The following comes from a May 29 Mercator article by William J. Olson and Herbert W. Titus:
On April 28, 2015, nine unelected lawyers drawn from three elite law schools (Harvard, Yale, and Columbia) listened to 90-minutes of oral argument about same-sex marriage and then retreated behind a wall of red velvet drapes to confer secretly about whether the U.S. Constitution requires that the U.S. Supreme Court impose same-sex marriage on the entire nation.
Consider for a moment the process by which that decision will be reached. When the Court decided to hear the Obergefell consolidated cases from the Sixth Circuit, that decision was reached in secret. The Justices consult only with their colleagues and their law clerks, also drawn from elite law schools. When a decision in the case is issued, presumably before the end of the current term toward the end of June, the Court will address only those issues argued by parties and the amici curiae that it cares to address. Its opinion will contain only those reasons for its decision that the Court chooses to reveal. The majority decision may be agreed to by as few as five of these nine justices unaccountable to no one but themselves. And then, the Court will expect the American people to set aside their individual and collective judgment and passively abide by whatever decision is reached — based on a doctrine no where found in the U.S. Constitution — “judicial supremacy.”
Although the Supreme Court’s only constitutional responsibility is to resolve “cases” and “controversies” brought before it, the High Court often acts as if it has been entrusted with the raw power to decide for us the most important public policy issues facing the nation. While the Court would have us believe that those decisions are mandated by faithful adherence to the constitutional text, the truth lies elsewhere. In his autobiography, Justice William O. Douglas provided a glimpse behind the curtain as to how the Supreme Court really works. In his autobiography, he explained that Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes had once explained to him: “[a]t the constitutional level where we work, ninety percent of any decision is emotional. The rational part of us supplies the reasons for supporting our predilections.”
Although the judicial trend to embrace “homosexual rights” is undeniable, we certainly have not given up hope about the Court’s decision. In fact, it is our belief that the case for same-sex marriage is so pathetically weak, that the Court may understand that it would suffer a crippling embarrassment once the People come to really understand that in no way does the U.S. Constitution command same-sex marriage.
But our role now, while hoping for the best, is to prepare for the worst — and that worst could be terrible indeed. Part of our last Supreme Court brief was published by The American Vision under the name “12 Reasons homosexual marriage will wreck the nation.” If you need additional reasons to give your concentrated attention to this issue in the coming days, you will find those reasons in that article.
The American people need to use the short days remaining before that momentous decision is reached to determine how to respond to an adverse decision. Will they yield to a U.S. Supreme Court that claims the power to override state constitutional and statutory provisions governing domestic relations — an area of law which has historically belonged exclusively to the states. Will they sit back while unelected judges decide for them one of the most important public policy issues of our lifetime? Or will they resist — and, if so, what tools do are available to stand against this judicial tyranny?
“Take heed to the warning of Scripture: ‘There are ways which to men seem right, but the ends thereof lead to the depths of hell. (Prov 16:25)'”
–Rule of S. Benedict, Ch VII
[But what did that ol’ S. Benedict know, anyway?]
Well, what do you expect since Brown v. Board of Education? What, what . . . are you against non-discrimination in education? What, what?
No, little altar boy/law clerk, not at all. But something has been seriously missing in the way that American voters (and special interest groups) now see the Supremes as a sort of “Wizard of Oz” for every perceived wrong in America. It is not, and was not conceived of in this role.
But . . . sigh . . . that is the way that everyone sees the High Court (and yes, that includes many nutty clergy). A number of its members, for example, are vile people, such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, long an advocate for abortion rights. How she ever successfully got on the Court is surely a chapter in Satan’s…
(Continued) “American Desk Book. But, the High Court will do what it will do, and our drama as a country “under God” will continue to unfold. We have seen bloodshed before, and will likely see it again, as things spin irrevocably out of control. All because power has been concentrated in the hands of a few, with a warrant that exceeds anything imagined by the Founders. God forbid.
Our Constitution is very clear. The Supreme Court, the Judiciary, is the third equal branch of government. It is also settled law that the Constitution says what the Supreme Court says it does. Like it or not, the Court is there to protect the American People from the Executive and Judicial branches of government, to protect the minority from the majority, etc. We will no like the predicted outcome they will devise for same-sex marriage, but that will be the law of the land until someone can get the required states to amend the Constitution. The article speaks of the institution with unwarranted derision.
The Supreme Court IS the judicial branch, are you saying that we need protection from them? I would certainly agree with you, as the Supremes are accountable only to themselves and who have usurped the duty of the Congress by legislating from the bench on numerous occasions. Derision is well warrented when nine un-elected characters are able to wield tyranny over the entire population without fear of retribution. Roe v. Wade Prime example. They have the blood of millions on their hands.
The supreme Court is unelected for a reason. It’s too ensure that they are animals to the constitution and not pillar opinion. And Americans are protected from them. The constitution can – and has been – changed. All three powers have a check on each other.
A good sign that the supreme Court is doing it’s job is that both liberal and conservative commentators tend to be equally annoyed by its decisions.
The case AGAINST SSM is the weak one here.
The simple fact is that the alimentary canal is not part of the reproductive system. It never has been and never will be. Anyone who miss uses it will continue to suffer the consequences no matter what the members of the Supreme Court tell them is or is not all right, and the nations will continue to pay for the medical expenses until they finally get fed up.
One cannot fool “Mother Nature”. Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome could not do it, neither can we.
The infamous Cardinal Kasper praised the Irish people, for voting for Same-Sex Marriage! What a SHOCK! He is no follower of Christ! And the Supreme Court i justices are all liberal, anti-American FOOLS– destroying the foundations of America, and our very way of life! A true follower of Christ, must DIE TO SELF, and obediently pledge, in faith, to do as Christ says to do! Dying to self, in FAITH– and vowing OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST, and ignoring the dark, sinful voices of the world– is what the Pope and all his Church leaders, need to do!
I will continue, with my above post. It is the duty of Church leaders, as well as the Holy Father, to CARE FOR THE SHEEP– and to strongly, caringly, and accurately, shepherd all the sheep, to the arms of Christ! They must impose proper penalties, on the “wayward”– such as, EXCOMMUNICATION for grave, unrepentant Mortal Sin! The Justices, after receiving a warning– who vote, write reports, and make speeches in favor of sins– should receive a letter of excommunication, from their pastors, coming from the hand of their local archbishop– Cardinal Wuerl!
EXCOMMUNICATE! everybody in sight? The Church’s universal law—the Code of Canon Law (25 Nov 83)—sets out the reasons for which errant Catholics may be excommunicated; and it wisely limits them because that penalty is meant to be medicinal and bring people to their senses and back into the tent. Not to stigmatize or punish them, as (apparently) Linda Maria would have it. By the way, what’s the use of a 750-word limit if one can ramble on and on, so long as they add “i will add to my last post??
Caritas– you think it is just fine, for our Supreme Court justices, to constantly allow our country to be destroyed, year after year– and receive no corrections, nor discipline?? What did you think, in 1973, with Roe vs. Wade– BABY-KILLING?? Are you afraid to stand up for Christ?? Yes– to correct in God’s ways is “good medicine,” and He wants to run after all His beloved “lost sheep!” But some are so wayward, with hearts and minds so darkened and hardened– that Christ has to be very STERN with such people! This situation is far more serious than you realize, Caritas!
Caritas– for your information, sex perversions are a GRAVE MORTAL SIN!! And additionally, to legally allow helpless little CHILDREN to be raised in a home of sex perversions– is a HORRIBLE SIN, for a Nation to do to them!!
Linda Maria—- In your above two posts, you have missed my point entirely. Of course I believe that the matters you mentioned are gravely evil. And I vehemently disagree with the Roe v. Wade decision. My point was that the Church, in her own universal law, has chosen to limit the reasons for EXCOMMUNICATION!!, preferring to use it to make people aware of the grave evil they have done and then apply the medicine of mercy to them when they mend their ways. In following this path, the
Church imitates Jesus’s own treatment of sinners, found in the Gospels. Your argument about the limited applicability of
EXCOMMUNICATION!! is with the Church, not me.
Caritas– You are over-reacting! I NEVER said I “disagree” with the Church, on the so-called “limits” of excommunication, that are written in Canon Law! I was merely making a very emotional statement! In the Gospels– Jesus was very stern, towards the evil Pharisees! He threw the money changers bodily out of the temple! DOES THAT SCARE YOU?? Jesus Christ is the Son of God– and we all had better RESPECT Him!! It is a HORRIBLE thing, to legally enshrine GRAVE MORTAL SINS, as FALSE LAWS– for an entire Nation, abusing your position of authority and leadership! To do so, and call yourself “Catholic”– is a HORROR, before God!!
If you are a Catholic, and serving as a justice of the Supreme Court — and if you vote, or publicly write, speak, or encourage and support terrible Mortal Sins– like abortion, euthanasia, gay “marriage” etc. etc.– you have done something just HORRIBLE! You have harmed a HUGE Nation, of millions of people! God asks that such “bad Catholics” repent, and change their ways! Canon #915 in the Code of Canon Law, addresses this important issue! It is highly important that a Catholic have a MORAL CONSCIENCE– can you not see that? “Bad Catholics” need—– CORRECTION!! They are doing TERRIBLE HARM to this world!!
Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.
I agree that everyone needs to have a moral conscience and that those who favor abortion should mend their ways. I never said or inferred otherwise in my posts. If you insist I did, quote it back to me. All I said is that the Church has limited the situations in which EXCOMMUNICATION! is appropriate. Do you accept the Church’s decision? A “yes” or “no” will suffice. So please stick to the point. No need for yet another sermon refuting positions I never held.
Caritas– excommunication has ALWAYS been called for, in cases where an unrepentant Catholic publicly supports, practices, or obtains an abortion!! Such Catholics are no longer eligible to receive Holy Communion! Read Canon #915! Excommunication is not that cruel! Some people get traffic tickets and laugh, and tear them up! Perhaps Nancy Pelosi would laugh, and tear up a S.F. archbishop’s notice of excommunication! Since the 1960’s hippie era– about a fifth of our Nation, now has criminal records! Plus, many evils are now legalized! Something needs to be done!
I accept the official position of the Church regarding “excommunications”.
CODE of CANON LAW:
” Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty
and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion. ”
.
“Can. 1399 In addition to the cases established here or in other laws, the external violation of a divine or canonical law can be punished by a just penalty only when the special gravity of the violation demands punishment and there is an urgent need to prevent or repair scandals. “
Doctrine of the Faith regarding SCANDAL –
CCC: # 2284, 2285, 2286, 2386.
Canon Law: “1399 In addition to the cases established here or in other laws, the external violation of a divine or canonical law can be punished by a just penalty only when the special gravity of the violation demands punishment
and there is an urgent need to prevent or repair scandals.
Those who advertise themselves as “Catholic” and cause public Scandal such as N Pelosi, J Biden, J Kerry, A. Cuomo, J Brown, etc should be forbidden from receiving Holy Communion, and excommunicated.
Ted B.— Excellent! I, too, accept the Church teachings, and her Code of Canon Law!
Yes… but the founding fathers who set this whole thing up, constitution, congress, supreme court, and all the rest, cautioned us in words similar to these… this new system of government that we constructed will only work if we persevere in our submission to the will of Almighty God… otherwise, it is certainly doomed to failure.
If the people/states don’t like the decision, the answer is to amend the Constitution, not to ignore what the Supreme Court says or sit on one’s hands for decades hoping the Court will somehow change its decision (the extremely ineffective pro-life strategy.)
That might have worked in another day and age, Dave, but these days, the less anyone has to do with changing or amending the Constitution, the better!! It’s all there to protect us…what we have is a rogue Supreme Court that enacts laws rather than confining itself to its proper role of interpreting the Constitution. Roe vs. Wade was totally illegal and though I’m not a lawyer, it seems to me a well-grounded Catholic law firm could make mince meat of the whole rotten thing. Protesting and all that has not really done much…it has to be through the
same monkey courts that they pulled it off through.
Amen Caritas. Apparently management has the character counter set at 750. Now what they need is a time out, during which the poster who was cut off can not post anything to that article. Twelve hours seems about correct. No more immediate follow-ons.
mike magee– Are you a good Catholic? Where were you, in January of 1973, when the Supreme Court evilly passed Roe vs. Wade?? Were you not completely HORRIFIED, at laws which once responsibly PROTECTED the SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE, in the mother’s womb— now being totally reversed, to LEGALLY allow any mother to KILL her baby, for any reason?? Do you care about the serious evils of today– that are badly afflicting our Church and our Nation, threatening both with serious destruction? DO YOU CARE? Where is your sense of respect and responsibility to God?
Linda Maria, please stop the accusations of being a bad Catholic you so often hurl at people. And stop the preaching-to-the-choir motif you use in almost every post. You have no license from God, the Church or anyone else to speak as if you were the sole possessor of truth about the Church’s teachings and its discipline. Might I suggest you take a “time-out” from your voluminous comments on virtually every topic, and acquire some in-depth knowledge before you issue more “de fide” pronouncements. I concede that your opinions are sincerely held. What they are worth is another matter. That is determined by their content and logic and not by exclamation points!
Caritas– You sound like a very frightened little liberal, who wants life to be very easy, comfortable, and babyish, with NO CONFLICTS of Good versus Evil! And no GUTS to stand up for God, against Evil in this world! When Moses first came down from the Mt. Sinai, with the gift of the 10 Commandments for the Jewish people, and saw them all partying and reveling in sin– and dancing to the golden idols— rejecting God, Who had led them out of Egyptian captivity, and towards the Promised Land– Moses got so disgusted, that he smashed the Ten Commandments!! YES!! He got MAD!! Later, of course they all repented of sin– and Moses was able to later get them another copy of the 10 Commandments!
Where in the world did you get, from my own posts, all the things you accuse me of? As but one example, you call me “a frightened little liberal”. On what possible bases? My posts don’t mention or even suggest my political leanings. As a matter of fact I am–and always have been–very much a conservative, as anyone who knows me would attest. You don’t know me at all. But for you, that doesn’t matter. You’ll use the nearest available insult to throw at those who disagree with you. Look at the content of your above post. It is completely irrelevant to anything I have posted. I try to use logic and be concise and employ a courteous tone. You, on the other hand, seem to ramble, insult, make accusations without basis and judge…
It would appear the frustration level of ongoing crisis is reaching a peak. For while there are structured limits and specific usages applied to excommunication, one cannot deny the “can’t they DO something” reaction of believing Catholics when what appears like logical remedies to address outright scandal are not employed. (Ongoing scandal gone uncorrected is surely what would lead to seemingly having to excommunicate everyone.)
Caritas– only DEMOCRATS and LIBERALS (such as Nancy Pelosi!) don’t believe in having a moral conscience, nor distinguishing between right and wrong, believing only in “political correctness,” and “pleasing everyone,” by FALSE “tolerance,” of everyone’s sins!! They are TOO SCARED to tell someone, “You are wrong!” This is how YOU sound, attacking me, crazily! A good Catholic, with a MORAL CONSCIENCE– would AGREE with me, and might also add something like, “and do NOT vote for a bad” Catholics, either, (like Pelosi) as it is sin to do so!”
And i’ll let God be the judge of how good a Catholic I am. He didn’t delegate that decision to you, dear lady. Calm down; take a deep breath; and “let a little love in your heart”, as tho old song says.
Caritas– When a Catholic commits terrible sins publicly, affecting an entire Nation, and believes and stands up for these sins, refusing repentance (like Pelosi) — it is a VERY DANGEROUS situation! The Church has a RESPONSIBILITY– one cannot simply refuse this RESPONSIBILITY, hoping God will “do something!” “Judgment” is not the question here– instead, it is a matter of RESPONSIBILITY TO GOD!! Now, Caritas– all of us Catholics have a heart– but if you truly CARE– you will stand up for CHRIST!! These justices are doing Him a terrible INJUSTICE!! DON’T YOU CARE??
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It provides for a judiciary department, equal to the Executive and Legislative branches. Precedence gives the court authority to review and rule on the actions of the other two branches. These are not nine idiots as the article would lead you to believe. They are not “un-elected” as the article would lead you to believe. Justices are appointed by the President with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, both elected by the people. They have, the responsibility to review and decide on issues between states, actions of the Congress, etc. It is often good to remember that the United States was never meant to be a democracy. It is a republican system of government set up by federated…
The Obama Administration violates the Constitution frequently.
He makes everyone go to the hugh expense of going to Court to fight his decisions. While he uses our tax dollars for his lies.
He lied to the American people saying that Obamacare was not a tax.
Then he sent in his Justice Dept to argue before the Supreme Court that it was a tax – so it could be justified.
Obama lies as much as Satan.
Just to remind you, Caritas– Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, were not spoiled, lazy, wealthy, pampered little American liberal baby boomer boys, expecting the spoiled-brat “Me-Generation” life of selfish “entitlements,” and “rights,” on a golden platter, handed to them constantly! NO WAY!! They were Jewish men of God, courageous, strong, constantly facing Evil, with the Truth of God! Jesus was put to death, because of telling God’s Truth, and living it, courageously!!
Why address this to me? I never wrote that they were.
I will finish. So, in this scenario, I see Caritas ends the relationship with his friend, lies about and denies the crime– and is never heard from again! All because of being “uncomfortable with conflict,” and “uncomfortable with people confronting the evils of life,” courageously standing up for God, and saying the truth!! You would be pretty mad at Christ, if you got up tomorrow and went to Mass, only to find Christ outside a lovely church (or Jewish temple) throwing the money changers out, bodily! Go tell the Romans, “Crucify Him!”
What in the world are you talking about and how is it in any way relevant to what I have previously posted?
Caritas and other posters, do not be afraid to ask any poster for specifics.
Ask for Official Church Documentation (links).
Those who rant and rave must justify their own actions (posts).
If anyone can not back up their posts, we all know that they are:
Liars, Misinformed (and need to educate themselves), or ignorant.
Many times by making them check things out OFFICIALLY they will learn they are misinformed, or can help us if we are misinformed.
Win, win situation.
Linda Maria, my comment was about ‘immediate follow-on’ comments on either side of an issue, and nothing else. If you must know, I was in school after three years honorable service in the US Military. By the way, where were you?
mike magee, we are not discussing the military! This is a a Catholic website! Where is your commitment, to the faith and morals, of our Church?? And just what do you and “Caritas” think the Church should do– with unrepentant “bad Catholics,” who are lawyers, judges, and lawmakers– and who promotes the grave sins of abortion, euthanasia, same-sex “marriage,” etc.?? Are they still eligible to be called “Catholic” (such as Nancy Pelosi)– and receive our Sacraments? Should they not receive disciplinary measures?? What do you think of Canon #915??
Linda Marie, you are newer to Cal Catholic. Most everyone you are preaching to have supported Canon 915 & 1399 fully, against Catholics who remains obstinate in mortal sin.
We all know what is says.
If you want to make a difference, you must contact the appropriate Diocese Bishop in each case.
The Bishop is the only one who can excommunicate anyone.
Give the Bishop the “Documentation” for each case.
It is helpful if you also quote the appropriate verses from the Bible, CCC, GIRM, and Code of Canon Law.
I hope we can channel your good energy where it will do some good.
MAC, thank you. That’s the ticket! Tho I can’t seem to get it across to Linda Maria.
MAC and Caritas– to follow Christ, is a big responsibility! To receive the Sacraments, especially Holy Communion, is a big responsibility! Those practicing Catholics, who publicly lead our Nation, and support, promote, and get laws passed, legalizing HORRIBLE SINS– and are UNREPENTANT– are in great need for Church DISCIPLINARY ACTION!! This is a CATHOLIC website, where good Catholics can and should express their thoughts and feelings on such matters! If you are Catholics– you should strongly SUPPORT good Catholic posters– and the Church!!
I see that Calif. Catholic Daily deliberately omitted the first post, in which I was cut off! So– the second post, (starting with “I will finish”), continuing with the first– looks just like NONSENSE! Why do this? And why not omit posts of posters, who are writing a lot of nonsensical material, or attacking posters who uphold Christ’s teachings??
Linda Maria, in my considered judgment there is a lot more nonsense and irrelevancies and setting up strawmen in your postings than in the one example you cite.
Perhaps, dear lady, if the Moderator did censor posters on the bases you suggest, you might be the first to bite the dust.
mike magee, and Caritas– what is your opinion, of Canon #915, in the Code of Canon Law?? Do you think Catholics should be called to repent, of serious, public Mortal Sins– or not?? What if there were doctors and nurses sitting right next to you in church, today, on the Feast of Corpus Christi– who worked for Planned Parenthood, and received Holy Communion?? What about all the babies they killed?? What do you say??