The following comes from a real time feed on June 11 from Whispers in the Loggia.
2014 USCCB June Meeting — Day One, PM Session
Wednesday June 11, 2014
3:18 …and we’re back.
3:20 For starters, by unanimous voice vote, the US’ norms for the national church’s now 17,000-strong permanent diaconate (here as pdf) have been approved for another five years; the extension requires recognitio from Rome
3:23 In intro on religious freedom, Lori raises church’s facing “tens of millions of dollars in fines” for objections to implementing HHS contraceptive mandate. While fines would constitute $100 per day per employee since Jan. 1, the penalty hasn’t been enforced on any US church entity to date.
3:26 +Lori playing to the conference’s Left flank (and, perhaps, a good bit of the center) in plugging Dignitatis humanae — the Vatican II text on religious freedom — promising a commemoration of its 50th anniversary if his committee is given a mandate to continue.
3:29 USCCB Secretary +Sartain (Seattle) adding to a full-court press for retention of ad hoc religious freedom committee for another three years
3:32 On a side-note, correx: Helen Alvaré will be leading tomorrow morning’s presentation/discussion on “The New Evangelization and Poverty,” not the other one on “Marriage and the Economy,” which’ll be conducted by UVA Sociology Prof Brad Wilcox, director of the Nat’l Marriage Project.
3:35 USCCB approves extension of ad hoc religious freedom committee for another three years — Kurtz notes his ability as president to nominate chair and members, hinting at a reshuffle.
3:39 Introducing discussion on the future of quadrennial Faithful Citizenship text on elections, Kurtz notes that the 2007 text (re-published in 2011) doesn’t account for “later magisterium” of B16, nor anything of Francis.
3:41 The discussion/oversight of Faithful Citizenship process given to DiNardo, whatever happens from here, it won’t be boring….
3:43 Context: since Faithful Citizenship‘s last drafting in 2007, the active/voting composition of the USCCB has changed by over 100 new bishops/retirements. Out of a voting membership of ~275, not insignificant.
3:45 Whoa — DiNardo just referred to @bishopcoyne as “Archbishop.”
3:49 Reminder: a Harvard undergrad, SF aux. +Bob McElroy got his PhD in political science from Stanford, specializing in John Courtney Murray and Dignitatis humanae
To read the entire feed, click here.
No mention of Canon 915. Par for the course.
Of course there was no mention of Canon 915. Where does this gathering of bishops get its authority? It certainly does not come from the Scriptures or Church Tradition.
Why is this meeting of bishops any different than the “Apalachin” convention of the Mafia in 1957? What a group of near- and actual-apostates. Even the mention of “Faithful Citizenship” should lead these losers to fall on their knees and beg for forgiveness. The failure of America’s bishops — and hopefully this is picked up on the internet — to do their duty and warn Catholics about (1) then-Senator Obama and his pro-abortion (and now pro-homosexual sexualist) agenda, and (2) the rubber-stamp just waiting to be used by Senator Reid and the Democratic Party, is one of the great scandals in Modern American history. At least it was expected that the Mafia would plan immoral and murderous enterprises; but the bishops are expected to be Holy Men. Yet, these men have presided over the near-destruction of the Catholic Church in America, including — under the guise of being “pastoral” — the enabling of a vast array of sexual ethical and other sins on a galactic scale. Does this destruction even rate a place on the agenda? But, it is likely that — like the “Good Fellas” — the bishops travel, eat, sleep, drink, and ??? in style. Good luck getting to Heaven, you dismal shepherds. Can we draft Bishop Athansius Schneider to be the head of the USCCB, or Cardinal Burke?
Again the upcoming “Faithful Citizen voting guide” recommendations of the USCCB might be rendered useless.
Any recommendations that to do not put God first;
and Intrinsic Evils second; – above all else are not worth the paper they are written on. And certainly are not Catholic.
Further if they do not include “SUBSIDIARITY”, and “COMMUTATIVE JUSTICE” – without which no other form of justice is possible” (paying just debts) – they will be violating Church social teaching (again).
(CCC on subsidiarity = #1883, 1885, 1894, 2209.
CCC on commutative justice = #2411)
One Bishop from CA wanted “Intrinsic Evils” LEFT OUT completely – probably so that people would feel free to vote for pro-abortion, and pro-euthanasia, candidates in opposition to: “Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion, General Principles” – Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict).
https://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/04-07ratzingerommunion.htm
It is currently a 40 page nebulous document without priorities of any significance.
Watching CA Bishop Soto stutter and squirm was interesting in his response to a speaker who stated that Catholic charities might have to separate themselves from the Government, if the government requires violating Church teaching,
(Soto heads up the CCHD.)
Go, Matt! :-) (Y)
I have an excellent suggestion on “Faithful Citizen voting guide”, Can it, trash it, burn it, etc. etc. Then write one that truly reflects Catholic moral teachings void of ambiguities! Then censor those responsible for it!
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika and His Church!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher, Founding Director
Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc
As this is an election year, it is even more important that the politicians be called out by the bishops – Canon 915. The laity have had to suffer through these politicians (and judges) for far too long and the bishops have proven spineless by not teaching them about the Magisterium of the Church – they have forgotten or, more probably, have become swayed by the perception of money and power.
The bishops should unite to proclaim that any and all politicians, national, state and local who support legislation which promotes or enables activities which are known to be contrary to Catholic teaching, should be denied Communion and may not return to Communion until they make a public announcement that they regret their past deeds and will not do it again in the future. Nancy Pelosi is a disgrace, and she is only one of hundreds of politicians who support abortion, same-sex marriage and other crimes, and vote for legislation that may seriously bankrupt the Church. Those politicians who voted for and still support Obama’s “affordable healthcare plan,” which pays for abortion, sterilization, etc. should be ashamed of themselves.
For VOTING purposes the Non-Negotiable (Intrinsic Evils) are:
1) ABORTION;
2) EUTHANASIA:
3) EMBRYONIC Stem-Cell Research;
4) HUMAN CLONING:
5) HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE.
If necessary, always vote for the candidate who is the lessor of the evils.
ALL Catholic citizens are required to Vote.
If the Bishop’s Faithful Citizenship voters guide does not clearly state the “Intrinsic Evils” at the top of the list, it is not worth the paper it is written on.
We shall see what they come up with at their Fall Conference.
It is not a voter’s guide.
If the California Conference of Catholic Bishops did their job in educating voters – no one could vote for MOST DEMOCRATS.
The 2014 CA State DEMOCRATIC Platform supports 4 of the 5 INSTRINSIC EVILS .
– ABORTION,
– EUTHANASIA,
– (EMBRYONIC) Stem-Cell Research,
– HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE.
Why aren’t all the CA Diocese Bishops teaching on these INTRINSIC EVILS prior to the upcoming elections?
Any Catholic who supports politicians who support ABORTION and EUTHANASIA – may not receive Holy Communion.
(There is nothing proportionate in the USA to the murder and torture of approx. 1 MILLION innocents through abortion each year.)
“WORTHINESS to RECIEVE HOLY COMMUNION – General Principles” –
https://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/04-07ratzingerommunion.htm
HEADLINE:
U.S. Bishops take left liberal position on every issue!
HEADLINE: Dog bites man
No news here…..
Agree with MATT.
The Bishops must include ALL Church teaching in any voting guide – with the INTRINSIC EVILS = non-negtiables spelled out right at the top.
All those things that are debatable = prudential judgment can follow.
Everything they put in their “Faithful Citizenship” Voting Guide must be 100% in line with the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition – including all social teachings.
COMMUTATIVE JUSTICE – must include the governments paying their debts –
$17.5 TRILLION nationally; $419.6 BILLION for CA.
Significant strides must be made to get these debts under control, with a plan for becoming debt free within a reasonable period of time.
The teachings of SUBSIDIARITY must also be employed in any voting Documents.
All government actions must lend themselves toward fostering full employment for the mentally and physically capable – outside of government employment (-which causes bigger government debts for salaries, benefits, and retirement funding).
Governments should NEVER reinforce dependency upon the government by giving benefits to the lazy. Sloth is a Mortal Sin, and should be acknowledged as such by the Bishops Conferences – both USCCB and CCCB (California Conference of Catholic Bishops).
Further – the sooner that ALL Catholic Church charities break from all governments, the better.
All government grants have strings attached, and many if not all require violating or compromising our Catholic Faith.
Money is not as important as Saving Souls.
“On the SERVICE of CHARITY” – which went into effect on Dec. 10, 2012
https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20121111_caritas_en.html
Teaching the Gospel of Christ can not be left out of Catholic charity. Catholic charities are not to merely be another social services organization.
” In carrying out their charitable activity, therefore, the various Catholic organizations should not limit themselves merely to collecting and distributing funds, but should show special concern for individuals in need and exercise a valuable educational function within the Christian community, helping people to appreciate the importance of sharing, respect and love in the spirit of the Gospel of Christ. The Church’s charitable activity at all levels must avoid the risk of becoming just another form of organized social assistance.”.
And lastly, NOT VOTING for any politician who supports ABORTION and/or EUTHANASIA must top the list of any religious VOTING Guide (when another politician is available)..
(There is nothing proportionate in the USA to the murder of the innocent.
Approx 1 MILLION unborn babies are aborted each year.)
VOTING requirements: ” WORTHINESS to RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNUNION – General Principles” – Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict) –
https://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/04-07ratzingerommunion.htm
– – – – –
SACRILEGE: https://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/holycom/denial.htm
ALL Catholic Voters Guides, especially those put out by Bishops, must NEVER tolerate Mortal Sin of any kind for political expediency.
And should never downplay or skirt the issues of INSTRINSIC EVILS.
Some things are INTRINSIC EVILS and never negotiable,
while how to implement other Church teaching in the public sphere can be debatable and is within the sphere of prudential judgment of the Laity.
ALL Catholics are OBLIGATED to VOTE per the CCC #2240.
(Even if it means voting for the lessor of the evils amongst two bad politicians – with intrinsic evils being our main guide.)
There does come a time when both major Party candidate are TOO evil! Then Catholic voters should write in candidates that are pleasing to God! Write ins can and have won in the past.
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika and His Church!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher, Founding Director
Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc