From The Et Tu Brute Department: Mark Shriver To Give Commencement Address At Mount St Mary's - Act Now To Stop This

In his book, Goodbye Good Men, Michael Rose extolled the seminary at the Mount as being one of the few decent ones that weren't overrun by gay pervert infestation.  Of course he wasn't speaking about the Mount at large, so maybe the seminary has been spared from participating in the immorality that must have underpinned this regrettable invitation.  Shriver will speak Saturday May 11 and receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.  The abortion he advocates is anything but "humane".

As I look at the Board of Trustees, I see that Msgr John Enzler, of Catholic Charities notoriety, is on the board.  I perceive his paw-prints all over this invitation.

The Cardinal Newman Society has more information.  I've also posted on Shriver and the ridiculous pandering he's received from Churches and other Catholic organizations.  You'll also see in that anthology that faithful Catholics (including Yours Truly) have picketed him during some of those occasions.

Timothy Trainor, president of the university, can be contacted here.  Again, looking at the Board of Trustees, we see the name of Archbishop Lori on there.  Of course he'd be there, since the Mount is located within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  It is worth noting that he attended seminary at the Mount.  He should also be contacted here.

We must ask them to withdraw the invitation to this pro-abortion person.  Else, they are flagrantly violating the directives set for in the USCCB's "Catholics In Political Life".  Will we picket this commencement?  The answer to that question is very much up to the Mount.

Also, please lodge your protests on the Mount's social media sites: Facebook and Twitter.

Amnesty For Illegal Aliens Makes For Strange Bedfellows In Catholic Circles.

Let's take a look at Pax Christi.  We haven't done so in a while but in Montgomery County MD behooves us to do so.  They put on a nice pacifist front and they claim to be Catholic, but underneath that nice sanctimonious image they project lies an organization that is at odds with the Church on several key matters of faith and morals.

Over the years Pax Christi has cropped up like kudzu.  See some basic information here.   I won't rehash everything, but will highlight some key points.

• Two of its former presidents, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton and Bishop Gambino Zavala.  Both these prelates were forced to resign.  No, I don't mean just resign from Pax Christi; I mean resign from their posts as bishops, both for grievous causes.
• Three years ago, I blogged on the American Catholic Council, an organization thoroughly steeped in the heresy of Americanism.  At that time the ACC linked to member organizations, including Pax Christi.  Well, bust my britches, that link has disappeared!  Why, oh why, do you think that happened?   Hmmm!
• Discover the Networks has much information about Pax Christi and its sordid networks.

That's enough information for now - certainly enough to understand why the flyer below, inserted in yesterday's parish bulletin, caught my eye.

Let's ponder the subject matter of the flyer.  It regards immigration: illegal immigration to be precise.  Now let's think for a minute.  No Catholic in their right mind has any problem with immigration per se.  Most of us are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants.  So why the perceived need for all this "discussion"?  Ladies and gentlemen, in a very circuitous fashion these progressives are trying to get us to acquiesce to blanket amnesty for those who imperiously break our laws.  Of course they dare not say so openly, lest their disingenuous thought-reform gambits be laid bare for all to see.

I've been blogging a bit about this misguided effort to reward those who disobey our laws; see a montage of these posts here.  Please notice the June 22 post, where I quote Section 2241 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  The Catechism states that host nations should welcome immigrants to the extent that they are able.  Who determines that "extent"?  This question alone makes plain that the debate regarding the immigration matter falls within the realm of prudential judgment.  That is to say that good Catholics can have legitimate differences of opinions regarding the various facets of the immigration question.  There is no one "Catholic position" on this matter.  Moreover, Pope Benedict XVI reiterated that national bishops' conferences have no inherent authority per canon law.  For the USCCB to state that there is a "Catholic position" here is flat out presumptuous, if not downright deceitful.

That section of the Catechism states quite plainly that the immigrants have a duty to abide by the laws of their host countries and to recognize their "duties to their countries of adoption".  In other words, they should expect no consideration above and beyond that experienced by other citizens.  Some in the "immigrant rights" movement have trouble with the concept of "equal justice".  One such individual might be Salvador G. Sarmiento, one of the speakers; at least he demonstrated such trouble in a situation regarding his wife's traffic violations.

One hazard of the bishops flirting with pet causes of progressives is that they engage in unseemly partnerships with organizations that are at clear variance with Church teachings, sometimes to the point of dissent and disobedience.  In this flyer we see (yet again) another incongruous alliance, this time with Pax Christi.  It's quite likely that Pax Christi won't trot out their gripes with the Magisterium at St. Francis' on Oct 30th.  However, in this partnership, the Church is lending to Pax Christi - as an organization - credibility that it just doesn't deserve.

It is this alliance with Pax Christi that renders the upcoming "discussion" utterly unacceptable.  I am exploring the feasibility of a picket of this event.  I will keep you posted.

Cardinal Dolan To Shame Himself Before Obama

By now most people have heard that both presidential candidates will be the main speakers at the Alfred E Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, hosted by Catholic Charities of New York.  It will be held Thursday, October 18th at the Waldorf-Astoria.

That's right!  Once again, the Messiah Most Miserable, the most abortion-fostering president to date, is being wined and dined and adulated at a Catholic event.  Of course decent people are outraged at this invitation.  Obama has shown himself to be openly hostile to Christian values of life and morality - particularly as they are displayed by Catholics.  Even now we are fighting the draconian HHS mandates that came into play a few days ago.

Cardinal Dolan's office tried to stave off criticism.  His spokesman, Joseph Zwilling, claimed, "this is not a partisan event.  It is an evening to put politics aside and come together in a spirit of civility."  Well, here are a few questions for Mr. Zwilling and (by extension) His Eminence.

• If this is not a "partisan event", just what kind of event is it?  Answer - a money-grubbing event, and an event to flatter the wealthy and powerful.
• When you "put politics aside", what else are you putting aside?  Answer - your Christian principles, your sense of right versus wrong.
• If you think you're putting politics aside, do you really think Obama is doing the same?  You are handing to him, on a silver platter, the perfect photo-ops to use on the Catholic public just two weeks away from the presidential elections.  But if you really persist in that belief, may I sell to you the Brooklyn Bridge?
• If you really want to engage in a "spirit of civility", why not ask Obama to "reach across the table" in that regard?  The fact is that while the dinner is occurring and all the schmoozing and elbow-rubbing occurs, babies will be murdered during that time.  Try asking Obama to have all abortions in New York City suspended while that dinner occurs and see how far that "civility" will go!

Father Frank Pavone, president of Priests for Life, denounced Obama's planned appearance at the dinner.  His remarks, though brief, are spot-on.  Of particular note is his statement, perhaps as a retort to Zwilling, "there comes a time when the polite putting aside of differences for a while amounts to scandal".  Father Pavone is correct.

Over three years ago, Obama gave the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame.  That was roundly and rightly criticized.  Among the critics was - Cardinal Dolan!   Read his statement from April 15, 2009!  He said (among other things), "by inviting President Obama to deliver the commencement address and to receive an honorary degree, Notre Dame wrongly signaled to students 'we hold him up as a model to you'".  I submit that there is no change between that occasion and this.  Why the change in Cardinal Dolan's outlook between then and now?  I submit that Cardinal Dolan is sending the same signal now that he so correctly deplored in 2009.  This dichotomy in the Cardinal's two positions is rendered more stark by the evils thrust on this nation during the intervening three years.

I now post below some comments from the Vortex, as well as a petition that Michael Voris is asking all to sign, to have this ridiculous invitation rescinded.  Click here if you can't see embedded video.



Here is the petition link http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cdl_dolan_disinvite_obama/

I frankly believe the petition will be ignored (although I'd welcome being proved wrong in this case).  In that case, it might be necessary for Catholics (and others of good will) to take to the streets in front of the Waldorf-Astoria in protest, as did hundreds of good people at Notre Dame.  The onus for this will largely be on the faithful of New York.  Are we up for it?

Picket! Mark Shriver To Be Honored At Blessed Sacrament!

Several months ago we picketed Blessed Sacrament Church in Washington DC (just east of Chevy Chase Circle) when they allowed raving pro-abortion Chris Matthews to peddle his book on church grounds.  I thank the person who commented on my report to alert us that apparently Blessed Sacrament has not yet seen the errors behind letting pro-abortion celebrities use Catholic grounds to promote themselves.

This Sunday, June 10th, again at 11:30am in the parish library, they're letting Mark Shriver peddle his wares on Catholic property.  You can see the mess announced on the church web site.  A sad ironic twist to this is that he wrote the book to honor his parents.  Most people will recall that Eunice Kennedy Shriver was most likely the only Kennedy who did not sell out her faith to promote the baby-murder known as abortion.  Most of her family - including Mark - promote baby-murder.  Thus it can be opined that Mark Shriver, in his embrace of abortion, dishonors his parents.

We will be there, as we were several months ago, to speak truth to the lie that "one can be pro-abortion and Catholic".   Please join us!

Blessed Sacrament In DC - Must We Picket??

A few days ago I advised of the planned appearance of Chris Matthews at Blessed Sacrament this coming Sunday.  If this occurs, it will be nothing short of a scandalous outrage.  My previous post links to clips of him voicing his pro-abortion proclivities in defiance of decency, even to the point of insulting a bishop to his face.  To his credit, he seems to be wary of the First Amendment insults that Obama's contraceptive mandates pose, but he still seems oblivious to the fact that he helped promote the tyrant who gave him "thrills up his legs".

Many of us have been calling/emailing the pastor and staff at Blessed Sacrament (I hope that includes you!), but for the most part we have received no replies to the messages that we've been leaving.  If any have made actual contact, please advise of the results via comments.  I just now checked the parish website and the event is still posted (under "upcoming events").  Regretably I must assume that at this time, the parish does not intend to cancel the event.

We are therefore mobilizing for a picket of that event.  Bear in mind that we are not picketing the church per se, nor any Mass.  We will picket in protest of the most inappropriate and undeserved honors that will be bestowed upon a prominent pro-abortion dissenter within Catholic grounds.  Rest assured that we will not let this affront pass by without so much as a whimper.  It's time that we all stand for the dignity of our Church and of our God.  We will therefore be outside that church with our signs to let everyone know just what Matthews supports.  We ask you to join us; details will be forthcoming.

Of course if we learn that the parish is indeed canceling Matthew's appearance, then we too will cancel ours.  We therefore ask that you continue your attempts at pursuading the parish to do the right thing and cancel this most ill-advised appearance.

Archdiocese Of New York To Commemorate 9/11 With Gay Men's Chorus??

First, thanks to Pewsitter for this alert.

Here it is.  At New York's Church of St Paul the Apostle, there will be a musical commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attack.  However, the "rememberance concert" will be performed by a gay chorus - as evidenced on their website.

The announcement for this profanation is repeated in the church's bulletin. This church, in hosting this chorus, is lending a forum to a group that admits to its purpose of celebrating the gay lifestyle.  A perusal of the bulletin will make plain that this church makes a habit of facilitating sin.  Notice that it has an "Out At St Paul Group" that seems to have the fostering of a sinful and dangerous lifestyle as its self-styled "misson".  And yes, that "Out" website does link to that of the Human Rights Commission!  You can go further down to see the "centering prayer" and yoga.  They even take trips to Atlantic City to support that city's despicable gambling industry.

This bunch will most likely be performing in front of the Blessed Sacrament, offering insult to Our Lord Himself.  This concert will make a mockery of the tragedy of 9/11 by lending legitimacy to a dangerous and sinful lifestyle.

Nine years ago, a number of us discovered similar plans afoot locally.  To commemorate the first anniversary of the attack, St Mary's Church in Rockville was slated to have a number of speakers address the congregation after a Mass.  One of them was rabidly pro-abortion US Congresswoman Connie Morella.  When we got wind of that, we called/faxed/emailed both the pastor and the DC chancery and advised them that if Morella wasn't disinvited, they could expect a picket.  Happily, they saw the errors of their ways and disinvted her, so our picket was not necessary.  I call upon the faithful Catholics of New York to take similar stands and engage in similar actions.

We can and will assist you by making our protests heard.  We must stand for the sanctity of that Church and for the teachings of Our Lord via the Magisterium.  Here is contact information for the church.   Here is contact information for the Archdiocese of New York. 

By the way - as I look at the homepage of the chorus, it seems that they profaned yet another Catholic Church this past May - the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament.  When we contact the archdiocese, we need to ask what's up with this bunch being granted admittance to this church as well.

Good News! Picket of KofC Convention This Week Is ON! Come Join!

The following is from Kenneth Fisher, president of Concerned Roman Catholics of America:

Thanks to the efforts of a young couple, Jeanne and Bill Kee, now visiting the D.C. area, there will be a demonstration beginning at 8:30 AM at the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception where the “Knights” will be holding their opening Mass (on Monday Aug 3), and this demonstration will continue with a 12:00 PM Press Conference in front of the Marriott Wardman Hotel, the site of their convention, with Kenneth M. Fisher, Founder & Chairman of “Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc. as the spokesperson.

All True Members of the “Church Militant” and indeed all pro-lifers are urged to attend to show their dismay at the refusal of the Knights’ “leadership” to expel prominent pro-abortion, pro-sodomite members, especially politicians from their ranks. They not only refuse to do so, the National “leadership” is forbidding any Council to take such action. This in spite of the fact that Article 162 of their Constitution and By-Laws expressly calls for such expulsion.

All Catholic participants are urged to have Her Rosary in their hands as they participate.

For further information, contact:
Kenneth M. Fisher, Founder and Chairman
Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc.
714-260-3821

John O’Gorman, Mass. Representative
1-617-846-2983
1-617-265-3983 (Cell)

Jeanne and Bill Kee
903-269-8589

Thus ends Ken's message.  I echo Ken's call, particuarly to area Knights.  More convention information can be had at http://www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/conv/2010/index.html.   I have posted previously on this matter at:
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/05/knights-of-columbus-play-wimps.html
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/05/judie-brown-on-kofc-cowardice.html
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/07/help-picket-knights-of-columbus-2010.html
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/07/saint-robert-byrd.html
http://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2010/07/more-on-kofc-picket.html

More on the KofC PIcket

This from Ken Fisher of Concerned Roman Catholics of America.

As I have said in prior notices, we need to know how many persons are willing to stand up to the hypocrisy of the Knights’ leadership that proclaims that it is pro-life, all the while protecting the memberships of prominent public figures, especially politicians, who openly promote the abortion and sodomite agendas by among other transgressions, ordering their Grand Knights to ignore their Constitution and By-Laws that clearly demand expulsion of such errant members.

We will have to make a decision as to how to best proceed in our efforts by next Friday, July 16th as to whether or not we will fly to Washington, D.C or whether we will go to plan B with Press Releases denouncing these blatant acts of hypocrisy on the part of the “Knights of Columbus “leadership”.

If you are willing to stand up and be counted as a member of the Church Militant in these efforts, please let us know no later than Friday, July 16. You can do so by E-Mail at: crcoa@dslextreme.com, by phone at: 714-491-2284, or by Snail Mail at: P.O. Box 8095, Anaheim, CA 92812-8095. You can also contact me , Kenneth M. Fisher, Founder & Chairman, on his cell phone at: 714-260-3821.

Matthews at Monastery - Looks Like We'll Picket!!

Many of us have been contacting (or attempting to contact) both the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service and the Franciscan Monastery regarding Chris Matthews' scheduled appearance on Thursday June 24th.  So far we've heard of no response from the CNVS.  The monastery has responded, and many have sent copies of the replies to me.  I've rehearsed some of those replies in earlier postings.  The monastery seems to be disavowing responsibility for Matthews' appearance.  Well yes, it is a CNVS event, but still the monoastery is allowing Matthews to come onto their property.  They could well make clear that he cannot speak, but they choose not to do so.  Some responses go so far as to claim complete ignorance of the event, or to hint that we're incorrect in our knowledge of Matthews' scheduled appearance.  In addition to the announcement on the CNVS website (to which I linked in an earlier post), there is the announcement in the June 10th edition of the Catholic Standard.  Since this issue will soon be taken off the church shelves to make way for the next edition, I captured that announcement in the video below.  (Click here if you can't see embedded videos)



Our sources cannot be denied.  What also cannot be denied is the very real probability that smoke is being blown at us.

Therefore, I'd like to make very clear to the CNVS and Monastery people who are watching this blog that unless there is a PUBLIC announcement that Chris Matthews' planned appearance will not occur, there will be a picket of this event.  We will witness for the truth of the Faith, something that others are setting aside for money and the chance to toady up to a celebrity.  All concerned Catholics are welcome to join us.

Between now and Thursday the 24th, please check this blog regularly, as we'll post updates to this situation.