OSV: 'Conduct story of newly ordained'

from OSV Daily Take by John Norton

OSV's editorial board has called for a national study of newly ordained priests, as a follow-up to the release this month of the report on Vatican-commissioned "visitations" of U.S. seminaries. Here's the newsweekly's editorial from the Feb. 1 issue:

For many years now liberal and conservative Catholics have debated the quality of U.S. seminary education, and by extension the quality of the men who have been called to serve them as future priests.

Now, a 20-page summary of a recent Vatican-requested study of 229 college and theology-level seminaries gives a thorough appraisal of both the strengths and weaknesses of the seminary system today, concluding that they are, "in general, healthy."(See story, Page 5.)

It found that since the last major study of U.S. seminaries in the 1980s, there was more stability and many improvements on the campuses. The doctrine of the priesthood was well taught in the majority of diocesan seminaries, it said, and the candidates are generally "full of zeal, pious and faithful to prayer." Moral problems such as homosexual behavior were less in evidence.

Full story at OSV Daily Take

Obama administration could ration access to medical treatment

For those who think it will be GREAT if  US health care is nationalized. It's scary to think we elected people who want to, in effect, put a price for our life. 

The Obama administration is advancing a proposal that would control access to medicines and medical treatments on the basis of their "cost effectiveness." The proposal-- modeled after the British experience with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (with the Orwellian acronym NICE)-- would encourage federal officials to place a monetary value on a year added to a patient's life. That approach could result in a judgment that certain patient's diseases should not be treated. Full story at WSJ Online

Obama to Work to Repeal Federal Defense of Marriage Act, Promote Homosexual Adoption

Obama's extreme-left social agenda outlined on updated White House website

January 21, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Since the election of Barack Obama to the presidency many have suggested that most voters were not aware of, or did not take into consideration or did not vote for Obama on account of his policies on social issues. Instead it was widely suggested that the economy was the deciding factor in the election.

Many otherwise conservative American voters have also suggested that Obama’s goal of finding “common ground” and “reaching across the aisle” would ensure that he would not be as anti-family or anti-life as many pro-life and pro-family activists were saying he would be.

Now that Obama is elected, however, it has been made abundantly clear that he intends on pursuing a radical social agenda the likes of which the United States has never before seen. Full story at LifeSiteNews

Women Who Regret their Abortions to Speak at National and San Fran Marches for Life

WASHINGTON, January 21, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) Members of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign (SNMAC), the world's largest network of men and women harmed by abortion, will give their personal abortion testimonies at Washington, DC's March for Life on Thursday and San Francisco's Walk for Life West Coast on Saturday.


"The Silent No More women and men have suffered years of torment because of abortion," said SNMAC co- founder Janet Morana. "This week they will stand in front of the Supreme Court and on the streets of San Francisco to proclaim that the time for healing has begun. To be pro-life is to be pro-woman. Everyone still locked in silence and shame can come forward and embrace new hope and peace."

Hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers are expected to attend the March for Life in the nation’s capital tomorrow. San Francisco’s Walk for Life has also been well attended in the past, with an estimated 25,000 participants taking part in last year’s event.

"We who oppose abortion do not oppose those who have had abortions; rather we embrace them with love," said SNMAC co-founder Georgette Forney, a keynote speaker at Saturday's Walk for Life West Coast. "We who have lived with the pain and regret of abortion declare to our nation that abortion is unjust, cruel, and oppressive. If hope is truly to be restored, abortion must end."

Since the launching of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign in 2003, 2,739 women and men have shared their testimonies publicly at over 325 gatherings in 44 states and seven countries where more than 41,000 spectators have heard about abortion's negative aftereffects. More than 6,100 people are registered to be Silent No More. Raising awareness about the hurtful aftermath of abortion and the help that is available to cope with the pain are two of the Campaign's goals.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012108.html

Norma McCorvey, Former Roe, Records New Television Commercial on Abortion

by Steven Ertelt

LifeNews.com Editor
January 20, 2009

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Norma McCorvey, the former Jane Roe of the infamous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, has recorded a new television commercial speaking out against abortion. The commercial is running on stations in several states as the part of educational campaigns pro-life groups are undertaking.

"Back in 1973, I was a very confused twenty-one year old with one child and facing an unplanned pregnancy," she says in the ad. "At the time I fought to obtain a legal abortion, but truth be told, I have three daughters and never had an abortion." Full story at LifeNews.com

Again, priest teaches his flock about liturgy - this guy gets it! (Part II)

from What Does The Prayer Really Say? by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

At St. Mary’s in Norwalk, CT, Fr. Greg J. Markey is instructing his flock on liturgical matters.

I have written about this fellow before. He "gets it".

We saw Part I the other day.

January 25, 2009

Part II: Yet beyond the lack of fidelity to the Vatican II liturgical norms there is still a deeper question which has only now begun to be addressed by Pope Benedict XVI: whether the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council that we have today was what the Fathers of the Council intended. [This is a good point. And it is nearly a forbidden question in many circles. The answer is, of course, "NO! What we got is nothing like what they asked for."] Addressing the discontinuity between the Council’s idea of liturgical renewal and the final form of the Vatican II Mass, the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger wrote: “(I)n the place of liturgy as the fruit of development came fabricated liturgy. We abandoned the organic, living process of growth and development over centuries, and replaced it –as in a manufacturing process- with a fabrication, a banal on-the-spot product.” Full story at WDTPRS

Again, priest teaches his flock about liturgy - this guy gets it! (Part I)

from What Does The Prayer Really Say? by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

At St. Mary’s in Norwalk, CT, Fr. Greg J. Markey is instructing his flock on liturgical matters.

I have written about this fellow before. He "gets it".

January 18, 2009

Part I: These past two Sundays I have dedicated my Pastor’s Column to New Year Resolutions. First I recommended that following Pope Benedict XVI’s lead, people no longer receive Holy Communion in the hand, and start receiving on the tongue. [Three cheers!] Secondly I recommended that people start correcting themselves when they use the Lord’s name in vain. [Very good! The two are connected. Apparently this priest takes the cura animarum seriously.] This week I recommend that everyone in the parish make it a point to attend the 9:30 am Extraordinary Form of the Mass at least a few times during the coming year. [Yes. The EF is for everyone and a parish shouldn’t be divided into two ghettoes.] Full story at WDTPRS

FOCA: sweeping pro-abortion legislation, favored by Obama, likely to stall in Congress

Maybe I am "optimistically dreaming" . Let's hope this is true.

January 16, 2009


American pro-life leaders have warned that the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is the most radical pro-abortion legislation ever proposed in Washington. Speaking to a Planned Parenthood audience during his presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to sign FOCA as soon as he took office. But the president-elect does not have that option. FOCA has not yet been introduced in Congress, and knowledgeable pro-life veterans on Capitol Hill say that the bill has slim prospects for passage, particularly in the Senate.

Full story at Catolic Culture

Biden worships at church JFK attended

This morning before Mass a conversation with a friend turned to the issue of Catholic politicians who support abortion receiving the Holy Eucharist at Mass. He expressed his frustration with the situation of pro-abortion politicians like Biden, Pelosi, Kennedy, et al,,, promote abortion every chance they get and continue to receive the most precious Body and Blood of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with no sanctions from our Bishops.



I share his frustration. I pray daily for the conversions of our country and politicians on Right To Life issues, especially abortion. While it is true some Bishops this past election were much more vocal than in the past, the fact is 54% of Catholics voted for President Obama. This is higher than the 52% of the total poulation that voted for President Obama.


Actions speak louder than words (how may times have we heard this?).  The Bishops say they cannot judge a person's heart, but I ask where are these pro-abortion politicans hearts are when they continue to vote anti-life? This inaction by our Bishops causes scandal because when John Catholic in the pew sees pro-abortion politicians receiving Holy Communion, it sends the message that life issues are on the same level as other issues, or worse, are not that important. 

Let me state I know this is not the intention of our Bishops.  But no matter how many letters and homilies given by our Bishops on respecting life, when they continue to allow pro-abortion politicians to receive Holy Communion, that speaks volumes to John (I will not say Joe) Catholic in the pew. You then have situations like this where Vice President Joe Biden goes to Mass, receives Holy Communion and later a standing ovation..  John Foresman

 
January 18, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President-elect Joe Biden worshipped and received communion Sunday at the same Roman Catholic church President John F. Kennedy attended just hours before his inauguration.

Biden and his wife, Jill, sat in a pew reserved for him and his family toward the back of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and listened as the Rev. Larry Madden, S.J., delivered a sermon about God as a constant anchor and the promise of hope and change for those who believe.
Although Madden did not mention Biden's name, the presence of the vice president-elect was obvious in other ways.

Secret Service agents were discreetly stationed throughout the church, including either side of the altar. Toward the end of the 11:30 a.m. Mass, as one of the lectors urged those in attendance to welcome new members and visitors, some in the congregation laughed and then applauded, looking toward Biden. He eventually stood and acknowledged the response that included a standing ovation.
Among those at the service was Biden's former colleague, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., a regular at Holy Trinity.

Biden, the former Delaware senator, has attended Mass at the church before; his granddaughter received her first communion there last year. A Biden son, Hunter, lives in the area.

Kennedy worshipped at Holy Trinity during his time in Washington, and a plaque on the fence at the front of the church describes the 35th president. On the snowy morning of Jan. 20, 1961, Kennedy attended Mass there before his swearing-in.
During Sunday's service, the congregation was asked to pray for "wisdom and integrity" to guide the new president and his administration, a recognition of Tuesday's inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Biden.

Classless to the last

Okay. Let's make a wrap on yesterday's immaculation (thanks Rush!!)

Rick Moran
Obama's intent to remake American politics got a jolt of reality yesterday when thousands of his supporters booed and mocked George Bush as he stepped on to the platform:

The crowd packed on the west side of the Capitol grounds serenaded President Bush in mocking fashion when he took to the inaugural stage alongside Vice President Dick Cheney.

"Nah nah nah nah, hey hey, good-bye," a section of the crowd chanted.

The crowd packed immediately below the podium received Bush in stony silence when he took his seat on the stage surrounding the podium where Barack Obama was scheduled to take the oath office to become the 44th president of the United States.

The jeers are among the final public feedback Bush will receive as president.

First Lady Laura Bush and Lynne Cheney received light applause when they were announced to the crowd.

Full story at American Thinker 

Facing (or defacing?) the flag

Yes, we asked for "Change". The One is here. Dontcha' just feel tingly all over?

A girl holds an American flag with U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama's face on it as preparations continue for Obama's inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington January 19, 2009.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (UNITED STATES)

Obama White House Calls for Repealing Defense of Marriage Act

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
By Matt Cover

(CNSNews.com) – President Barack H. Obama is poised to be the most pro-homosexual chief executive in history.

Unveiling his agenda Tuesday on the newly refurbished version of the White House Web site, Obama called for the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), as well as the extension of more than 1,000 federal marriage benefits and of adoption rights to homosexual couples. Full Story at CNSNews

Joe the Plumber challenges Obama again

Ethel C. Fenig

Professional plumber turned darned good reporter, Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, challenges President Barack Hussein Obama on Pajamas TV to read the hate filled Hamas Charter. 

Filled with vile invective against Jews, Israel and other infidels, Plumber Joe and his fellow reporters happen to think Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton should read the original Charter source material before talking to, or engaging,  Hamas followers in dialogue. 

 

Gee, why didn't the professional reporters ever think of that?  Because they're professional.  No wonder they mock Wurzelbacher; they fear him. 

Indiana Catholics remember Roe v. Wade, look to defeat FOCA

South Bend, Jan 20, 2009 / 05:43 pm (CNA).- Catholics in South Bend, Indiana marked the tragedy of the legalization of abortion at an evening Mass and vigil at St. Matthew Cathedral on January 18. During his homily, Father Tom Foley asked the assembly to pray for President Obama and described the devastating effects that the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) could have on the U.S. if it reaches the president’s desk. Full story at CNA

Barack Obama halts Guantanamo trials

helping the terroists right out of the gate......


From TimesOnline

Hours after being sworn in as US President, Barack Obama has called for a halt to Guantanamo war crimes tribunals, a move which will begin the long awaited process of dismantling the prison itself. 

His request for a 120-day suspension of all 21 pending tribunals will bring to a halt the case against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-proclaimed 9/11 mastermind and four co-defendants who faced the death penalty if convicted.
Military judges are expected to rule on Mr Obama's request to halt the trials today at the US naval base.

The request by Mr Obama was widely anticipated - he had already vowed to close down the prison and its controversial military commission trial system.

"In order to permit the newly inaugurated president and his administration time to review the military commission process, generally, and the cases currently pending before the military commissions, specifically, the secretary of defense has, by order of the president directed the chief prosecutor to seek continuances of 120 days in all pending case," prosecutor Clay Trivett said, in the written request to the judges.

The request said that freezing the trials until May 20 would give the new administration time to evaluate the cases and decide what forum best suits any future prosecution.

About 245 foreign captives are still held at the detention centre that opened in January 2002. The Bush administration had said it planned to try 80 prisoners on war crimes charges, but only three cases have been completed.
Defence lawyers had complained that the tribunals allowed hearsay evidence and coerced testimony, and were the subject of so much political interference that fairness was impossible.

U.S. Bishops Ask President Obama Not to Reverse Bush's Pro-Life Policies

(CNSNews.com) – In a letter made public on Monday, Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of  Catholic Bishops, asked President Barack Obama not to abandon the pro-life policies put into place during the Bush administration.

Those policies include a ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, protection of federally funded health care providers who have a moral objection to abortion, and the reversal of the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits federal dollars being spent on abortion in foreign countries. Full story at CNSNews

Cardinal George's Letter to Obama

"We Will Consistently Defend the Fundamental Right to Life"

WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN. 18, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of the message Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago and president of the U.S. episcopal conference, sent last week to president-elect Barack Obama, who will take office as the president of the United States on Tuesday.

* * *

Dear Mr. President-elect,

As our nation begins a new year, a new Administration and a new Congress, I write to outline principles and priorities that guide the public policy efforts of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). As President of the Bishops' Conference, I assure you of our prayers, hopes and commitment to make this period of national change a time to advance the common good and defend the life and dignity of all, especially the vulnerable and poor. We continue to seek ways to work constructively with the new Administration and Congress and others of good will to pursue policies which respect the dignity of all human life and bring greater justice to our nation and peace to our world. Full story at Zenit.org

Catholic college students to participate in March for Life en masse

Washington DC, Jan 21, 2009 / 06:32 am (CNA).- Thousands of Catholic college students and faculty will participate in the National March for Life in Washington, DC this Thursday.
The March began in 1974, one year after the U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade imposed permissive abortion laws nationwide, and has drawn tens of thousands of protestors to the nation’s capital for decades. Full story at CNA

Jurist predicts ‘terrible conflict’ will endanger U.S. Catholics’ religious freedom

Washington DC, Jan 21, 2009 / 03:19 am (CNA).- Former Supreme Court nominee Judge Robert Bork has predicted that upcoming legal battles will have significant ramifications for religious freedom. He names as issues of major concern the continued freedom of Catholic hospitals to refuse to perform abortions and the likely “terrible conflict” resulting from the advancement of homosexual rights. Full story at CNA

Abortion, the Church, and the Kennedys

from First Things by Mary Rose Rybak

In an excellent Wall Street Journal essay surveying Catholic politicians who have converted from pro-life to pro-choice, Anne Hendershott writes:

For faithful Roman Catholics, the thought of yet another pro-choice Kennedy positioned to campaign for the unlimited right to abortion is discouraging. Yet if Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of Catholics John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, is appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton, abortion-rights advocates will have just such a champion.
Ms. Kennedy was so concerned to assure pro-abortion leaders in New York, Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported on December 18, that on the same day Ms. Kennedy telephoned New York Gov. David Patterson to declare interest in the Senate seat, “one of her first calls was to an abortion rights group, indicating she will be strongly pro-choice.” Full story at First Things