Problematic Guidelines For Priestly Formation

The Vatican released new guidelines regarding the education and formation of priests.  LifeSiteNews has a nice synopsis, and I now link to the full document "The Gift Of The Priestly Vocation" in pdf format.  It appears to be an update of previously issued guidelines that reflect the teachings of Pope Francis.  An immediate question that comes to mind is that any such guidelines should be reflective of the Teachings of Jesus Christ, which do not change for He Himself is immutable.

As does Mr. Bentz, I too take strong exception to the rather strange and perhaps harmful priorities that the pope seems to be urging for new priests.  If you have the document itself open, please go to page 71 and look at the second paragraph in section 172.  The new priests are expected to promote "climate change" junk science from the pulpits.  While the phrase "climate change" is not specifically mentioned in this document, the reference is clear.  To what else would "emerging planetary crisis" be referring?  And who are these "experts and researchers"?  Well, let's take a look at Laudato Si itself and some of the "research" that occurred.  They include "luminaries" such as Jeffrey Sachs, Hans Schnellnhuber, Naomi Klein, etc - progressives who just happen to be advocates of "population control".  Now is the priest being asked to promote population control?  Not directly, but by what he'll be ordered to do, he will insinuate "population control" sympathies to his congregation, even if he's doing so unwittingly.

We also have to note what is not being said in that document, especially in the context of other current controversies embroiling the Church.  As the LifeSiteNews article states, scant attention is being paid to pro-life and culture of life concerns.  While the document proscribes the ordination of homosexual candidates, it makes no mention of what priests are to do in combating the ever-encroaching homosexual culture that threatens to swallow up more vulnerable people and to demand that homosexual sin not only be accepted but celebrated by everyone.  Since the document does talk of "peace and justice" I do not understand why the priest would not be instructed to do all he can to combat the mortal sin of homosexual conduct.  Again, this deliberate omission must be seen in context: this time, the context of the two sin-nods with the resultant mess known as Amoris Laetitia - or as I call it, Amoralis Lamentia.

As an aside, two other prelates are supporting the dubia issued by the four cardinals: Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia and Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes of Germany.  I pray that more join them and that the dubia receive the responses that they deserve, for the good of all concerned.

The LifeSiteNews piece ends with an opinion of the document being "in general, well-rounded".  That is not reassuring.  Consider the case of one person who secretly hopes to poison another.  Does he/she force the poison upon the intended victim outright, or does he/she administer the poison in some other food?  That food may be good and wholesome in and of itself.  However, those few grains of poison render the whole serving deadly.  So it is with this document.

Baby Joseph Maraachli - Requiescat In Pace

Baby Joseph Maraachli, who defied the mongers of death in the Canadian health and legal system (aided by the determination of his parents and pro-life leaders, most notably Father Pavone), died peacefully at home yesterday.  LifeSite News gives the final details; they too have been instrumental in spreading the news of Joseph's plight several months ago and caused an outcry that helped save him from a brutal and inhumane death.

He died in peace and dignity, surrounded by his family who loved him.  Most importantly, he was baptized in the Catholic faith.  Having been incapable of sin in his short life, he is now in heaven - by definition, he's a saint.

We pray for God's consolation for his family and in gratitude for their struggle - a struggle that will benefit those who will find themselves in Joseph's shoes as they face down the culture of death.  Let us also ask little Joseph's intercession for this, and for his intercession for Father Pavone and his current predicament.

San Diego Priest Preaches True Catholic Politics / Wisdom On Windshields

I saw this from Matt Abbott regarding Father Richard Perozich of the Diocese of San Diego.  I urge you to read the entire message that Father gave to his congregation.  I cannot quote the entire address here, but will reproduce one key paragraph.  All you "progressive types", deep breaths as you read this truth.

"For us Catholics the basic issues are: Life from conception to natural death, that is, protection of the unborn, those with life, and those who are sick; protection of new life in its most nascent form, the embryo; protection from cloning to farm body parts; protection from sexual deviance in the form of pederasty, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, prostitution."

Let me explain, along with Father.  If someone promises all sorts of things such as end to poverty, health care for all, etc, etc, but is wrong on any of those basic issues cited in the preceding paragraph, he/she does not deserve a Catholic's vote.  If any Catholic runs for office and his/her platform dissents from the Church's teachings on the above matters, his/her pastor must obey Canon 915 with respect to that recalcitrant politician.  How can that be any more clear?

That brings me to the second part of this post - Wisdom on Windshields . This is a tool I developed to help answer a crying need, as I'll now explain.  Due to poor catechesis, many Catholics do support anti-life and anti-family candidates.  You might see the telltale signs on their cars in the church parking lot in the form of bumper strips and other signage to that effect.  Clearly that person needs to be educated.  I've developed this so that you can enlighten your fellow Catholic in a manner that is discreet, and so that you don't have to worry about looking for the car's owner, being late for Mass, etc.   Wisdom on Windshields  is an educational flyer that you can put on that car's windshield; it briefly describes the teachings so eloquently proclaimed by Father Perozich and refers to other sources.  You may download it here and have it handy on your own computer.  Print out a supply and always take them to church with you.  You'll never know when you'll have need of them.  The fact is, when you use them, you are exercising several of the Spiritual Works of Mercy: instructing the ignorant, rebuking the sinner, counseling the doubtful.

We Must Be Doing Something Right!

At least that can be said about the upcoming conservative candidates who are besting long-entrenched pro-abortion incumbents.  Christine O'Donnell of New Jersey comes to mind.  Planned Parenthood is all atwitter about her and her counterparts across the country, as you can see from this "action alert" (posted on Jill Stanek's blog).

Got that?  They are so shocked that they're...asking for money !  Who'da thunk it?  They're even frightened!  Eeek!  Eeek!

But it ain't over until it's over!  And no, I don't mean that a successful November election will mean that we're done.  After that election, we need to plod ahead and not stop "for a breather".  Turning this Culture of Death into a Culture of Life will require a lifetime of prayer and work from each and every one of us while we're still in the realm of the Church Militant.

With This Vortex, I Take Exception

It isn't often when I disagree with Michael Voris, but on this occasion, I have to raise a "sed contra".  (Click here if you can't see embedded video).



"The hellish, downward spiral is simply irretrievable", opines Voris.  That's his opinion, but we need not take this as fact indelibly written in stone.  In fact, I opine that this statement may well fly in the face of the virtue of hope.

Recall what Pope John Paul II said at the Denver Youth Conference in 1993.  He told his audience, and us, "Woe to you if you do not stop abortion!"  Notice that he did not say, "...if you do not put up a heroic fight if ony to defend the faith."  No, the Holy Father clearly laid upon us all the onus for clear, unmistakable, measurable SUCCESS in turning this current morass into the Culture of Life.  Regretably, Voris is creating yet another "escape clause" for lack of success. (The other is the constant bastardization, the popular misquote of Mother Teresa's "we're called to be faithful not successful" statement, but that is its own rant.).  Consder also that if the Holy Father didn't think success was possible, he wouldn't have said what he said.

As I heard this, I thought of Moses leading the Israelites into Canaan.  As they approached Canaan, Moses sent twelve scouts ahead to assess the situation and the prospect for conquest of the Promised Land.  Ten of the scouts said "it couldn't be done, the enemy is too big, etc, etc".  Two of the scouts, Joshua and Caleb, understood that they were the Chosen People, and more importantly, that their God could overcome all the odds.  They were right.  Joshua went on to lead the people after Moses' death and Caleb was an anscestor of Jesus.  The Israelites had a struggle, to say the least, but as they were faithful, the Lord walked with them.

Shall we be as the ten scouts, and accept this sanctimonious fatalism, or shall we grow some backbone and be as Joshua and Caleb?  Let's do the latter and get in the fight!