Another Reason To Ponder How We'll Resist The Progressive Encroachment

Lepanto Institute today released an expose of yet another progressive cabal known as Association of United States Catholic Priests.  Not being a quasi-official Church organization, they apparently feel little need to maintain any facade of orthodoxy - and they don't!

On the AUSCP home page, you'll see links to articles detailing their planning for "women deaconesses" and "priestless parishes".  Lepanto unpacks that mess nicely; it's part and parcel of disenfranchising Catholics of their access to valid Sacraments and distorting their understanding of the same.  On other pages, you'll see that these priests are concerned - very concerned, I tell you! - about such matters as immigration, gay rights, death penalty, climate change, gun control.  Need I tell you what's missing from that list - and their page?  How about the intrinsic evils of contraception, abortion, homosexual conduct, abuse of embryos, euthanasia?  Are you surprised that they aren't mentioned?  I didn't think so!

They do seem to have quite an assortment of clerics with unquestionable heterodoxy: Cardinal Cupich, Fr Richard Rohr, Sr Simone Campbell, and Bishop McElroy.  The latter is of great concern for me, for it is rumored that he will be the designated successor to Cardinal Wuerl once the latter retires.  It hits me at home - literally.

Going down Lepanto's page, you'll see a talk by Jack Jezreel, founder of Just Faith.  I've written about that horrid bunch before.  I didn't listen to the whole thing but Jezreel blathers on about "social justice", as one might expect.   Last week I put up a post explaining why I believe that the "SJW" phenomenon was inimical to authentic Christianity.  Jezreel's association with AUSCP is an illustration of that danger, for "sjw" Christianity often veers into rank heresy.

We need to be aware of these movements, so that if - or when - they come to our parishes, we may be prepared with plans to resist.

Catholic Charities CEO (And Other Social Justice Leaders) - Donating To Pro-Abortion Candidates

Let's look at Catholic Charities as a whole.  We see the majority of contributions going towards pro-abort candidates (there are a few pockets of sanity in that list).  Most notably, we see that Msgr John Enzler, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, gave $250 to pro-abortion John Delaney last November and Kathleen Matthews a few months prior.  In addition to being pro-abortion herself, Matthews is the wife of Chris Matthews.

There's more to this Enzler-Matthews situation than meets they eye.  Let me recall some history.  Msgr John Enzler was pastor of Blessed Sacrament in DC.  It sits on the south side of Western Avenue.  On the north side is Chevy Chase MD.  I think it was in the very early part of 2012 that he left Blessed Sacrament to take the reins of Catholic Charities.  In February, despite our many pleas, Chris Matthews did a book-signing at Blessed Sacrament.  The timing of the event was such that caused us to believe that the invitation to Matthews occurred while Enzler was still at Blessed Sacrament.  At any rate, we were there when Matthews appeared and we protested quite unmistakably.  See here for some reports on that.  So now we can see what appears to be a rather cozy relationship between the CEO of Catholic Charities and a prominent pro-abortion "katholyc" couple.

Looking at Just Faith, we see that the little that was contributed went to Barack Obama and John Kerry.  Put the word "Jesuit" in the employer box and you'll see that most of their recipients are pro-aborts, with a few pockets of sanity sprinkled throughout.

There are a number of people named "Charles Short" on this page, but the one of interest is in Rockville, MD.  Currently Special Assistant to the County Executive, he was a director of social concerns for the Archdiocese of Washington.  He recently gave money to pro-abortion Chris Van Hollen as the latter runs for the Senate seat being vacated by Barbara Mikulski.

Let's look at contributions from those who draw paychecks from Catholic University of America.  Stephen Schneck is the Director of the Institute for Policy And Catholic Studies at CUA - at least he was at one time.  In addition to his many other lapses of judgment, he has seen fit to donate solely to pro-abortion politicians.  Why on earth was he ever put in a position where he could corrupt young Catholic minds?

Until very recently, Barbara Early was an associate professor of social work at Catholic University of America.  As you can see at this link, she contributed a total of $1500 to Obama/Biden and four months ago to Clinton/Kaine.  Leah Wortham, a law professor, has contributed thousands to Obama/Biden throughout the years. Eric Jenkins, another professor, gave $2000 to John Kerry.

These people are so-called "movers and shakers" in the "social justice" crowd within the US hierarchy.  As we see where they literally put their money, we get a clear indication regarding their not-so-hidden socialistic and anti-God mindsets.  Their "social justice" is not Catholic by any stretch of the imagination.

USCCB's Upcoming Catholic Social Ministry Gathering

This year's gabfest is scheduled for Feb 10-13 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.  With John Carr, Ralph McCloud and Mary Wright of Just Faith on the Planning Committee, one can safely assume that the stench of progressivism will drift throughout the meeting halls and workshops.

Among the featured speakers is Mark Shields of PBS.  Of course that means his salary is paid in part by you and me via our tax dollars.  Therefore, is it any wonder that he complained that "no Republican in the House or Senate for 22 years has voted to increase taxes"?  No tax increase, no raise - the poor fella!  But that was in December.  Now he must be breathing sighs of relief after the GOP capitulation over the "fiscal cliff" deal.  In this clip you'll hear him say, "losing their virginity on the issue of tax cuts is an important thing to these Republicans who have not voted to increase taxes...".  Actually, the GOP lost their virtue with the fiscal cliff deal, but I digress.  I certainly hope that such metaphors will not spew forth from Shields' mouth at this USCCB session.  The clip is below the jump break so

Holy Father: "Social Justice" Must Shape Up

That is the gist of the Motu Proprio that Pope Benedict XVI recently released.  I link to it now and suggest that all read it carefully.  It's not long, but it is full of sorely-needed directives.  Look at the very first paragraph.  The Holy Father makes clear that charitable works cannot be separated from the proclamation of God's truth) all of God's truth such as salvation versus damnation, the sanctity of life, the proper use of sexuality, etc) and the sacraments.  In other words, you have all three, or you have none.

Here are other salient points:

Refreshing Change At The USCCB?

As I mentioned before, John Carr is leaving his post as Director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the USCCB.  As I wrote before, Michelle Boorstein thinks we're worried.  I suspect she's the one who's beside herself at this time.  A few days ago it was announced that Carr's replacement will be Jonathan J. Reyes.  He's a former director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver, who made plain his beliefs that evangelism and Christian charity are inseparable.  Moreover, he's a former vice-president of Christendom College, a traditional Catholic college that has yet to accept one penny of government funding.

Much of the Catholic blogosphere is overjoyed by this appointment.  I'm happy, but my optimism is guarded.  Folks, I just don't trust these nameless bureaucrats at the USCCB.  If they manage to hog-tie Reyes, he won't be their first victim.  Moreover, bear in mind that after January, John Carr will be setting up shop at Catholic University.  Those unfamiliar with the layout of Washington DC probably don't realize that the USCCB offices and Catholic University are within easy walking distance of each other.  Carr could still make his influence felt; the impact of a 25-year tenure doesn't just vanish overnight.

So pardon me for sounding cynical, but I'm not prepared to break out the bubbly just yet.  However,I believe the optimism generated by Reyes' appointment will be justified if:

• Ralph McCloud, current national director of CCHD (and former campaign treasurer for pro-abort Texan Wendy Davis), is fired and replaced with someone with traditional credentials similar to Reyes's
• Serious, immediate and palpable reforms are made to the CCHD grant-awarding processes - with transparency
• Reyes dismantles that Catholic Climate Covenant boondoggle
• Reyes expels Just Faith from the social concerns offices of all levels of Catholic ecclesiastical structures
• The mishmosh known as Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship is replaced by a clear, unambiguous document that clearly lays out the necessity of voting for pro-life, pro-traditional-marriage candidates and the sinfulness of voting for a "pro-choice" candidate.

This list of needed reforms is by no means exhaustive.  I'll be happy if he can make steady progress on these.  Who knows?  Maybe I can cease calling for the abolition of the USCCB!

Important Information On Just Faith

While all readers can surely benefit from what follows, I especially address this post to those of you who attended the presentation by Jack Jezreel at St Mark's today.  I've no doubt that what you heard seems to be at least benign and even helpful.  However, the Just Faith program is designed to instill in its participants sympathy for liberation theology, "gay" rights, women's "ordination" and other sundry dissidence from authentic Catholic social teaching.

My friend and Catholic Media Coalition colleague, Stephanie Block, has spent countless hours researching the programs of Just Faith, along with the books they recommend.  She has written eleven articles in her series about Just Faith.  With what she is discovering, the number of articles may yet grow.  I link to them below.

1. Setting the Stage
2. Growing in Compassion
3. The Seven Themes of Catholic Social Justice
4. Challenge and Spirituality of Catholic Social Teachings
5. Tattoos on the Heart
6. Waging a Living
7. Portrait of a Radical
8. Rising to Common Ground
9. How Much Is Enough?
10. Keeping the Earth: Just Faith and the Environment
11. Solidarity Will Transform the World
12. Journey to Justice Day

Two years ago I wrote a piece on Just Faith, focusing on the problematic individuals who were board members of Just Faith at that time.  I have found that much of the character and philosophy of any organization can be determined by the composition of its board of directors.  Right below the highlighted sentence is a link to a biographical article written by Jack Jezreel himself.  Pay very close attention to the "conversion stories" at the end.  You'll see people getting involved in "homosexual rights", "women's voices from the pulpit" (women's ordination), etc.

In all these articles, you'll notice that problematic teachings occur at the end of the recommended books and/or articles.  That seems to be a pattern, one which might suggest that while Just Faith seems innocuous enough, it is a Trojan Horse that insinuates (ever so subtly) erroneous philosophies.  While I'd like to think that such is accidental, the regularity and frequency of it indicates deliberation.

Beware before making any commitment to Just Faith.

Exposing Just Faith

My colleague Stephanie Block has commenced a series on Just Faith.  I'd suggest that one and all read it - particularly if you are contemplating the assumption of this program into your parish.  My suggestion is even stronger if you are contemplating personal investment in Just Faith.  Ms. Block's article is well-researched.  As you review her sources at the bottom, you'll see that many sources come from Just Faith materials.  Peruse that material for yourselves as you read Ms Block's article - or as you do your own analysis.  You might as well see for yourselves what you are being asked to believe.

This blog has spoken on Just Faith in earlier posts.  See:
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/04/just-faith-junk-faith.html
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/05/just-faith-reading-list-introduction-to.html
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/12/just-faith-proverbial-snake-in-grass.html

More "Civility" From The Progressives And Their Union Rotweillers

Jimmy Hoffa Jr made quite the fool of himself as he warmed up the crowd in Detroit last week for Obama.  Not to be outdone, the Messiah Most Miserable proceeded to make a colossal ass of himself, but that was this morning's post.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Tea Party is having a measurable impact.  Else, these barbarians wouldn't be losing their marbles and going ballistic in public.  A few weeks ago, I posted Maxine Walters doing the same thing.  Please review that, and then go to that link of the SEIU debacle of last spring.

Michelle Malkin, in honor of Labor Day, compiled quite an anthology of union thugs behaving as oafs and morons and yes, as lawless felons.

Now will someone - puleezz! - tell me why the USCCB, Just Faith, etc insist on singing the praises of these reincarnations of the gangs of Al Capone?  Or do we already know the none-too-pretty answer to that?

JustFaith Is JustWrong

That is the title of an article written by my colleague in the Catholic Media Coalition, Stephanie Block.  Please read it.  Then go to the JustFaith website and read the newsletters for yourselves.  Follow the links and understand how JustFaith enthusiasts are being lulled - and even seduced - into swallowing the yarn proposed by the progressives who are working to undermine the Church and her mission.

"Just Faith" - The Proverbial "Snake In The Grass"

Strong language, you say?  Well, consider the evidence, amply given to us by Just Faith itself.

First, here's some background.  On Fox News, we read of a New Hampshire couple who pulled their son out of school because he was forced to read a book that described Jesus as a "wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist" and was full of foul language.  The book is called "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich.  An aside: I commend the young man for raising his parents' concerns, and for his refusal to read the book.

This same book was recommended by Just Faith in their Fall 2009 newsletter.  It is online here (by the way, should it "mysteriously" disappear, please advise as I have saved it.  You may wish to do the same).  Look on page 3.  Just Faith recommends it so you can "be informed". 

Our tour of this newsletter is not yet complete.  Scrolling down just a tad from the book recommendation, we are invited to "join others working on women's issues".  One of these "others" whom we're urged to join is the Institute for Women's Policy Research.  Go to that page.  In the first white box to the left, you see "health and safety".  Click on that, and scroll all the way to the bottom.  Yes, you knew that had to be coming!  We get to read about "making birth control more accessible to women" and "safe and legal abortion".  Now notice that the "other resources" includes Planned Parenthood and National Women's Law Center - both huge proponents of abortion who profit off the same.  And we're not finished yet.

Going to page 8, we see an advertisement about an 8-session module in "engaging our conflicts", produced by Pace E Bene Nonviolence Service.  This outfit claims as its partner Soulforce, a "gay-rights" advocacy bunch.  The essay to which I just linked tells of a Protesant minister who renounced Christian truth to take up the mortal sin of sodomy.

I know there are good people involved in Just Faith, who insist that the "bad can be filtered out".  I must ask, but why are there so many of these squalid associations?  There's just too many of them not to be deliberate.  I can only conclude that one of the purposes of Just Faith is to numb the good sense of decent Catholics to these perilous elements, those that would insinuate their progressive, anti-life and anti-God philosophies into the Church.  That is why I renew my call to expel this Just Faith monster from the Archdiocese of Washington and the entire Church.

Minions Of The Nanny-State! Beware!

To the aforementioned group, I issue this advisory.  The truth about your proclivities WILL be spoken here.  You are being exposed, and the truth will hurt.  So proceed at your own risk!!

Still with us?  Alrighty, then!  You've been duly warned!

Have you ever wondered how it is that the same pro-abortion crowd who loudly proclaim "keep your laws off my body!" as they murder helpless children have absolutely no compunction whatsoever about barging into our kitchens, living rooms and cars to dictate what we'll eat and how we'll drive?  One big answer is relatively simple.  They think by waxing self-righteous on relatively trivial matters, that they can somehow assuage their consciences that have been seared by their sexual immorality and advocacy of legalized murder of helpless children.

Boys and girls, can we all say the word "pharisee"?  Phariseeim is NOT the following of the law to the letter, as so many liberals would have us believe.  It is the attempt to substitute man-made traditions for  God's law.  Want proof?  Read  Mark 7:1-9.

We even see that in many of the Church's "social justice" crusades who both crusade for the poor (a good in and of itself) while at the same time advocating dissent from the Magisterium's key teachings and/or celebrating those who do dissent.  A great "case-in-point" is the Catholic Charities Centenial Celebration that ends tonight; I've posted details in a previous post.  Another dismal sign of that is the so-called Just Faith program that has infested way too many parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington.  Jack Jesreel, its founder, openly brags how his so-called "ministry" has influenced Catholics to "crusade" for women's ordination and gay rights.

Watch Michael Voris' take on this pattern.  (Click here if you can't see embedded video).

Just Faith Rears Its Ugly Head At Blessed Sacrament In DC

We read on page 3 of Blessed Sacrament's "Aug 1 / Aug 8" bulletin (bottom right corner) that the parish Social Concerns office plans to inaugurate Just Faith in their parish.  I've written previously about the numerous problems with Just Faith, and will supply links to some prior posts.  Please read these and research the links found in those posts.

http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/05/just-faith-reading-list-introduction-to.html
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/05/seiu-our-heroes-not.html
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/04/just-faith-junk-faith.html

Here is the contact information for this parish.  Please contact them and let them know of your concerns with Just Faith.  Perhaps if they hear from enough of us, they will sit up and take some notice.

I also ask that you advise of any other outbreaks of the Just Faith thing via a comment.

Just Faith Reading List - Introduction to Dissent

The "Just Faith" program is a 30-week session where attendees learn the ropes of "social teaching" or at least the progressive version according to Jack Jezreel, the founder.  Much reading is done, and there is a reading list.  The Just Faith people have put this reading list on Amazon, so that the attendees can just click once to buy the whole kit and kaboodle.  Here it is.  A perusal of this list will tell a lot.  A goodly portion is benign, but there are a few clues contained therein of the real progressive nature of Just Faith. 

One such book is entitled "The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium".  It's by Walter Wink.  A google search of his name reveals that he has written other books.  One is "Homosexuality and the Bible".  A glowing review of this book is to be found on Soulforce's webpage (that says a lot right there, doesn't it?).  Here is a key snippet as he puts his spin on the Old Testament.   He says of Jewish prohibitions against homosexual relations: "One can appreciate how a tribe struggling to populate a country in which its people were outnumbered would value procreation highly, but such values are rendered questionable in a world facing uncontrolled overpopulation." (emphasis mine)  In other words, one can understand the reasons why sodomy was prohibited in ancient Israel, but now that we've got "overpopulation" (another progressive myth) on our hands anyway, there's no real reason to forbid sodomy or other perversions - got that?  Please read that page for other gems, e.g., how he tries to make the claim that St Paul was ignorant of homosexuality.  Now how's this for an article on social justice - entitled "Jesus and Alinsky"?  Is this the sort of man whom Catholics should be studying?

"Just Faith" = Junk Faith

In my post this past Thursday regarding the "environmental events" in the Archdiocese of Washington, you noticed that Just Faith has a hand in all this nonsense.  In conjunction with this post regarding Just Faith, I'd suggest you review the posts about "progressives" - particularly the Real Catholic videos regarding the same.  The characteristics of progressives can all be found in the Just Faith program.  Indeed, the website of Just Faith unabashedly proclaims its progressive proclivities.  I also recommend the reading of an excellent article on the Just Faith debacle entitled "Just Faith Is a Big Part of the Problem", written by my friend and colleague, Stephanie Block, who regularly writes for Spero News.

Two or three years ago, the Just Faith program was introduced into the Archdiocese of Washington; that was before I operated this blog.  However, I was quite aware that a Trojan Horse was being introduced into the archdiocese and tried to sound an alert.  My warnings were rebuffed by people whom I thought would be keen to the dangers.  One told me that her parish implemented Just Faith without the ill effects, and that my warnings were destructive.  While I've no problem believing that her particular parish may have been successful in separating the wheat from the chaff, it is my contention that there is inherently much more chaff than wheat in the Just Faith program.  The writings and afilliations of the founder, Jack Jezreel, corroborate my conclusions.