Almost two weeks ago I noted the peculiar definition of "dissent" as coined by Cardinal Wuerl in a blog post that he wrote. He hopes to warp the meaning of the word to convey "one who disagrees with the pope because he does not agree with them and therefore follow their position". Yes, I agree the structure of that sentence is awkward but it isn't mine. The structure is twisted because of the attempt to twist the meaning of the word "dissent".
Because almost everyone with a brain understood him to imply that Cardinal Burke is a "dissenter" (according to his odd definition of that word), he felt impelled to go into "damage control" mode. Often, though, "damage control" winds up causing more damage. America magazine interviewed him. (Hint: For examples of "dissent" as the word is classically defined, just read an issue or two of that rag! But I digress!) As my friend at the Tenth Crusade noted, the Cardinal does a "Fred Astaire", or at least he attempts it.
Here's a rather telling statement from him, regarding the sin-nod (in response to the first question). "In the closing hour of that daylong discussion, I noted in my brief intervention that obviously there is no challenge to the teaching of the church on the indissolubility of marriage. I also pointed out that many participants distinguish between the doctrine on marriage and the pastoral practice of reception of Communion for those divorced and remarried." (Italics mine) May I assume from this that in addition to Cardinal Burke being a "dissenter", that Cardinal Gerhard Muller also fits Wuerl's definition of that word? Cardinal Muller did state, "Each division between ‘theory’ and ‘practice’ of the faith would be a reflection of a subtle Christological ‘heresy." What Cardinal Muller said is very true. Those "many participants that Cardinal Wuerl mentioned are dabbling in heresy. Enough of that for now.
Three days ago, Cardinal Wuerl posted another piece on his blog. This one is entitled, "Silencing The Church's Voice". In it he voices this complaint: "But today there is a new challenge. Some who reject the Church’s teaching – who choose to live by another set of values – not only find the voice of Christian values annoying, they would like to see it silenced or at least muted. Thus we have a whole new upside down version of words like 'discrimination,' 'freedom' and 'human rights,' and laws to enforce the new meaning." While these words are true enough, they ring ironic and I daresay hypocritical in light of his treatment of Father Marcel Guarnizo three years ago. I now present an anthology of posts I did as that incident and its fallout were unfolding at the time. To reiterate: Father Guarnizo withheld Holy Communion to a flagrantly practicing lesbian. This woman and her cohort raised a ruckus, whereupon the Archdiocese of Washington immediately surrendered to the gay community and threw Father Guarnizo under the bus. In this scenario it was Cardinal Wuerl who played the part of the one "silencing and muting the voice of Christian values". If he truly is serious about what he wrote three days ago, he might want to revisit his conduct (along with Bishop Knestout) of three years ago for his actions against Father Guarnizo can only have emboldened those who seek to stifle Christian morality in our culture today.
Another cleric who tried to silence the "voice of Christian values" is Father Thomas Rosica. You might recall that he threatened to sue David Domet, the blogger behind Vox Cantoris because he had been shining the light on Father Rosica's misconduct. After other faithful Catholics (and bloggers) got wind of it, we caused that light to be glaring. Father Rosica caught a glimmer of that light (or he was instructed by higher-ups to stand down) and backpedaled on his legal threat.
Along with prayer, we'll have to continue to speak out. If we shine the light on these folks relentlessly, we can at least mitigate the damage if not eliminate it altogether.
Showing posts with label dissenters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dissenters. Show all posts
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Sunday, July 22, 2012
A Homily Against Contraception Today!
Today at the 11:15 Mass at St John Neumann Church in Gaithersburg, Fr LaHood preached against the evils of contraception and for the teaching of Humanae Vitae. This homily was occasioned by the upcoming 44th anniversary of the issuance of the encyclical by Pope Paul VI (July 25th, Wednesday). Read that encyclical and then listen to the homily now.
As you read Humanae Vitae, you might think it was written just last year instead of 44 years ago, as most of the horrible consequences of contraception's embrace have been realized all too vividly. There is no doubt that the embrace of the anti-life mentality inherent in contraception's use has unleashed many plagues on humanity. Some who are reading this are no doubt snickering at the thought. In fact, I saw a few fellow Mass attendees roll their eyes as Father was preaching. There are none so blind as they who will not see, and such are dissenters from the clear teaching of the Church.
Of course as we consider these thoughts, that makes all the more evident why the $5.3 million grant given to CARE by the Catholic Relief Services is beyond reprehensible. At any rate, I hope that this homily is the start of a much-needed trend in our Churches today.
As you read Humanae Vitae, you might think it was written just last year instead of 44 years ago, as most of the horrible consequences of contraception's embrace have been realized all too vividly. There is no doubt that the embrace of the anti-life mentality inherent in contraception's use has unleashed many plagues on humanity. Some who are reading this are no doubt snickering at the thought. In fact, I saw a few fellow Mass attendees roll their eyes as Father was preaching. There are none so blind as they who will not see, and such are dissenters from the clear teaching of the Church.
Of course as we consider these thoughts, that makes all the more evident why the $5.3 million grant given to CARE by the Catholic Relief Services is beyond reprehensible. At any rate, I hope that this homily is the start of a much-needed trend in our Churches today.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
New Ways Ministry - An Old Dinosaur Sneezes
New Ways Ministries was one of those gadfly outfits that rose out of the stench of the so-called "spirit of Vatican II" in the 1970s. Founded by Father Robert Nugent and Sister Jeannine Gramick, their self-styled "mission" was to be "a gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for LGBT Catholics.." In 1984, the Vatican clamped down on this bunch and forced Nugent and Gramick to separate from New Ways.
Now what does this "mission" entail? They certainly have published no works detailing how the LGBT-afflicted Catholic might be freed of his/her cross. There have been no exhortations from New Ways urging them to live chaste lives according to the teaching of the Church (as does Courage, a truly worthwhile ministry). No, they are about dissent and the promulgation of dissent. Namely, they want all the Church to pretend that the gay lifestyle is just as acceptable as adherence to tradtional Church teaching.
They're headquartered in Prince George's County, MD - within the Archdiocese of Washington. A few months ago, New Ways plopped one of their booklets upon the public at large entitled "Marriage Equality: A Positive Catholic Approach". Of course the release of that booklet would coincide with the recent gay-marriage struggle that occurred in Annapolis. Make no mistake - it was designed to obfuscate the Catholic voice in that struggle.
This past February, then-USCCB president Cardinal George issued a statement denouncing the position of New Ways on marriage as being at variance with the Catholic Church. He went on to say that "in no manner is this organization authorized to speak on behalf of the Catholic Church or to identify itself as a Catholic organization." On March 11th, two committee chairmen of the USCCB, including Washington's Cardinal Wuerl, issued a statement reaffirming that of Cardinal George's.
About five or so years ago, some of us picketed a meeting that New Ways conducted in Silver Spring. There were only five of us picketing. However, we outnumbered the meeting attendees! It was a clear sign to us that these dissident groups are in their death throes. However, just as a dying cockroach often flails its legs about in its final agony, these groups also let loose their sputters during their last gasps.
Now what does this "mission" entail? They certainly have published no works detailing how the LGBT-afflicted Catholic might be freed of his/her cross. There have been no exhortations from New Ways urging them to live chaste lives according to the teaching of the Church (as does Courage, a truly worthwhile ministry). No, they are about dissent and the promulgation of dissent. Namely, they want all the Church to pretend that the gay lifestyle is just as acceptable as adherence to tradtional Church teaching.
They're headquartered in Prince George's County, MD - within the Archdiocese of Washington. A few months ago, New Ways plopped one of their booklets upon the public at large entitled "Marriage Equality: A Positive Catholic Approach". Of course the release of that booklet would coincide with the recent gay-marriage struggle that occurred in Annapolis. Make no mistake - it was designed to obfuscate the Catholic voice in that struggle.
This past February, then-USCCB president Cardinal George issued a statement denouncing the position of New Ways on marriage as being at variance with the Catholic Church. He went on to say that "in no manner is this organization authorized to speak on behalf of the Catholic Church or to identify itself as a Catholic organization." On March 11th, two committee chairmen of the USCCB, including Washington's Cardinal Wuerl, issued a statement reaffirming that of Cardinal George's.
About five or so years ago, some of us picketed a meeting that New Ways conducted in Silver Spring. There were only five of us picketing. However, we outnumbered the meeting attendees! It was a clear sign to us that these dissident groups are in their death throes. However, just as a dying cockroach often flails its legs about in its final agony, these groups also let loose their sputters during their last gasps.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
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?
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?
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