February 19, 2015 VIA EMAIL & FAX
The Honorable Phil Ting, Assemblymember, 19th District
The Honorable Kevin Mullin, Assemblymember, 22nd District
The Honorable Richard Gordon, Assemblymember, 24th District
The Honorable Mark Leno, Senator, 11th District
The Honorable David Chiu, Assemblymember, 17th District
The Honorable Jerry Hill Senator, 13th District
The Honorable Marc Levine, Assemblymember, 10th District
The Honorable Mike McGuire Senator, 2nd District
Dear Legislators,
I am in receipt of your letter of February 17, 2015, expressing your concerns about the negotiation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the teachers’ union of our four Archdiocesan High Schools.
Allow me to respond by reflecting with you on the real issues that are at stake here.
First of all, I always believe that it is important, before making a judgment on a situation or anyone’s action, that one first obtain as complete and accurate information as possible. To this end, a number of documents and videos giving accurate and more complete information about this contentious issue are available on the website of our Archdiocese. I would encourage you to avail yourselves of these resources, as they will help to clear up a lot of misinformation being circulated about it (such as, for example, the falsehood that the morality clauses apply to the teachers’ private life).
The next thing I would like to mention is actually a question: would you hire a campaign manager who advocates policies contrary to those that you stand for, and who shows disrespect toward you and the Democratic Party in general? On the other hand, if you knew a brilliant campaign manager who, although a Republican, was willing to work for you and not speak or act in public contrary to you or your party – would you hire such a person? If your answer to the first question is “no,” and to the second question is “yes,” then we are actually in agreement on the principal point in debate here.
Now let’s say that this campaign manager you hired, despite promises to the contrary, starts speaking critically of your party and favorably of your running opponent, and so you decide to fire the person. Would you have done this because you hate all Republicans outright, or because this individual, who happens to be a Republican, violated the trust given to you and acted contrary to your mission? If the latter, then we are again in agreement on this principle.
My point is: I respect your right to employ or not employ whomever you wish to advance your mission. I simply ask the same respect from you.
Sincerely,
Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone
Archbishop of San Francisco
This letter was released by the office of the archbishop of San Francisco on Feb. 19.
The archbishop’s response followed a demand from California legislators that the archbishop withdraw “morality clauses” in a handbook for Catholic high school teachers.
A clever letter, but one that probably will not end the matter.
First, what is wrong with demanding conformance in private life to the teachings of the Church. That is, if a teacher is co-habiting with a paramour, why hire this person? If a teacher is a sodomite and is civlly “married”, why should this person ever work in a Catholic school? This is the area that Abp. Cordileone is not addressing (and seems to say that he will never address).
By saying, look, I hire whomever I want, just like you do, OK? This makes is an almost non-Catholic event. And, that is the problem: the more that the Abp. gets aways from the religious issue, the more that he is limited in what qualifications he can place on employment.
Now, Abp. is at least a man of courage and conviction, unlike many, many others in the Church, such as Cardinal Dolan. Yet, he needs to make the line brighter that employees must conform to if they are to keep employment in a Catholic school. Sure, there could be complications: for example, what about a teacher that has a sexual affair? Or that gets divorced (which almost everyone in CA experiences)?
Human nature being what it is, we all sin and do it all the time. Still, there are major events and inclinations, such as a profession of favor towards homosexual sex, that cannot be tolerated around children.
I agree with the post of St. Christopher. It’s a big shock, that even our most faithful modern Catholic prelates, often use secular or philosophical terms, in defending Church beliefs and actions! They rarely mention Jesus Christ, and His teachings! Then, they complain about the “loss of Catholic identity!” Yes– Catholic identity is missing, even among our better prelates! Why are they not strong in their holy mission to the world, for Christ?? Why do they fail even to promote their own post-Vatican II “New Evangelization??” What good is it then, and what good are these Church leaders?? Since Vatican II– I have tragically found very few areas in which I can successfully serve my Church, and have ended up leaving most of this volunteering, for good! Who wants to volunteer, and find out you must work with other “Catholics” who are extremely immoral, irresponsible, immature, heretical, and despise true Church teachings?? A DISGRACE to Christ, Who suffered and died to redeem the world!
Linda,
I thought the archbishop did an excellent job in his letter: it was short, direct, to the point, and destroyed his opponents’ argument. He used secular and philosophical terms to defend himself and the Church because he needs to argue on their terms to be persuasive. This he did. He could have mentioned Catholic doctrine and theology, but they [and the public] could easily dismiss this argument.
To reply to Steven Seitz: You have a good point. Perhaps the Archbishop should not waste his time, “casting pearls before swine,” with Catholic teachings, in responding to these evil lawmakers. Perhaps all they can understand, is a reply in secular terms. However– the San Francisco Archbishop has a HUGE place in society, and is in a highly RESPECTABLE position, far above these petty, immoral, ignorant, secular lawmakers! He must speak with the Authority of Christ!! And the Pope, likewise! And everyone must give him due RESPECT!! Whether you agree, or disagree, with him– he MUST COMMAND RESPECT!! It is so SHOCKING– to see all the Vatican II Church leaders, speaking in such low, secular, “pedestrian” ways, even to the ignorant, immoral, and infidels!!! They need a BIG RELIGIOUS AND MORAL LEADER!! Or maybe– I am expecting too much?? How will such people ever RESPECT him, then?? No one respects him– or Christ!
I think it’s good that he gave them an answer to relate to. I think his answer commands respect. I don’t think you’re asking too much, but it is a bit of an overreaction. It’s a bit of an overreaction to say no one respects him. Plenty of people do. You have to remember there are those that just hate God and everything good. The Pharisees sat there and watched Christ heal the man with the withered hand and many other miracles and gripped that the miracles happened on the Sabbath. Some people are not interested in showing respect to what is good because they hate it. But it is good of the bishop to give an explanation for those of us who listen to him and are encouraged by him standing for the truth. I think the letter is very much for the benifit of those who will listen. I hope that helps. God bless.
I will add one more thing, to my above post, to Steven Seitz. Perhaps he is correct, and I am expecting too much. However– I fear, that if the Church fails consistently to assert Christ’s true teachings, and fails to run her parishes, schools, and related organizations absolutely by Church teachings, someday, there will be — no more Church, except in a book! Just how SERIOUS is the Archbishop, and how far will he go, to give us a true, faithful Church, and schools?? Christian cultures are being tragically wiped out, in the Middle East, by the violent Muslims! The Church could be wiped out in America, by extremely immoral “bad” Catholic dissenters, in the Church, as well as secular lawmakers! The Church of today, has very little stability, and refuses to responsibly govern herself and her people! She is extremely untrustworthy, unreliable, irresponsible, and has become a great danger morally and spiritually– to her own truly faithful Catholic clergy and laymen and their children! So– how much can we truly trust our Archbishop, in the end??
Just one more comment, to the post of Steven Seitz: Our post-Vatican II Church is so frighteningly irresponsible and WEAK!! It would be ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING— if these “bad” Catholics took their complaints to Pope Francis– and if he publically gave them his sympathy, and even his support! Even though he cannot actually change Church teachings, he has been known, to support “bad” Catholics, sympathetically, and to publically reprimand very good, faithful, orthodox Catholics, doing excellent work, for the Church! Even outstanding Church leaders like Cardinal Burke, have been shockingly nearly-destroyed, in their excellent work, for Christ! (Wish God could intervene, somehow, in this situation! Maybe give us a new and truly responsible, faithful Pope!)
I thought the archbishop did an excellent job. He was short, direct, to the point, and destroyed his opponent’s argument. By using philosophy and secular argumentation, he was able to make an argument that they can not refute. He could have used doctrine and theology, but they [and the public] could easily dismiss such argumentation.
Also, I might add, philosophy is part of the Catholic intellectual tradition and is often employed in the cause of evangelization.
I completely agree!
But, Reverend Franklin Graham mentions Jesus Christ, always and everywhere, whether commenting on political issues, the barbarity of Islam (and, btw, does anyone — anyone — believe that the global pandemic of violence is not representative of Islam, the supposed “religion of peace”; as nutty a description as any heard in a long while, since, at least, referring to Hitler as a relatively harmless German nationalist), or moral failings of Mankind.
Well, let’s see, who else mentions Jesus quite a bit: Governor Huckabee, Senator Santorum, and Pope Francis (yes he does, notwithstanding his other misguided statements, which likely reflect his Latin American roots and post-Vatican II training). The trouble is, not many other Catholic leaders mention Jesus Christ and His commandments. Remember, Jesus did not just give out suggestions, or helpful hints: “”Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you[.]” Matt. 28:20.
“Whatsoever I have commanded you” does not leave any room for distincion or doubt. These are the words that should guide a bishop and a priest and a Catholic teacher.
Gee, St. Paul did exactly what Archbishop Salvatore did. Acts 17 says it all. 16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god.
St. Christopher, Billy Graham and Pope Francis are religious leaders, so it is entirely appropriate that they mention Jesus Christ whenever there is a microphone in their face.. It would not be “kosher” for secular leaders to mention Jesus whenever there is a mic in their face, especially when they are leading or attempting to lead a very religiously diverse country. Imagine, if you will, a person running for office in the US who mentioned Allah in every public appearance. How do you think people would hang with that?
We are a Judeo-Christian Nation, “Your Fellow Catholic”. We permit other religions to be practiced by not to the exclusion of our founding ethic.
Your example ignores what realistically happens in America: we are bombarded with homosexual lies and propaganda on a daily basis. As homosexuals have no children, they are free to disrupt schools, churches, political parties, everything, demanding that their “freedom” requires that everyone adopt their “religion”.
You, you and all HomoFascists have a Faith based on your sexual nature. So, to slightly change your example: what if a person running for office in the US mentioned homosexual issues in every public appearance. Wait, wait — that already happens, and on an increasing basis.
We do not need to lose our right to publicly praise God and Jesus by name, because Christianity despises homosexual sexual conduct. Now, it is true that many clergy in the Vatican and episcopacy are homosexual or were, or may be, or are sympathetic. Soon we will see what your poison does to our institutional Faith. Hopefully — and it is hoped that Fr. Rosica gets this — the people of the Church will “vomit” these vermin out of the Church for their non-faith and scandal.
Similarly, homosexual lobbyists that seek to start rallies, interfere (in the name of labor and employment laws) with the Church’s running of its schools, and pervert the Church’s doctrines will join the future migration of scandal-causing clergy to some other venue (or planet).
Great point St. Christopher.
We all know that these legislators complained because they hate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and not because there was an intellectual/philosophical disagreement that the Bishop could sort out for them.
Just maybe during this first week of lent the Archbishop could have called them out – you hate me and my policies because you hate Him – repent and believe in the Gospel.
No it would not make the CNN highlight reel, but I have to think somewhere in heaven the saints and angels would be saying “Go Bishop Sal!”
In response to St. Christopher, the very fact that our society gives allowance to the “homofascists,” et al (much less an anti-Christian president) shows that the U.S. is not a Judeo-Christian nation. People need to disabuse themselves of that idea. Instead, America is a Masonic nation, grounded in the principles of Freemasonry. The very concept that all religions can find commonality under a singular government is a system which is a religion in and of itself and contrary to Catholicism, and generalized Christianity. Masonic initiation requires an oath to the Order, and allows the initiate to make that oath on a Bible or any other book of his choosing, much like the Pledge of Allegiance itself. Masonic symbolism is all over our currency as well as the national monuments. The system is ultimately designed to dissolve away the notion of Christ throughout society over time. Masonry grew from the occult secret societies of the 17th century whose plan for world control focused its strategy on destroying the Church to achieve its ends. Of course, the Church will survive, but tough to find much that is Christian in America anymore. And that’s where we are, folks.
Thanks, Pete Green. “Fun” facts to know and tell regarding Freemasonry in the United States: 9 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons, including Ben Franklin and John Hancock, with an additional 18 suspected; 2 of the “Committee of Five” who drafted the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons; 13 of the 39 signers of the Constitution; at least 14 of the Presidents, including Washington, FDR, Truman and Ford; and up to 40 of the 108 Supreme Court Justices since 1789. All these men belonged to a group condemned by at least a dozen Popes as diametrically incompatible with the Catholic faith, beginning with Clement XII in 1737. Paul Fisher, in his excellent book, Behind the Lodge Door, defined Freemasonry as “an occult religion of Kabbalistic Gnosticism.” (Tan Books) So yes, America can fairly be described as a Masonic nation, and Catholics are about to start having a very tough go of it.
I will add one more thing, to my above post. Many years ago, when I was young— all civic and religious organizations, charities, and schools, had to abide by a strict Code of Ethics! You would be FIRED (and a student terminated) for any immoral activity! Also, immoral people might get their picture in the local newspapers, with a big news story, all about their SCANDALOUS, immoral deeds– and the fact that they were terminated or fired! That is the ONLY way a good civic or religious organization can be run– by a strong Code of Ethics! And MEAN it! The public you serve, deserves MORALITY and RESPONSIBILITY! In our Church, we have our Code of Canon Law, as well as our Bible and Catechism. But most modern Church leaders, seem to ignore it all! TRAGIC!!
I will add one last thing, to my two above posts. I still support Abp. Cordileone 100%, regardless— and my daily prayers are with him, for all of his endeavors— especially, the current Catholic teacher contract problems! May God bring about great good, through the work of the Archbishop!!
Amen!
In the old days if a teacher was caught having an affair or getting divorced, they would lost their job. It was called moral turpitude.
Cardinal Dolan would have mentioned Jesus Christ and how he came so that we could have “life to the full” and that the things that the Church forbids, even such things as IVF which appear to be life-giving, are actually harmful to us and can cause spiritual death.
Sorry – but mentioning Christ to people who have already rejected Him really doesn’t sound like it would be much of a strategy.
Jesus is God and His Name has power in itself.
Only to those who care about the Salvation of their own Souls, and the Souls of others.
Jesus said: “MANY will NOT be SAVED” !
God gave everyone a Free Will to choose Heaven or Hell based upon their own actions (sins of omission and commission).
The many who do not REPENT and try not to sin again – will have chosen HELL.
They cannot repent and believe the Gospel unless someone tells them of it.
Telling people of their sins is not good unless you tell them that their sins can be forgiven.
Despair is a mortal sin.
There is no person in the USA who has never heard of Jesus Christ, and the Bible.
But then of course most Bishops in the USA do not actively and prominently tell literate Catholics to read the Bible or the CCC.
Go figure !
Catholics who accurately know the Faith can spread the word.
It is appauling when elected officials (DEMOCRATS in this case) take public positions without facts, and act on hearsay.
This shows a low level of intelligence, or they need to FIRE their advisors.
God bless Abp Cordileone and all the private Catholic Schools within his Dioceses.
For information on “What Catholics REALLY Believe” go to:
https://whatcatholicsreallybelieve.com/
As many have stated – people can leave if they do not like the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Parents can remove their children from Catholic schools if they do not like Church teaching.
In fact, it would probably be good for everyone if they did leave. And good riddance.
Btw, these DEMOCRATIC legislators all over the Country should pay attention to what is happing in their PUBLIC Schools.
Associated Press has reported that “over 2,500 teachers punished in 5 years for sexual misconduct ”
https://www.komonews.com/news/content/10690766.html?mobile=y
Or don’t these DEMOCRATS care about the SEXUAL ABUSE of CHILDREN on PUBLIC School property ? ? ? ? ?
If the above California Democratic Legislators cared about students at all,
they would pass legislation in accord with the recommendation of the “Center for Disease Control” regarding Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
They would make certain that teaching “SEXUAL ABSTINENCE” had top priority in ALL PUBLIC junior and senior high school health and biology classes – due to the EPIDEMIC of sexually transmitted Diseases.
” Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases” – “Abstinence: The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex (i.e., anal, vaginal or oral). ”
https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm
There are OVER 20 MILLION new infections of sexually transmitted disease each year with many being of high school age.
https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/STI-Estimates-Fact-Sheet-Feb-2013.pdf
Do these Democratic Legislators require that this CDC fact sheet be distributed to all junior and senior PUBLIC high school students ?
It appears when they have the facts, they do NOTHING! Or truly do not care.
Good points Monica, problem is they don’t care…..not one bit.
A very nuanced letter. Far too over their heads, I’m sure.
GREAT LETTER, ARCHBISHOP!
I like the way he gets right down to brass tacks, asking if they would permit a dissenter to run their campaign.
Father Pederit make a similar intelligent comparison on our local public t.v. station, asking an employee of Coca-Cola who brought Pepsi to work each day and proclaimed its superiority would not have a job at Coke very long!!!
Or a teacher who ate pork brought it to lunch quite often at an orthodox Jewish or Muslim school and ate it in front of the students and told them they should eat it too.
The correct analogy would have been if the employee drank Pepsi on the weekends. The new policies say that any teacher who does or says things, or belongs to certain unspecified organizations or groups, on the weekends or in the middle of summer, can be fired. Would Coke be justified if it fired an employee for belonging to a wine-tasting club on weekends? Or if they were seen in a facebook photo drinking bottled water? Or they participated in a group that tried to keep soft drinks out of schools so that kids’ teeth don’t rot. THAT is the correct analogy.
THAT is the correct analogy for one who fosters open dissent, YFC, nothing more.
Ann Malley, opposing the introduction of the word “minister” into the employment contract of high school teachers is hardly “open dissent”. Likewise, opposing the introduction of thousands of words about mostly sexual matters into the teacher handbook is, again, hardly “open dissent”. It is a strong disagreement about employment practices, not dissent on any doctrine.
It is dissent against the Bishop doing his duty regarding Catholic schools in his jurisdiction, YFC, for the protection and well being of students. And it is ‘open’, YFC, for you and those protesting do not hide it.
YFC, if is clear that you are not Catholic.
The “Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition” which was promulgated by Apostolic Constitution contains the Doctrine of the Faith.
Homosexual Acts, Adultery, and Fornication are all included in the CCC.
Immoral behavior is a Mortal Sin, and NEVER permitted – and this is part of the Doctrine of the Faith.
Dissent from the Doctrine of the Faith as printed in the CCC is heresy, schism or both.
Your Fellow Catholic, would you please document where the “new policies” say that any teacher who does or says things or belongs to groups at any time can be fired? Would you explain what new policies you are referring to?
There have been various reports about what the Archbishop’s additions to the contract and handbook have been, and also about what he said to teachers when he announced the actions. There is also the Archdiocese’ own FAQs about the action, which clearly indicate that he understands that his actions cause fear in people because of the organizations they belong to in their private time. Those FAQs are available on the webpages of the Archdiocese of SF.
Yes, they are on the website. And they don’t back your accusations.
YFC, there is nothing to fear except your own Mortal Sins of sodomy and promotion of sodomy – the condemnation of your Soul for eternity.
People are free to find employment elsewhere. No one is “forcing” them to work in a Catholic school or Catholic Diocese Office.
It is HYPOCRITICAL to work anywhere that you do not believe in or oppose the product. (In this case a “CATHOLIC” education.)
I personally would never hire a hypocrite who says one thing, and then does another. This is a very DISHONEST person and cannot be trusted with anything.
YFC, your posts are a prime example on why the sexually perverted are so filthy and disgusting.
You don’t even care about the example provided to minors by adults.
All you really care about is – let’s pervert others – even (perhaps especially) at a tender age.
As others have stated – Go start your own school of sexual perversion. – That is your Freedom, not the private schools of others.
YFC (Your Fellow Catholic) and other Catholic heretics –
When SODOMITES are so set in their own mortal sins, they DO NOT CARE about the children at all,
which includes bad examples by adults.
Homosexual activists are very SELFISH, and only care about promoting their own Mortal sins.
They will support the Mortal Sins of others to join forces if it will be helpful to further their own perversions.
Homosexual activists are very very SELFISH in addition to be immoral.
Everything is “I” “me” and “us’.
And NO ONE or NOTHING else matters.
Their invasion and staged protest at a Private Religious school proves it.
They need to start their own school of sodomy. But they are even too lazy for that.
Why do I suspect this matter will wind up spending a lot of time [and money] in the secular courts?
Well said!
Anti-Catholic bigotry is alive and well. In the Democrat Party.
As usual, I agree with St. Christopher– a clever letter, but Archbishop Cordileone backs away from pushing the religious liberty argument by this unnecessary restrictive view of public/private life. It’s not like the Catholic Church has the equivalent of the NSA to try to spy on private lives. Leave it at that. At least the archbishop is fighting.
I was disappointed in the letter.
I doubt politicians care who runs their campaign as long as they win so I think that was a bad analogy.
I really wish the Archbishop had taken more time to explain why students should be taught by the best teachers who are also righteous in all ways.
I wish he had explained what was wrong with their understanding of his actions instead of just sending them to the website.
This would have been a great teaching opportunity to share the love of God and how obeying the Word of God is the way to love Him.
Anonymous:
The Archbishop is answering the critics according to their own words. The notion of “righteousness” would fall on deaf ears. We must assert our rights as citizens under the civil law, as long as we can. We are not obliged to cast pearls before swine.
Anonymous, what are you smoking. Most of those legislators are practicing sodomites.
They don’t care about morals or right & wrong according to the Catholic Church.
The Abp’s letter was perfect. Short, not wordy, and something that they will understand. No legislators would never hire anyone who does not agree to their beliefs and actively and publically support them.
I’ve been a legislative aide. I know.
Sandra, surely you are not indifferent to the state of the souls of the legislators. Surely you do not believe that an archbishop in the Holy Church should operate at the same level as a person who does not care about morals.
The complainers don’t care about the Catholic position. Period. Nada. Forget about it. There’s no point in reasoning with them or giving them analogies. And there’s also no point in explaining the action in Catholic terms as another poster here suggested. Again, the complainers do not care. They’re running a revolution. There is nothing but the revolution. People need to get that. There is no dialogue, there is no compromise, there is no live and let live. There is only the revolution. Get used to it.
Arthur Lee, I agree completely. It’s very sad but very true. They don’t want dialogue. For them, it’s my way or the highway.
Thanks, that’s right. The only thing worth telling them is that we’ll fight them in the courts, and when that doesn’t work anymore, we’ll fight them in the streets.
Bravo Archhbishop Cordileone, no retreat and no surrender.
Wonderful address from the estimable Archbishop Cordileone. Clear, concise, and charitable. Well done. May God continue to bless His good and faithful servant. Pax
Arch Bishop Cordileone wrote a good letter, and like the good legal briefs submitted by the Diocese & Church and others to the Proposition 8 ‘Marriage’ cases in State & Federal Court – It will be valued far lower than toilet paper in the hollow halls of ‘Justice’ that are ‘our’ Turkey Baster Creationist Courts.
One of a number of different avenues by which the Right of Conscience of People of Faith are being attacked – is to Forbid Politically Un-Good Arguments or citation of the many facts & studies that support them, as being ‘Ism-Obia’ and not permitted in Court Papers…
Except – under a ‘crazy religious superstition’ rule that allows (in limited cases) Some to assert the teachings of their Faith (ie. Magisterium) as a ‘belief’…
– So long as they don’t try and assert that the Belief is underpinned by any rational reasonable logical fact based intellectually and morally solid foundation.
In other words, the ‘powers that be’ (in our one party state) will only allow limited expression of Catholic Views – so long as they are discredited and deemed irrational First.
Hence – there is No Argument because there is No Opposing Side to Argue, just a bunch of religious ‘wingnutz’ who during this age of “Fundamental Transformation” must have got it Rong to begin with, including during virtually throughout all modern human history.
At least until our now enlightened age of Abomination fully blooms, when Pander or Perish is the only ‘gospel’ allowed by the Gaystapo.
This dissertation by our “Honorable” Democratic Legislatures, you see where the State of California is due to these “honorable” idiots! They never take care of issues that need it; their main goal in their term in office is to demonize the Conservatives who in most cases are attempting to bring our country back, the country that they and their Emperor @ Large has taken away. Thank you Archbishop Cordilione, for your straight forward words to these far left wing ideologue’s. Apparently they are trying to take over the Catholic Church ahead of Isis who are not far behind! God Bless you for your continued perseverance.
Archbishop you are a TRUE SHEPHERD and I know you have a Very large ship to turn around know as the Archdiocese of San Francisco. You have much support and prayers coming your way!!!
Amen to that Elizabeth.
I’ll second that Amen.
I see, having read the SF Catholic archives online, that there are only 4 high schools in the Archdiocese with this collective bargaining agreement. The others and the parochial schools do not fall under the agreement. So what we’re dealing with is a minority of teachers and their secularist enablers squawking in the Press.
The Abp has the responsibility for everything Catholic within his own Diocese.
This includes all Catholic Schools, all Catholic Universities, Catholic Hospitals, Catholic Charities, etc, etc.
You can find this in the Code of Canon Law, the CCC, and various encyclicals.
Since SFO Diocese was such a cesspool under the two previous Bishops, one must go somewhat slowly and deliberately to clean out all the crap – from Church property and organizations that advertise themselves as Catholic.
Disagree. Cleaning filth should be immediate and not “staged.” Who sweeps away just a little of the “crap”?
Four high schools are being “addressed.” Dozens of schools with vulnerable young minds are presently being ignored.
This handling of the issue in this manner has allowed the opposition to organize and set up roadblocks, which it is.
Better would have been to preach one message to all the faithful in the schools (and the faithless). Now the prospects for reforming Elementary Education appear vastly diminished.
It was 400 students and their parents of these 4 catholic schools who prayed, sang, and held signs outside the Cathedral. So if you want to belittle them and call them “secularist enablers”, go ahead. Insults get you nowhere.
They are secularist enablers, YFC. But you may want to speak with them regarding the futility of hurling insults, for Archbishop Cordileone is only guilty of doing his job. And that is precisely why he’s getting such heat – God bless and preserve him!
FYI: The notion of praying to keep that which is scandalous around impressionable children (the fruit of which can be seen by the 400 students who do not understand the Faith despite their attending ‘Catholic’ schools – and a high school at that) is absurd. Much like Obama’s asking God to bless Planned Parenthood.
In light of the above disconnects between actual Faith and what supposed ‘faithful’ are praying for, there is no need to belittle, for the protests of these individuals are belittling in and of themselves.
YFC, baloney.
Many of these students and their parents were NOT Catholic. And others were not even from these Catholic schools.
That is why the sodomites needed to get it out in the press, to make certain that there would be several protestors.
You sodomites don’t fool anyone.
Let those who were truly associated with the Catholic schools and protested – simply leave.
Good riddance.
Sodomites can start their own schools and take these kids and parents with them – and teach sexual perversion to their hearts content.
True Catholics – stand strong.
YFC, it is time for all active sodomites, adulterers, and fornicators and
their supporters to leave the Church.
We do not need for your cancer to spread.
Come back only when/if you all decide to repent and try to sin no more.
Rom:16:17-20.
” I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.
For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,
and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.
For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil;
then the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. “
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit too, JOYCE.
Joyce I am with you on that…. purge the Church of the filth…
Anna, were you there, and did you interview all 400 participants and ask them which ones were catholic, which ones were not, which ones were “sodomites”, and which ones were not? I know from interviews that at least some of the people were from catholic schools like SI, which are not one of the 4 directly affected schools. However I highly doubt that the row after row after row of high school kids were “sodomites” or primarily non-catholics. If so, then somebody is tainting the water supply in San Francisco, because everything about the crowd there said these were pretty typical, if incredibly passionate, catholic high school students. One of them, so far as I know, said in an interview a week before the rally that he is gay. Being gay, or being compassionate towards gay people, does not mean that a person is not a “true catholic”.
“…If so, then somebody is tainting the water supply in San Francisco, because everything about the crowd there said these were pretty typical, if incredibly passionate, catholic high school students.”
The issue, YFC, is someone has been attempting and succeeding in tainting the water supply at the ‘Catholic’ school if this type of protest is typical of Catholic high school students…and their ‘Catholic’ parents. That is why Archbishop Cordelione is addressing one of the underlying problems in looking to who is teaching at these schools and what precisely they are teaching by word and example.
And being compassionate toward gay people is not leading them to believe anything other than what the Church teaches. Again, this is why Archbishop Cordelione is rightfully taking action as duty demands.
God give him strength to continue!
Yes but they also said that they were protesting the teachers having to sign the statement of faith and no one is asking them to-so who misinformed them?
Another one said they opposed the morality clause because they were afraid their teachers would leave.
Someone exploited these kids.
Abt 50% of the students at this particular Catholic School are NOT Catholic.
If they choose to attend a Catholic school, they must adhere to Faith regarding MORALS as taught by the Church in the CCC.
You are not a true Catholic if / when you promote homosexual behavior – in any way.
(Same sex attraction is a temptation, and not a sin, unless acted upon.)
If is of the devil – YFC that you purposely try to confuse homosexual acts with temptation.
YFC, the numbers do not matter.
Those who support immorality like yourself, whether it be Sodomy and other homosexual acts,
or fornication or adultery – must be purged from all Catholic schools.
Adults teach children from example as well as words.
Goodbye and good riddance – until you repent with the firm purpose of amendment not to commit these immoral sins again.
Employment morality clauses are needed especially where children are involved.
YFC, why don’t you and all the pro-sodomites start your own school –
“Sodomites for Satan” ?
We don’t need practicing sodomites, or practicing fornicators, or practicing adulterers in the Catholic Church. Take your money with you. Enjoy your new school where you can teach whatever you want.
TED I have not advocating that Archdiocesan high school teachers “teach whatever [they] want”. Nowhere have I said that, and nowhere will you find anyone advocating that! What I am saying is that the Archbishop should not try to evade the antidiscrimination laws of the State of California by claiming that all employees are “ministers”, even those who are not catholic and who have no role in doctrinal instruction or the prayer or liturgical life of the school. And I am saying that the private lives and associations of teachers and other school employees should not be a matter of employment so long as the actions do not harm others or involve illegal activity. Freedom of speech and of association should not be abridged at 11 PM on a Saturday night in July in such a manner to get them fired on a Monday Morning in September.
It is a Catholic school. Why would you want people who do not obey the Church teaching your kids? Pornography is not illegal for adults. do you really want someone who uses pornography teaching your kids? Abortion isn’t illegal. Do you really want someone who kills their own kid teaching yours?
YFC, there are no anti-discrimination laws regarding PRIVATE schools or PRIVATE organizations.
Parents and students who want approval for sodomy and other perverse lifestyles should go to a public school
or a private school that promotes those perverse lifestyles.
Good riddance to you all. (- Unless you repent, and do your best to stop your perverted sins.)
Check out Sacred Scripture.
Teachers and all other adults teach by example as well as by words.
There are no longer any such things as “private” actions due to media, etc. If you are living an immoral lifestyle, eventually word gets out.
Freedom in the USA will allow YOU and your fellow perverts to start your own School of Sodomy.
Mind your own business, and start your own school.
Leave Christian, Muslim, and other PRIVATE schools alone. Their Morals Clauses are none of your business.
I realize that people do what is expedient for themselves and that people will work for entities that they do not agree with just to get a paycheck because everybody has to eat. People of integrity don’t work for the Catholic Church if they don’t agree with the Church. Though I have been told by a Mormon teacher in a Catholic school that it is the workplace closest to her own morals and that she would never teach anything against the Catholic Faith.
An immoral lifestyle outside of the classroom sets a terrible example for youth.
It clearly teaches that one can do whatever he wants outside the classroom, and that the morals taught within the classroom carry no weight.
Sodomites and fornicators know this very well.
They do not care about children; only continuing their sexual perversion and setting the example for others to do the same.
If Catholic School & Catholic Diocese employees
don’t like the Catholic Faith let them find a job elsewhere.
t is a free country.
No one is making them work at a PRIVATE Catholic Institution.
In fact they have no business applying for work at an institution that violates their beliefs – therefore they are liars and hypocrites, and cannot be trusted with anything.
The Door is open for good/practicing Catholics,
and closes behind those who do not adhere to the moral teachings of the Faith in Catholic Schools.
And I don’t care what the Democratic sodomites in the CA Legislature deem appropriate or pass into law.
Laws of God come first – always. – – – – And don’t forget that YFC !
This is not discrimination. No one has to make the choices that might put their job at risk.
TED, there are no exemptions for discrimination (or any other laws) for “private” schools. “Private” schools are not above the law, any more than “private” citizens or “private” corporations are above the law. What is said during school hours is certainly to be regulated by the school itself. What the teachers say in the middle of the summer to their own friends and families should not.
“…What the teachers say in the middle of the summer to their own friends and families should not.”
If what they say in the middle of the summer is kept private, then there would be no issue, YFC. But it is the public display of dissent that is the issue. And precisely why ‘private’ lives should be precisely that – not paraded about in direct opposition to what one is supposed to be teaching.
And who was behind all the theatrical antics……LBGT activists and CALL TO ACTION heretics!!!
I know someone who was there praying for the Archbishop and the person saw the whole thing. It was all put on like a Buzby Berkeley show, when they knew camera crews were there, they were instructed to show the signs etc…..etc….etc….
I agree-this was a premeditated media event.
The Catholic Church hasn’t changed one bit.
They are trying to threaten a mass exodus of teachers. Over what?
They knew what the Catholic Church taught when they accepted the job.
No teachers no school, no?
New teachers, new school, yes?
peter, rather than teach our children immoral lifestyles
through the examples by adults, yes we would rather close our schools.
People like you do not scare us at all,
Those parents and students who do not like the Catholic Faith are more than welcome to go to your sodomite, fornicator, and adulterer school –
oh I forgot you are too lazy to start one. What are you waiting for ?
Yes, 400 students had to pre-meditate gathering for prayer, singing, and candle lighting. Of course, they didn’t just converge spontaneously on the Cathedral!!! So what you say is true, but not relevant. Every prayer service, every Mass, every gathering of the faithful is pre-meditated. In fact, dissect that word: pre-meditate. You have to meditate beforehand if you want to meditate together.
YFC, none of the reasons the kids or parents gave for being there matched up with what the Archdiocese is doing.
Actually, “YFC”, they should be. Teaching in a Catholic school is a privilege, not a right. All teachers, administrators, etc., must know that if they work for the Bishop, they must adhere to the Faith in their personal behavior.
It is simply crazy, and a continuing scandal, for the Church to pay a salary to a professed homosexual, who is “married” and comports himself as an active homosexual sexualist at all times. And, HomoFascists are constantly demanding that they be permitted to express themselves, at work and everywhere, regarding their “relationship,” as are hetersexual people. It would not be long before Catholic teachers demanded that they be permitted, in a Catholic school setting, to bring their “spouses” to Church and school functions, games, dances, and the like.
Really great for the kids to see. And, really great for eroding belief in the Faith, as teachers are often admired and their behaviro emulated. Which is a big reason why treasonous homosexuals wish to teach in Catholic schools — better to destroy them from within.
I am on the side of the good Archbishop who cares for his sheep and tries to protect them from the wolves out there who would rip them to pieces. Bravo.
I was disappointed with the whole public/private distintion that the Archbishop was wringing his hands over, but overall a good attempt to answer them. I get that he was trying to reach them where they are at and attempt to say something that they would understand.
Yet I think he is wasting his time with them. A better thing to have said was just to tell them to butt out and get lost. Don’t tell me how to run the Church. None of your business.
AMEN!!!!
I have a decade of video of the annual tax subsidized Anti-Male Hate Riot / San Francisco Dyke March – which neither Kamala Harris (now CA A.G.) nor city attorney Teresa Stewart (now CA Supreme Ct) had interest in, nor did their underlings. I would like help editing & sharing the Dyke March like the TFP video has been.
Men told not to rain on parade Unity key to Dyke March / 50,000 expected at S.F. Dyke March 50,000 expected — MEN NOT ADVISED.
https://www.sfgate.com/politics/joegarofoli/article/Men-told-not-to-rain-on-parade-Unity-key-to-Dyke-2746314.php ;
The TFP Video is actually typical of the Tolerance Gaystapo, who are really SSAD Victims – unless caught on camera when not Staging Tantrum Theater productions for their lamesteam media pals.
SEE
VIDEO: Attacked by “Tolerance
Share the video with friends.
https://www.tfpstudentaction.org/what-we-do/news-and-updates/video-release-attacked-by-tolerance.html
In this newly released video, volunteers with the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) describe how they were violently assaulted by pro-homosexual “marriage” advocates while promoting traditional marriage on college campuses and in the public square.
“That empty slogan about tolerance comes crashing down after you see how TFP volunteers were criminally assaulted by same-sex ‘marriage’ advocates,” said TFP Student Action Director John Ritchie.
“The video speaks for itself. They don’t tolerate God’s marriage.”
God Bless our Archbishop Cordioleone. “Damn the torpedo – full steam ahead” is what I say. This is like the Battle of Lepanto. Say your rosary…..and turn the Catholic Church around in the correct direction. For the last many years in San Francisco the church has been pointed in the wrong direction. AB Cordioleone is doing his best to turn it around. Please support him with your prayers and not criticism and ignorant remarks.
O Jesus, Eternal Priest, look down with love upon Thy priests. Fill them with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners. Keep them within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart. Keep unstained their anointed hands. which daily touch Thy Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious Priesthood. Let Thy holy love protect them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister on earth be one day their joy and consolation in heaven. Amen.
A Prayer for Priests
O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch them.
Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Thy Precious Blood.
Keep pure and unworldly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.
Let Thy Holy Love surround them from the world’s contagion.
Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister
be their joy and consolation here and their everlasting crown hereafter.
Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us: obtain for us numerous and holy priests. Amen.
The major flaw in the Archbishop’s argument: If his was an elected position, he’d have gotten about 5% of the vote in his district. Even with the most sympathetic campaign staff, he’d be running on a doomed platform… draconian enforcement of archaic laws. Has any elected official ever run on that platform?
The issue isn’t the teachers. It’s that the teachers, parents, students, laity in general, and probably also lot of the clergy in his archdiocese not only have little regard for his position. Many see it as immoral.
And good luck changing that. He wants to roll back the clock on 50 years of progress on social issues that are still contentious in some places, but haven’t been in the Bay Area in decades.
The Archdiocese covers SF, San Mateo, and Marin. How many of the voices here supporting the Abp. currently live in the Archdiocese? I’d be willing to bet one or two at the most.
He’s really picking the wrong battle if his intent is to reach anyone… particularly young people. Basically the message that is coming across is that the moral authority of the Church is hit / miss.
Yes, progressive all right. A big rise in female cancers from the use of the birth control pill, a whole lot of aborted children and a rise in STDs since the late 1950s.. If that is the “progress” you want, you can have it.
Anne, where do you get your statistics? Breast cancers increased after the widespread use of mammography in the 70s and 80s. Uterine cancers, which are heavily correlated with obesity, have only gone up as much as the average weight of American women. Please prove your statements that birth control pills have caused a huge increase in “female cancers”. On STD’s I agree with you, and yes of course the number of reported abortions increased after Roe and the pill did not help that.
I have had breast cancer three times over about twenty-four years. All of the tumors were very small, but they were all susceptible to estrogen. A doctor gave me some birth control pills about twenty-four years ago for what he said was a medical condition., but a priest told me to use Natural Family Planning instead. He basically saved my life because the estrogen in the pills would have caused the cancer that I had at that time, but was not yet aware of, to grow faster. A female Catholic gynecologist, who would not give out the birth control pill. told me I would have been in deep trouble had I taken those pills.
Good solid Catholic doctors know that the birth control pill affects the breast tissue because it fools the woman’s body into thinking it is pregnant each month, the tissue swells and then goes back to normal when the body realizes it is not pregnant. That does damage to the tissue sooner or later and can contribute to cancer. Abortions also make a woman more susceptible to getting that kind of cancer, and breastfeeding helps prevent it. My grandmother, who had six children and breastfeed never got it. My mother got it very late in life — around age 68, but bottle feeding was being pushed at the time she had us.
Also, the estrogen in the pill from our sewage is helping to deform the fish in our waterways.
What I am saying regarding my last post is that I would have been dead about twenty-three or so years ago had I taken those birth control pills that the doctor gave me. That, for me, is all the evidence or statistics I need. I had been invested in the Miraculous Medal at that time and was wearing it every day and still wear it on my person. I am convinced that Our Lady asked the Lord to give me the grace to listen to that priest, and it saved my life.
Anne T God Bless you. Im grateful to God that you survived the cancer. God continue to bless you with great health.
Anne T thank you for sharing your ordeal. God bless you so much more for your love of faith and for your witness here that you contribute to this website. My prayers continue to be with you as well.
Thank you, Abeca Christian. Perhaps that is why God let me live when so many women younger than I have died from the disease — to save lives if they will listen.
Thats true Anne T. You are an obedient soul. Praise God. I had a good friend, a prolifer, holy friend who died of breast cancer years ago. I miss my friend Sue. She was always defending the unborn and encouraged many to unite for that cause. I miss her. Lots of people knew her and loved her. So im glad you speak up, you just never know who you may reach out to. Lets pray for one another. For God’s protection and His will to be done. For His graces to never leave us nor leave our loved ones.
Hugh – You remind me of a guy whose entire house is infested with termites – but instead of calling an exterminator he says, what the heck, I’ll just become a breeder!!!
” but instead of calling an exterminator he says, what the heck, I’ll just become a breeder!!! ”
Alan Price,
Excellent post! It’s priceless!
Hugh, the job of Bishops, Catholic Schools, etc is to teach the Catholic Faith in accord with Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church;
NOT according to secular culture or your personal beliefs.
If you and others do not like the Catholic Faith, no one is forcing you to be Catholic.
So go mind your own business on your own or public property.
Catholics are not running a popularity contest – when are you going to get that through your fat head ? ? ? ? ?
We do not care about popularity.
We would close schools rather than provide an environment that exposes Catholic children to immoral adults.
Go do your own thing, and start your own school of sodomites, fornicators, and adulterers. Or are you simply too lazy?
Christ was not popular. In fact he was hated by the evil / immoral.
Jesus said: “and you will be hated …for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved’. Mt 10:22
CCC-Bot: You’ve made basically the same comment using a number of screen names on this page alone. Why do you find that necessary? Is the intention to make one person’s opinion sound like a consensus?
The Abp. is the one using election analogies. He is most certainly in an appointed position and has the luxury of using it to theatrically play his contempt for his own archdiocese to an intended audience outside of it. Different kind of politics than elections. Equally political.
While he might be successful in appealing to the biases and prejudices of some, he is teaching nothing. He’s not attempting to. He is a master at garnering publicity, but a subversive in his official role, which ostensibly concerns the well being of his archdiocese. Fostering dissent isn’t really expedient.
There is no contempt for the Archdiocese, Hugh, rather a love and a sense of duty toward those souls inside of it.
Does a parent show contempt for their children when they rightfully correct them?
It is no bias or prejudice for a priest, let alone an Archbishop to shepherd his flock according to common sense and what the Church actually teaches.
Hugh— Peace at any price, is that it?
Trolls preaching ‘defeatism’ is nothing new, but this is corroboration of my earlier post, and the need to keep up the Good Fight:
Flower Power: Christian florist rejects attorney general’s offer, won’t betray her religious beliefs
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/02/23/flower-power-christian-florist-rejects-attorney-generals-offer-wont-betray-her/
Barronelle Stutzman, a Washington State florist who declined to provide flowers for a gay wedding , has rejected a deal by the attorney general’s office that would’ve forced her to betray her religious beliefs – much like Judas betrayed Jesus.
“You are asking me to walk in the way of a well-known betrayer, one who sold something of infinite worth for 30 pieces of silver,” Stutzman wrote in a letter to state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “That is something I will not do.”
On Feb. 18 a judge ruled Stutzman had violated the law by refusing to provide flowers for the same-sex wedding of a longtime customer. The state had not only gone after the flower shop but also Stutzman personally.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the religious liberty law firm representing Stutzman, said legal bills could be as high as seven figures.
“He’s using the full power of his office to personally and professionally destroy her,” ADF attorney Kristen Waggoner…
And do not believe it if someone tells you that the Holy Father Francis is going to give his approval to carte blanche use of the birth control pill. He is a master chemist, and taught chemistry in his home country, and is well educated enough to know that the birth control pill is a carcinogen (cancer causing in many cases.) I do not think he wants the kind of lawsuits at his doorsteps that many of the pharmaceutical companies are getting from the use of the Pill.
The birth control pill can also lead to stokes in younger women, and there are many other bad side effects from its use. As the saying was in the past, “It ain’t nice to fool with Mother Nature”. The Couple to Couple League for Natural Family Planning has a great website for married couples.
It was announced today that some state legislators are calling for a state investigation of the SF Catholic School system to ensure that it is following all of the laws related to employment and other issues. Let the circus begin.
Perhaps Bob One you are beginning to understand the satanic government is out to destroy the Church and bend it to its will.
“Bob One” is correct, although it is more than a “circus”. In fact, it is not an overstatement to see this as a test State to determine what oversight a State can provide to religious schools.
We all need to face that fact that very soon homosexual marriage and all sorts of fornicators relationships will be entirely legal, and constitutionally protected. If the Catholic Church says, no can do here, the State may well then say, “do it our way or shut it down”. This will lead to a dramatic Supreme Court case or two, but could well decide the fate of the free exercise of religion in America.
California needs to be challenged, and all HomoFascists need to be challenged, in this area. Catholic schools are free to teach, and to hire/fire who they wish, based on conformance to its religious principles.
Homosexual teachers and they Masters want the unfettered right to practice sodomy and for all of society, including all churches, to say that sodomy is fine and dandy. Their attack includes a complete assault on the First Amendment, and other constitutional protections. But, who really cares, as the Church as been so infiltrated by homosexuals and enablers, that perhaps it is best to burn it down, and for the Faithful to return to the Catacombs.
Anne T. you are so right on regarding the birth control pills!!!!
I always tell people go the organic way……NATURAL FAMILY PLANNNING.
It is amazing to me that people want to eat organic lettuce or whatever……and yet, put poison contraceptives into their bodies!!!
Natural family planning is no different in spirit or intent than contraception. The only difference is in level of effectiveness.
Contraception blocks human life, NFP does not block human life. NFP can be used to facilitate conception, Contraception can never facilitate conception. Contraception severs the spiritual purity of the marital act, NFP does no violence to the spiritual purity of the marital act. Our abortive society grew from acceptance of contraception . . . from Griswold v. Connecticut flowed Roe v. Wade . . . Hugh, accept the Church’s teachings first, and wisdom will be given you second.
Precisely. Attempting to avoid pregnancy while engaging in sexual activity is totally fine and spiritually pure, as long as you choose a method with a high margin for error. The degree of morality relates to level of effectiveness, not the desire to avoid pregnancy.
Hugh are you a married family man? I’m just wondering why you have such high opinions that come off very uncharitable against NFP. NFP is very effective and a blessing, it has also saved life’s. Do not forget God’s mercy,.
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury
of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with
great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will,
which is Love and Mercy itself.
You don’t know what you’re talking about theologically or medically. NFP has a 99% effective rate, as high or higher than any type of artificial contraception. The Church allows it for “grave” reasons within the marital context. The point is NOT “attempting to avoid pregnancy” but rather to avoid affirmative actions which block God’s participation in the marital act. Fertility cycles exist whether or not we pay attention to them, and there is no wrong in paying attention to them in certain circumstances within the marital context. But if you’re a person who rejects Humanae Vitae, isn’t that getting a little boring at this point? I mean, seriously, after 50 years of NOW rallies and 60 million abortion deaths in this country?
Humanae Vitae, where it relates to NFP, reads like muddled committee thinking. It advocates for contraception, then draws a sub-distinction at natural v. artificial.
The arguments against artificial contraception are mostly practical ones, that relate to facilitating things are already considered immoral (promiscuity and infidelity), but the only argument it can make in the context of otherwise licit sex is that when NFP fails, it’s God’s doing, and operates on the premise that artificial means are 100% effective.
If contraception is intended and sanctioned in some cases, then hinging on an artificial v. natural distinction becomes a minor consideration. It’s no wonder something like 80% of Catholics use contraception.
Calendar-based contraceptive methods are more in the 90%/year range of effectiveness , btw:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar-based_contraceptive_methods#Failure_rate
Hugh – You’re spiritually blocked. Become a Catholic.
Athenagoras of Athens (2nd Century)
Athenagoras of Athens was a philosopher who converted to Christianity in the second century. He shows that the pagans, who were totally immoral, did not even refrain from sins against nature:
“But though such is our character (Oh! why should I speak of things unfit to be uttered?), the things said of us are an example of the proverb, ‘The harlot reproves the chaste.’ For those who have set up a market for fornication and established infamous resorts for the young for every kind of vile pleasure – who do not abstain even from males, males with males committing shocking abominations, outraging all the noblest and comeliest bodies in all sorts of ways, so dishonoring the fair workmanship of God.”