant Christians deserve everything they get. That's what they said about Mary Stachowicz, the Catholic mother of four who was raped and tortured before she died. Apparently boys weren't the only thing that turned her attacker on.

Get ready for an ugly America: Tolerance in action

Listen to reporter (Kimberly Chang) say, "Are you okay, Phyllis?" as a 69 year old woman gets surrounded and verbally assaulted by a gang of gays furious over the loss of proposition 8 in California. The anchor back on the set has the gall to say, "a lot of hate, quite honestly, on both sides." Exactly how did that little old lady show hate?

This video provides a vivid example of exactly how biased the media is. A dear elderly lady smiles and prays while this vicious group of thugs attacks her, grabs the cross out of her hands and stomps it on the ground. This is the love and tolerance of the gay community. Historically, sexual depravity ends in violence. The Marquis de Sade's Paris preceded the French Revolution with its reign of terror. The Weimer Republic with its nudity, child pornography, and cabarets appealing to any and all sexual appetites no matter how depraved preceded Hitler's rise to power and the death camps. Lust and murder go together. This chilling video is a warning of what's ahead.

I experienced something similar on two occasions. At a feminist march a friend and I prayed inside a fenced area with crosses representing babies killed by abortion. A mob circled the area screaming at us. The hate was palpable so we just began reciting the St. Michael prayer over and over. At a rescue where I was the media spokesman, I was surrounded by dozens of pro-aborts screaming at me as a stood in silent prayer holding a fetal model of a ten week developing baby. By the time they were finished foaming at the mouth with hateful rage within inches of my face I was shaking in reaction. Watching this video brought those experiences back in vivid detail.

Pray to withstand the trial that's coming. If you dare to stand against it, you will be treated as this woman was and worse. May God have mercy on our country.

From the Creepy Trivia Files...

Lots of people have been proposing that Obama may be the anti-Christ. Well...I take such prognostications with a grain of salt although the messiah stuff, media worship, world obamamania, obama kids singing to their leader, etc. is pretty creepy.

But now a new bit of trivia enters the picture that must certainly clinch it. On November 5th, election day, the pick three lottery in Obama's state of Illinois was.....guess what....666. Really! You can check it out for yourself. Think the winner will give his lottery windfall to "the one" for redistribution to the masses?

Author Michael O'Brien addresses the question of anti-Christ as well in a letter to his readers.
"What are we to make of a man who has appeared out of semi-obscurity and become, nearly overnight, so very much an idol of the popular imagination? That he intends to become the most effective advocate of murder of the unborn ever seen in America should give us pause. Murder and lies are as old as the lands east of Eden, of course, but when they are charmingly packaged, proposed as reasonable and just policies (with a smile, a resonant voice, and an appealing flash of the eyes), one begins to wonder just what is afoot in the modern age. It brings to mind a passage from the first Act of Shakespeare's Hamlet:

"'That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain...'

"The line is from a scene where prince Hamlet has just encountered the ghost of his father, who informs his son that he was poisoned by his own brother Claudius (the 'smiling, damned villain'), who after murdering him, seized the king's crown and his queen.

"Barack Obama is an image-maker, creating his own myth as he goes along... Our hero. Our visionary. Our Great Friend and spokesman in the forum of the world?"

If you want to read an interesting book about the anti-Christ read Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson's Lord of the World or Michael O'Brien's Fr. Elijah. As for Obama, pray for him and work against all the evil he has planned to advance the murder of the unborn and the expansion of sexual perversion.

FIGHT FOCA!

One of the worst results of the election is the virtual guarantee that we will get the Freedom of Choice Act which will result in expansion of the murder of children and the abandonment of their mothers, especially minors, who will experience devastating exploitation as all state protections are destroyed.

This bill is not about freedom of choice but the power to coerce.

FOCA is a centerpiece of the new administration. Obama promised it, the Democrats love it, and Planned Parenthood will demand it.

Despite all that, we must continue to fight to prevent it through prayer and action. Join the Fight Foca movement by signing the petition of Americans United for Life. That is just the beginning; we must never weary in doing good. Don't waste time mourning the outcome on election day. Renew your dedication to defend the tiniest ones, God's precious children!

Picking Pockets in the Pew: the CCHD Scandal

Fleecing the flock!

On November 23rd in Catholic churches around the country ushers will pass collection baskets for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). Millions of trusting Catholics will contribute “to help the poor.” What many don’t know is that their hard-earned dollars will pour into the coffers of liberal organizations promoting causes they oppose and which often hurt the poor.

In 1969, the U.S. bishops established CCHD “to fund low-income controlled empowerment projects and to educate Catholics about the root causes of poverty.1 Since then the campaign has spent $300 million funding community and parish organizing. According to the grant application criteria on the CCHD website, groups offering direct services, e.g., soup kitchens, day care centers, homeless shelters, etc. are ineligible. So scrap the Missionaries of Charity, your local free clinic, or crisis pregnancy center; they are banned by definition. Not a single one appears on the 2007 summary of CCHD grantees.2 To be eligible, groups must organize the poor “to enact institutional change.” That means working for modification of existing laws and/or policies; and establishment of participatory and just social structures and/or redistribution of decision-making powers so that people living in poverty can be involved in policy-making that affects their lives.”3 (There is also an "economic development" category of funding for businesses run by and creating jobs for low-income people, but it's a small percentage of the pie – useful, however, for CCHD PR.)

The bottom line is CCHD primarily funds community organizers who go into neighborhoods and agitate for change using local people led by trained organizers, the real decision-makers. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing depending on the change and the tactics used, but CCHD has a shaky history of funding groups that promote radical left socialism rather than Catholicism. CCHD policy is modeled more on the failed strategies of secular poverty programs than on Catholic social justice philosophy. (Continued...)

A prophecy -- pray it does not come to pass

Prophets in the Old Testament warned the Israelites about future catastrophes if they did not repent and turn back to God. The warnings were always conditional.

"If my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land." (2 Chronicles 14)

In mid October James Dobson wrote a prophetic letter, Letter from 2012 in Obama’s America. It is a sobering document. I urge you to run it off, read it, and save it in a safe place. Is Dobson's vision of what's coming for our country true? Will we lose free speech? Will doctors and nurses be forced to participate in abortions or lose their jobs? Will churches be forced to hire homosexuals and allow same-sex weddings? Will teachers be fired if they refuse to teach that homosexuality is good? Will homeschooling be restricted or even banned? Will elderly Americans be denied healthcare under a nationalized system? Will Christian books be removed from libraries and book stores as hate speech? Will the U.S. become a nation tried by a world court of the U.N.? Will her sovereignty disappear? Will guns be, not only regulated, but confiscated?

Dobson's letter raises many questions. Will his scenario of lost freedoms come to pass? I have no idea. But I will print out his letter and watch and see what happens. All those who wanted change may get it. Whether it will be a change for the better or a nightmare repetition from the past remains to be seen. Prophetic warnings are conditional. Embrace the message of Fatima because that promise is filled with hope. If we pray the rosary daily Mary promises that in the end her Immaculate Heart will triumph. That is a promise and a prophecy we can count on.