I just wanted to make sure readers know that Dale O’Leary has a blog here. She came to speak at Fr Finelli’s parish a while ago, the talk she gave is archived here, and Father also has an interview here. It’s essential to be informed about the available data behind same-sex attraction so that our responses can be loving and accurate.
A comment about my post about Fr. Pfleger
(My comments are in Red)
To Fr. Jay Finelli (iPadre), Lisa Graas and Dr Jess Mirus (Catholic Culture),
In my letter I would like to remind you about our Boss who said in Luke 6:37, “Do not judge and you will not be judged….”. Please look at Fr. Pfleger the way our God is looking at him and just think for a while….Please, think for a while…..before you judge anyone again from your warm and safe office.
(Lidia, do you claim to have a corner on the voice of God? You are wrong about what Jesus said in Luke 6:37. There are objective facts that can be judged, unless you are a relativist. A judgment according the the dictionary is “the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions.” I have only come to the conclusion by Fr. Pfleger’s own words in his homily on Youtube “That’s why there should be woman priests, that’s why there should be married priests, that’s why there should be women bishops, that’s why there should be women cardinals, and”. Now according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2089 “Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it.” “Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same.” In 1976 the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concluded that the Church “Does not consider herself authorized to admit women to priestly ordination.” And in 1994, Pope John Paul II declare the question closed in saying “I delcare the Church has not authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.” This is VERY clear. The Church has spoken in an infallible manner and to obstinately refuse to accept or deny this sacred truth is heresy. Not my words, by the Church’s words.)
Fr. Jay, do you really think that God will be more pleased with your comfortable pod-casting business, or with the priest who rolled up his sleeves and dedicated his entire life to the “least of His brothers”, peace and social justice? Have you ever been to St. Sabina or on the south side neighborhoods of Chicago? I am sorry to say that, but your dissection of Fr. Pfleger’s words and ministry is apprehensive and almost like Pharisee or Satan-like. My Church is not a gang or mafia that requires blind obedience above common sense and truth! Where did you get that idea? When was the last time you were reading about our “radical” Jesus Christ in the New Testament? When was the last time that you were hungry, cold or scared to walk home?
(You write about judging and now you judge me! Enough said!)
Dr. Jeff: One of my favorite teachers in the seminary told us that one must be a genius to be called “heretic” and these usually helped the Church to catch up with its flock and saved the Church from falling down. I do not want my Church to be corrupted. It hurts to see empty Churches throughout Europe and United States, Catholic schools closing, homeless on the streets, violence and wars. Without these people, women will continue be treated like property, Earth would be flat and we might be still buying Heaven through indulgences, if you know what I mean. Do you want that for my Church?
(Obviously your “favorite” teacher was wrong! And now you want to judge the Church! The Church IS the greatest champion of women, homeless and the down-trodden everywhere!)
Dear Lisa, I do not understand your point, if you could help me. I am very much Pro-Life, from womb to tomb, regardless of social status and skin color, but I cannot understand your attacks on Fr. Pfleger. If our government did not go to wars and greedy corporations did not kill the economy, there may be more a lot more lives saved? Or if the Catholic schools were not closing so much, we might have better pro-life education…please have guts to work with the root cause of the problem, not with Fr.Pfleger who is saving lives throughout his all life and he is also a single parent.
My dear brothers and sister in Christ, you are entitled to your opinions, but could you consider that perhaps you are missing His boat? Just a suggestion.
With God’s Love,
Lidia Kuzniar
P.S. I am only a practicing Catholic woman, confirmed by JPII in Poland, single mother with a certificate in Lay Ministry from a Catholic Seminary.
Who’s Your Mama?
The United Nations has been a notorious enemy of motherhood, financing contraceptives and promoting abortions worldwide for decades. They have tried to redefine the family, to redefine sexuality (refusing to acknowledge that humanity is comprised of males and females) and now may be poised to enshrine motherhood of an entirely different sort:
Bolivia will this month table a draft United Nations treaty giving “Mother Earth” the same rights as humans — having just passed a domestic law that does the same for bugs, trees and all other natural things in the South American country. The bid aims to have the UN recognize the Earth as a living entity that humans have sought to “dominate and exploit” — to the point that the “well-being and existence of many beings” is now threatened.
The wording may yet evolve, but the general structure is meant to mirror Bolivia’s Law of the Rights of Mother Earth, which Bolivian President Evo Morales enacted in January. That document speaks of the country’s natural resources as “blessings,” and grants the Earth a series of specific rights that include rights to life, water and clean air; the right to repair livelihoods affected by human activities; and the right to be free from pollution.
It also establishes a Ministry of Mother Earth, and provides the planet with an ombudsman whose job is to hear nature’s complaints as voiced by activist and other groups, including the state.
It would be humorous if it weren’t so pernicious — and well-funded! The Catholic Church has always stressed good stewardship over the gifts created for our benefit, and that includes the need to conserve those resources, respecting the persons who are so gravely affected by trashing the planet, but the creation cannot have “human rights.”
How bizarre this is, first of all when even many humans don’t have the rights inherent in “human personhood!” Furthermore, this “personification” of creation was strictly enjoined by our Judeo-Christian heritage, which speaks of the Fatherhood of God. He has never “married” the earth, but instead seeks a spousal relationship solely with those in His image and likeness. To illustrate the deeper lie inherent in this attempt at theology, the Church has always steered her children away from this sort of sloppy thinking, for the “maternalization” of creation leads directly to pantheism, which places creation itself on the level of the Creator.
I understand that the United Nations cannot be a Christian body, and I don’t expect it to be. But must the world sign on to this Gaia worship, just because it wants to spiritualize the need to love your neighbor?
The draft of the new law states: “She is sacred, fertile and the source of life that feeds and cares for all living beings in her womb. She is in permanent balance, harmony and communication with the cosmos. She is comprised of all ecosystems and living beings, and their self-organisation.”
This is nonsense on stilts, and should be rejected by those who know it’s wrong to worship the earth. If this becomes enshrined in law, beware of losing your own autonomy and ability to worship differently. An ominous sign of things to come.
Ever wonder how you would wash an elephant?
Here is a video from the Providence Journal at the Roger Williams Park Zoo:
I’ve been tagged!
I’ve been tagged with a Lenten meme by Sean McGaughey at Catholic Roundup.
The rules:
Those tagged will share 5 things they “love” about Jesus/ Or why they love Jesus Those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers. Those tagged will provide a link in the comments section here with their name so that others can read them.
- The Most Blessed Sacrament – Jesus is always waiting in the tabernacle.
- The Sacrament of Penance – He’s always ready to forgive, no questions asked.
- He called me by name – I am a priest!
- He never lies – everything He gives us in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition is infallible truth.
- I’m going to be with Him forever in “the Father’s house”!
Now I’m supposed to tag 5 bloggers and spread this meme.
Fr. Pfleger threatens to abandon the Catholic Church
Here is and article from the Chicago Tribune. We have all heard of Fr. Pfleger before and will hear of him again. In a Youtube video, he clearly spews heresy about ordaining woman as priests and bishops, married priests and woman Cardinals all within a Sunday homily at St. Sabina’s in Chicago. The illustrious Thomas Peters writes about Fr. Pfleger here.
“The embattled (At war with who? Christ, the Church!) pastor of St. Sabina Roman Catholic Church told radio show hosts Tavis Smiley and Cornel West this weekend that he would look outside the Catholic Church (A heretic will now become an apostate) if offered no other choice but to work at a Catholic high school. (Yes, there is a choice. Live up to the promises made at ordination. “Respect and obey”)
The Rev. Michael Pfleger also said on the “Smiley & West” public radio program that he had been banned (Thanks be to God) from speaking at events in the archdiocese and blamed pressure from conservative (A better word would be “Faithful”) Catholics and the National Rifle Association for his most recent clash with Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George.
“I want to try to stay in the Catholic Church,” (It’s not that difficult, just say: “I may not agree with Your Eminence, but I will obey, for you are God’s voice in my life!”) Pfleger said. “If they say ‘You either take this principalship of [Leo High School] or pastorship there or leave,’ then I’ll have to look outside the church. I believe my calling is to be a pastor. (Your calling was affirmed by Holy Mother Church, and you remain a pastor as long as you are are in good standing with Her) I believe my calling is to be a voice for justice. (A priest’s calling is to be holy and this is achieved through obedience) I believe my calling is to preach the Gospel. In or out of the church, I’m going to continue to do that.”
In an interview with the Tribune, Pfleger clarified that he feels called to preach and push for social justice in a Catholic context. (The Church is the greatest proponent of justice!) He said he loves the Catholic Church and prefers to stay there. But going to Leo full-time would not happen, Pfleger said.
“I’ve always said I could not do something that I don’t feel (Feelings, feelings, feelings) called or equipped to do,” he told the Tribune. “A full-time position at Leo is not something I’m equipped to do. (We are all equipped to do anything under obedience) I think Leo has made it clear they don’t see any need for me to come there. For both sides, it would be a lose-lose.””
Very sad! Pray that Fr. Pfleger!
Read the whole article here.
iPadre #222 – Short History of the Mass – Part 1
On November 27, 2011 we will begin using a new translation of the Roman Missal (the Mass) in the English speaking world. It is important that we are prepared for that great gift from Holy Mother Church. Today, we start off with a History of the Mass in the Roman Rite (Latin Rite). We also have some feedback, and touch onMarian theology.
– Music: “The Unseen” by Jessica Wright
– St. Francis Mission
– Videos about St. Francis Mission
– Faith Comes by Hearing
– Verbum Domini
– USCCB Bible
cast (at) iPadre (dot) net
Feedback line: 206-202-1231
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The Price of Life
In deference to Lent, I hadn’t followed the congressional budget battle as closely as I might have. Reading about high-stakes wrangling over numbers and programs wouldn’t help my efforts to prioritize God during this time, I figured, although I did glance at headlines more than I usually do during this season of greater spiritual focus.
And yet, when the battle began to coalesce around the government subsidy for Planned Parenthood, the numbers game assumed a decidedly moral twist, and I began to pay more attention. Obviously when an annual budget hovers in the trillions, $360 million is a relatively small amount—so miniscule that it became evident that either cutting or maintaining it was not a budgetary imperative but a philosophical one. And this imperative wasn’t one that either side was willing to sacrifice without a ferocious fight.
While the abortion battle raged (and yes, since abortion constitutes the bulk of Planned Parenthood’s business this is about abortion) the larger conflict emerged: pro-life citizens don’t want to contribute money to something to which they are philosophically and morally opposed. This doesn’t touch the notion of banning the procedure or even restricting it, but only the funding mechanism.
Crabby abortion proponents have said for years, “If you don’t like abortion, then don’t have one,” while ignoring the fact that those who don’t like abortion are deeply insulted to have to pay for them. We can grumble forever about wasted tax dollars, inefficient programs, duplication of services or outlandish schemes but none of these compare with the horror that our own hard-earned dollars are in turn passed onto a corporation that exists primarily to kill—one child every 90 seconds.
Most Republicans sensed the wider implication of the Planned Parenthood issue and held fast to the opportunity to honor the growing pro-life sentiments of their constituents. The gaudy display of abortion supporters, though, was beyond all parody. Just before the final votes were cast, the nation’s capitol was subject to a barrage of pink, flung about in myriad forms as a way of showing that feminists were as wedded to sterility as they were to sexual license. Not only did they insist on celebrating their sacrament of “Free Love” (meaning intimacy free of its natural consequences) but their “choice” wouldn’t mean a thing without the country picking up the tab. One local clinic director from Texas was aghast that the budget battle had become embroiled over her organization, which “provides vital services to communities in need.”
A curious choice of words. It’s precisely life (the root of the word “vital”) which makes so many taxpayers loathe to contribute to her organization. To provide a “vital” service would be to serve life, not death, and the deep-seated emotions that surround abortion have been stirred up once more.
This is a good thing, and essential for the country. Will we be a nation that preserves innocent life? Will we draw a line that protects those whose conscience will not allow them to collaborate with the merchants of death? Will the traditional Judeo-Christian underpinnings of America be honored in any way, or will individualism trump every effort to speak for the defenseless?
Surely, money matters, and there is an important lesson being illustrated for the upcoming generation concerning fiscal accountability and living within one’s means. But if that very debate loses sight of the actual members of that younger generation—the ones who have run the gauntlet even to inherit the discussion—then their solvency will be a slave to their existence, which shouldn’t be in the hands of Planned Parenthood, but in God alone.
Adding Some Perspective to Lent
We’ve just passed the middle of Lent, that time when we take stock of our intentions and fortify ourselves to do better in the next few weeks. I gave myself the usual tepid pat on the back and resolved to trim a few shavings from my comforts–for even in Lent, I have my little refuges.
And then I read about the Pakistani Christian woman, Asia Bibi, who has been jailed under blasphemy charges and thus cruelly separated from her husband and five children (now in hiding). How is her Lent going?
Asia Bibi is sick, in solitary confinement, and there are growing concerns for her life. The Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy on false evidence is sick with chicken pox, because of the appallingly unhygienic conditions she is being kept in. The complaint comes from Haroon Barket Masih, president of the Masih Foundation, who today issued a statement: “Asia Bibi was diagnosed with chicken pox, she has been kept in solitary confinement for more than three months. We have expressed concern about her health, because she spends24 hours a day locked in the cell. She needs medical care, hygienic and healthy conditions. She fell ill with chickenpox because of the dirty environment, and being unable to clean her room or bed sheets on which she sleeps. Despite her ill health she spends her time fasting and praying for everyone, she neglects her health and prays for everyone else. She is concerned about the current situation in Pakistan. We are trying to arrange a medical examination, and to ensure acceptable hygienic conditions. Until now she has had no medical care.”
Suddenly my little beer fast looked terribly shabby and my efforts to pray the Divine Office (when convenient) revealed the wobbly love that supported them. This woman, whose life had assumed the shape of one long Passion, found ways to fast from prison fare, to pray amidst deplorable conditions, and to add more sufferings to those already overpowering her fragile life. As our Protestant neighbors would say, I was convicted.
Maybe in these last few laps, we can intensify our prayers for those whose very faith is outlawed, whose religious expressions aren’t only met with occasional derision but bloody reprisals. Maybe we can join our sufferings to theirs and hope that God brings them to an Easter in which they can rejoice heartily and share the Good News freely.
For now, though, the desert is parched and taking its pound of flesh. Our Lady of Sorrows, comfort your suffering people.
New bloggers
Great news! I have two friends who are going to join in blogging here at the iPadre website. Both are great Catholic women and have a lot to offer. Genevieve Kineke is well know speaker on the vocation of women and author of “The Authentic Catholic Woman”, and Dr. Sheila Kuzmic a homeschooling mom, physician great pro-life advocate. Thank you both for sharing your gifts with the Church!