Our Parish Times And Strange Social Justice Opinions

I've written before about my opinion of Our Parish Times, the periodical published by the Catholic Business Network.  When it first appeared, it was a welcome alternative to the Catholic Standard.  Whereas the Standard's tilt was definitely to the left (after Tom Rowan retired), OPT took on issues and viewpoints that the Standard was reluctant to touch.  However, something happened to OPT.  In my perspective as a reader, it seems that the Archdiocese of Washington somehow neutered OPT.  Is that why their excellent columnist Bob McCarthy has disappeared from the OPT pages?

But they still retain Chuck Short, a former ADW official who is now working for Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggitt.  Two weeks ago I wrote how he has given donations to Chris Van Hollen as the latter runs for the US Senate seat being vacation by "katholyc" pro-abortion Barbara Mikulski.  In so doing, Short is subverting the campaign of the GOP pro-life candidate Kathy Szeliga; he's choosing abortion over life in this election.  Yet OPT sees fit to retain Short as he blathers about his left-wing perverted view of "social justice".  Do they keep him simply because of his connection with Leggitt?

His latest blather is entitled "Street Mercy".  Among other things he discusses the explosion in the numbers of those who panhandle at street corners and meridian strips.  Many, like myself, are concerned that the money they collect will be used to procure drugs and/or alcohol.  Short poo-poos such concerns, whipping out the "who am I to judge" canard, misquoting Jesus Christ in the process.  To be fair, Short is merely following the example of Pope Francis.  Make no mistake about it; while tippy-toeing around the matter, Short is suggesting that we engage in sentimentality as opposed to rationality, not consider to what we may be materially contributing, and blindly fork it over.

In that portion of his paragraph, Short demonstrates his lack of credibility in opining about Catholic social teaching.  Was St Katherine Drexel "judging" when she counseled against giving cash directly to beggers?  For many panhandlers, what they do is a racket (I've seen evidence of that at Shady Grove and Frederick).

I'll relate another incident that occurred at my parish several years ago, with the pastor immediately prior to our current one.  A "family of indigents" appeared in front of the churh doors, begging for money.  It was still going on when the pastor, from the pulpit, gave us the full story.  After they first appeared, the St. Vincent De Paul Society and other parish ministries approached them to see how they could assist.  The "family" declined their assistance, preferring instead to receive only cash.  The pastor suggested that we not give money to them.  Was Father being judgmental?  Our Lord did caution us to be discerning, something that Short fails (or refuses) to consider.  To his credit, Short does suggest a number of parish outreaches where we can volunteer.

What is the mission of the OPTanyway?  Is it simply to be a forum in which members of the CBN can advertise?  I don't see a mission statement in their publication.  If I missed it, please advise where it is located.  At any rate, their readership is being ill-served by columnists such as Chuck Short.

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.

Words Of Truth From Father Marcel Guarnizo And Michael Hichborn

A month after last October's sin-nod ended, a conference occurred in Ireland to address the moral ills that are looming on the horizon for Ireland.  We in the U.S. are further down that spiral of death than are the Irish - at present.  While that conference was going on, Father gave an interview to Kathy Sinnot; I posted it at that time and now link again to it.

I now link to a lecture that Father gave during that conference.  In that lecture he elaborated on the themes that he briefly touched in the interview.  In that he makes the point quite clearly why the legalization of both abortion the perversion of marriage by gay activists is a clear threat to our civilization, not to mention the salvation of souls.  Please listen to the entire talk; it's well worth the time investment.

One point he made is that social justice, as currently promoted by progressives within the church, will never suffice to serve civilization.  Much of "social justice" is focused on this world only with little thought given to the next; it is the next world that will last into eternity not this so it's only logical to conclude that the progressives have their priorities exactly ass-backwards.  Perhaps I'll go so far as to say that some of the progressive masterminds are deliberately obfuscating our future beyond this world for they stand in hatred of God Himself.

Michael Hichborn of Lepanto Institute published a piece today entitled "The Robe Of Christ" that in part dwells on this very topic of "social justice" perverting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Serving the temporal needs of others is important, but even that is ancillary to the Gospel and our call to obey Him and His Church in matters of faith and morals.

With that in mind, I was saddened (but not surprised) to learn that this coming Good Friday, the pope plans to turn the Way of the Cross commemoration into a screed against the death penalty.  I've blogged before why I believe such a stance is rank heresy.  The Lepanto piece cited in my previous paragraph touches upon the matter as well.  Now I read on a blog somewhere (I can't remember which, but the blogger made a fantastic point) that the attempt of progressives to link the Crucifixion with the death penalty may well speak volumes about their attitudes toward the Crucifixion.  I think it's quite possible that they have no concern for eternal life and the salvation of their souls.  Given such warped perspectives, it's no wonder that they'd hold the Cross of Christ in disdain.  God have mercy on them.

Both Father Guarnizo and Michael Hichborn, in their respective pieces, suggested prayer to Our Lady for her intercession.  Let's do that.

Why Pax Christi Is A Pox

(HT - Pewsitter)

The Not-At-All Catholic Reporter interviewed Rosemarie Pace, director of Pax Christi of Metropolitan New York.  In the interview she let loose with her heretical notions of Who God is (halfway down the article).  When asked how her image of God has changed and why, she answers, "Another way I conceive of God is Spirit, more than Father/Mother or Son/Daughter...I used to think of God as more of a person to whom to turn with requests and praise and thanks..Praying to God as if God were a separate entity is a fallacy.."

As you were reading it, didn't "may the force be with you" sound in your mind?  She is basically saying that God is not a Person, but rather some pantheistic energy field (for lack of better term).

Let's go to the Baltimore Catechism to answer the question, "Who is God?"  Answer: "God is the Supreme Being, infintely perfect, who made all things and keeps them in existence".  We also know (from questions 25-30 of the Baltimore Catechism) that there are three distinct Persons in God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  I won't go into a whole lesson here.  Suffice it to say that Pace is flat out wrong when she opines that God is not a "separate entity" but rather some force or energy that has been mishmashed into creation.  Such is the warped spirituality of a Pax Christi official.

Further down, when asked what distresses her about contemporary Catholicism, she replies, "Unfortunately, the Catholic church is known worldwide for its positions on sexual matters like abortion, contraception, same-sex marriage, and the child abuse scandal. It's not known nearly as well for its far more important mission-related positions on war and peace, torture, nuclear weapons, death penalty, immigration, poverty, climate change, and so forth, what we know as Catholic social teaching."

In terms of the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in Church tradition, she has things precisely ass-backwards.  She dares to insinuate that the progressive talking points are "far more important mission-related positions" than is opposition to the slaughter of millions of pre-born children or the abuse of our procreative powers.  Her priorities - and those of Pax Christi - are completely backwards if not antithetical to true Christian charity.

Now go back to the beginning of the article, when she is asked about challenges facing Pax Christi, she replies (in part), "Because we're Catholic, there are those who have a preconceived notion about us. They may expect us to be focused on issues that are too conservative.."

?!?!?!?!!

Eeeek.  The horror.  To be considered "too conservative".  Well, I'd like Ms. Pace to rest assured that most thinking individuals don't believe that Pax Christi is conservative to any degree.  Considering the interview, especially the points I outlined above, some of us doubt its claim to be Catholic.

When The Church Disregards Subsidiarity...

Then we can expect church "leaders" to wax apoplectic and hysterical when the federal money spigot runs dry.  Apparently that is what they did, according to an article that appeared on page 3 of the print edition of the Catholic Standard -dated Oct 24, 2013.

The article is entitled, "Faith Leaders Welcome Government Reopening, Point To Unfinished Work".  I could not locate this on the Standard's web page, nor did I see it on that of the Catholic News Service.  I finally found it on the site of the Not-At-All Catholic Reporter.  Of course it is the sort of pig-slop that one might find on the pages of the socialist-injustice aficionado rag.  By the way, when I call it "pig slop" I don't impugn the integrity of the Reporter's reporting - on this occasion.  Rather, I use the term to accurately describe the whining and sniveling that I'm sure did spew forth from the mouths of these, uh, leaders.

They bemoaned the "lack of services" and lack of "safety net".  Well, if one examines the Principle of Subsidiarity as put forth by various popes, we see that centralized government is to be the last-resort type of safety-net, not the "first responder" as it were.  However, as I noted a week or two ago, the USCCB and the puppet-bishops seem to have some serious difficulties with reading the Catechism.  Here's paragraphs 1883-1885 regarding subsidiarity (scroll till you see those paragraphs).

Then the article goes on to quote Network, citing it as "THE Catholic social justice lobby" (emphasis mine).  Notice that it touts the Obama regime's yarn, claiming that the debt and deficits will decrease (??!??!).  Network clearly is in the number of the Minions Most Mindless of the Messiah Most Miserable.  Even the USCCB seemed to have an eye-opener regarding them, be that insight ever so brief.  This came about as Network embraced the abortion provisions in Obamacare; read this from the National Catholic Register (The Register, as opposed to the Reporter, does deserve the "Catholic" designation).

In a side bar in the Standard's print edition (found only there, as far as I know), it was lamented that the shutdown "cost Catholic Charities $25,000 each day".  What is lamentable is that Catholic Charities is just another piglet attached to a teat of the federal entitlement sow.  Ultimately, from where does that $25k/day originate?  Boys and girls, can we all say "OUR TAX DOLLARS!"?  This is not charity; it is legalized extortion.  The government has no authority under the US Constitution to exact such taxes.  Moreover, under the principle of subsidiarity and the Seventh Commandment, the Church has no moral right to accept, let alone request, such funds that are the result of aforementioned legalized extortion.

If the Church leaders were truly observing the Principle of Subsidiarity, no government shutdown would be able to get their undies bunched as they obviously were two weeks ago.  The Church is, first and foremost, about the business of saving souls.  Charitable works, while important in and of itself, plays second-fiddle to eternal salvation.  When will our modernism-boondoggled bishops acknowledge that?

ADDENDUM/CLARIFICATION
I noted in the fourth paragraph that Network was cited as being "THE Catholic social justice agency".  It should be pointed out that this ridiculous statement is the product of the Catholic News Service, an arm of the USCCB.  Both the Reporter and the Standard are merely repeating the absurd opinion.

Vortex: Blindness About Obama

Using Bishop Tobin's announcement of his party affiliation change as an introduction, Michael Voris rebukes the US bishops for their blindness towards Obama's hell-spawned policies.  I'll take it a step further.  It's not "blindness".  The bishops aren't complete fools.  They most likely are jettisoning their sacred duties because they want to keep the government grants flowing into their various coffers.  I will also give Bishop Tobin some additional credit.  Recall that it was he who was verbally abused by Chris Matthews because he (being Patrick Kennedy's bishop) actually sat Kennedy down and read him the Riot Act, so to speak.

As you watch this Vortex, please keep in mind the bishops' planned push for amnesty for illegal aliens.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if they showed the same drive and initiative for unborn babies?

Voris, Hichborn, Phelan Discuss Catholic Social Justice Frauds

This was broadcast last week.

How Social Justice Became Perverted In US Chanceries

In today's Vortex, Michael Voris gives a bit of history behind the mess that is commonly known as "social justice" in chancery offices across the country.  He also explains how this led to so many Catholics being hoodwinked by the "Catholic" Campaign for Human Development and why progressives are lashing out at the work that faithful Catholics are doing to expose the chicanery of the CCHD.  He mentioned that Church Militant TV is a "proud member of the Reform CCHD Now Coalition"; so is this blog.

I do have one minor difference with Voris.  At 1:02 he mentions that both secular society and the Church started to turn liberal/progressive in the 1960s.  I hold that process began way before then, and only became manifest during the 1960s.

Guess what?  The CCHD has announced that it will be giving away over $91 million in grants.  However, it left out one teensy little detail in that announcement: the grant recipients and how much each will receive!  So much for Catholic donors knowing the usage of their money!  For the CCHD, that's simply par for the course - all the more reason not to give them one penny of your hard-earned money.

"Social Justice" Schlock

Today's Vortex, in addition to outlining how not-so-covert 1960s hippies absconded with the term "social justice", comments on the scandals of the CRS that are becoming evident.  Click here if you can't see embedded video.

The Evil Fruits Of "Social Justice"

Paul Rahe is a writer with a site called "Richochet".  He has recently penned two articles that I commend to your reading.  They are somewhat lengthy but thought-provoking and worth your while.  Here they are.
http://ricochet.com/main-feed/American-Catholicism-s-Pact-With-the-Devil
http://ricochet.com/main-feed/American-Catholicism-A-Call-to-Arms

There's no gainsaying that many in Church leadership positions no longer see the main mission of the Church as being the eternal salvation of souls.  Many of these no longer believe in the afterlife.  Thus they have set their sights on this earth and find their impetus in "social justice".  Of course we must aim to bring about justice, but not at the price of compromising with evil.

Many bishops and priests, wanting to court favor with worldly powers-that-be to fund their pet "social justice" projects, have remained silent in the face of flagrant dissidence.  We picketed one such debacle this past Sunday.  Most notable is the lack of preaching on the matter of contraception.  Click here if you cannot see today's embedded Vortex clip.

OWS And Dorothy Day

I've read a number of articles lately on the OWS phenonema, and find myself disconcerted that some Catholics are taken up with the hysteria, to varying degrees.

In the National Catholic Register there appeared this piece by Mark Shea.  This is a piece that sounds like it would be found in the Reporter rather than Register, with its chanting of the "social and economic justice is what it's all about" and "rich folks get all the breaks and poor folks get none" mantras.  I quote, "a good working definition of American justice in the present hour is that things which are sins when ordinary people do them are not sins when rich and powerful ones do them."  That is simply incorrect, particularly with abortion.  The fact is that our heathen culture looks upon abortion for the rich and for the poor as being equally laudible.  The defining attributes of American injustice are the ways in which core moral principles are being savaged today, vis-a-vis:

• The murder of children in abortion
• The widespread acceptance of contraception
• The acceptance of euthanasia (even involuntary euthanasia)
• The various forms of abuse of embryoes (cloning, embryonic stem cell research, in vitro fertilization)
• The acceptance and even celebration of homosexual behaviors

Shea's article continues.  I quote, "In the same way, incest, like most other grave crimes and sins, is only a crime and a sin for poor people in the US. When rich and powerful people in big business and government do it ...this is hailed as 'synergy'."  Here he is monkeying around with the definition of incest.  When he uses the term for "poor people", he is using the correct and common meaning as "sexual relations between related indiviudals.  However, for the latter class, he's referring to cronyism between governmental and/or corporate entities.  That's quite clear from the context of  the NCR article.  I too find those latter relationships to be of dubious moral quality, but I wouldn't equate them with the horrible violation of young women.  In short, cronyism and incest are NOT synonyms!

Five Categories Of Evils Within The Church

Michael Voris of Vortex proposes a categorization of ills that have plagued the Church during this century.  There are five main categories:

1. False liturgical reform
2. False ecumenism
3. False social justice
4. False inclusivity
5. False earth stewardship

This blog has touched quite a bit on 3 and 5, some on 1.  This Vortex clip gives an overview of how all these have taken our focus off Jesus Christ and misdirected that focus to humanity.

Please note that Voris rightly excoriates the Catholic media that won't bring up these anomalies as they exist within the Church hierarchy and bureaucracy.  By their silence and thier sole  focus on fluffy-puffy happy-pap crap, they are complicit in the festering of these evils within the Church.

Click here if you can't see embedded video.