KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON

I often wonder if we're doing the right thing, those of us that are constantly haranguing the USCCB about their misuse of funds and support of Progressive groups. And then I see a story like the one below and I start to think that maybe it's worth it. If the laity doesn't speak up, nothing will change.

"The Diocese of Portland, Maine has cut the funding for a homeless aid group who lied to about their support for same-sex "marriage." Sue Bernard, spokesperson for the diocese, told CNA on Monday that “it's a shame that the funding had to be moved,” given the group's dishonesty.

Officials from both the Diocese of Portland and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) recently told the non-profit homeless agency, Preble Street, that it had violated its grant agreement by supporting Maine's “No on 1” campaign last November which opposed legislation that would overturn the legalization of same-sex “marriage.”
Catholic News Agency

CHRISTIAN JUSTICE, NOT SOCIAL JUSTICE

Strangely, as I listen to the Popes words, I don't hear any mention of re-distributive wealth or "social justice". What I hear is a call for business leaders to CHOOSE to structure their businesses not only around profit but around profit and people, too. To CHOOSE to incorporate Christian practices in their business practices. What I hear is that it is vital that business leaders CHOOSE to use their skills to not only profit but to better the world they live in.

While the Pope recognizes our inherent right to make a choice based on our God given free will, here in America the current administration would rather take the profit from the business and make their choices for them. They believe that the state has the "right" to choose, not the people; unless of course that choice is to kill a baby, but that's for another time.

I wonder if the boys at the USCCB have noticed this difference in approach?

GOD'S ARMY STANDS READY, WAITING FOR DIRECTION

Michael Voris says in this video that there is an organization, approved by the Pope and started by a saint that will allow faithful Catholic laity a place to immerse themselves in the faith apart from the corruption now so evident in the Church. He claims that Real Catholic TV will tell us where that is today. I await his suggestion.

It has become manifestly clear, to me anyway, that God is moving through the people to reestablish His Church. He has protected the teachings through the Bible and Tradition, just as He promised in Matthew 16:18. Knowing these were inviolable Satan flanked them and attacked those that have been tasked with passing them on. Over the last 50 years or so the Church has become an increasingly rudderless ship, drifting aimlessly through the seas of history and because of this it has lost it's purpose and authority.

All through history the the people of God have been led by individuals. God has chosen to work through the people to bring salvation to the world. He doesn't send down proclamations from on high like some human King. No, He whispers in the ear of the individual and through the individual His people are led to salvation. Noah, Abraham, Moses and Mary were all individuals upon whom the entire weight of salvation history pivoted. It was their individual yes in answer to God's calling that brought Christ to us.

Today there are thousand, perhaps millions of individuals hearing that same whisper. We are being called to God's army, to stand and fight against Satan and his lies and corruption. We see the errors in the Church leadership and we absolutely know we need to do something.

Unlike Luther, Zwingli and the rest of the reformers we understand the necessity of staying loyal to the Pope and Magesterium. And therein lies the problem. How to fight the corruption without tearing the Church apart. And more, how do we know that what we believe falls under those protections guaranteed to the Church and only the Church? We are not Protestants. We are loyal to Holy Mother Church. We don't want her destroyed, just returned to what she is intended to be.

We are not reformers; we are restorers!

So hopefully Michael Voris and the staff at real Catholic TV have found some sort of answer. We'll find out today.

WHY WE SPEAK UP

I'm posting this reply from Ioannes at Commentarius de Prognosticis to an article posted below not because he says nice things about me but because it's important that everyone understand why we're "attacking" the Bishops. The Bishops, and through them the Church, have become so entangled in government largess that it is becoming impossible to preach the truth without fear that the money will be shut off. And it's not just the financial connection with the politicians; there seems to be a commonality of beliefs in a system of Socialist governance that can only be described as diabolical.

I believe that it is our job as members of the Church to defend her, from enemies inside and out. I pray that I'm doing the right thing and that I'm not making false accusations that will damage the Church I love. That being said, based on the information as I see it some members of the Church leadership are not preaching the truth of Christ, rather the opinions of Marx.

I feel compelled to defend against this.

"Folks,

Catawissa Gazetteer has written another excellent piece about the current health care debate and the mistaken notion that health care is a human right:

STEALING IS GOOD- THE BISHOPS SAY SO

Interestingly and consistently, Archbishop Dolan figures prominently in this debate. Let us recall that he has stated he will NOT bar pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage Catholic politicians from receiving Holy Communion. Lest anyone accuse me of slander, please see the following report from Catholic World News Agency:

Archbishop Dolan will not deny Communion to pro-abortion politicians

One wonder if the Archbishop understands the gravity of 1st Corinthians 11:27-32, or Canon Laws 912 through 923 (specifically 915).

That aside, Archbishop Dolan has also stated that "...New Yorkers could get clobbered with even higher taxes if the state continues to default on its school aid promises to Catholic and independent schools."

Thus (as WTEN TV reports it), the Archbishop requires funding authorization from pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage Catholic Governor Patterson for State to float the Catholic school system in NYS. Again, lest anyone accuse me of slander, please see the following:

Archbishop: NY'ers face higher taxes if more Catholic schools close

One can easily see why Archbishop Dolan does not want to discipline Governor David Patterson: he is beholden to him for largess from the teat of the public treasury.

Now (as Catawissa has so masterfully explained it) the Archbishop wants to use money from this same public treasury to fund health care for illegal aliens. Once more, lest anyone accuse me of slander, please see the following:

Archbishop Dolan: Abortion funding in health care bill still a ‘grave concern’

So one can see the appropriateness of the title for Catwissa's most recent blog post entry:

STEALING IS GOOD- THE BISHOPS SAY SO

This is NOT slander. Rather, what we are doing is what the German people of the Weimar Republic should have done in the first half of the 20th century when Adolf Hitler was vying for ascendancy. But the Germans (after the punishment of WWI) repentend and became good people, being loathe to engage in calumny. After six million murdered Jews and twenty million murdered Ukranians and other Eastern Europeans, one would think we had learned our lesson. But now, because of the moral weakness and hippie theology of some of those who are ordained as Bishops we have more than 50 million murdered babies.

The choice is clear: the apostates and heretics in political office must be publicly ex-communicated for their public defiance of Holy Mother Church, all support for nationalized health care and every other socialist agenda must be withdrawn, and we must return to the true Gospel of repentance and conversion. After all, this is the Lenten Season. We must do those things or suffer the wrath of God Almighty. Indeed, God holds the Shepherds and the Kings more accountable than anyone else, as Ezekiel 34 and Wisdom 6:1-9 so amply demonstrate.

Let us pray for Archbishop Dolan and the remainder of the Bishops in the USCCB. Let us pray for our political leaders, starting with Barack Hussein Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden and on down. Let us pray that we all repent and convert.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen"

STEALING IS GOOD- THE BISHOPS SAY SO

Archbishop Dolan is on the healthcare bandwagon along with many of the other Bishops. In his statement below, which of course I heartily disagree with, he states, "...Health care, we insist, has to be truly universal. That means everybody – the baby in the womb, his or her mother, the poor, the immigrant, and our elders until natural death.”

I'm going to make an assumption here based on the many other statements I've read from the USCCB that when he says immigrants he means illegal immigrants. I spent a good bit of time yesterday reading "Pacem in Terris", Pope John XXIII's 1963 encyclical regarding human rights. In it the Pope links rights and obligations. Our right to health care is linked to our right to life as an obligation upon others to, if it is within their power, supply us with life saving medical care. He makes the argument that the government has an obligation to the people to support their basic rights because the people support the government through their taxes (work). Basically, because the government is an extension of us it has the same obligations we do.

I agree with this. We lend the government some of our rights so that it has the authority necessary to govern. Logically then, if rights and obligations are inextricably bound to one another it would follow that our obligations transfer to the government along with our rights.

So then I have to wonder; since illegal aliens cannot, because they are not citizens, lend anything to the government, how is the government obligated to give them anything back? Further, since most illegals work outside the law, avoiding income tax, they are not supporting the government.

"...Since men are social by nature, they must live together and consult each other's interests. That men should recognize and perform their respective rights and duties is imperative to a well ordered society. But the result will be that each individual will make his whole-hearted contribution to the creation of a civic order in which rights and duties are ever more diligently and more effectively observed."
Pacem in Terris

If illegals are not performing their respective duties by avoiding the income tax how can the government (the people) be obligated to pay their health care costs?

Further, this womb to the tomb health care system being supported by the Bishops and our political leaders is not supported by the Church. Society is not obligated to provide this. Just as the government cannot possess rights that the people don't possess it follows that it cannot have obligations beyond those of the citizen.

Is there anyone out there that believes they have the moral obligation to steal the property of someone else to pay for the health care of a third party, for the rest of their natural lives? If there is please write me and explain how theft becomes the moral norm and expectation.

(And I wonder? As the Archbishop states, "“The bishops have been advocating universal health care for nearly a century." Is it any coincidence that, at about the same time as the Bishops started advocating this lie Saul Alinsky and the Progressives were working their way into the Church through the Bishops conference? I'm just asking.)

Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan says the use of federal money for abortion remains a “grave concern.” He has argued that abortion funding is a threat to universal health care because it excludes unborn children from its scope.

Writing in a Monday post at his blog “The Gospel in the Digital Age,” Archbishop Dolan noted the “tough spot” of those who are enthusiastic about universal health care.

“The bishops have been advocating universal health care for nearly a century. So, we sure want to see it work, and appreciate the efforts of the president and both parties in Congress to bring it home.”

“On the other hand, we’re worried. Health care, we insist, has to be truly universal. That means everybody – the baby in the womb, his or her mother, the poor, the immigrant, and our elders until natural death.”
Catholic News Agency

THE POPES ON HEALTH CARE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

(I'm going to preface this by saying, "I need to get a different hobby!")

The quotes at the end of all my ranting come from Pacem in Terris Pope John XXIII's 1963 encyclical. Most of the "social Justice" claims that come from groups inside and outside the Church are based on this work. I suggest reading it to understand how the Church views this issue without having it filtered through the lens of special interest (like me).

It is vital to understand the Church's teaching on subsidiarity; the idea that all things are best addressed at the lowest possible level. I believe that the current "social justice" movement in the Church badly mis-states the intention of John XXIII in this encyclical by consistently rejecting subsidiarity. These religious and lay proponents of "social justice" look to the government for solutions, not the individual. They have also corrupted the teachings on human rights found in this encyclical to their own ends. As an example, this from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Social Justice Committee:

Because human rights are relational, they can come into conflict. One person's right to work could interfere with another's right to a healthy environment. One person's right to private property could clash with another's right to food or shelter. Three (3) principles of Catholic social teaching should govern public decisions in such situations.

1. The needs of the poor take priority over the wants of the rich

2. The freedom of the dominated takes priority over the liberty of the powerful

3. The participation of marginalized groups takes priority over the preservation of a political order which excludes them.
(Read Centesimus Annus for a clarification of true Church teachings on these issues)

Compare this to the quote below from Pacem in Terris:

"...One of the principal duties of any government, moreover, is the suitable and adequate superintendence and co-ordination of men's respective rights in society. This must be done in such a way 1) that the exercise of their rights by certain citizens does not obstruct other citizens in the exercise of theirs; 2) that the individual, standing upon his own rights, does not impede others in the performance of their duties; 3) that the rights of all be effectively safeguarded, and completely restored if they have been violated."

While todays proponents of "social justice" are more than happy to have the rights of one group elevated over another the Church teaches that this should not and cannot happen.

Pacem in Terris, by stating that man has a right to healthcare, food housing etc., can be used to support the Communist/Progressive social agenda, but only if one omits the teaching of subsidiarity, a hard and fast doctrine of the Church. The duty to provide the services that are necessary to these rights fall on the individual, through an act of free will and cannot be forced upon us by the state. If the state is allowed to force these obligations on us it will have become a Socialist state.

"...His words deserve to be re-read attentively: "To remedy these wrongs (the unjust distribution of wealth and the poverty of the workers), the Socialists encourage the poor man's envy of the rich and strive to do away with private property, contending that individual possessions should become the common property of all...; but their contentions are so clearly powerless to end the controversy that, were they carried into effect, the working man himself would be among the first to suffer. They are moreover emphatically unjust, for they would rob the lawful possessor, distort the functions of the State, and create utter confusion in the community".39 The evils caused by the setting up of this type of socialism as a State system — what would later be called "Real Socialism" — could not be better expressed."
Centesimus Annus

I have stated many times in regards to the proposed health care takeover that we don't have a right to health care and I stand by that statement. The "right" to health care that is being proposed by our government tramples on the rights of others and true rights (see Pacem in Terris) cannot do that. I believe that Centesimus Annus also supports my belief along with Pacem in Terris .

Our rights to health care, food, shelter, etc. are rights in that we cannot be refused something necessary to support our right to life. In other words, if I am in danger of death and you have the means to save me you are obligated to do so. This is manifestly true in that refusing to supply life saving care is tantamount to murder and thus a mortal sin. The same thing can be said of housing, food, etc.

That being said, can I demand that another surrender his right to his labor or his property to give a third party shelter? Well, I suppose I can demand it; hell, I can yell as loud as I want. He still is under no obligation to me to supply anything to another. His obligation is to the one seeking shelter and no one else.

For the state to force anyone to fulfill an obligation for which they have no responsibility is Socialism and Socialism has been condemned by the Church in no uncertain terms.

The only responsibility that the state has regarding our rights is to see that they are not infringed. It cannot do this by trampling some to protect others. Are we obligated, through our association with the state to provide, through the state, some limited health care to those that have absolutely no way of acquiring it? Yes, because we would be obligated as individuals. However, this obligation is limited to extreme circumstances and to protecting life.

We do not possess an unlimited right to state sponsored health care, regardless of what the Democrats, the USCCB or the unions believe. To say we do is a lie. The Church has never taught this and never will. It conflicts with natural law and true human rights.

Read both Pacem in Terris and Centesimus Annus. Truth cannot contradict truth (you'll have to go here for that one)and these encyclicals work hand in hand to support the truth.

From Pacem in Terris:

"...But first We must speak of man's rights. Man has the right to live. He has the right to bodily integrity and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest, and, finally, the necessary social services. In consequence, he has the right to be looked after in the event of illhealth; disability stemming from his work; widowhood; old age; enforced unemployment; or whenever through no fault of his own he is deprived of the means of livelihood."

"...As a further consequence of man's nature, he has the right to the private ownership of property, including that of productive goods. This, as We have said elsewhere, is "a right which constitutes so efficacious a means of asserting one's personality and exercising responsibility in every field, and an element of solidity and security for family life, and of greater peace and prosperity in the State."

"...Nature imposes work upon man as a duty, and man has the corresponding natural right to demand that the work he does shall provide him with the means of livelihood for himself and his children. Such is nature's categorical imperative for the preservation of man."

"...The natural rights of which We have so far been speaking are inextricably bound up with as many duties, all applying to one and the same person. These rights and duties derive their origin, their sustenance, and their indestructibility from the natural law, which in conferring the one imposes the other.

Thus, for example, the right to live involves the duty to preserve one's life; the right to a decent standard of living, the duty to live in a becoming fashion; the right to be free to seek out the truth, the duty to devote oneself to an ever deeper and wider search for it."

"...Since men are social by nature, they must live together and consult each other's interests. That men should recognize and perform their respective rights and duties is imperative to a well ordered society. But the result will be that each individual will make his whole-hearted contribution to the creation of a civic order in which rights and duties are ever more diligently and more effectively observed."

"...Man's personal dignity requires besides that he enjoy freedom and be able to make up his own mind when he acts. In his association with his fellows, therefore, there is every reason why his recognition of rights, observance of duties, and many-sided collaboration with other men, should be primarily a matter of his own personal decision. Each man should act on his own initiative, conviction, and sense of responsibility, not under the constant pressure of external coercion or enticement. There is nothing human about a society that is welded together by force. Far from encouraging, as it should, the attainment of man's progress and perfection, it is merely an obstacle to his freedom."

"...Hence, before a society can be considered well-ordered, creative, and consonant with human dignity, it must be based on truth. St. Paul expressed this as follows: "Putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."(25) And so will it be, if each man acknowledges sincerely his own rights and his own duties toward others."

"...Hence, a regime which governs solely or mainly by means of threats and intimidation or promises of reward, provides men with no effective incentive to work for the common good. And even if it did, it would certainly be offensive to the dignity of free and rational human beings. Authority is before all else a moral force. For this reason the appeal of rulers should be to the individual conscience, to the duty which every man has of voluntarily contributing to the common good. But since all men are equal in natural dignity, no man has the capacity to force internal compliance on another. Only God can do that, for He alone scrutinizes and judges the secret counsels of the heart."

"...We must add, therefore, that it is in the nature of the common good that every single citizen has the right to share in it—although in different ways, depending on his tasks, merits and circumstances. Hence every civil authority must strive to promote the common good in the interest of all, without favoring any individual citizen or category of citizen. As Pope Leo XIII insisted: "The civil power must not be subservient to the advantage of any one individual, or of some few persons; inasmuch as it was established for the common good of all."

Nevertheless, considerations of justice and equity can at times demand that those in power pay more attention to the weaker members of society, since these are at a disadvantage when it comes to defending their own rights and asserting their legitimate interests."

"...One of the principal duties of any government, moreover, is the suitable and adequate superintendence and co-ordination of men's respective rights in society. This must be done in such a way 1) that the exercise of their rights by certain citizens does not obstruct other citizens in the exercise of theirs; 2) that the individual, standing upon his own rights, does not impede others in the performance of their duties; 3) that the rights of all be effectively safeguarded, and completely restored if they have been violated."

THE LIE OF HEALTH CARE

"Citing “serious flaws” in the health care bill Bishop Thomas G. Wenski has advocated a genuine reform that protects human life from conception to death. He urged Congress to correct the lack of conscience protections and the possible expansion of abortion coverage in the legislation before the Congressional reconciliation process.

The Bishop of Orlando, Florida, writing in March 10 column for the Orlando Sentinel, said that the U.S. bishops have been involved in health care reform for more than 40 years and believe such care is a basic human right."
Catholic News Agency

What is the single largest "serious flaw" in the health care bill? It is the underlying belief, one shared by this Bishop and many others, that health care "...is a basic human right." This is a lie and the Church does not teach it.

The biggest flaw is the fact that the entire enterprise is built on a lie. And who is the father of lies?

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he stood not in the truth; because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. John 8:44

So using my simple minded carpenters logic I can only come to one conclusion. The "right to health care" is a lie. It is being perpetuated by the USCCB as a statement of truth. They are lying. It is being perpetuated as a statement of truth by many of our elected officials and our President. They are lying. The canard of health care as a "human right" and the entire health care bill are Satanic in origin because they are both based in a lie. Those that continue to state these lies as truth are being influenced by evil and are working towards its ends.

If this bill passes all Americans will be forced, under penalty of law, to pay for the murder of children. There may be some nod to pro life objectives to get the thing passed but in the end it will still cause the death of children. If this isn't a clear indication of the origins of this bill and all of the underlying philosophical supports, I don't know what is.


To understand the connections between the forces of evil and the USCCB  I would suggest you go to Real Catholic TV and watch their video about Alinsky and the CCHD. This is the single most comprehensive presentation of facts exposing this connection I have seen to date. Every parish in the country should present this to their parishioners.

COVER UP UNDERWAY AT USCCB

Disco Mike left an address to a cached copy of the USCCB website on the comments area of this blog showing the USCCB website right after the release of Reform CCHD Now's report on the "Way of the Cross Towards Justice and Peace", reported on in a previous post. The link can be accessed here. The link to the stations is clearly visible under the heading of "Lent".

Amazingly, within 24 hours, the link to the stations has disappeared from the USCCB site.

Do you think that there just might be a cover up under way?

IS IT TIME FOR A CATHOLIC TEA PARTY?

Hop on over to Commentarius de Prognosticis to consider what our reaction as faithful Catholics should be to the USCCB. Is it time for a Catholic Tea Party?

The only reason that I would be hesitant to say yes is because, without leadership from Rome Americans would tend to try to turn the Church into some sort of democracy. We can't help ourselves. However, maybe it's time that Rome understands that we stand ready, with her guidance, to take our Church back. Maybe the USCCB needs to understand that, too.

USCCB PERVERTS THE STATIONS-WHAT'S NEXT?

This really doesn't need any comment.

I take it back. What sort of arrogance would allow them to publicly support these sorts of groups when they know everyone is watching. They are so sure of their own power that there is no longer any concern for the truth. The USCCB is beginning to believe that they, not God or His Church are the final arbiters of all that is good and holy.

The smoke of Satan has not only entered the Church in America it has completely replaced the clean and breathable air of truth in the offices of the leadership.

The house is burning down. Where are the firemen?

"The Stations of the Cross is an ancient Christian devotion centered on the Passion of Jesus. Its origins date back to the fourth century. As pilgrims headed to the Holy Land, they actually retraced Jesus’ steps from Pontius Pilot’s court to the place of the Crucifixion. Various forms of the Stations of the Cross, different prayers, reflections, and contemplations, have existed throughout the ages. The focus of these prayers has always been on the Passion of Christ and the thoughtful reminder that we are all sinners in need of redemption; that is until this year.

This year, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) released its own version of this ancient devotion. This self-promotion offers a few scriptural passages relevant to each of the 14 Stations of the Cross (Jesus is Condemned to Death, Jesus Takes up His Cross, Jesus Falls the First Time, etc.), which are followed by commercial commentaries on groups receiving grant money from the CCHD. Even the prayers at the end of each station are tainted with these commercial insertions.

But the most horrifying aspect of this “prayerful reflection” is that several of the grantees that are given equal attention as Our Lord in His Dolorous Passion are involved in the promotion of abortion and/or same-sex marriage.

The second station, which is “Jesus Takes up His Cross,” focuses on the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition. OVEC’s news archive is littered with articles on various progressive agendas, including abortion and same-sex marriage. While linking to articles is not itself an endorsement, the OVEC-inserted commentary on one of the headlines is. Next to the article headline “Democratic Leaders Want party to Move Right on Abortion Choice” is the parenthetical comment from OVEC itself, which says, “Can Democratic Leaders Say ‘Coat hanger’? Oh, who cares, it’s only women.”

But that’s not all. OVEC’s newsletter “Winds of Change” from December 2007 decries candidates against abortion and homosexuality, where it said, “In the past, we have voiced concern that a large fundamentalist church could recruit a dozen members to be candidates against abortion, gays and the like.”
Reform CCHD Now

"CCHD Helps Carry the Cross
With funding assistance from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, disgusted residents teamed up through the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and brought their concerns to state officials. They won access to an emergency water supply and are now working to protect community
health by urging coal companies to clean up their coal removal practices.
We Pray Jesus, may the work of OVEC inspire us to support the efforts of all whose crosses become heavy due to environmental threats that affect their health and well‐being."

Copyright © 2010, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.
This text may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration for nonprofit educational use, provided such reprints are not sold and include this notice.
USCCB-Stations of the Cross

THEY'RE DOING IT AGAIN-THE BISHOPS AND HEALTH CARE

Could someone get the USCCB and the bishops to explain to me HOW health care is a basic human right? It may be a basic need and as a Christian I may be obligated by my faith to help if someone is injured but no one has a claim on another's labor to supply them health care.

It's this leftist dribble that is so infuriating the average Catholic. The bishops need to stick to teaching the truth, not promoting beliefs that are antithetical to the Catholic faith.

So I have a question: if access to health care is my right is it sinful for a doctor to charge me for an office visit? Because I can't think of any other right that has a cost associated with its exercise. My rights belong to me by birth and cause no burden to others. My rights do not require action by others. Speech, thought, faith, defense, happiness, liberty. None of these require anything from anyone. That is the nature of a right. Healthcare, on the other hand, requires the labor of another. Do I have a claim on another's labor? Of course not; no more than I do on their wealth, for they are one and the same.

It is time for the bishops to stop the lying; lying done to support political causes. Teach us the truth. Do your job and quit sucking up to your friends in the Progressive movement.

"The evening before the White House Health care Summit in Washington, the U.S. Catholic bishops urged political leaders to commit to enacting “genuine” reform that will protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all.

“The Catholic bishops have long supported adequate and affordable health care for all, because health care is a basic human right,” their letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) explained."
Catholic News Agency

GREEN BAY WITHHOLDS CCHD MONEY

Hopefully this is just the beginning. The only way that we are going to get changes made at the USCCB is by withholding our money from them. Individual bishops need to lead their Diocese in this effort. This has the side benefit of allowing the average Catholic to get some idea of where their bishop stands.

"The Diocese of Green Bay in Wisconsin has chosen to withhold its annual funding of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) until further information has been gathered on allegations that recently surfaced.

The CCHD, which is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. bishops, has recently come under fire for alleged connections with a network of community organizations that have promoted homosexual causes and abortion advocacy. In response to recent allegations the CCHD subcommittee has been investigating claims.

The Diocese of Green Bay's newspaper The Compass reported on Wednesday that Bishop David Ricken has decided to send his diocese's donations only to CRS and Peter's Pence, citing his need for more time to assess CCHD's situation locally and nationally."
Catholic News Agency

MAYBE HE JUST WANTS TO TALK

Why can't the USCCB just come out with guns blazing? They know that, based on his record, Obama will do whatever he can to make sure abortion is funded in whatever health control plan he can shove down our throats. So why the nice talk, the “perhaps he wants to leave this to further discussion”? My guess is that they don't want to offend their pals in the Democrat Party. My guess is that political power means more than the truth. I could be wrong and often am but, with all of the provable connections between the Bishop's Conference and the DNC what should I think? The USSCB has conflated Catholic teaching with Marxist "social justice" so many times that I can't trust their motives. Political corruption is destroying the moral authority of the American Catholic Church.

"President Barack Obama’s Monday proposal of a revamp of health care legislation drew criticism but also cautious speculation from various pro-life leaders. While some criticized the proposal’s lack of abortion funding restrictions, one commentator from the U.S. bishops’ office suggested the president may want “further discussion” on the issue.

The president did not propose any changes to the Senate health care bill’s restrictions on federal funding for abortions, The Los Angeles Times reports. The bill would require any woman buying a subsidized health plan with abortion services to pay separately for the abortion insurance benefit.

Seeking comment on the president’s proposal, CNA contacted Richard M. Doerflinger of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Pro-life Activities. He responded in an email on Monday.

“We have said that the House bill's position on abortion funding is acceptable and the Senate bill's is not,” Doerflinger told CNA. “The President's proposal, which is really a summary of points rather than a detailed legislative proposal, says he hopes to combine features of the House and Senate bills, but the proposal says nothing about abortion or abortion funding.

“Perhaps he wants to leave this to further discussion.”
Catholic News Agency

USCCB UPDATE #9- DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN?

This video addresses the key problem in the USCCB scandal; should the Church endorse any political party, whether explicitly or implicitly? The answer, in my opinion, is yes; but only in so far as the party agrees with the truth, not because of any political agenda. That is at the core of the problem with the American Bishops. Instead of holding the politicians to the fire and demanding they uphold the truth the Bishops have seemingly decided to change Church teaching to make it more pleasing to the political point of view they and their politician friends adhere to.

I've been reading a lot of Pope Benedict's speeches and papers lately and I gotta hand it to him; he does exactly what he should. He slavishly follows the truth, aggravating those on the left (Progressives, environmentalists, USCCB) and those on the right (Neo-cons, bankers, trad-caths) with his incredibly robust teachings regarding the Catholic faith. Instead of supporting any political agenda he challenges the politicians to support Christ.

Isn't that what the Church is supposed to do?

USCCB UPDATE #8

MAYBE THEY COULD JOIN THE NRA INSTEAD

What strange bedfellows were kept by the USCCB during the Leadership Council on Civil Rights dinners in 2007 and 2008? Click on the links to see.

It cost the USCCB a minimum of $1000.00 to join this group. They didn't just mistakenly sign up. Membership was a deliberate act and I'd bet they knew exactly what they were joining. All they had to do was look at the LCCR website or read this press release from 2004 to know exactly where our money was going.

If that wasn't enough, the Bishops could have read this review of the 108th Congress published by LCCR and they would have seen just how far to the left this organization tilts.

Read this article by Deal Hudson for more information.

THE CHURCH IS UPSET ABOUT SAME SEX MARRIAGE- THEN WHY DOES THE USCCB SUPPORT IT?

"A two-man Washington, D.C. panel has preferred to advance same-sex “marriage” at the cost of religious liberty, the Archdiocese of Washington has charged. The panel ruled that a referendum on a city council bill recognizing same-sex marriage would violate the District’s human rights law.

Opponents of the D.C. City Council’s decision, including the archdiocese, have sought a referendum to try to overturn the action.

However, two members of the Board of Elections and Ethics ruled the referendum would thwart the Council’s efforts to “eradicate unlawful discrimination” and would violate the District’s Human Rights Act (HRA).

“The Civil Marriage Equality Act represents the Council’s effort to eliminate the discriminatory exclusion of same-sex couples from the institution of marriage on the basis of sex and sexual orientation. The Referendum seeks to frustrate this effort, and would, if successful, have the effect of authorizing discrimination in contravention of the HRA,” the board stated.

The ruling was issued by Errol R. Arthur, Chairman of the Board of Elections and Ethics, and board member Charles R. Lowery, Jr.

The Archdiocese of Washington in a Friday statement said it was “extremely disappointing” that the two-person panel forbade the referendum without addressing religious liberty concerns."

CNA

I think that the Church should  be upset about these pro gay rights bills being passed. Of course, I might be just a bit happier if the United States Council of Catholic Bishops didn't support the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, a group which promotes abortion, gay rights and same sex marriage.

I realize that the USCCB is not an official Church organization; it's more of a trade association for the Bishops. However, if the Church wants the secular world to follow Gods rules might I suggest that it ask the Bishops not to belong to the at least schismatic, if not heretical, USCCB?

If you go to the website linked above you can find out who your CCHD money has supported. Here is the description of the organization they have posted on their website:

"Civilrights.org is a collaboration of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund.

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights coalition, consisting of nearly 200 national organizations, representing persons of color, women, children, labor unions, individuals with disabilities, older Americans, major religious groups, gays and lesbians and civil liberties and human rights groups. LCCR was founded in 1950 and has coordinated national lobbying efforts on behalf of every major civil rights law since 1957. LCCR is a 501(c)(4) organization that engages in legislative advocacy.

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF) was founded in 1969 as the education and research arm of LCCR. LCCREF produces educational materials such as special reports, email newsletters, the Civilrights.org website, and the Civil Rights Monitor. In addition, LCCREF tracks legislation, court decisions, and the enforcement of civil rights laws. LCCREF is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are tax-deductible."

So on the one hand the Church is spending money and other resources to fight same sex marriage while on the other hand it is allowing the USCCB to take donations from the parishioners and send them to this group and others like it which are fighting to legalize it.

Click on this link (LCCR Coalition Members) to see who else belongs to this coalition along with the USCCB. You'll find the usual cast of Progressives; the same ones our President surrounds himself with. Groups like SEIU and the ACLU. In other words, the usual suspects.

Hey Rome, who's the ring master in this circus? Can't you exert at least some control on the Church in America? Don't the Bishops answer to you?

Is it a wonder that the Church in America is in decline?

USCCB UPDATE #7-WHEN WILL THE VATICAN SPEAK UP?

What's next, a booth at the gay pride parade?

USCCB UPDATE #6

You can find the links mentioned in this video at YouTube.

USCCB RESPONDS TO THEIR ACCUSERS-WELL, SORT OF

Just as reported by Real Catholic TV the USCCB has responded to the reports of involvement with pro abort and homosexual advocates not by addressing the accusations but by trying to take the argument off subject. They have yet to refute the what RCTV and others have reported.

"Various offices of the U.S. Bishops Conference (USCCB) have reacted to the two new reports issued by the Reform CCHD Now coalition (RCN) this week, but the reactions, claims RCN, have not addressed the core message of their reports.

While RCN has offered evidence that 31 CCHD grantees are partnered with a pro-abortion and homosexualist group, the Center for Community (CCC), and that two USCCB officials have served on the same group's board, the reactions have focused primarily on defending the pro-life beliefs of one of those officials - John Carr, who, as executive director of the USCCB's Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development, oversees the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).

The report on Carr’s involvement in CCC was received by some as questioning Carr’s personal pro-life convictions. However, RCN says that the reports in question – one from American Life League (ALL) and another from the Bellarmine Veritas Ministry (BVM) – specified that they were not questioning Carr or any USCCB staffer's personal stance on pro-life.

Immediately after the issuing of the reports Monday, a line supporting CCC was quietly removed from the CCHD website. Not so quiet however was the backlash against the perceived attack on Carr."

Lifesite News