Deja Vu: Back in Mr. Reilly's Moral Theology Class

When I read the following article at Vatican Radio about the pope's homily today (linked below) I got chills -- not good chills I'm afraid -- the kind you get on Halloween (which it happens to be) when someone "walks on your grave." The pope's homily took me back to 1966 and Mr. Reilly's Moral Theology class where we studied Joseph Fletcher's Situation Ethics, Harvey Cox's Secular City and an entire panoply of authors promoting moral relativism. I don't recall studying Thomas Aquinas or the Fathers of the Church. Mr. Reilly was a modern Catholic. The message I got from the class was that, "There is only one law, the law of love." And then we read in Fletcher's book about how loving it was for the mother in the wagon train to smother her crying infant so the Indians wouldn't find them and kill them all.

Idaho to Pastor Couple: Perform Same Sex Ceremonies or Face the Clink!

Religious freedom? Forget it! If Idaho can force this couple to perform same-sex weddings what logic will prevent them from demanding the same from Catholic priests?

Govt tells Christian ministers: Perform same-sex weddings or face jail, fines

Maybe it's time for the Catholic Church to get out of the civil marriage business altogether, stop being an agent of the godless state. George Weigel thinks so and I recently read of a bishop who proposed the same, but I haven't been able to find the article and can't remember who it was. Can someone enlighten me? Check out other opinions at First Things.

Personally, if I were getting married today I think I would marry sacramentally in front of a priest without any civil involvement at all. (I wonder if a priest would do that.) The government doesn't understand the first thing about marriage, so why on earth should I recognize their right to be involved? I know there would be financial implications but some things are more important than money. (Just think, I could probably qualify for all kinds of entitlements since I have no income besides my husband's and $39 a month in social security.)

Anti-Catholicism is Alive and Well (at least in Washington State)

Read more here  Can you imagine the outcry if they had gone after a Jewish or Muslim politician like this? Somehow Catholicism is always fair game -- especially when a politician is pro-life and supports traditional marriage. Pray that Mark Miloscia wins his race in Washington. They need a solid man of integrity in their state house.

A Virtual Trip to Ireland

One of my readers sent links to two blogs she's working on in Ireland. It took me back a decade to a trip I made with my mom (RIP) and a good friend. We rented a car and drove all over the place for two weeks leading. At one of the B & B's we stayed in the owner laughed and said, "You Americans, you go everywhere and see nothing!" Ah, but we visited Jesus at every church we passed and talked to dozens of the local folks: a bride and groom waiting for the same car ferry we were, two school girls eating their lunch on a park bench, a mom with two little boys who couldn't wait for divorce to be legalized (sad), a distinguished white-haired gentleman painting his rowboat. How I would love to return! Unfortunately, I'd have to get on an airplane and whenever I think about that I think of a sardine can. But I can take a virtual tour and I invite you to do the same.

Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy's Catholic Heritage Association

St. Conleth's Catholic Heritage Association

North Cathedral, Cork City

Franciscan Church Merchants Quay, Dublin

Cardinal Kasper's Disingenuous Theology of Discontinuity and Distortion

Cardinal Kasper: "Thou Dost Protest Too Much."

Reading this article brought to mind the quote from Hamlet, "that one may smile and smile and be a villain." Kasper, like Claudius, is a poisoner -- poisoning Christ's teaching and attempting to seduce his bride, the Church. That, of course, is impossible, but he can certainly poison the faithful with his false and evil "hermeneutic of discontinuity."

Here's a bit from the article. I've highlighted some particularly cogent parts in red. My comments are in blue:

The false arguments presented to defend this doctrinal change [to allow those in invalid marriages who remarry after divorce without annulment] are camouflaged with the usual tactic of speculating about the ramifications of the practice of the ancient Church (the Jesuits’ Karl Rahner was an expert at this strategy). These modern theologians love to speculate. But despite their insatiable taste for speculation, most of Catholic theology is not speculative. The realm of genuine speculative theology is very small and limited.

Who Knows What God Has Planned for the Life of a Child?

Powerful testimony to life! Congrats to all involved in making this amazing short film! Every person is a symphony to be played out over a lifetime. Some of it is somber; some of it is filled with joy; all of it is a gift from God.

Now that the Synod is Over the Spin is On

Actually it started even before the Synod started with dissent groups all over the world writing letters and organizing their own alternative synod in Rome through Catholic Church Reform International (CCRI) formed in June 2013. CCRI is a coalition of over a hundred dissent groups around the world (CORPUS, Call to Action, We Are Church, Women's Ordination Conference, Roman Catholic Womenpriests USA, Voice of the Faithful, American Catholic Council, Loretto Women's Network, etc.). Although I know they are not particularly orthodox at the national level, I was surprised to see The National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) included as a support group with a link to their president, Rebecca Woodhull I plan to contact my bishop on that one!

The Final Synod Document on the Family with the Tally of Votes

If you haven't read the final document from the Extraordinary Synod on the Family and noted the vote tally on each paragraph you can find it here in English.  Every paragraph received a majority vote of the Synod Fathers. The three controversial paragraphs did not receive the necessary 2/3rd vote, but Pope Francis called for them to be included in the final document along with the vote numbers.

Why? I've been trying to figure out what possible purpose could be served except to send the message that the question is still open on whether the divorced and remarried without annulment can receive Communion as well as the controversial items relating to homosexuality and cohabitation. I can't help thinking that the pope called for the vote tallies because it allowed Kasper and co. to publicly proclaim that the majority of cardinals favored those paragraphs and to imply that change is just a question of time. What other construction can be put on that "unprecedented" action? Can anyone think of one? I've been wracking my brain trying to come up with an alternative other than the continued manipulation of the Synod and its outcome.

What do you think? What next?

You can also find the individual working group reports here. 

Yup! It's a Revolution and the Liberals have a Year to Spin and Spin....

....and make the faithful in the pews dizzy and dumb.



Review:

Define terms -- recognize when the revolutionaries are changing and distorting terms -- like      
                          "gradualism"

Know the revolutionaries -- recognize the "subtle, sneaky types" in Roman collars who are using
                          feelings to undermine the faith and manipulate Catholics to accept the
                          revolutionaries' agenda

Study the Catechism and the Doctrine of the Church -- so you will recognize when you are getting a
                           snow job from one of the wolves in sheep's clothing

And Pray Always!

Full Text of Cardinal Burke Interview on the Synod with BuzzFeedNews

The media has widely reported that Cardinal Burke accused the pope of "harming the Church." He did not actually say that. Loose-lipped reporters can cause a lot of confusion and, let's face it, the Vatican these days doesn't need any help in that department. 

The Interview

Here's the relevant portion of the interview and what Cardinal Burke actually said:

BFN: I know you don’t have a lot of time, so why don’t we just dive in. I’ve seen your comments suggesting that [the Extraordinary Synod on the Family] was being manipulated. Can you say a little bit more about that, and who is doing the manipulating? 

CB: Since the presentation of Cardinal Kasper in February to the extraordinary consistory of cardinals, there’s been a consistent repetition of [Kasper’s] position that is trying to weaken the church’s teaching and practice with regard to the indissolubility of marriage. This has just been consistent, casting the synod — which was to be on the family, directed in a positive way on family life — suggesting that the main purpose of the synod would be to permit those who are in irregular unions to receive the sacraments of penance and holy communion, which is not possible. If someone is bound to a prior marriage which has not been declared null, and is living as husband or wife with someone else. That’s a public state of sin and therefore the person cannot receive holy communion or go to the sacrament of penance until the matter is resolved. 

But that’s been — all along this keeps coming back, and I see more clearly than ever that that’s how the synod is. And certainly the media has picked up on this — very much so. 

BFN: To the question of how that’s being done, presumably the pope was the one who asked Cardinal Kasper to frame the synod. Are you saying that [the pope] is the one who is manipulating these proceedings? 

CB: The pope has never said openly what his position is on the matter and people conjecture that because of the fact that he asked Cardinal Kasper — who was well known to have these views for many, many years — to speak to the cardinals and has permitted Cardinal Kasper to publish his presentation in five different languages and to travel around advancing his position on the matter, and then even recently to publicly claim that he’s speaking for the pope and there’s no correction of this. 

I can’t speak for the pope and I can’t say what his position is on this, but the lack of clarity about the matter has certainly done a lot of harm.

"Lack of clarity!" A far cry from Jesus who attracted the masses because he "spoke with authority." Today we are bogged down in a muddled mess of confusion. Keep praying for Holy Mother Church and for all our shepherds.

Cardinal Burke, Doctor of Souls

Cardinal Raymond Burke, a lion when it comes to defending the faith, is often portrayed as rigid and lacking in compassion. As a matter of fact, anyone who stands against the tsunami of progressivism in the Church is portrayed as a pharisee clinking to the rule book laying burdens on poor, suffering humanity. But are the progressives truly the compassionate ones?

What would you think of a surgeon who refused to operate to remove a child's diseased appendix because the operation would cause pain to the patient?

"But my child will die if you don't operate!" you cry.

Child Abuse in Poland: Minors Told to Play Game Licking Priest!

Pedophile Training in Lublin

The Polish former papal nuncio to the Dominican Republic, Joseph Wesolowski, who's under house arrest in the Vatican for sex abuse of minors in the Caribbean nation should move over. Read the article below and ask yourself what the heck is going on when a priest trains children to lick his body and has them on their hands and knees in front of him at the level  as his crotch. Where exactly does that put their faces?

And notice the long stick he uses. I once picked up a slim volume of medieval cartoons in a book store showing knights in armor. I quickly realized it was what passed for medieval porn with swords, spears, and other long objects used as phallic symbols. Now why did this priest and his stick bring that to mind?

This "Father Director" and the nuns who are enabling this perversion should all be under house arrest at the Vatican with Wesolowski!

Think about it. This priest is perverting the minds and hearts of minor children. And he continues his sick antics unmolested by Vatican discipline. Meanwhile, six priests of the The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate are suspended a divinis (a severe punishment usually restricted for serious crimes) for attempting to leave the Institute and be incardinated in a diocese. What canon law does that violate? Isn't it a priest's right?

So can someone explain exactly what is going on ? Anyone? Anyone?

(Hat tip to Gary. Thanks for the email!)

Hey What? You the Think the Synod on the Family Will Change Church Doctrine?

In my imagination I was sitting on the steps of St. Peters reflecting on the Extraordinary Synod of the Family and its final report. Into my musings walked a charming young lady, thoroughly modern Catholic Millie, who stopped to chat and express how thrilled she was with the outcome of the Synod. She is looking forward to the Church changing its teachings and entering the modern world. We sat on the steps of St. Peters sharing the following exchange.

Millie: (Bubbling over with joy and enthusiasm) Oh, aren't you delighted about the Extraordinary Synod on the Family? It gives me such hope that I'll finally be able to go back to Communion. My first husband and I were so young when we got married. We had no idea of the seriousness of what we were doing. And I just hate not being able to go up to Communion with my children.

Chicken Little, "You're Fired!" Climate Change is a Myth.

Climate change PROVED to be 'nothing but a lie', claims top meteorologist

All the predictions of the climate gloom and doomers have failed. They said the ice cap was melting; it's increasing. They said the oceans would rise and coasts would be under water -- WRONG! They said we'd have more and worse storms -- not true.

So exactly why do so many people believe this nonsense? Could it be our education system is working as John Dewey desired -- to make little mindless robots who are easily manipulated by government? 

Teach your children to be critical thinkers!

Eat Your Heart Out, Riverdance!

This video of the dueling dancing priests reminded me so much of the James Cagney/Bob Hope dancing duel, I just had to find it and watch it again. And Bob and Jimmy are a lot older than those youngsters Roman collars. Let's hear it for hoofers! Dance and you'll live longer and have more energy to serve the Lord! (We square dance.)

Praising God for a Good Night's Sleep!

These days waking up rested is not my default position. Since Sunday I've had three nights with 4-5 hours of sleep. I'm not complaining, mind you, just stating a fact. Do you ever think about what a blessing it is to have a good night's sleep? And do you ever get up and thank God for the blessing of a peaceful night taking a break from the pressure-cooker of life? I always say my morning offering, but it's only when I'm not sleeping that I appreciate what a gift sleep is.

Some quotes on sleep:

The Inhumanity of In Vitro Fertilization: A Mother's Story and a Doctor's Witness

My Journey Through In Vitro Fertilization

This mom's story, one baby born from 31 children created through IVF, is confirmed by an article in Crisis Magazine. Here are a few salient paragraphs from the Crisis article:

During the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology this July, it was announced that five million babies have been born following in vitro fertilization procedures since 1978. Today, approximately 350,000 IVF babies are born annually, and the numbers are increasing.

An eerie silence hangs over these numbers.

Great Political Ad! Every Pro-Abort Politician Should be Confronted by This!

See more about this family's story here.

Please, Michael, Say it Ain't So?

I have a lot of regard for Michael Voris which made me even more disappointed with this apology which seems misguided to me. You can be in full communion with the Church, respect the papacy, and still criticize the wrong actions of a pope. Of course we are called to respect, pray for, and love the pope as he says. But criticizing the pope's actions is not the same thing as undermining love for the Church or denying that Pope Francis is the duly elected pope. To say otherwise seems to me to be an error.

So what if others have used the pope's scandalous situation to gleefully malign him? Wrong as that is, it seems to me to be irrelevant and a red herring with regard to legitimate questioning of papal actions.

We have a problem, Houston -- It's Lesbian Mayor Annise Parker....

...and her crusade against the free speech rights of pastors.

Houston, We Have a (1st Amendment) Problem!

Interesting that liberals never mind political action by democrats in churches, but if you dare to speak against a politically correct sacred cow like the oxymoronic gay marriage, watch out! 

But isn't it fun to watch Chuck Norris, "Texas Ranger,"  take them on! Go, Chuck, go!  He seems like a man with good, moral sense. In fact, here's a little blurb about the show from Wikipedia:

The show was known for its moral values. For example, the characters refrained from the use of drugs, and they participated in community service. Martial arts were displayed prominently as the primary tool of law enforcement and occasionally as a tool for Walker and company to reach out to the community.[5][6] The show has since become one of the most popular action shows in television history and has gained a cult following for its camp appeal.

I'm glad he's on the side of free speech and constitutional principles! And he has a sense of humor too!

New Evidence from Ferguson Supports Police Officer's Testimony

BREAKING: New Forensic Evidence Is a GAME CHANGER in Mike Brown / Officer Darren Wilson Case

Do you think this will get the same kind of media coverage as all the hate the cracker cop race baiting from Al Sharpton and gang? Or will they still demand a lynching to avoid race riots? Their "gentle giant" meme isn't holding up well in the light of facts. But who cares about facts when there's an agenda on the table?

Helen Hull Hitchcock -- Rest in Peace

Register Article

I only met Helen once, at the U.S. Bishops' Conference meeting in Baltimore a number of years ago. The Catholic Media Coalition of which I'm president, was sponsoring a hospitality room and she and another member of Women for Faith and Family joined us. We had an interesting conversation about the state of the Church. I was always grateful for the work of Women for Faith and Family and their informative newsletter.

I'll be offering my rosary this evening and my Mass tomorrow morning for the repose of her soul. Farewell, courageous lady! Please pray for us as we will for you.

Be One of the First to Read Dietrich Von Hildebrand's Book

My Battle Against Hitler

I've ordered the book and eagerly await its arrival. After reading Alice Von Hildebrand's biography, Soul of a Lion, which briefly addressed the Nazis' attempts to assassinate the great philosopher, I'm eager to read an extended account of his adventures which included nearly miraculous escapes on several occasions. If you don't have any of Dietrich Von Hildebrand's books on your Catholic bookshelf, you must remedy that situation as soon as possible. I've read The Devastated Vineyard more than once and it's a regular source of reference. Right now I'm reading Transformation in Christ which is difficult but worth the effort.

Happy reading! I'd love to discuss this book with other interested parties.

Get Rid of Those Black Babies! Tetanus Vaccine in Kenya Aimed at Population Control.

Is the WHO trying to sterilize Kenyan women through its Tetanus Vaccine Campaign?

It's happened before -- in the Philippines, Nicaragua, and Mexico -- a vaccine laced with HCG, the pregnancy hormone, and aimed only at women and girls. Why? Because injecting HCG causes women to build antibodies against it so when pregnancy takes place their immune systems attack the pregnancy and they miscarry.. 

Is that what Bill Gates meant when he said that vaccine programs were the answer to over-population? Liberals never met a baby of color they wouldn't be happy to abort. They would rather provide the Third World with dangerous chemical contraceptives and abortion machines rather than give them what they really need: clean water systems, anti diarrhea medication, and antibiotics.

I remember a conversation with a young woman arguing for abortion because the poor in the Third World need it. Yes, of course, kill those children of the poor -- especially the Africans. What does it say when the main thing the rich want to do for the poor is kill their children? 

Thank you, Bill Gates. 

For more see:

 

KENYA: Catholic Bishops Urge Ministry of Health to Come Clean on Tetanus Vaccine

Eating and Living Healthy is Part of the Catholic Lifestyle

I'm convinced that eating and exercising sensibly is part of living a healthy Catholic lifestyle. It gives you the energy and the stamina to be an active servant of the Lord. There may come a time when my service is all prayer and sacrifice, but I hope that's well into the future.  

So as part of my "healthy living" resolution, I watched an interview today with a young woman, Melissa Joulwan, who has written several paleo cookbooks titled Well Fed. She made a great statement near the end of the interview about how to approach eating.

"Food is neither punishment nor reward.....Healthy food is a gift, not food jail....and be happy" Basically, she was pointing out that you don't have to look at food as either/or. You don't have to cut out grains or sugar forever. It's a choice and if you choose to eat a cookie or pasta you don't have to think of it as "cheating." Her attitude sounded a lot like the Christian principle of "moderation in all things." Very sensible.

I love her statement that "food is a gift." God gives us so many gifts. We could just eat to live like the animals. Somehow I can't imagine a cow chewing its cud thinking about enjoyment. "Moo....Let's see,.. I'll eat this sweet grass and then I'll go over and nibble on some buttercups for variety."

But God gave us all these wonderful gifts and the ability to enjoy them. We eat in fellowship breaking bread together. And, as Chesterton said, “In Catholicism, the pint, the pipe and the Cross can all fit together.” I still recall the wonderful smell of my dad's pipe tobacco.

Melissa's statement came near the end of the video after she described her struggle with yo-yoing weight issues, adrenal problems, sleeping difficulties, and just not feeling good.

I understand what she's talking about. Since my diagnosis with Myasthenia Gravis, I'm taking medications that affect my weight, my digestion, my sleeping.... So in addition to dealing with the effects of the autoimmune disease itself, I end up dealing with the issues related to side effects of the meds. After four months of taking heavy antacids every day to control side effects, I decided I don't want to do that any more. Long-term reduction of stomach acid which is necessary for proper digestion can cause an entire schema of other problems. So now I'm taking pro-biotics and eating yogurt in the morning and trying to make sensible food choices that control the digestive issues related to the meds. It's an interesting adventure, a constant experiment, and one that occasionally gives me something to offer up for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. And that's not such a bad thing either.

And this video just made me laugh.

Thank God for the "Conservative Uprising!"

Two thumbs up for Michael Voris and Church Militant TV and their excellent coverage of the Synod. And yes, we do "care about the Church" and resent the way the secular media "spin stories." God bless all the faithful Catholic members of the press who helped create the orthodox (a better term) uprising. May Jesus Christ be praised, now and forever. Down with modernism, up with fidelity to Christ and the unchanging doctrine of the faith.

Moynihan Letter -- Interesting Evaluation of the Synod

This is long, so if you want a quick read, I've highlighted in red what struck me most. I ran the entire letter because it's not up on the Inside the Vatican website yet. But I recommend you sign up for these letters which are always insightful about what's happening in the Church. I also recommend the magazine which is well worth the subscriptiong price. As you read this, praise God for the African and Polish bishops who seem to have their heads on straighter than most of the Americans and the Germans.

October 20, 2014, Monday — Light from the East

The leadership of the Roman Catholic Church has just spent two weeks considering fundamental questions about the nature and purpose of marriage and the family.

Community Organizers Continue to Stir Things Up in Ferguson

A great article from my friend Stephanie Block, one that shows exactly how cynical and manipulative these community organizers are who use whatever they can, not for the good of the community, but to advance their own agenda.

Alinskyian agitators stir discontent in Ferguson MO

The Dark Side of Same Sex "Families"

Breaking the Silence: Redefining Marriage Hurts Women Like Me - and Our Children

This article is heartbreaking -- from the divorce, to the judge granting custody of the children to the gay father, to the daily psychological abuse of the children in this disordered situation. These two paragraphs alone reveal the evil of the judge who awarded custody of the children to their gay father:

Do You Want to Find an Oasis of Peace?

Meditate on beautiful religious art works. What better prayer aid for the rosary and other spiritual devotions than wonderful art works?

I'm going to use this Fra Angelica face of Mary and the Rembrandt Flight into Egypt to meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and the devotion of the Seven Sorrows.of Mary.

Mother of Sorrows, Pray for us.

But my favorite meditation aid is the Holy Face of Jesus, the living face reconstructed from the face on the Shroud of Turin. 

Keep the Faith -- No Matter What!

And here's another great website to help you do it! Keep the Faith

Termite Groups Sponsor Speaking Tour by Heretical Irish Priest

The American Catholic Council and their clique are always busy-busy, like termites, undermining the faith. Their latest exploit? A Catholic Tipping Point Tour featuring dissenting Irish priest, Tony Flannery who was silenced after refusing to sign a document affirming Church teachings. Here's how Fr. Tony's situation is described by the dissenters:

Fr.Tony has been ordered to remain silent and forbidden to minister as a priest because of his refusal to sign a document that violates his conscience: namely that women cannot be priests and that he accepts all Church stances on contraception, homosexuality, and refusal of the sacraments to people in second relationships. After a year during which he attempted to come to some accommodation with the Vatican without success, he has decided to take a public stance on the need for reform in the Church.

Oh, my goodness, fidelity to Catholic doctrine "violates [Fr. Tony's] conscience!"

"I've Never Known a Synod so Obviously Steered from the Top."

I'm offering my rosary today for Edward Pentin. Thank God for an honest journalist. He proves the term doesn't have to be an oxymoron.

And It's a Wrap -- Mike Voris Summarizes the Last Day of the Synod

Read Pope Francis' closing speech here. Read the final synod document here.

Well, things ended up better than they started with a little push back from orthodox Catholics. Let us pledge ourselves to pray continuously this year for the Ordinary Synod that will take place next October. All for the greater honor and glory of God.

Frankly, I'm relieved it's over for now. Watching the war within the Church is exhausting.

A Sunday Homily Worth Sharing -- Reflect on God's Mercy

Homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time delivered by Rev. Fr. William J Kuchinsky at St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Wheeling, WV for the anticipatory Mass on 27 September 2014.

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.

The public circus is over --- at least for now

The Vatican released the full text of the closing message from the Synod today and it's actually quite good. Unfortunately, it can hardly undo the damage of the Ratio that went viral around the world last week to confuse Catholics and non-Catholics alike. That document focused almost exclusively on sexual issues (homosexuality, cohabitation, and reception of Communion after divorce and remarriage) and implied that the old rigid, intolerant Church has seen the light and is being transform into an open, tolerant pastoral one.

My own diocese (Arlington) joined the mainstream media this week with a frontpage CNS (Catholic News Service) article headlined "A place for gays, nonmarital unions."

Burke Confirms the Rumors...

...he's out at the Apostolic Signatura. 

This May Get the Selfish World's Attention on Ebola!

Ebola Threatens World's Chocolate Supply!

What a catastrophe!

Happy Feast Day, St. Ignatius of Antioch

St. Ignatius died a martyr's death in the Roman Coliseum in 115 AD under the persecution of Trajan. He is one of the early Apostolic Fathers and, like St. Paul, wrote numerous letters to the early Church communities around the known world.

As the soldiers took him from Syra to Rome for execution he continued his letters and in one to the Romans urged the Christian not to hinder his martyrdom:

4:1 I write to all the churches, and I bid all men know, that of my own free will I die for God, unless ye should hinder me. I exhort you, be ye not an unseasonable kindness to me. Let me be given to the wild beasts, for through them I can attain unto God. I am God's wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread [of Christ].

4:2 Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my sepulchre and may leave no part of my body behind, so that I may not, when I am fallen asleep, be burdensome to any one. Then shall I be truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not so much as see my body. Supplicate the Lord for me, that through these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God.

Let us pray that the Lord will give us bishops like St. Ignatius who loved Jesus Christ so zealously and served the flock so faithfully. We desperately need them!

St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.

"Oh what a tangled web we weave...

...when first we practice to deceive." (Sir Walter Scott)

Evidence of an Engineered Synod

Please, let's all join in praying the prayers at the end of the article -- for the Synod and for our own families.

Pope's fingerprints all over the effort to control the synod!

An Extraordinary Synod...

...in more ways than one. 

You need to read the entire article to understand how bizarre the synod has been. Think of all the pressing issues and ask whether Communion for the divorced and remarried is the most important item:

Political Correctness May Kill Us!

Doctors Chief: CDC Curbs Secondhand Smoke More Than Ebola

But, hey, we won't die from secondhand smoke. Isn't that a relief? Won't that make you fell better if you contract ebola?

CDC Incompetence Proved Again

Vomiting Passenger Dead on Arrival at JFK

And a CDC official rules out ebola after "cursory exam." I'll bet all those passengers were relieved, especially the ones sitting near the dead man. They say ebola isn't airborne but it can be contracted from "droplets" and how many "droplets" were released during the vomiting episodes?

Solving the ebola problem sure doesn't include letting countless healthy people be exposed. I'm more and more concerned that we are at the beginning of a pandemic like the influenza epidemic of 1918 that killed millions. How does something like that begin? One sick person at a time exposing others who expose others.

Border security in Africa is helping to limit the disease to five countries with two, Senegal and Nigeria, showing no new cases in several months due to aggressive tracking and isolation of sick people and their contacts. From an AP article:

WHO, the U.N. health agency, called it "a piece of world-class epidemiological detective work." The organization is set to declare an end to the outbreak in Nigeria on Monday.

Note that "border security" was the answer to controlling the ebola outbreak in these countries. And exactly how secure are our borders?

Do you believe the CDC and Obama when they tell us we have nothing to worry about? Are we taking the common sense measures necessary to protect the people of the U.S.?

Cardinal Pell on the Rebellion by the Synod Fathers against the Original Ratio

Note his description of the original Relatio. It was "tendentious, skewed, didn't reflect accurately the feelings of the Synod Fathers...We're not giving in to the secular agenda....We have no intention of following those radical elements."

What a great testimony! Pray for the Synod Fathers, especially those who stand faithfully and solidly on Scripture and the Apostolic Tradition refusing to let the world's agenda reform Church doctrine.

Hey...If You Can Lie for Church Politics Why Not Secular Politics?

James O'Keefe of Project Veritas exposes two lying democrat politicians. Goodness! Lying Democrat? Isn't that redundant.

Politics is a "lying game."

And apparently Church politics is too judging from Cardinal Kasper's behavior. (See previous post.) Democrats and liberal churchmen seem to have lots in common when it comes to lying. But hey....It's justified if you need it to get elected or avoid embarrassment among your Synod brethren. It's just the way things are in the real world. (Remember who the prince of this world is?) St. Augustine talked about the City of God and the City of Man. Just because a man is wearing a red hat and cumberbund doesn't mean he's living in the City of God. (Hat tip to Political Brambles.)

Cardinal Kasper Caught Lying! Zenit Pulls Interview; Journalist Has Audio!

Maybe the rain will put out the flames.

Liar, liar pants on fire!

Note to Cardinal Kasper. If you're going to lie, you'd better be sure nobody taped the interview on his cell phone. (Maybe the cardinal didn't know cell phones can record.) 

Journalist Edward Pentin stands by his report and the audio tape has it all. ZENIT took it down, but everyone knows know who was telling the truth. Sadly, it wasn't the "man of God." Why does this remind me of this week's readings about, "Woe to you  pharisees?"

Well, at least Cardinal Kasper has a wide choice of confessors from which to choose. On the other hand, liberals tend to believe in the fundamental option so what's a little lie even if it damages the reputation and career of a reporter? 

Two thumbs up for Edward Pentin for exposing Cardinal Kasper for the kind of man he is -- without integrity.

More from Pat Archbold at Creative Minority Report. 

Church is now in "Damage Control," because of the Relatio

Yup, as Cardinal Napier said, the damage is "irredeemable....The message has gone out and it is not a true message."

The perception is out there now. Was it disseminated deliberately?

Ebola Vaccine in Development Uses Aborted Fetal Stem Lines

For Immediate Release: 10/15/2014 

Contact: Children of God for Life
Email: info@cogforlife.org (727) 483 - 9251 www.cogforlife.org

ACTION ALERT! Developing Ebola vaccines use aborted fetal cell lines - moral options exist (Largo, FL) Children of God for Life announced today that several Ebola vaccines in development for use worldwide are made using aborted fetal cell lines despite the fact that moral alternatives are reported as equally effective.

Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) and NIAID are jointly developed their ChAd3 vector for delivering the Ebola virus gene using HEK - 293 (human embryonic kidney) cells. Likewise, NewLink Genetics of Iowa used HEK - 293 cells for their VSV - EBOV Ebola vaccine in Canada , while Johnson and Johnson/Crucell developed theirs using PER C6 cells, derived from retinal tissue of an 18 week gestation aborted baby.

"There is absolutely no reason to use aborted fetal cell lines," stated Debi Vinnedge, Director of Children of God for Life.

As Fr. Z Says, "It Makes One Ponder"

13 October?

Yes it does make one ponder! And doesn't the devil just love to give the one-fingered salute to heaven on the anniversary of an important Marian event? He thinks he's so smart and clever and how he hates that humble maidservant of the Lord!.

 Say Jesus' name 13 times every day with reverence and love to give Satan a slap down!

"At the Name of Jesus every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!"

It makes me laugh to think of the devil being forced to his knees to praise and proclaim God. Yes, I know he's a spirit, but he's been known to take on a visible form to trick souls. So I have no doubt he will be forced, at Jesus' name, to kneel before our Savior King and proclaim Him while all hell groans. (Yes, Virginia, there is a hell and unfortunately it's heavily populated. The Blessed Mother doesn't lie and neither does her Son.)

See Abbey Roads: To be honest ... I'm sad.

Abbey Roads: To be honest ... I'm sad.

I am always edified by Terry Nelson's posts. This one is poignant and made me share in his sadness. Those struggling with sinful inclinations have a right to the truth. All of us have them whether our inclination is to drugs, sex, alcohol, gossip, etc. The suffering of those with same-sex attraction is particularly sad because it makes contracting a marriage and having a family difficult or impossible. The suffering of these souls needs, not only to be acknowledged but, to be supported by the shepherds. What has happened instead? Once again the wolves in the Church are scattering the sheep in confusion.

Can you choose an act of penance today to help our brothers and sisters suffering (yes suffering!) from same-sex attraction to resist the siren call of the false Synod being manipulated by homosexualist clergy? And please offer a rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy as well.

Synodal Detour from Tradition

by Fr. Tom Collins

It is hard to comment on the mid-term report of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops, since it seems to be more like a stream of consciousness or brainstorming session than a vision statement about the nature and sacredness of the marriage vocation. 

There are quite a few allusions to the teachings of the Church in it, but like the statue with feet of mixed clay and iron in Dan 2:33, those allusions are mixed in with the illusions of those who want to redefine intimacy in terms of eroticism. And like that statue, any "reform" based on attempts to mix conjecture with conviction will eventually collapse in total ruin. 

Among the truths overlooked or downplayed in the document are:

1) authentic marriage is a sacred vocation, to which a couple uniquely responds in obedience to Christ's command, "Love one another, as I have loved you." 

2) authentic marriage is a permanent covenantal relationship, not merely a transient, symbiotic or parasitic relationship; 

3) human nature is intrinsically covenantal, thus a human being can best realize his true
dignity only through the awkward but beautiful dynamics of authentic intimacy; 

4) authentic marriage is oriented to cooperating in God's procreative action, whereby a new human being is conceived, nurtured and raised in a manner that respects and reflects the basic truth that God intends love to be our origin, our life and our destiny; 

5) defective premises (e.g., personal development is based on the fulfillment of erotic
desires) cannot lead to sound conclusions; 

6) the pursuit of expediency can detour the soul from the path of integrity and fidelity;
7) immodesty, unchastity and pornography seriously pervert the perspectives, attitudes
and actions of anyone who gets drawn into their addictive allurements; 

8) truth is discovered, or perhaps even determined by dialogue, rather than by the humble
and docile discernment of the realities, with which we are actually dealing; 

9) the desire to show compassion can easily be detoured onto a path of co-dependence and capitulation; 

10) appeals to "gradualism" and to "levels of communion" doctrine, rather than to the need for decisively humble, reverent and contrite appeals to God's gracious mercy, can only lead to "not now, maybe later" conversions - thus redefining the New Evangelization in terms of a new capitulation to the demands of the Culture of Desecration and Death.

Although this report has courageously brought to light many problems that have incrementally
degraded the appreciation of the sacredness of marriage, the family, human life, the human person
and the Holy Name of God, it does not provide a clear vision, which can inspire the world to aspire
to that love, which transcends and transforms all erotic desires by ordering all to that love, with which
Christ laid down His life for His Bride, the Church. Hopefully, the Holy Spirit will consign this report to the same fate suffered by the original schemas drawn up in preparation for the Second Vatican Council.

Personally, I am also praying that the Holy Spirit, in His gracious fidelity to the Church, will inspire Pope Francis to re-affirm the covenantal nature of humanity by examining anew the doctrinal premises for the promulgation of the dogma of Mary as Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of all graces.

In Christ,

Fr. Tom

Doctors aren't God whether the Outcome was a Miracle or a Mistake

Miracle baby blog!  Advised to "terminate" they refused. Thank God! Pray for Eve Elaine that she will thrive and arrive in February according to schedule healthy and bouncing!

Happy Feast Day, St. Teresa

I love St. Teresa of Avila. I spent months using a little booklet of seventeen Communion meditations she wrote as my own thanksgiving after Mass. Whenever I got to the end I started over. You can tell how much the little paperback was handled because it's taped and held together with rubber bands. I still use it occasionally.

The title of my booklet is Lingering with my Lord, but it wasn't a title St. Teresa selected. According to the introduction the translator, Michael Griffin, she frequently didn't title her works. When the meditations were published in 1588 the publisher, Luis de Leon, called it "Exclamations or meditations of the soul to its God, written by Mother Teresa of Jesus, on different days, according to the spirit communicated to her by our Lord after she made her Communion, in the year 1569." Wow! How did he fit all that on the cover? The title most often given to the book is Exclamations of the Soul to God. I like Griffin's title better. It has a sense of savoring -- "taste and see the goodness of the Lord."

Today I'm savoring once again St. Teresa's meditations and I offer you a few tastes as well:

Synod Marketing: Perception is Everything

I'm a little taken aback by people I admire acting like the Relatio's problems are no big deal because the document has no authority and changes nothing in Church doctrine. Well, orthodox Catholics know that, but, do most people reading the press reports? What does the average person picking up the Washington Post or the Boston Globe or reading the Huffington Post think is happening in Rome? They certainly are NOT interpreting the results the same way orthodox Catholic are. Even as I write this the D.C. FM station is reporting that the Catholic Church is "undergoing a transformation."

What exactly is going on?

Hijacking the Synod

The press saw the Relatio before the bishops did.

Huh? This reminds me of the release of the horrible USCCB 1997 document on homosexuality Always Our Children. It was written by a committee that included notorious champion for all things gay, Fr. James Schexnayder, credited as the primary author.

The document was so theologically flawed that the Vatican ordered it amended in  1998. It was published with virtually NO input from the bishops who were given no opportunity to review the document before its release. (They changed their procedures on releasing documents in their name as a result.) And yet it was promoted in the media as the bishops' work. It wasn't! as Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz made clear in his denunciation, saying "'Calamity and frightening disaster' are terms which are not too excessive to describe this document. It is my view that this document carries no weight or authority for Catholics, whom I would advise to ignore or oppose it." 

What's happening at the Synod is giving me deja vu. Just as Schexnayder and co. hijacked the USCCB's process for releasing documents to promote the gay agenda, the Synod seems to be following the same players' manual. And, as Cardinal Burke has said, the pope needs to clear things up. If he doesn't....well...if the shepherd lets the wolves into the sheepfold what reasonable conclusion can one draw about the shepherd?

It's Time to Denounce the Synod!

It ain't Catholic and more and more voices are saying it including those in authority! Don't miss your rosary today!

The Counterfeit Synod

The Trouble with 'Gradualism'

Scandalous Paragraphs on Homosexuality

A Stacked Deck at the Synod?

Exclusion of African Cardinals without "groovy new ideas?"

The Smoke of Satan is in the Church: Confusion Reigns!

Plenty of bad news today!

The Extraordinary Synod on the Family released its interim report which is not binding in any way, but is troubling to say the least. You can find it at the Vatican website and run it off for yourself and read it. The document contributes to the ongoing confusion of the Francis pontificate. An especially troubling factor is that the pope stacked the group writing the report (who were selected by the synod fathers) with liberals including Cardinal Donald Wuerl.

As for the content of the report, one "well-know reporter" described described it to Michael Voris saying, "Michael, this is revolutionary!"

We've seen revolutions in the Church before. They aren't pretty. Watch the Vortex below.

Blunt Talk about the Extraordinary Synod from Fr. Tom

The Extraordinary Synod of bishops in Rome is apparently toying with the idea of offering us a new pastoral approach for those actively living an active homosexual lifestyle. Instead of getting fixated on the sinful nature of their lifestyle, we would supposedly focus on the gifts and qualities they
have to offer us.

Are We Being Set Up for a Pandemic and Marshal Law?

On October 7th Connecticut became the first state where a governor signed emergency measures to deal with ebola. Sounds to me like they are anticipating a serious problem with this disease that is so hard to catch.

GOV. MALLOY SIGNS ORDER THAT WILL ASSIST THE STATE’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN THE EVENT OF A CONFIRMED INFECTION OR EXPOSURE TO EBOLA

I don't know anything about Dave Hodges and his Common Sense radio program. What do you think of this?

Details of How Mandatory Ebola Vaccines Will Soon Be a Reality

What a Difference Faith Makes: The Story of Two Dying Women

Brittany Maynard (29) is dying of inoperable brain cancer. One can only grieve for this young woman's ordeal and the fear that must accompany it. She's scheduled her check-out day for November 1st because she wants to celebrate her husband's birthday on October 26th. And she's made her final days a crusade to promote physician-assisted suicide in every state in the nation. She's working with Compassion and Choices, a group with roots in The Hemlock Society. Rita Marker, an expert on the history of the euthanasia movement often points out that the movement to legalize "mercy killing" isn't about the right to die, but the right to kill. And it grew out of The Hemlock Society whose founder, Derek Humphry smothered his first wife, Jean, when drugs failed to kill her. He then drove his second wife Ann (who participated in the killing) when she developed breast cancer years later. (See here.) Brittany, no doubt, hasn't got a clue about the history of this group making her the poster girl for their deadly agenda. What a coup!

Kara Tippetts is dying as well - of metastasized breast cancer. But she is facing her ordeal with faith. She recently wrote a book, The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life's Hard.  She continues to blog her story of life at Mundane Faithfulness. Instead of turning to death, Kara turns her face to life -- to live every minute trusting in God and seeing suffering, not as a curse, but a grace, In a letter to Brittany she wrote, "Suffering is not the absence of goodness, it is not the absence of beauty, but perhaps it can be the place where true beauty can be known....Knowing Jesus, knowing that He understands my hard goodbye, He walks with me in my dying." She expresses a deep compassion for Brittany's suffering saying,  "My heart longs for you to know Him in your dying. Because in His dying, He protected my living. My living beyond this place."

These two women are putting faces on another battle in the war between the culture of life and the culture of death. One is the champion of death and despair; the other is the champion of life and hope. Which way will our culture go? With the courts so often having the final word, I fear we can expect the same result as the battles over abortion and same-sex "marriage." Nevertheless, we must continue to fight and witness to life!

It's ironic that Brittany plans All Saints Day to commit an act that can only be described as a blasphemy against God. Let's beg all the saints to intercede for her that the grace of God reaches her heart and saves her from walking through the gate with the sign, "Abandon all hope ye who enter here." Even if she goes through with her suicide continue to pray. Remember Jean Vianney telling the grieving widow of a man who jumped from a bridge to his death that her husband repented between the time he jumped and the moment of his death. We cannot know the final end of anyone, even those who commit suicide. I'm praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for Brittany today. Will you join me?

What Happens When the Church Goes "Wobbly?"

I read an interesting comment from Fr. Ray Blake, pastor of St. Mary Magdalene in Brighton, England. It's the last paragraph of a blog post titled Wobbly Church: What Does it Mean to be Catholic Today?

Sunday Meditation: Focus on Families, Your Nuclear and Parish Families!

I love Sunday and today is a double dose of fantastic family fun. The Knights of Columbus just resumed their pancake breakfasts after the summer break and I enjoy going over after Mass to visit with friends while I enjoy a breakfast I didn't cook. Since Larry was working, I caught up with a few girlfriends I don't visit with that often. We talked about people who need prayers, our own health challenges (Don't old folks always end up there? LOL!), and what our kids are doing. It was a delight.

From there I came home to wait for two little granddaughters to come over and play. Our youngest and her husband just celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary and didn't have a chance to go out yet, so we offered to babysit while they spend an afternoon doing whatever they like. The girls and I did a puzzle,

Are We Serious about Stopping the Ebola Virus?

UPDATE! Dallas Health Care Worker Gets Ebola Despite Protective Suit

Is protective gear inadequate?

I found this article on ebola  enlightening...and scary. It got me thinking about all the commotion over the H1N1 virus a few years ago. Think about it -- here was a virus that was much less lethal than ebola and we were getting jammed night and day about it. Of course, the pharmaceutical companies had developed a vaccine and there was lots of money to be gained by convincing everyone to get it. But the seriousness with which it was treated (or should I say hysteria) was continuous.

And yet ---Most of those who caught H1N1 survived. Those who died were mostly the physically compromised and the elderly who developed pneumonia and died from that. But the disease itself killed few.

Now we have a horribly virulent disease with few treatment options (especially in the third world) that kills 50 - 90% of its victims depending on medical care. And what do we find? Government telling us it's hard to catch. Not to worry. Hey...we've got it under control. We're confident it won't be a big deal in the U.S.... Stop flights from infected nations? Not necessary....yadda...yadda...yadda.

How about you? Are you confident they government including the CDC are telling you the truth?

What Book's on your Nightstand? I'm reading Transformation in Christ.

After reading Soul of a Lion, the biography of Dietrich von Hildebrand by his wife Alice, I decided to tackle his Transformation in Christ. It's not an easy read, but it sure is an important subject -- our life's work. Isn't transformation in Christ what we are all called to accomplish from the day we are baptized until we return to God? I'm only on the fourth chapter but the first three give the blueprint for the journey's start.

• Be willing to change -- not in the sense of progressives who see everything in flux and value nothing as substantial -- but to be malleable like the clay in the potter's hand. We must open every part of our being to God's grace, even the deepest recesses where we nurture and protect those things we really don't want to change, the little vices we love and to which we are so attached. It is this willingness to change every part of ourselves to conform to the will of God that is the essential beginning of transformation.

• Be contrite -- All who have reached the age of reason have sinned. The only human creature who never did is Mary, "Our tainted nature's solitary boast." Recognizing our sinfulness before God without minimizing or excusing it draws us to humility, and only humble people can be transformed. We all tend to forget our past sins with the sense that, "Well, that was then and we'll just forget all that and move on." But periodically examining our entire life and our pattern of sins helps us recognize how much we owe God for his mercy and His never-failing love. I remember a story about a man who sat in the church for hours gazing at the crucifix. When the priest asked him what he did there, the man replied, "I look at Him and He looks at me." What do we see when we set our gaze on Christ and His wounds? Do I see the depth of His love, a love willing to suffer torture and death for ME? Do we see the consequences of our sins? My sins put the nail marks in His hands and feet. My sins were the force that sent the spear into His side. My sins were the thorns penetrating the Sacred Head. Reflecting on our sins and what they did to Jesus invites us to deep penitence, and deep penitence is a prerequisite to a transformed heart. 

• Know yourself -- To truly know ourselves we must put ourselves in direct self-confrontation before God. "Who are you and who am I?" Von Hildebrand reminds us of St. Augustine's statement, "Could I but know Thee, I should know myself." As we move into the light of Christ we see ourselves more clearly. Christ shows us all our sins, faults, and shortcomings, even those we may subconsciously hide from ourselves. Knowledge of ourselves in the light of the desire to change and "become a new man in Christ" represents not a source of depression and despair over our vileness, but an invitation.  "We must appreciate it as a great gift of grace from God when He opens our eyes to the actual danger, and shows us where the battle has to be fought." Instead of "tilting at windmills" we put serious effort into fighting our real enemies. Those who foster illusions about themselves focus on inconsequentials. They never achieve the real change they seek. Knowing oneself is not easy and the seeker of truth must constantly pray, "Cleanse me of my hidden weaknesses."

Let's prepare for Sunday Mass by resolving to begin the journey to transformation in Christ by a deep desire to change, contrition for our sins, and a determination to know ourselves in the light of Our Loving Lord.

Gender Goofiness in Nebraska -- What Planet Do These "Educators" Live On?

Public School in Nebraska Wants to Eliminate "Boys and Girls"

Parents need to start screaming, "The Emperor Has no Clothes!" Sorry, folks, but until new babies can choose a penis or vagina in the delivery room (maybe the medical techies can make velcro attachments), boys are conceived and born as boys and girls are conceived and born as girls. It's in the DNA, Stupid! 

Fr. John Hardon, S.J. used to lament the fact that millions of people in the United States "live in a dream world." And they want to force the rest of us to do the same. Father exhorted his retreatants, "If you make one resolution from this retreat, let it be to live in the real world." 

When he died in 2000 things weren't nearly as bizarro as they are today, but he must have seen where the PC police were taking us. So follow his advice and stand up to the ninnies trying to get you to jump on their PC bandwagon. Don't do it! The tires are all flat, the conductor is standing on his head waving his feet, and every member of the band is playing a different tune (badly). Who can listen to that cacophony? 

Live in the real world with the author of truth. His band is led by St. Cecilia with the angel choirs. Any other world is populated by shysters and con men offering tickets on the train to Loonyland. Don't go there!

What's Wrong with the Synod on the Family?

Plenty! I have high regard for Phil Lawler and he is no knee jerk critic. So when he points out problems, orthodox Catholics would do well to listen. I've highlighted a few particularly important passages in red. Pray for the Synod Fathers. If they "squander this opportunity" or, even worse, follow a liberalizing agenda that further confuses the faithful like so many clergy did after Vatican II and Humanae Vitae, God help them on Judgment Day. Check out the complete articles by clicking on Part I and Part II.

Part I -- Shuffling the Deck Chairs:

If what we hear from the Synod Hall is an accurate representation of the actual discussion, the bishops are missing the big picture. Worse, they are squandering an opportunity to deliver the one message that our society most desperately needs to hear....

[A]s we have lost our theoretical understanding of what constitutes real marriage, we have also lost our practical ability to hold marriages together. The widespread acceptance of divorce...was the first sign of that failure. But the problem grew exponentially with the acceptance of “no-fault” divorce laws, which made it possible for one party to sever a marriage contract. As Stephen Baskerville observed for Crisis magazine: “Today it is not possible to form a binding agreement to create a family.”...

Real marriage has three essential characteristics:

GRAMMA'S TEN TIPS FOR A HAPPY LIFE!

1. PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST: Love God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. If you put God first, everything else will fall into place. In order to love God, though, you need to know his Son Jesus because He came to show us the Father. The closer we get to Jesus, the closer we will get to God and the more we will begin to experience the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Pope's Ten Tips for Happiness Leave God Out

Did anyone find this as bizarre as I did?

Pope Francis Issues Top Ten Tips for Happiness

Yes, it's from another interview...this one in the Argentine weekly Viva.  (Translated by Catholic News Service)

From the article (slightly edited):

VA State Delegate Bob Marshall Challenges Attorney General

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Delegate Bob Marshall 703-853-4213

Marshall Requests Herring Opinion on Bigamy in Light of SCOTUS Decision on Marriage Amendment

Manassas, VA - Delegate Robert G. "Bob" Marshall today requested an official opinion from Attorney General Mark Herring on the Constitutionality of Virginia's Bigamy laws in light of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear Virginia's Marriage Amendment case.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals said in their decision that, "Accordingly, we decline the Proponents’ invitation to characterize the right at issue in this case as the right to same-sex marriage rather than simply the right to marry."  

If the Virginia Marriage Amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman has been overturned on the basis of the "right to marry" that that right surely extends to "throuples", those who identify as polyamourous and polygamists and any individual who wishes to marry who or what he/she "loves."

If it is the "right" of all people to marry who they love then I would like to know if it is the Attorney General's legal opinion that Virginia's bigamy and perhaps other laws related to marriage are also Unconstitutional.

Attorney General Herring said in a speech yesterday, October 6, 2014, at the Arlington Court House that, "Today we celebrate a moment when we move closer to fulfilling the promise of equality..."  I would like to know what further steps he believes are legally necessary to fulfill this promise.

Common Core Chaos

Or is it "Commie Core" as my colleague Gary calls it?

Common Core has been imposed on the nation with almost no debate. Remember the Look-Say method of reading that eliminated phonics and ensured a generation of semi-literate readers? This looks like more of the same only worse because many elements involve brainwashing the kids to accept government tyranny.

Check out this trailer for a documentary on Common Core.



And then watch the whole documentary and parent interviews here. Common Core is another "follow the money" initiative.

The Crusades and Islam

The author of this article prefers to be anonymous. We are delighted to give her a voice here at Les Femmes! This being the week we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Rosary established by Pope Pius V after the defeat of the Muslims at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. This article gives the history of the Christian crusades against Islam prior to that historic confrontation. 

The Crusades and Islam

The Crusades are generally portrayed by revisionists as a series of holy wars against Islam led by power-mad popes and fought by religious fanatics. They are supposed to have left a stain on the history of Western civilization in general and the Catholic Church in particular.

So what is the truth about the Crusades?

Duncan Dies -- Who Will Be Ebola's Next U.S. Victim?

First U.S. Ebola Fatality

Note the testimony of the CNN correspondent who observed how cavalierly the Atlanta airport treats customers returning from diseased African countries. Did you observe that Duncan made a connecting flight at Dulles in northern Virginia. How many people were exposed there? The incubation period for ebola can be as long as 21 days. Duncan arrived in the U.S. on September 20th, already infected with the virus. Think of the close contact on airline flights. How confident would you feel right now if you were travelling on one of the flights he took? What if you shared a row?

Timetable:

Surprise! It'll be Roe v. Wade for Gay "Marriage"

Court Clears the Way for Gay Marriage Expansion

I always thought we would get gay "marriage" the same way we got abortion -- through court imposition.

I Never Did Trust Fr. Jonathan Morris....

"Beware of celebrity clergy." Amen!

After my own experience being scandalized at a Catholic college, I used to tell my teenage children, "Just because someone is wearing a Roman collar doesn't mean he's telling you the truth."

Test the spirits.

Mary did when the angel appeared to her and seemed to be telling her to break her vow of virginity. His explanation (along with a reported miracle - the barren Elizabeth's pregnancy) led her to reply, "I am the maidservant of the Lord." And then she immediately went off as an apostle of charity to assist her cousin.

An absolute necessity today is CRITICAL THINKING. Not everyone in a doctor's lab coat knows what he's talking about when he gives you medical advice. Not every woman with the title "Sister" before her name can be trusted for spiritual advice.

Respect everyone as a child of God, but don't respect ideas and opinions that conflict with the faith.

Treat everyone with courtesy, but if they are promoting ridiculous ideas, a little ridicule of those ideas isn't a bad strategy.

Test the spritis! It's a biblical admonition.

Darn that Global Warming...LOL!

Cold Temps Set Record as Snow Arrives in Chicago

And another article from early last year. Get ready for a new ice age! Blame the sun:

"The last time the sun was this inactive, Earth suffered the Little Ice Age that lasted about five centuries and ended in 1850. Crops failed through killer frosts and drought. Famine, plague and war were widespread. Harbours froze, so did rivers, and trade ceased. 

"It's way too early to claim the same is about to happen again, but then it's way too early for the hysteria of the global warmers, too."

We may be praying for global warming before this winter is over!

Meditation for Sunday: Are You a Fruitful Vineyard?

In the introduction to the Mass today in Magnificat, I read this:

The landowner who planted a vineyard presupposes that hired tenants can be trusted, that additional servants will be able to obtain his produce, and that, when all else fails, treacherous people will respect the sacrosanct relationship of father and son. In short the man is looking only for common decency. But in us even that fails. That is why Saint Paul pleads: "Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me." For at one time, he was like those murderous servants. But, converted to what is true, honorable, just, pure, and gracious, he proclaims that we are the cherished vineyard to whom the Father sends his Son.

It gave me an "aha" moment.

Life Chain 2014 -- Abortion Kills Children!

Larry and I just came back from participating in our local Life Chain. We said three rosaries and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy during the 90 minutes. Our little town is pretty sensible -- most people still believe in motherhood and apple pie. We got mostly thumbs ups, waves and smiles, and friendly honks. I only noticed three negatives:

• one young woman yelling, "I'm pro-choice." (Not for the babies, of course.)
• one young guy, a teenager I think, with a friend who shouted, "My girlfriend had two abortions this week!" (smart aleck!)
• and one middle aged guy with a beard who shouted, "You're fascists; I hope you go to hell!" (I prayed a decade of the rosary for him and wondered if he paid to get a girlfriend an abortion.)

I'm never sorry to get negative reactions. It may indicate a conscience that isn't quite dead. If somebody can just shrug and move on without being affected at all...well...that response may mean someone's in the devil's pocket already. 

So please pray for everyone exposed to Life Chains across the country today. No doubt babies will be saved. Some woman will be asking God for a sign and down the street she will drive and be greeted by dozens of signs including one I was holding -- Pregnant, need help? Call 800-395-HELP! Another woman (or her partner in the murder) may need healing and see Jesus Forgives and Heals. Everybody will be exposed to the truth that Abortion Kills Children. After all, no woman ever gave birth to a turnip. 

Stay Away from the Netherlands

Assisted Suicide "Out of Control"

Very sad...Here's a country that stood up against the Nazis, hid 25,000 Jews 3/4 of whom survived the war, went on a general workers' strike when the Nazis deported several hundred young jews in 1941, and supported their persecuted brethren in many other ways.... And now? The Dutch are murdering people left and right, adopting the philosophy of those they vigorously opposed just seventy years ago.

Remember, the Nazi killing spree began against full-blooded German citizens with the T4 euthanasia program. It targeted the mentally ill and physically handicapped. Only after emptying out hospitals and homes caring for these people did the Nazis target Jews, Slavs, and others considered untermenschen.  Here are some disturbing facts from the article:

VA Attorney General Enables Felony Child Abuse!

Virginia AG: Abortion Clinic Inspectors Don’t Have to Report Statutory Rape

Well, he's a Democrat after all and rape and abuse are just no big deal to Democrats -- unless they can glean some political capital out of it -- like attacking the Catholic Church. 

Statutory rape in Virginia is a felony and teachers and health workers are mandatory reporters. But, hey, Democrats make up the rules as they go along. So the little thirteen-year-old got knocked up by a twenty-five year old man she met at the playground? She must have been a little Lolita who made him do it. Prosecution? Heck no -- it might damage his future career in politics. Abortion is a godsend for these creeps. It's also a protected institution and they will do anything they can to enable it no matter who gets hurt or killed. Look how long Kermit Gosnell was allowed to murder babies and kill and maim their mothers before he was prosecuted and locked up for life. How many other Gosnells are out there protected by Democrats like Mark Herring and Terry McAuliffe. 

And while we're talking about Democrats and their scandals do you think anybody will go after McAuliffe for this stinker of a scandal?

McAuliffe Aide Suggested Job Offer to Resigning State Senator

Sen. Phillip Puckett resigned because ethics rules precluded his daughter applying for a District Judgeship she was filling on a temporary basis as long as he was in office.