Words And Deeds Of Some Very Good Prelates

Among the bishops do exist some real champions of the Faith.  Today I have learned of some actions taken by several of them.

From Creative Minority Report, we hear that Bishop Thomas Tobin has declined an invitation to attend the gubernatorial inauguration of Gina Raimondo of Connecticut.  Raimondo, while Catholic, is a supporter of baby murder.  Bishop Tobin quite openly said that it would be a problem for him to attend the inauguration of a pro-abortion individual.  While the inauguration is in progress, the bishop plans to offer Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul to offer prayers for newly elected officials.

Again from Creative Minority Report, we read of direction given to his chancery employees by Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami.  Basically he reminded them that no matter where they are, even in "off-hours" situations, that they always are representatives of the Church.  As such, they must always uphold Church teaching.  He issued this directive as same-sex "marriages" started happening in Florida.  The archbishop warned them that any conduct not in keeping with the Church's teaching - including support of so-called "same sex marriages" - could lead to a variety of disciplinary actions, including termination of employment.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, IL has ordered his churches to return the tabernacles to the center of the sanctuary of the churches.  He did so expressly to encourage prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  I might point out that Bishop Paprocki's action stands in stark contract to the ludicrous stance of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines that has expressly directed that the tabernacle (that is, the Blessed Sacrament) should be shoved away from the center into some alcove.

LifeSiteNews reports of a recent interview given by Cardinal Raymond Burke.  In this interview, the cardinal explains how the Church has been damaged by radical feminism.  Among other worthwhile words, the Cardinal stated that the introduction of "altar girls" has discouraged boys from taking that role and may have inhibited priestly vocations among them.  Father Z has an analysis of that interview, too.

Pray for these four prelates, as the progressives do have their long knives drawn and pointed at them.  Pray that many more may follow their examples.

Bishop Tobin Speaks Out On Mandela's Murderous Legacy

Deo Gratias!  There is at least one US bishop who isn't following the progressive lap-dog chanting of the praises of Nelson Mandela.  Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence RI highlights Madela's "shameful promotion of abortion in South Africa."  I might remind one and all that Bishop Tobin has spoken truth to Patrick Kennedy and has been verbally abused by Chris Matthews for so doing (a reason why we picketed a book-signing of Chris Matthews that was hosted by Blessed Sacrament Church in Washington DC - see this and this).

Mandela needs our prayers.  Moreover, those who unreservedly heaped praise upon his dubious memory need our prayers for the courage to be honest about him - and yes, I include the Holy Father.

Vortex: Blindness About Obama

Using Bishop Tobin's announcement of his party affiliation change as an introduction, Michael Voris rebukes the US bishops for their blindness towards Obama's hell-spawned policies.  I'll take it a step further.  It's not "blindness".  The bishops aren't complete fools.  They most likely are jettisoning their sacred duties because they want to keep the government grants flowing into their various coffers.  I will also give Bishop Tobin some additional credit.  Recall that it was he who was verbally abused by Chris Matthews because he (being Patrick Kennedy's bishop) actually sat Kennedy down and read him the Riot Act, so to speak.

As you watch this Vortex, please keep in mind the bishops' planned push for amnesty for illegal aliens.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if they showed the same drive and initiative for unborn babies?

Here We Go Again!

A week has not elapsed since Sister Carol Keehan was permitted by the Jesuits to befoul a Catholic high school graduation, and now we have word of another unsavory character that is slated to speak at a Catholic function.

Two weeks from today, on June 24th, from 7:00pm-9:00pm, the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service is conducting an awards ceremony at the Franciscan Monastery, located at 14 Quincy Street, NE in Washington DC.  The guest speaker is Chris Matthews, host of Hardball.  Matthews is pro-abortion, and has no patience for those who insist that Catholics behave as such in the public square.

For instance, you might recall how Patrick Kennedy was railing against the Church for stating that he does not call the shots when it comes to determining Catholic morality.  Kennedy's bishop, Thomas Tobin of Rhode Island, took Kennedy to task - and aroused Matthew's ire.  Observe.  (Click here if you can't see embedded videos)



Now that we've all been sufficiently charmed by Matthews' oratorial/conversational style and his utter disregard for bishops who act like shepherds instead of fund-raising politicians, we can all see that Chris Matthews does not deserve a Catholic forum to cloak his dissent.

On other occasions, Matthews has labeled pro-life opponents of Kathleen Sebelius as "terrorists".   Read of the concerns of others over his pro-abortion advocacy and for a montage of pro-abortion quotes.

Please contact both the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service and the Franciscan Monastery.  Remind them that the presence of one who publicly favors abortion and who mocks bishops for acting like bishops is a disservice and insult to those who selflessly engage in Catholic volunteer efforts.  If you do so via email, send them the link to the youtube video above, and the links to the other articles, so that they can see for themselves just what they might inflict upon their guests should they not cancel his appearance.

Additionally, please spread word of this and ask your acquaintences to join us.

Kudos for Two Bishops!

It's uplifting to read of bishops who are acting in accord with their office and charism, so I'm pleased to pass on the following.

From Billings, Montana, we hear that Bishop Michael Warfel of Great Falls/Billings has ejected the pro-gay Always Our Children from the parish hall of St Pius on April 6.  Read more details at Lifesite News.

From Providence, Rhode Island, we hear that Bishop Thomas Tobin has severed ties between St. Joseph Health Service, the diocesan hospital, and the Catholic Health Association.  Read here for excerpts of his letter to Sr Carol Keehan.

Good for Bishop Tobin of Rhode Island!!

Finally there's a bishop who's not afraid to take a dissident Catholic to the woodshed simply because that Catholic bears the Kennedy name. Most of you are aware that Patrick Kennedy seems to be charging along his recently-deceased father's chequered footsteps. I did post a bit about that not too long ago.

I'll redirect you to Jill Stanek's blog, where she summarizes the situation nicely. Bishop Tobin has released a public letter to Kennedy in the online version of his diocesan newsletter. I urge you to read it to see how a real bishop talks.

Perhaps his willy-nilly brothers will see his example and rediscover their own faith and backbones. Who knows? We might even see Canon 915 being obeyed. We might once again see some vitality in the Church restored. Thank you, Bishop Tobin!

A Kennedy Makes a Fool of Himself

This time it was Patrick Kennedy's turn to stick his foot in his mouth. The Catholic bishops are opposing abortion funding in the Obamacare bill, and that has aroused Kennedy's umbrage. According to this prince of Camelot, the bishops, by taking this position, are "fanning the flames of dissent and discord." Well, arguably Kennedy is somewhat knowlegeable about being in dissent with respect to the Magisterium. He unfortunately is turning into a bit of a clone of his late father, the rabidly pro-abortion Edward Kennedy.

"If the church is pro-life, then it ought to be for health care reform because it’s going to provide health care that are going to keep people alive," he blathers on. Well, not all people, Paddy my boy! What about the people in the womb? What about the people who are seniors and who will have the specter of euthanasia foisted upon them? And who are you to lecture anyone on being pro-life? You know not the meaning of the term for your actions have been the very antithesis of a true pro-life ethic.

Kennedy's bishop, Thomas J Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, rightly called Kennedy a "disappointment" and called on him to apologize. Good for him. But what the bishop also must do is make clear to Kennedy that he will be refused Holy Communion on his trips home (assuming he attends Mass regularly).