Round Up

What an eventful few days we have all had.  As the struggle against Obama continues in the US, Cardinal Dolan continues to rally the troops against the HHS mandate - faithful Catholics are not going to give up on this one despite the attempts of those Catholics who follow Obama to explain (erroneously) that conscience and freedom of religion are not being infringed. 

I see the White House has told the bishops to abandon orthodox Christian moral teaching in favour of the sort of stuff America magazine peddles.  So there you have it - the Obama administration seems to think that freedom of religion allows the government to tell a particular Church what stance it should take on moral issues: "follow the line of your members who dissent from the magisterium"  I think the First Amendment to the American Constitution forbids such a rebuke.

Meanwhile on this side of the pond, another fine Cardinal is defending the faith, this time in Scotland.  Congratulations to Cardinal Keith O'Brien who has taken on the Cameron administration in the UK.  Cameron and co are committing themselves to introducing full "gay marriage", the Cardinal has reminded them of the natural law and Christian teaching. 

I must say it is rather ironic - Cameron was fulsome in his praise of Christianity recently, and how important it was for Britain and how he is committed to supporting it, he sends Baroness Warsi over to the Pope to reiterate the same message, and now here he is taking a few steps backward.  Was it just all talk?  Another sound byte from a politician who wants to build up his contacts and supporters for the next election? 

On this little island one of our political parties has voted to adopt the same policy as Cameron. Fianna Fail, once considered a party which respected the Christian roots of our country, are now going to support "gay marriage" and adoption.  Given that the grassroots support for this party is Christian and traditional, this policy will alienate many of them. 

Of course this party introduced the Civil Partnership bill a couple of years ago, including penalties for registrars and those who provide wedding services who refused to facilitate these partnership - not only is there is no conscience clause, those who stick to their conscience will find themselves in prison with a huge fine to pay. So much for democracy. 

Fianna Fail was all but wiped out in the last election having ruled the country for three consecutive terms - the financial collapse occurred during their watch.  They need to rebuild, and perhaps this adoption of the gay agenda is an attempt to garner support from more liberal minded citizens.  So be it, but they may well alienate their grassroots supporters, which they deserve if they are taking this path to folly.  I hope our bishops will follow the example of Cardinals Dolan and O'Brien and speak out against this regression in Irish politics, and begin to take on the radical agenda which has been distorting the social fabric of Ireland.  Time for the Catholic Church in Ireland to get out of the trenches.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.  Despite the overwhelming historical evidence, much of it compiled by Jewish historians and writers, the old calumny against the Ven. Pope Pius XII continues to be made, and is taken as truth.   This time a Jewish rabbi is rehashing the old lies. This is like the old chestnut wheeled out by the usual suspects who accuse Pope Benedict, and before him Blessed John Paul II, of murdering millions of Africans because of the Church's teaching on contraception - an accusation that defies common sense.  It seems people prefer the lie to the truth, its more convenient and allows them to nurture their prejudice of Catholicism.

The Fr Guarnizo incident in Washington has taken another turn.  After he refused a lesbian Holy Communion at her mother's funeral, he was reprimanded and an apology sent to the woman from the auxiliary bishop of Washington. It turns out that the priest did not disgrace the woman, he refused her quietly so no one knew, and he had had already met her and her "lover" before the funeral.  At that meeting he told her of the Church's teaching and canon 915 which expressly requires a priest to refuse the Eucharist to those in such situations.  The priest fulfilled the pastoral requirements.  The lady chose to defy the Church's teaching in public.  The matter was not as simple as it seemed at first.  It seems, he is the one who is in the right.

Fr Longenecker has an excellent article on the coming persecution: he hits the nail on the head: there will be no blood on the streets - it will all happen in courtrooms, with legislation - with penal laws, basically. Ireland knows all about penal laws - the best way to crush Catholic opposition is to wear it out with laws and legal challenges.

And now, news about new Causes - this is getting to be a monthly feature.  This month we in Discalced Carmel are rejoicing as two of our friars are being put forward as candidates for canonisation.  Fr Marcello of the Immaculata, who died in 1984, was an Italian friar who lived in Ferrara and was renowned for his ministry in the confessional.  Fr Maurizio of the Child Jesus, who died in 1997, was also Italian, but ministered in the Holy Land on Mount Carmel.

Other new Causes: Mgr Guissani of Communion and Liberation, whom I mentioned last week.  Fr Edward Flanagan, founder of Boy's Town in the US.  Fr Flanagan was born in Ireland, but emigrated to the US when he was eight - a future Irish Saint we hope.  And two lay people: Marcjanna Grzanka, a Polish woman who died in 1941, and Nino Baglieri, a layman who was also a Volunteer of Don Bosco, who died in 2007: he was a suffering soul who became a model and advisor for many.

Unacceptable

Two things, as a dear friend of mine would say.  The first is the news that Cardinal Dolan has signed the "Unacceptable" letter which rejects Barack's Obama HHS Mandate.  You can view the letter and its latest signatories here.  Note that those who signed it are not "fundamentalist Catholics", but rather people from all walks of life and numerous religions, Christian and non-Christian.

The HHS Mandate is not about contraception - it is about undermining religious freedom.    And this issue is just as important to Ireland and the rest of the world as it is to the US because if the "land of the free" undermines religious freedom, other countries may well follow suit.  I could see our own lot, who are cutting and pasting a healthcare plan at the moment, doing the same thing.

Secondly, a post from Fr Z.  We all know that the secularists, atheists, Democrats and liberal Catholics have been attacking Republican Rick Santorum as he attempts to get the nomination to go forward in the US Presidential election later this year.   He is a man of faith and an orthodox Catholic and that just sends some people into outer space with rage.  Anyway, lest you think that all attacks on the man and his Catholic faith are modern and sophisticated, think again.  Here is a piece written by Larry Doyle on the Huffington Post. Read it and pray for the man. 

Neither Praise Nor Threats

One of my great heroes is Blessed Clemens von Galen - I have mentioned him before on this blog.  In the face of Nazi persecution, he stood up and preached the Gospel of Life fearlessly.  Hitler both hated and feared him: the power of God, his mercy and justice emanated from this bishop, and his voice and message thundered around Germany and beyond.  Last year I was given a relic of the Blessed and I can tell you, in prayer with it, the strong presence of this fearless witness can be felt.

Well my attention has been drawn to a good article on the Blessed Cardinal, concentrating on his episcopal motto: Nec laudibus, nec timore which means "Neither praise nor threats", meaning nothing will prevent him proclaiming the Gospel.  It is worth reading. 

We are in dark times, and Blessed Clemens stands as an example to all of us to raise our voices in defence of our faith and the moral order.  If the prevailing culture wants us to stay silent in face of the great evil which is claiming innocent human life in abortuaries and clinics all over the world, then we defy that culture and proclaim the Gospel of Life. 

Blessed Clemens serves as a model and intercessor for our bishops the world over: may they, like him, find the courage given them in the Sacrament of Holy Orders to do what he did.  We pray for the bishops of Ireland and the US who must deal with anti-Catholic governments intent on aborting the Church from public life and forcing believers to violate their consciences.   May the great "Lion of Munster" put his strong hand on the shoulders of our beloved pastors and assure them of his presence and intercession, and may he rally all of us to the cause of Christ and the cause of life!

In related news: the Thirsty Gargoyle has taken on The Irish Times and its Patsy. 

Denial: A Swamp In Ireland...?

It is a fact that persecutors never consider themselves persecutors - their campaign against a certain group makes utter sense to them, and if people are complaining or objection, then they are just creating trouble.  We know this attitude to be "denial", and it seems The Irish Times is in denial when it comes to the fact of aggressive secularism and its mission to exorcise religion from society.

David Quinn takes the paper to task in his column in The Irish Catholic.  It is a must read.  Living in Ireland in these times we meet this denial every day.  Catholics can be treated badly, made fun of, attacked in the media, and yet the media and some public representatives cannot actually see that they are being prejudiced.

On Tuesday night, as I was coming back from our Film Club, I was listening to Marc Coleman on Newstalk.  He is a fine broadcaster, one of the fairest in Ireland.  At one point he raised the issue of prejudice against Catholics, citing some of the points David Quinn makes in his article above.  The reaction was most interesting: his guests were taken aback that such treatment of the Church was unjust or prejudiced; after all, they said, the Church abused children and the Vatican covered it all up. 

Coleman did his best to explore their reaction, but it was obvious the anti-Catholic prejudice was so deep his guests could not see that there was anything wrong.   The old anti-Catholic myths are well engrained, and thanks to the growth in aggressive secularism in Ireland (and, I suspect, knee jerk reactions against the Church's moral teachings - many Irish are now happily contracepting, cohabiting, aborting).  They are desperate to believe that all evil is now found in the Catholic Church, they will not listen to anything that contradicts their prejudice or might shake them out of their denial.

It seems denial is not merely a river in Egypt, but a swamp in Ireland.

Youcef Nadarkhani, his wife and children

In related news I see that the Iranian pastor convicted of apostasy from Islam (though he was never formally a Muslim, just from a Muslim background) is due to be executed quickly.   Youcef Nadarkhani was arrested in 2009, tried and convicted: his appeal was lost.  He was offered a chance to recant his Christian faith three times in order to save his life: he refused.  The order for his execution has been signed.

God grant him strength.  Please remember him, his wife and their two children in your prayers.  Martyrdom is glorious and brings an eternal reward, but it is difficult and the sorrow of loss is no less painful.  May the Lord grant him and his family the graces they need at this time.  If he is to shed his blood, may it bring about the conversion of those who killed him and of the whole of Iran.   There is no better "revenge" than to see one's enemies come to embrace Christ and be reconciled with those they have oppressed.

And here's something we all knew for some time.  Evidence of sex-selection abortions is coming to light and SPUC are trying to lobby David Cameron's government in the UK to cut its ties with private abortion providers.  Sex-selective abortions are the norm in China - with the one child only policy, many couples, when they discover they are expecting a girl, abort the child in the hope of having a boy next time.  This has led to a serious gender imbalance in China. 

Elective abortions tend to sex-based, and it is females who are being killed.  That is the ultimate irony: the radical feminists want abortion for the sake of their "liberation", yet it is females who comprise the larger number of those "terminated" - there's liberation for you!  If this continues we may not have to worry about feminism at all - women will end up as a minority gender, as in China, and guess what, we might just see the return of the old monster, Inequality. 

The same is true of black people: in the US the majority of those who are aborted are Afro-American - indeed 60% of Planned Parenthood clinics in the US are situated in Afro-American neighbourhoods even though Afro-Americans only make up 12.2% of the population - doesn't add up, or does it?  We might need to consult Margaret Sanger to understand that one. 

By the way I am told that, given demographic changes, the population of Afro-Americans in the US should be 16% by now, but it seems since Roe v Wade, the expected 3% never made it.    The Rev. Martin Luther King must be turning in his grave: I do not think this is the dream he was talking about - rather it seems to be a nightmare.

And to end on an upbeat note.  Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury is issuing a Lenten pastoral letter on Sunday in which he will deal with the reality of hell.  Bishop Davies is one of the more remarkable bishops in England and a wonderful teacher and defender of the faith.  In fact I think he may well be tipped for Westminster: he would make a fine Archbishop and Cardinal.

Hell is one of the "no-no" topics when it comes to homilies: I remember greeting a delegation seven months into my first appointment in Drogheda: the concerned delegation consisted of one man who felt he represented the whole parish.  The gentleman wanted to point out how dreadful a priest I was because I was always preaching about hell.  In the seven months I had only mentioned it once or twice, and then only in passing but it was enough to send this man over the edge.  I took note of his objections, and resolved to preach a full homily on hell the next time it popped up in the readings, which I did.  He was not impressed. 

I'd say there will be many who will not be impressed with Bishop Davies's letter, but thank God for his forthrightness in teaching the fullness of the faith.  Thanks to the prevalence of "therapeutic Catholicism", many people cannot accept that there is always a possibility that we may not make it to heaven: that we have to take personal responsibility for our lives in order to avoid damnation.  That's not being negative, it's just being real.

We are living in interesting times.  The new translation is bringing back reverence to the Mass, the HHS mandate in the US is uniting bishops and reminding Catholics of the inherent sinfulness of contraception, abortion and sterilization, and an English bishop is preaching the fullness of the faith: these may well be signs that the reform has started.  "From your lips to God's ears" as my friend Pat in New York would say: Amen!

EWTN President Speaks

Michael Warsaw, President of EWTN, has written an article for the New York Times, outlining the Network's objections to Barack Obama's HHS Mandate.  I'm quoting it in full:

CONTRACEPTION, AGAINST CONSCIENCE 

Michael Warsaw

THIRTY years ago, a cloistered nun named Mother Angelica Rizzo started a small television station in her garage to spread the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Since then the station, EWTN, has grown into one of the largest Catholic media networks in the world, but we haven’t strayed from our values. And we won’t — even though our commitment has landed us in the cross hairs of the Obama administration.

EWTN cannot comply with the recent mandate from the Department of Health and Human Services requiring the insurance plans of all employers, with the exception of some houses of worship, to cover the contraceptives and sterilization procedures approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These include emergency contraceptives like Plan B and Ella that can destroy human embryos — an act that we consider a violation of church teaching that all life is a sacred gift that begins at conception.

Earlier this month, in response to widespread opposition to the mandate, the president announced an “accommodation” for some religious organizations — like, potentially, EWTN — that would shift the responsibility for the coverage from the employer to the employer’s insurance carrier. But this would do nothing to solve the problem. First, EWTN self-insures, so we are the insurer. Second, even if we had an outside insurer, we would still be in the untenable position of facilitating access to drugs that go against our beliefs. And if we refused to comply with the directive, we could be hit with annual fines starting at around $600,000.

The administration’s supporters say that by opposing the rule, religious employers like EWTN are guilty of trying to coerce our employees and impose our values on them. But we are simply choosing not to participate in the use of these drugs. Our 350 employees, many of whom are not Catholic, freely choose to work here and can purchase and use contraception if they want to. They are aware of the values we practice, and I hear regularly from Catholic and non-Catholic employees alike how much they love working for an organization that is defined by its Catholic beliefs — beliefs that we think result in a better workplace and more expansive benefits over all.

Instead, it is the government — which does not accept EWTN’s religious choice and can punish that choice by imposing fines — that is coercing us. But under the Constitution and federal religious liberties law, we cannot be forced to give up our beliefs as the price of participation in the public square. That is why the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has filed a lawsuit on our behalf seeking to overturn this illegal mandate.

But religious liberty isn’t even the only thing at risk; the mandate also threatens the financial viability of any organization that disagrees with the administration’s politics. They could be forced to stop offering health insurance and be saddled with fines, which are immense competitive disadvantages. They’ll have to take money away from their core missions to pay fines. They’ll lose employees who can’t afford to work for employers who offer no health insurance. They’ll lose donors who are scared off by the penalties.

The end result: organizations that agree with the administration or are willing to compromise their beliefs will thrive. Organizations that don’t will shrink or die.

Businesses will suffer, too. The mandate’s effect will be most visible on not-for-profits like EWTN. But small businesses owned by men and women of faith, which have been given no protection whatsoever in the administration’s accommodation, will also take a hit. While some charities might be able to weather the storm thanks to donations or strong endowments, these small businesses almost certainly won’t.

Mother Angelica didn’t create EWTN to be a weak Catholic voice. Our donors send us money to spread Catholic teachings, not to subvert them. The mandate makes it impossible for us to live up to that core mission, giving us the choice of either compromising our beliefs or being crushed by fines. That ultimatum is unfair, unconstitutional and repugnant — which is why we have no choice but to fight it in court.

The fines to be imposed by the Obama administration remind me of the fines the English monarch imposed on Catholics who refused to attend Protestant services following the Reformation.  The idea was to either force them into the Protestant ecclesial community or impoverish them.  Because of this many English Catholics capitulated in order not to starve to death.  Seems to me that this mandate seeks to do the same thing. 

Another piece of news: it seems the Holy Father will make his final decision with regard to the Society of St Pius X before the summer.  I see from Traditionalist websites that they are expecting him to bring them back into the full life of the Church.  To be honest I cannot see that happening.  Despite their claims of being obedient to the Pope and faithful, they have not budged one inch and still reject Vatican II.  In their eyes, it seems to be, all of us are Modernists.  We will leave it to the Holy Father, but I think there are few options open, one of them being the declaration of a formal schism.

A priest who has been in prison since 1994 for abuse may soon be a free man after new revelations appear to expose his accuser.  Fr Gordan McRae, who blogs from his prison cell, was convicted of abusing Thomas Grover.  However, Mr Grover's history is far from pristine, and it seems new witnesses have come forward to say that he admitted to them he was never abused by Fr MacRae, among other evidence being presented by the priest's lawyers.  It is being claimed that Mr Grover fabricated the accusations to get money out of the Church - it wouldn't be the first time.

If Fr MacRae is innocent, it will be one of the most serious miscarriages of justice in American history.  After twenty years in prison, he will be due a huge settlement in compensation - which he should get.  Mr Grover should also face charges: while we as Christians must forgive, we must also ensure that we do not lead people into sin - to let accusers off scott free gives them the idea that people can make false accusations against innocent Catholics and get away with it even if they are found out: there is no charity in that.  Anyway, we shall watch this one with interest.

And finally, some good news.  At the Mass to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the death of their founder, the leaders of Communion and Liberation have formally petitioned the Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Scola, to open a Diocesan Informative Enquiry into the life, virtues and reputation of sanctity of Mgr Luigi Guissani with a view to opening the Cause for his beatification and canonisation.   

Mgr Giussani has left the Church an enormous legacy not only through founding and guiding one of the most influential new movements in the Church, but also through his writings and personal holiness.  We pray that the Cause, once opened, will proceed quickly to a successful conclusion.  In spite of all the difficulties the Church is facing in these times, God has given us magnificent holy men and women who serve as bright and inspiring lights to console and guide us.  Deo gratias!

Mgr Giussani with Blessed John Paul II, and his tomb in Milan

HHS Mandate: A Jewish Response

A quick post to bring a few items to your attention.  More civil suits are being filed against the Obama Administration, again more people are realising that the HHS mandate is not a contraception issue, or even a Catholic issue - it is an issue of religious freedom.

Here is an interesting article by a Jewish writer, David P Goldman, and he's saying that the Jews should challenge this mandate also because Obama can just as easily try to dismantle Jewish religious freedom as much as Catholics's.  They are coming for the Catholics now, the Jews could well be next, he says. 

Goldman mentions a few areas which may fall under scrutiny: kosher slaughter, which has already been banned in some countries; matrilineal descent for deciding who is a Jew - a British court recently decided that it is not up to the Jews to decide who is and who is not a Jew - as if that court had the competence to decide.  And of course, circumcision.  That last one will go if homosexual lobbies have anything to do with it - there is a gay fetish about "intact men", so some gay groups are waging war on circumcision.  If Obama is listening to them, he could well try and outlaw the sign of the Covenant among the Jewish people.   It seems our Jewish brothers and sisters could find themselves back in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes again!

Perhaps Israel's influence might prevent this from happening, given that Israel and the US are allies.  But that is not certain either - there are those in the Democratic party who want to see an end to that relationship and a more decisive shift to the Palestinian cause. 

However, there is an opportunity here for a greater cooperation among Christians and Jews: they can stand together on this issue to help each other.  A prayer to Blessed John Paul II and to St Moses might be a good idea - remember in the Catholic Church we honour the Jewish prophets as Saints: time to invoke them for the Church in these times and for our Jewish brothers and sisters.

Mother's Network Prepares For Battle

Shame on me! I forgot to mention that EWTN is taking a legal case against the US government with regard to the HHS mandate. I'm sure you already know about it, but just a quick post to give you the links so you can read all about it.  So as you keep the Network between the gas and the electricity, please also keep it in your prayers and as they challenge Obama's swipe at religious liberty. 

Speaking with a lawyer friend of mine last evening, he said that such challenges will probably be successful: given that the mandate is a direct breach of the US Constitution, the Supreme Court will probably finish off the mandate.  From his lips to God's ears!

UPDATE:  Thomas Peters over at American Papist is on one of his compiling lists missions again, this time noting the number of bishops who have responded to Obama's HHS mandate, and now the institutions who are taking action, considering action or have issued statements defying the mandate. 

Of the 29 Catholic organisations (so far), three have initiated legal proceedings against the US government - our own EWTN, Priests for Life and Belmont Abbey College.   Another is presently looking into the possibility of legal action: Ave Maria University in Florida.  Of the 9 other religious, non Catholic, groups and denominations (so far), one has initiated legal action against the government, Colorado Christian University.  Among these we find Christians of various traditions and Jews, all opposed to what is not a Catholic issue, but one of freedom of religion.

For your information, here is the list (as of posting - it is sure to grow):

The Catholic Institutions:

•1. EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) – filed lawsuit
•2. Belmont Abbey College – filed lawsuit
•3. University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN – issued statement to press
•4. Christendom College in Front Royal, VA – issued statement
•5. Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, FL – considering legal options, “will not comply”
•6-9: Aquinas College in Nashville, TN (joined by three other Dominican schools) – issued statement
•10. University of Dallas in Dallas, TX – issued statement
•11. Priests for Life in Staten Island, NY – filed lawsuit
•12. Nashville Dominican Sisters in Nashville, TN – issued statement
•13. Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD – issued statement
•14. Benedictine College in Atchison, KS – issued statement
•15. The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC – issued statement to the press
•16. Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities - issued statement
•17. Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA - issued statement
•18. Knights of Columbus - issued statement
•19. Catholic Medical Association - issued statement
•20. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, NH - issued statement
•21. Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio - issued statement
•22. Holy Cross College in Indiana - issued statement to press
•23. Sisters of Mercy - issued statement
•24. Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, WY - issued statement
•25. Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist - issued statement
•26. Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH – issued statement
•27. New Hampshire Catholic Charities – issued statement
•28. Saint Anselm College – issued statement

The Non-Catholic Institutions/Denominations:

•1. Colorado Christian University (nondenominational) - filed lawsuit
•2. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod – issued statement
•3. National Association of Evangelical Protestants – issued statement
•4. Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – issued statement
•5. Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops – issued statement
•6. Anglican Church in North America – issued statement
•7. Reformed Theological Seminary – issued statement
•8. American Life League – issued statement
•9. Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission – issued statement

In Brief

Two interesting articles on the HHS mandate which offer an alternative analysis of the situation.  Paul Rahne sees the situation as the outcome of a long history of compromise on the part of the Catholic Church in the USA. 

Taylor Marshall thinks we are approaching the issue from the wrong angle - we should not be using the religious liberty card at all, but a more fundamental argument.

And here's George Weigel's latest article on the issue.

Another thought-provoking article from Ross Douthat.  He describes the "compromise" "suggested" (imposed) by Obama, in interesting terms.  As I would interpret it, Obama is saying: "Let's just pretend I am respecting your consciences, and you pretend you are not paying for contraceptives and abortaficients."  That sums it up.   Douthat also asks an interesting question, do the Catholic bishops have a strategy for a long war?  Given that Obama will probably get in for a second term, and he will be very keen to push ahead and finish what he started before he's forced to leave office, there may be a battle royal ahead.  Time for the bishops, faithful and other people, religious and non-religious, to get together and devise an effective means of resistance.  Perhaps it is time for interested parties to call a council of war.  At the heart of the plan of resistance must be prayer and sacrifice because there is a force at work in this administration and it is not human, and human effort will not be enough to defeat it.  

And a wonderful, though heart-breaking, pro-life story which reminds us that even in the most awful of situations, we must choose life. 

Today is St Valentine's Day - the secular world is running around with flowers, chocolates and cards to fill the coffers of various businesses in the stump between Christmas and Easter.  In Dublin, though, the faithful will gather in the Carmelite Church in Whitefriar Street to venerate the relics of the martyr which are enshrined there. 

However, liturgically, today is the feast of SS Cyril and Methodius, the brothers who evangelised the Slavs, and gave the world the Cyrillic alphabet.  We devoted one of our programmes in the latest series of Forgotten Heritage to them.  In Europe today is their feast day, as they are co-patrons of Europe.  May they watch over us in these times.

Back In The Saddle...

Well, we are back in Ireland after a very fruitful time in the US.  Our next series of Forgotten Heritage: Europe and Her Saints, is going into post-production.  Our producer, Brian Martin, will supervise the editing.  I am not sure when the completed series will finally air on EWTN, it could be later this year in the Autumn, or later again, in the Spring: we shall see.  

Since getting back, parish duties and other things have kept me busy, so I did not get time to blog.  The jet lag is still hanging around, and so, as I am wide awake at this point in time (2.30 am), rather than face lying in bed, I am saying a few prayers and writing this post.  St Josemaria Escriva, it is said, slept little towards the end of his life, so he put the night hours to good use, so I am in good company.

As I scan the Internet to catch up on news I sense things have changed a great deal in the last couple of weeks.  For one thing, in Ireland, the government is on the run with regard to the closure of the Irish embassy to the Holy See.  As Labour TD's (members of parliament) stand square behind the decision like good socialists, there is war in the ranks of Fine Gael as the backbenchers heap their displeasure on the Taoiseach and his socialist buddy in Foreign Affairs.  May they continue to do so and may the pressure force a u-turn.  One Fine Gael back bencher, so incensed at the Taoiseach, even took out his rosary beads in defiance: good on you, sir, wield that spiritual weapon with all your might!  Meanwhile, a former ambassador to the United States has come out and criticised the decision to close the embassy. 

I also see things are getting bad in the US with regard to President Obama's HHS mandate.  As you all know by now, the White House offered a "compromise" which in reality was not one at all and offered no progress on the issue.  Then an alarming statement emerged from the Obama administration: the matter is closed - we will offer no more, the Catholics are just going to have to accept it and shut up (welcome to the Gulag!).  As Sr Carol Keehan and Fr John Jenkins returned to worshipping at the Obama shrine, saved from their misery by the "compromise", the National Catholic Reporter has come out and attacked the Bishops for their stance. 

This is disgraceful.  For years the NCR has operated under the title Catholic, after this I think it is time for them to conform to canon law and desist from using the title Catholic which can only be used for those organisations and institutions that conform to Catholic faith, morals and practice.  The NCR clearly does not subscribe to any of these and should now do the honest thing and rename itself.  And perhaps John Allen should move - he is too clear, honest and fair a journalist to be numbered among those who consistently attack, undermine and misrepresent the Catholic faith.

We must pray for the bishops of the US: they are right in taking the stance they have taken - they are defending the Catholic faith as Christ has given it to us and refusing to change it in order to satisfy the anti-life agenda of the Obama administration and the permissiveness of guilty Catholics who want the Church to confirm their infidelity by embracing it herself.  Sadly, I hear, many Catholics in the US (and elsewhere) support Obama's tyrannical move, and it is likely they will vote for him in the next election.  Well, we leave them to the judgement of God and pray for their conversion.

However, this is a time, dear friends in the US, to embrace the virtue of fortitude.  As my moral theology professor and dear friend, Fr Vincent Twomey taught us: this is the virtue we must practice even when all seems lost.  We must still act, resist and remain true even if we fall in the battle.  Twinned with hope, with this virtue, our hearts see beyond the battle, beyond the war, to the victory that has already been won, and it is in the light of that victory, that Catholics and believers of every faith in the US must stand up to Obama.  Keep telling him: NO, NO, NO!  We will not submit: we will not violate our consciences.

If necessary, it may be time for civil disobedience and yes, even for prison.  Our good friend, Fr Benedict Groeschel, renowned, respected and holy, has spent time in prison for his witness to the right to life: many more may face a similar fate in the months to come: embrace it.  Think of St Peter and St Paul in their chains and remember you are in noble company.

The greatest irony of all is that Obama is contravening the US Constitution and no one in Congress seems prepared to challenge him.  Nixon and Clinton were impeached for minor offences in comparison - tapping phones (Democrats' phones, Father, that is a mortal sin!!), or immoral behaviour.  Obama is breaching the very Constitution he swore to uphold: he should be impeached and thrown out of office.  Why is no one willing to do this?   It is most interesting: if you ever go to Washington, near the Capitol building is the Newseum - a museum dedicated to news, and on the facade of the building, which the US President passes every time he goes to the Capitol building, are the words of the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of religion.  Seems Obama may need to write this out a few hundred times in his copybook.

Some good news.  I have not blogged on the Ordinariates for a while. But, as you know, the US Ordinariate is up and running, and the Australian is about to begin.  The US Ordinariate already has a church, meanwhile, Mgr Newton and the members of the English Ordinariate are still waiting to be given a church and headquarters: why the long wait?   Some have suggested that the English bishops are dragging their heels because they want to kill the Ordinariate, despite being "encouraged" by Pope Benedict in person when he visited the UK.  I hope that is not their strategy.  This development is clearly the work of God, and if bishops are standing in the way of that work, they had better watch out: it is not wise to try and stop God when he has his heart set on a project.  

Okay, this is getting negative again: change subject (still wide awake!!). 

I had a wonderful encounter this weekend: I interviewed Fr Paul Francis Spencer, CP, for EWTN's series Catholic Lives.   Fr Paul Francis flew over to Dublin from Edinburgh for the interview.  He is the author of the definitive biography of St Charles of Mount Argus, the Irish Padre Pio, To Heal The Broken Hearted.  It was a most wonderful encounter.  Apart from his deep knowledge and understanding of St Charles, and his profound love of the Saint, Fr Paul Francis is holy man himself and I was deeply touched by my meeting him.  I was thrilled to be asked to interview him: I had read his book many times and love it (well worth getting, see here for details), so I was full of questions and keen to hear more about St Charles.  Fr Paul Francis has also written books about his founder, St Paul of the Cross, and is the Vice-Postulator for the Cause of the Servant of God, Sister Elizabeth Prout. 

Sad news: Whitney Houston died after both a glittering and difficult life.  She faced many of the struggles musicians and actors face all the time.  Please spare a thought for her and for her family in this tragic time.  It is tragedies like these which remind us why the Fraternity of St Genesius exists.  If you have been touched and saddened by her death, then make a resolution to pray for the many others who find themselves in similiar situations, and then join our Fraternity as a means of assisting them spiritually.



I am also saddened by the death of David Kelly - one of Ireland's most distinguished and wonderful actors.  He was famous for his role as the cowboy builder O'Reilly in Fawlty Towers, in scenes which are pure classic.  He was a star of many movies and television programmes most recently the grandfather in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and as a wiley villager in Waking Ned, which is another comedy classic. 

David was a gentleman, and a man of faith.  I remember meeting him once in Gatwick airport: we got talking about St Genesius and I gave him some prayer cards and leaflets.  He was thrilled to hear about the Fraternity and encouraged us in our work, telling us that it was important to have people praying for those in the arts.  He knew all about St Genesius and prayed to him.  May St Genesius now take him to the Lord.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.  Amen.

And to entertain you: that wonderful scene from Fawlty Towers: "Lick a paint...lick a paint".  And after that.....bed!

A Few Musings When I Should Be Working!

A post after another long day.   A few good pieces to look at on the net. A marvellous article by Cardinal-designate Dolan on Obama's attack on the freedom of conscience, published in the Wall Street Journal.  He makes a very good point about the selective nature of the present administration in the US when it comes to religious liberty:

"The Catholic Church defends religious liberty, including freedom of conscience, for everyone. The Amish do not carry health insurance. The government respects their principles. Christian Scientists want to heal by prayer alone, and the new health-care reform law respects that. Quakers and others object to killing even in wartime, and the government respects that principle for conscientious objectors. By its decision, the Obama administration has failed to show the same respect for the consciences of Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease."

As someone once said to me: "They will respect every other religion except the Catholics, to be anti-Catholic is still part of being respectable in the US".  As Philip Jenkins once called it: anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice.  Too true.  I see that the White House is in denial: typical.

Talking with some people here, I asked if Obama would lose the election: they think not.  People here, they say, care little for his foreign policy and the issues such as abortion and freedom of religion and conscience are just too conceptual for many: the economy and people's personal situations tend to decide whether a candidate is elected or not.  The economy is improving little by little, if it gets better before November Obama will get the credit. 

The lack of a good opponent will also ensure Obama's re-election, they say. None of the Republicans seem promising, and many Americans do not trust them when it comes to economics and jobs.  The elderly are fearful that the Republicans will tamper with their healthcare - Obama's plan insures they will have cover - so they will vote for him to protect themselves.  While no Republican has come out and said they will not touch the elderly's cover, none of them have reassured the elderly either.

What about the Catholic votes? I asked. The Church has been too close to the Democratic Party for too long, many will vote Obama because of that connection.  Many Catholics cherish the unions, Obama and the Democrats have supported the unions, the GOP has a tense relationship with them.  Many Catholics have no problem with Obama's HHS bill - they contracept, they abort, they sterilise: their consciences are fine with that - the bishops will be unable to rally them in a fight for religious freedom.

What about the Afro-American community.  Despite their support for Obama, they are worse off now than they were before he was elected.  Many of them are torn, I'm told: some will vote for him because he is black, but those who have lost faith in him will not turn out to vote at all. 

Many Americans will not vote for Obama, but they will not vote for a Republican either.  I asked these people to predict: they couldn't: it's too close to call - just don't presume Obama will lose.

Other news.  According to newspaper reports, the new Nuncio has arrived in Ireland.  God bless him in his mission to the Church in Ireland.  I got some texts today which tell me that a Papal visit to Ireland may again be on the cards.

And some good news; the Causes of five Catholics have been opened and are being filed with the Congregation of the Causes of Saints.  The new Servants of God are:

Fr Pedro Arrupe (1909-1991) former Superior General of the Jesuits [biography].

Benigna Cardoso da Silva (1928-1941) a Brazilian child who was murdered as she tried to defend her chastity - she is being proposed as a martyr.

Sr Mary Rosina Gladman (1922-1964), a professed sister of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart - she was beheaded while working as a teaching sister in Papua New Guinea, perhaps a  martyr also [article]. 

Maria Elizabeth de Oliveira (1951-1965), a Brazilian child renowned for her holiness.

And Maria Rachele Ventre (1939-1995), a lay woman from Bologna in Italy.  She was a musician and singer, renowned for her work among young people [biography, her foundation].

Back to work - more prep for tomorrow's shoot. We are also on Fr Mitch Pacwa's live show tomorrow night (Wednesday) - say a prayer that all will go well.  Thanks.