Bad Little Catholic Standard! Naughty, Naughty!

A little shame falls upon Yours Truly, actually, for not noticing this immediately.  I thank my colleague at A Washington DC Catholic for spotting this.  He noticed that the Catholic Standard itself was a sponsor for the kiss-up fest to Chris Matthews put on by the Catholic Network of Volunteer Services.

I needn't add to his excellent take on the Catholic Standard's role in this mess.  Please take a look at it.  I will however, link to the original page that shows the Standard's sponsorship, as that is a bit easier to read (at bottom).

The CNVS Dinner with Matthews

First, I am back after several days of vacation.  There is a bit of "catch-up" to do.

I notice from "A Washington DC Catholic" that the dinner did happen.  You'll notice from the comment from "Audrey" that we were told that it wasn't too hard to find out where it happened.  Well, why should it have been "hard" at all?  Of what were they ashamed?  Perhaps it was the obvious kiss-up to a pro-abortion loud-mouth such as Chris Matthews.  Or maybe they didn't want Matthews to go ballistic if he were to see us (and have subsequent rants and raves put a damper on their evening).

However, the mysery has been solved!  The CNVS issued a press release that divulged this secret location.  It happened in (drum roll, please) Chevy Chase, MD. 

Don't you just love it when they get specific?  Sheesh!  What's the big secret?  They're behaving like roaches that had to scurry for cover when the lights shone on their misdeed!  They don't want us to know the location of the roach nest!  Well, what can you expect but guilty behavior?

The Picket That Didn't Happen..

Because the reason for it apparently disappeared!!  Click the "read more" to get further details!

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.

More on the Matthews Situation

First, I want to correct a "typo" in the previous post.  I erroneously stated the monastery address to be "14 Quincy Street NE".  The street number is really "1400".  I apologize for any inconvenience caused by my error.

Many of you have written to the Franciscan Monastery and to the Catholic Networkof Volunteer Service, as have I. Some have sent to me copies of what a Friar named Brother John Sebastian sent to them. Since they are similar in nature, they cannot be held to be exclusive communications.

An early reply was, "Hmm, Ive not heard all this however I know that he has spoken at many a Catholic organization this year with Bishops & Cardinals Present. " Sadly, it's true that Matthews has spoken with bishops and cardinals in his audience; I don't know whether or not such has happened since his tirade against Bishop Tobin. However, I find it incredible that Brother Sebastian did not know of this June 24th event. I trust it merely means that the right hand and left hand don't communicate at the Monastery, but even so, such lack of knowledge boggles the mind. Most people who read the Catholic Standard saw the announcement in the June 10th issue - and yet Brother Sebastian was ignorant? Moreover, many of us emailed the link to the announcement that was on the "Volunteer" website.

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.