Some Hierarchial Good News

First, most people know that on March 25 the Supreme Court heard arguments concerning Hobby Lobby's case regarding the HHS mandate's encroachment on their religious liberties.  On March 31, two days ago, Steve Green and 15 family members were in Vatican City and thanked Pope Francis for broaching this matter as he spoke with Obama a few days prior.

Second, Rorate Caeli reports that an Ordinary Apostolic Visitation of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter will occur under the leadership of Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz.  While he was bishop of Lincoln, NE, the FSSP's American seminary was established in his diocese.  I am confident that this visitation will be fair and thorough.

Last but not least, I'd like to express appreciation to Nigeria's leading prelate, Cardinal John Onaiyekan for speaking truth to Islamic elements in his country.  Condemning Jihad and Boko Haram, he said that the Islamic community must do more to "rein in their mad dogs".  It is refreshing to one who lives in the same diocese where this was uttered a few years ago.

Head of USCCB Grovels Before Obama

Most of us heard the news that in the "eleventh hour" before the HHS contraception mandate was set to bare its teeth against Catholic agencies, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor blocked the Obama cartel from enforcing that mandate against agencies using the Christian Brothers Employee Benefits Trust.  Among the orders who were spared was the Little Sisters of the Poor.  It is nothing short of miraculous that Sotomayor, an Obama appointee and pro-abortion person would stand against the demagogue who placed her in that post.   Some opine that Sotomayor is remembering that she's Catholic.  While that would indeed be lovely, I think the cause is something more mundane - she is remembering that her function is to uphold the United States Constitution, with its all-important checks and balances and limits of power.

Sadly this point seems to be lost on Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the USCCB.  In the wake of Sotomayor's action, he is "requesting" that Obama temporarily exempt religious institutions from the contraception/abortifacient mandate.  According to the United States Constitution, the President of the United States is charged with enforcing laws that have been enacted by Congress and signed by him.  He does not have sole discretion about what laws get enforced and what laws don't get enforced.  He is not a dictator, as much as Obama pictures himself to be.  In placing this wrong-headed petition before Obama, the Archbishop is tacitly (and hopefully unwittingly) affirming this unconstitutional view of presidential authority.

But the problems with the Archbishop's request are even more fundamental.  There is no denying that Obamacare would not have been law of the land had it not been for the support of Catholics in high places and even that of the USCCB.  That's right.  The USCCB came out in support of Obamacare, minus the obvious abortion provisions.  They failed to acknowledge two facts: 1) the inherent antipathy any socialized medical system will have for God and life and 2) the Messiah Most Mindless would lie through his teeth to garner any kind of support and then stab his supporters in the back.

If Archbishop Kurtz truly seeks to protect the Church against the overreach of Obamacare, he will first have to acknowledge the pivotal role that the USCCB played in bringing about this disaster on the entire country.  He and his brother bishops will have to repent of their role and their readiness to sell their souls to the progressives in power to obtain a few measly crumbs of considerations and concessions.  They will then be obliged, as a body, to oppose Obamacare in its entirety and bring all their resources to bear on the utter annihilation of the Obamacare menace.

That groveling letter will earn no concessions for the Church - at least none that really matter.  It shows a complete lack of regard for those Catholics who do not work in Church-affiliated enterprises.  It asks for an exercise of authority outside the bounds of the United States Constitution and shows complete cowardice in the face of a de facto tyrant.  It's time for the bishops to face up to reality and start acting like men of God as opposed to wimps.

CHA Supports Final HHS Mandate - Surprise! Not!

Contradicting the nation's bishops prior opposition, the Catholic Health Association (led by Sr Carol Keehan of the Pen of Perfidy) has announced its support of the Obamacare rule forcing all to purchase abortion coverage.  Let's hope and pray that Sister is not invited to Cardinal McCarrick's next birthday party.

I won't reinvent the wheel in unpacking what just transpired.  Read Matt Bowman's analysis on the Catholic Vote page.  Now notice that I emphasized the word "prior" in my first sentence.  That's because the USCCB has yet to issue its statement.  They're still "studying" it, you see?  What is there to "study"?  The answer is that the damned thing is unacceptable in light of Christ's teachings on human life.  If they're looking for "wiggle room", they should man up and admit that they can't "yok it up" with Obama on this one and be the bishops they were called to be.  After doing that, they can excommunicate Sister Carol and the rest of the "pantsuit brigade".

HHS Religious Exemptions - Abysmal Jokes

Yesterday the Messiah Most Miserable decided to fling a few crumbs our way in regards to the onerous HHS mandates that forces each and every taxpayer to pay for contraceptives - that is, chemicals that murder tiny unborn children.  Well, not really!  (Hint - When these "announcements" are released on Fridays, caveat emptor!).

The crumbs, in all their dubious 80-page glory, can be found here.  You will notice one thing immediately on page 8 of the pdf; only churches, "integrated auxiliaries" and "exclusively religious activities of any religious order" are the recipients of the largess of Dear Leader.  That would mean that any religious order that does not engage exclusively in religious activities would be subject to the mandate; thus Catholic hospitals and religious orders with any kind of outreach are bound.  All other business entities, regardless of the beliefs of their owners, MUST fund the availability of drugs that kill preborn children.

This gesture on the part of Obama is simply that - a meaningless gesture, an empty ruse.  No wonder he waited until Friday to announce this tripe.  Most Catholic and conservative blogs see through this silly set of smoke and mirrors: Catholic World Report, American Life League, Catholic Vote,  EWTN, Susan B. Anthony List.

Of course the progressive infiltration weighed in, as well.  Read the Catholics United we read that "more women will have access to the health care that they need".   The author makes no bones about his support for contraceptives, placing himself at odds with Church teaching.  However, what else can be expected from Catholics United, whose director, James Salt, once worked with Sebelius' campaign office in Kansas?  Michael Sean Winters of the Not-So-Catholic Reporter gushes over this latest Obama slop as well.  He starts off his piece by stating that he's not a lawyer.  He forgot to add that the bishop of the diocese in which NCR operates has made plain that NCR is not qualified to call itself "Catholic".

Most baffling, though, is the reaction of the USCCB.  Perhaps "baffling" is a poor choice of words as they have always seemed eager to try to find ways to appease the tyrants of Washington; "disappointing" is actually a better word for this situation.  Basically they said nothing, citing a need for "study".  Really?  Let's assume that everything was just wonderful with these new regs in giving churches and church-related organizations carte-blanche exemptions.  Would that make the HHS mandate morally acceptable to the USCCB?  What about the small, for-profit businesses?  Would the USCCB be ok with them being forced to pay for baby-murder?  The statement by the Susan B. Anthony List was excellent and one that should be echoed by the USCCB.  Key segments are: "religious and moral freedom is not up for negotiation", "there must be no religious test by the government", "only complete repeal is acceptable".  This is not rocket science requiring copious amounts of study.  These exemptions are a sham, and the Catholic bishops of this country must grow backbones and call out this charade for what it is.

The Needed Catholic Response To The HHS Mandate

Four years ago, the Vatican issued congratulations to the Messiah Most Miserable upon his election.  This week their enthusiasm was greatly reduced, as evidenced in this Catholic News Service release, stating what Obama should do "if he truly wants to be the president of all Americans."

Dr Gerard Nadal, in Catholic Lane, published an article entitled "Obama's Election Mandate and Ours".  Dr Nadal voices profound disappointment (which I share) at overly-conciliatory remarks made by Speaker of the House John Boehner.  The House of Representatives holds the national purse strings, per the US Constitution.  The HHS mandate could be stalled, or at least slowed down, if the House does its duty.  Will the GOP House Republicans find the backbone to do so?

Finally, Father John Hollowell of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis wrote an article entitled "Election Reflection for Warrior Catholics".  It's an excellent read.  We are, after all, the Church Militant.

Father Reese Plops Another Stinker

This one occurred this past weekend during a "Sunday Speakers Series" session at Holy Trinity Church near Georgetown University.  Both are Jesuit-controlled institutions, so that should tell you a lot.  In it he voiced unabashed support for the HHS contraception mandate.  Here's the whopper, coming from a Catholic priest: "Contraception is a lot cheaper than live births, especially if the live births are problematic."  He sounds a bit like Simon Legree, valuing cash over babies.  One can only imagine the "solution" he might suggest for those "problematic live births".  Apparently all the mercenaries parishioners in the audience clapped and applauded over this.  What can we say?  This is the same bunch that gave Joe Biden a standing ovation during Mass after he made a sacrilegious Holy Communion.

My colleague at A Washington DC Catholic opines that Reese should be defrocked.  (Reese is no stranger to being sacked; recall that one of the first actions of Pope Benedict XVI was to fire Reese as editor of America, the Jesuit rag/magazine).  I agree.  Moreover, so should all the parish priests at Holy Trinity; and perhaps it's high time to place that entire parish under interdict or some other discipline.

USCCB Takes Biden To The Woodshed

And it's high time!  Among the many lies Biden spewed during last night's debate (when he wasn't grinning like a permanent resident in an insane house) was the line, "With regard to the assault on the Catholic Church, let me make it absolutely clear: No religious institution, Catholic or otherwise – including Catholic Social Services, Georgetown Hospital, Mercy, any hospital – none has to either refer contraception, none has to pay for contraception, none has to be a vehicle to get contraception in any insurance policy they provide. That is a fact."  Ryan at one point then asked why the Church was suing the administration.

In a press release issued today, the USCCB pretty much asked the same question.  They called his statement an "inaccurate statement of fact".  They are being diplomatic to a fault.  I'll call it as it is: a bald-faced lie.

Rally September 30th - Be There

This is a reminder about the rally to pray and protest the HHS mandate that will be held downtown on Sunday, September 30th.  Please click here to see that post and its details.

I'd also ask that you read to the very end of that post.  While I fully agree that the HHS mandate must be opposed now lest we be forced to suffer its consequences, I do not believe the strategy of provoking arrest serves any purpose and may be sinful itself.  Let us remember that while the Christian martyrs throughout the ages accepted and endured their sufferings rather than compromise with the world, they did not deliberately provoke them.  Moreover, one does not protest an unjust law by breaking another, wholly-unrelated law that is at worst morally neutral.

I hope to see many of you down there.

"It's Not Fair!" - He Might Have A Point!

By now most folks have heard the WWLTV interview with Obama in which he said of Catholics and the contraceptive mandate that it wouldn't be fair for women to "bear the burden and cost" of obtaining contraceptives.  The interview is below.



Never mind that it wouldn't be fair to force any employer to finance the sex lives of any of their employees.  Obama did say something else that isn't being picked up by many folks, including conservatives.  He made the point of targeting Catholic hospitals that receive Federal money.  It is here where we must acknowledge that "the broken clock is right twice a day".

To those of my friends who laughed at me when I said that the Bush "faith-based initiative" schtick would come back to bite us, I have just four itsy-bitsy little words to say.

I TOLD YOU SO!!!!

Any acceptance of "federal aid" on the part of Catholic institutions is nothing else than participation in "income redistribution".  In other words, the federal government commits legalized sins against the Seventh Commandment and the Church participates in that sin by partaking of the ill-gotten funds.  Of course the "social justice" crowd thrives on this unabashed moral injustice.

More to the point, when the Church attaches itself to a governmental teat and starts slurping away, it relegates itself to the status of just another greedy, squealing piglet.  How is it then, that we are in any way surprised when the goods come with the strings?  Such outrages seems rather hollow, if not downright hypocritical.

If the Church is serious about its quest to preserve religious freedom, it will immediately divest itself of all governmental largess and be free of governmental doles as well.

Catholic Commentary On SCOTUS Ruling - The Good And Not-So-Good

First let's look at the Vortex's take on the matter.  Click here if you can't see embedded video.



He focuses on one statement of Roberts: "It is not our job to protect the people from the consequences of their political choices."  Be Roberts' other statements ever so erroneous, this one isn't!  We need to look no further than the Catholic vote, and inane prattlings from "katholyc" persons and entities for prime examples of sheer stupidity.

Let's take a look at the statement that the USCCB issued on June 28th as a commentary to the Supreme Court ruling; it's posted on their website.  As you read it, take note of the fact that they don't oppose the individual mandate in principle.  In the second paragraph we read that "USCCB..took no position on the specific questions posed to the court".  They do oppose the coercion of religious employers to fund sterilization, contraceptives and abortifacients.  The "million dollar question" I have for the USCCB is this:  How on earth can you claim mandate exemptions for religious organizations (including yourselves) yet look with approval upon the forcing of other people to purchase any commodity which they may not desire to have (for whatever reason)?  Dear USCCB, your stance reeks of sheer hypocrisy!!

Sister Simone Campbell, who is leading the Nuts Nuns On The Luxury Bus schmooze tour, issued an opinion that was published on a Washington Post blog.  After all the contortions that she puts forth, she opines of Obamacare that "this law is pro-life".  Amazing, but you read it yourself!  Of course she'll never meet the babies that will be killed by the abortifacients that Obamacare will coerce the public to fund.  As those children are nothing to the Obama cartel, so they are to Campbell and her NETWORK bus bunch.

In other related news, we read that Sister Carol Keehan and her so-called "Catholic" Health Association are "pleased" by the Obamacare ruling.  Moreover, she states that the CHA signed amicus briefs urging the SCOTUS to rule in favor of Obamacare.  Well, golly-gee-whiz!!  After we all thought she was beginning to wake up and smell some coffee!   Some progressive operative must have taken her to the woodshed - or perhaps promised her another Pen of Perfidy.  Yawn!  This is no earth-shattering shock.

So as not to end this post on such a dour note, I link now to an interview with Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas in Kansas conducted by the Catholic World Report.  He has good things to say regarding the principle of subsidiarity (a principle obviously disregarded and even disobeyed by the USCCB as illustrated above), why the social justice arm of the USCCB was wrong to demonize Paul Ryan's budget proposal and more.  Please read it.  In a subsequent post I will put forth my opinion on what we must do if we wish to fend off the Obamacare monster.

Video Of DC's Rally This Past Friday

Below is video from the Stand Up For Religious Freedom rally last Friday in DC, within view of the Capitol. All the speakers are to be thanked for their time, but Father Proporsky, the first speaker, fell into a bit of a booby trap at the 4:00 mark.  He extolled a poster of Norman Rockwell's entitled "Freedom To Worship".  It's true that in the 1940s there was no thought of relegating First Amendment religious rights to "worship" only, but there most certainly is an insidious effort along those lines now.

At around the 30:00 mark, listen very closely to the former POW.  He makes the point that those who propose a "new world order" must crush religion, for such a government cannot brook a higher moral/social order than itself.  I've never supported such a cockamaney notion and have long said that the United Nations should be abolished with all haste and without ceremony.

I also point out Trent Frank's comments at the 45:00 mark.  He's quite correct in saying that if Obama wins in November, then all hell (I mean that literally) will break loose.  That means we get behind the GOP nominee - now!

The clip will now follow this jump break.

How About A "Fortnight Of Truth"?

That's a very good question asked in today's episode of the Vortex.  This follows nicely on yesterday's post (immediately preceding this one).  The link mentioned by Voris is at the bottom of yesterday's post (along with the links to the two key papal encyclicals).  Click here if you can't see embedded video.

Reminder - Stand Up For Religious Freedom

Upcoming "Stand Up For Religious Freedom" Rally

The "Social Justice" Crowd Helped Create This HHS Mandate Mess

I present for your consideration an article written by Father Philip De Vous that appeared in Renew America a few days ago entitled Leviathan, Civil Society and National Morality.  I think Father does an excellent job in laying out just how it is the inherent nature of a socialistic government to arrogate to itself overarching authority over the lives of citizens, becoming a tyranny.  The Founding Fathers of this nation understood that concept, which is why they set in the Constitution strict limits on the power and authority of federal government.

The "social justice" crowd within our clergy and hierarchy, particularly in the USCCB and the state Catholic Conferences, in their entreaties to the federal government to "care for the poor", have bestowed upon that same government dangerous levels of power and authority, believing that such actions would improve the lots of the poor.  Well, we see what a stellar job the Great Society of the 1960s did now, don't we?  Most of these hierarchy simply forgot that "a government big enough to give you everything is also big enough to take everything from you."  A few - maybe more than a few - occupied high positions in Church hierarchy precisely so that they could utilize this trend and turn the Church into a tool for advancing socialism and progressivism.

I differ with Father when he says, "On the whole, these are matters that are to be handled through the work of parents, priests, preachers, friends, and family, not by presidential candidates. Certainly a president needs to be a man of character, the fact that government has grown so large and invaded every aspect of life is why presidential candidates are talking, or are feeling forced to talk, about these personal things rather than things that pertain to the broad issues that constitute the national agenda."  I for one do believe that law has a role to play.  In terms of the Constitution, we see that a legitimate role of government is to defend its citizens against unjust aggression.  That would include abortion and yes, contraception for many "contraceptives are in fact abortifacients.   As the late Dr Martin Luther King Jr once said, "The law cannot make my white brother love me; but it can keep him from lynching me."  Law does have an educational component to it, and that is to teach the bare minimum standards of civil conduct, namely, what behaviors cannot be tolerated in an orderly civil society.

However, his main point is well-taken, that we must shrink government back to its Constitutional limits.  Thus the Church must stop placing demands upon it to act as a nanny; in other words, the Church needs to rediscover the principle of subsidiarity.

I now present the latest Vortex.  Michael Voris makes an even stronger case against progressive encroachment inside the Church.  I am of the view that unless we purge these elements from our leadership (an excellent start would be to do away with the CCHD), the Church's moral voice will be fatally compromised.   Click here if you cannot see embedded video.

Stand Up For Religious Freedom Friday March 23rd

Christians and other people of good will are coming together Friday March 23rd in rallies across the nation at federal buildings everywhere, starting at 12 noon (local time zone).   Please go to the "Stand Up For Religious Freedom" site to find the location nearest you.   Those of us in Montgomery County MD have a choice between attending the one at the HHS building in Germantown or the HHS facilities in Washington DC.  Details for each are found on the main website.

This blog has been focused a bit on the plight of Father Marcel Guarnizo.  While I do not intend to let him drop off the radar (to the consternation of some misguided souls), I will be commenting further on the Church's role.  I'm glad they're starting to step up to the plate.  However, the hierarchy must admit to its own abysmal role in propelling the federal government to such a position of power that it now arrogates to itself divine prerogatives and assumes tyrannical roles.

Protest Rally At HHS Building This Saturday

RELEASE: March 8, 2012                 
CONTACT: Jean-Francois Orsini, JeanFOrsini@gmail.com 202-686-0849

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Concerned Catholics from throughout the D.C. area will hold a peaceful demonstration in front of the Health and Human Services building on Saturday, March 10, to protest the HHS mandate requiring religious organizations to pay (both directly and indirectly) for services and drugs that the Catholic Church condemns as immoral.

        This peaceful action on March 10 is being sponsored by a new organization, Catholics for Religious Freedom, and being held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the HHS headquarters, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201. All concerned citizens are invited to attend.

        "We strongly oppose the new HHS mandate, which is against our faith, natural law, and religious liberty of all creeds," said Jean-Francois Orsini, the founder of the group.

        "We ask Catholics or non-Catholics who are concerned with the HHS mandate that abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives, and sterilization operations be considered 'standard procedures' that should be universally paid for by insurance companies and taxpayer dollars, to attend or give prayer support to our March 10 rally," Dr. Orsini explained.

        "Catholics for Religious Freedom denounces the unconstitutionality of the HHS mandate that obligates Catholics to act against their conscience, thus denying them freedom of religion. We will pray at HHS for the redemption of all those involved in this issue - including Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, a nominal Catholic -- and for an equitable resolution of the issue. We hope other organizations who share our outrage will participate with us on Saturday," Dr. Orsini said.

        Catholics for Religious Freedom began as an outreach of the Immaculate Conception chapter of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic, a Catholic organization affiliated with the Dominican Order. The Immaculate Conception chapter is based at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.  The purpose of the new organization is encourage citizens to get involved in public policy decisions that infringe on religious liberty.

        For more information, contact Jean-Francois Orsini at JeanFOrsini@gmail.com, or call 202-686-0849.

Sr Carol Keehan - Chair Of Providence Hospital Gala???

Cardinal George of Chicago has voiced his opinion that the HHS contraception/abortifacient mandate will cause all Catholic hospitals to close their doors within the next two years or to cease operating as Catholic institutions.  This mandate, of course, was foisted upon us by "katholyc" Kathleen Sebelius, HHS Secretary, through mechanisms built into the 2000+ page monstrosity known as Obamacare.

Those of us who fought to stave off this disaster in March of 2010 were betrayed by Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association, who wielded her influence to get the measure passed by the House of Representatives.  Oh, yes, she postured and waxed thoughtful when the mandates first came out - but then we learned that she actually facilitated the sham of a compromise.

Comes now the news that Sister Carol Keehan will be the "honorary chair" of Providence Hospital's 2012 Gala. The announcement is here.  (Should it "disappear", please advise via a comment and I'll make it "reappear")  Additional information is here.

Think of the horrid irony of it all.  Sister is her colluding with the Messiah Most Miserable to attack the foundations of Catholic health care.  But a hospital that is being threatened by Sister's treachery is allowing her to chair their fundraising event.  The hospital directors and staff are literally going to kiss the hand that stabs them in the back!

Please contact Providence and ask them to select another gala chair who won't accept their honors on the one hand and on the other hand, work to undermine them.  Contact information is on the links listed above.

Should they not reconsider, we may have to picket.  Sister Carol is somewhat familiar with our pickets, I might add.

Another Homily Where The Truth Is Told Against HHS Mandate

Last month I posted a homily that occurred at my parish in response to the Obama/Sebelius HHS Mandate/Tyranny.  I am happy to post a similar homily, this one from a parish in Indiana that occurred a week later.

Click here if you cannot see embedded video.

The Real Villainess Behind The HHS Mandate??

Notice the feminine form of the noun "villain" in the header.  A blogger by the name of Ron Conte sets forth the hypothesis that the real driving force behind the HHS mandates that seek to compel religious employers to violate their own consciences may be Kathleen Sebelius rather than Barack Obama.  You may read it for yourselves on his blog.

I certainly think it's a plausible theory.  Without proof, it remains a theory.  Moreover, ultimate responsibility still rests with the Messiah Most Miserable, since he would have had the authority to stop the mandate in its tracks.  So he at least allowed it to go through for his own reasons.