“Dissent-Fest”

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 12:49 AM By Kenneth M. Fisher
God bless CCD for having the courage to post this. It pains me greatly to know that, in spite of the new Archbishop, we still have to do this. I had looked forward to being able to retire from at least this part of the battle for the Church in America, but as soon as we knew that Sr. Edith Pendergast was still in place, we knew that would be the case. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 5:03 AM By Juergensen
The USCCB’s “Faithful Citizenship” telling Catholics how to vote for Obama . . . over 50% of bishops voting for Obama . . . 52% of Catholics following suit and voting for Obama too . . . LA’s Dissent Fest . . . orthodox priests being suspended left and right . . . When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith in Amchurch? (cf. Luke 18:8).

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 5:09 AM By FrMichael
I take it that this is the same Mr. Fisher who comments at CCD. God bless you sir! Meanwhile, a priest who “has publicly discussed his genitals” ??!! I feel like vomiting just typing the words. Could a name be provided for this pervert priest? Throw in the name of the wicked nun as well, please.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 6:08 AM By JMJ
I am praying that Archbishop Gomez is in the dark about these outlandish ‘wolves’ and is unaware of just what they are all about. If he does know and allows this, than he is just as guilty of misleading his flock as the ones that are misteaching the people. +JMJ+

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 6:31 AM By David L.
Is Kenneth Fischer a theologian?

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:40 AM By MIKE
Fisher, I don’t live in the area at all. Perhaps you could have many of your people hold up the green “CATECHISM of the CATHOLIC CHURCH, Second Edition” – since this book tells the truth of what the Catholic Church teaches including all the topics addressed in the above article. The speakers are heretics and schismatics. God bless you and your group. I will pray for you all. Abp Gomez has an obligation to publically denounce this group and state that they must not identify themselves by using the name “Catholic”. Dissident religious need to be excommunicated by Abp Gomez. What response did you get from Abp Gomez regarding the “Religious Education Congress”?

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:57 AM By JOHN
Excerpt from Catholic culture 2001: “While Sister Edith Prendergast is no longer listed on the NCPL board, the roll of speakers at her annual Religious Education Congress in Los Angeles is still dominated by the disciples of the “new catechesis.” Drawing up to 20,000 adult attendees, the event is the largest annual gathering of Catholics in North America. For the instruction of Southern California’s catechists, Prendergast’s office draws speakers from the same pool as NCPL and Call to Action, and most other groups in the network of dissent that Hans Küng described. So tilted is the ideological balance among Congress speakers that, year after year, orthodox Catholics picket outside the convention center, and write letters of complaint to the chancery. “We pay them absolutely no attention,” Cardinal Roger Mahony told reporters who asked about the protesters marching outside the convention this year. “I really feel sorry for them.” He later explained that these “simple people” did not understand the thoughts of the trained scholars on the conference platform.” WILL ABP GOMEZ STOP SR. PRENDERGAST'”S VILE AND VACUOUS PROGRAM?

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:07 AM By Diane S
The entire Congress has been under the totalitarian direction of Sr. Prendergast for years.. She is a fierce ally of Cardinal Mahony and it appears that our new Archbishop Gomez fears her.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:14 AM By Denise Riggio
“Reputedly” orthodox Bishop? What exactly does that mean? Who said he was orthodox before he arrived…or did he arrive in Los Angeles and change? Nevertheless, Ken is on to something here me thinks! These teachers of lies and falsehood do have their affect. My teen son recently attended a youth group where the teacher advised the students that gay priests were a good thing. So armed with the sacrament of Confirmation since he was three, and continuing Catholic education here at home, he politely corrected her and the class. But she, still not convinced by his explanation, said she would verify and get back. Well she’s headed to, you guessed it folks, the REC to verify her bad catechesis. Besides,don’t blame the Bishops entirely, these Catholics attending choose to go there. Then Bishop, now Cardinal Raymond Burke, told a group of Marian Catechists in a meeting here in California, we did not need the parish to teach, we have every right to give catechesis from our homes. Get educated and get busy…

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:16 AM By jp
Anyone who has been, or had their children been, in a Catholic School can substantiate the claims made by Mr. Fisher, and maybe more.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:25 AM By MD
Mr. Fisher-I wish you blessings in trying to clean up the LA Religious Ed. Congress. One thing to keep in mind is that the diocese arranged speakers for this year’s conference quite a while ago and has speakers lined up for the next couple years. Regardless, it would be nice to see any dissident speakers removed and not validated by being able to spout their heretical ideologies. God Love You.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:59 AM By Maryanne Leonard
Go, Kenneth! You’re right on target!

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:05 AM By Juergensen
And the systematic trashing of the Catechism of the Catholic Church continues unabated.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:09 AM By Abeca Christian
Mr Fisher I wish I lived in the area for I would definitely would show up with my crew, kids, but since I am not, I will keep you in my prayers. I will say a prayer today and ask for Saint Patrick’s and Saint Joseph intercession for you and for what you are doing, God bless you for fighting the good fight, you are a real gem, a gentleman!

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:12 AM By MD
Denise Riggio-You are on the money when you say we need to better educate ourselves on the Catechism at home. It is the best way to learn the “what’s” and “why’s” of Catholicism. As for Archbishop Gomez, he is orthodox and faithful to the Magisterium. He wrote a book for priests called Men of Brave heart and I think it offers good insight into the prayerfulness of our local ordinary. He has a deep and profound love of the Eucharist and has the gentleness of Blessed John Paul the Great. I think we need to be patient here in LA for change and be diligent in our prayers for our priests and bishops so they have the strength to speak the truth because they are attacked by the enemy who hates the priesthood and the Sacraments. God Love You.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:18 AM By Deacon Tom
Hopefully, Archbishop Gomez will be reviewing what goes on with the dissident speakers and can then instruct the REC leaders on what speakers must be excluded from future events. It really isn’t complicated – do they or do they not teach all that the Catholic Church teaches and believes. The Archbishop can find out firsthand what his flock is being fed. There will then be a guide to follow for other Catholic institutions for who should not be invited to speak on the Catholic faith at their place. If the Archbishop doesn’t see the need to make a move as soon as the REC is over, then I think that we can draw some conclusions on where our shepherd will draw the line. We pray daily for our Holy Father and our bishops. God help them!

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 10:03 AM By VirgoPotens
I do realize there are some areas in which we need to be patient. For example, it can take many years to form more orthodox priests for a wayward diocese–the process is necessarily long and painstaking. But cleaning up a religious ed conference? Isn’t it as simple as not inviting heretics, and then inviting actual Catholics to speak? This should have been one of the first major, noticeable improvements we saw under Archbishop Gomez.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 10:14 AM By JLS
David L., to answer your question “Is Kenneth Fisher a theologian”? No. He is many steps up the ladder from such souls; Kenneth martyrs himself for the Gospel on a regular basis. When, David L., is the last time your favorite theologian martyred himself? Kenneth tells the truth; David L., when is the last time your favorite theologian told the truth?

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 10:17 AM By Barbara
No wonder we have so many young people leaving The Church for the ‘anything goes” “churches.” It is a sin that this is going on in so many places. I was shocked and dismayed at the last REC I attended and wrote letters to the organizers about it. We need a letter writing campaign across America to voice disapproval of these events. Keep praying!

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 10:33 AM By JLS
MIKE, yes the CCC explains many truths of the Catholic religion; yet, Kenneth Fisher actually demonstrates the Catholic religion in his self immolations of protesting the evil doctrines pushed by the Archdiocese at the annual REC. This, MIKE, is what I’ve been trying to convey to you for a long time: One Catholic striving to become holy is the best and prime teacher of Catholicism. The CCC is not a sacrament, and reading it does not unite a soul with God; but when you hobknob with people loving Jesus, then you end up in the Sacraments and thus in union with God.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 10:38 AM By JLS
Abeca, the REC is only an hour or less from the San Diego area. And as he’s often said, Kenneth Fisher’s number is in the Orange County phone book. I met Kenneth once or twice a few times back a ways, and you and your kids would benefit greatly, as would anyone who might be receptive to the fervor of God manifesting in his faithful. (Kenneth, I have no idea why I’m stumping for you so much today … could be holy inspiration maybe.)

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 10:40 AM By Annie
Archbishop Gomez could cut to the chase quickly by having the Carmelite Sisters of Los Angeles (Alhambra) review the speakers; roster. They pulled out of the REC years ago because of the unorthodox and heretical teachings coming from the dissident speakers. People like Fr. Benedict Groeschel have not been invited for years because they are “too Catholic.” Each year one or two solidly Roman Catholic speakers are invited, but that’s it. The SCRC in late August is the place to go for real inspiration and orthodoxy.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 10:41 AM By JLS
Also, for the David L.’s of this blog, Kenneth, although not a theologian, has been close friends with apparently countless bishops and archbishops of impeccable credentials both in holiness and in theology, as Kenneth has many times described on this site. David L., the Pope has called the bishops not to become theologians, but to “become holy” … “HOLY” is the NAME of the game, David L., not theology. After all, the Pope is a theologian, so he would know, right?

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 11:00 AM By k
If only 5 out of 185 speakers are problematic, things have improved. I also see a workshop listed called The Return of the Sacred Heart. That is a good sign.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 11:29 AM By Elizabeth
Kenneth, I wish with all my heart I lived in the area, I would be there! But, I will be saying prayers for you all. And also, isn’t AB Gomez an Opis Dei Priest? So, if that is the case, I can’t believe he would allow this travesty to continue!

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 11:59 AM By Samantha 
I am a Catechist in the Los Angeles area. I attended the Congress for the first time a couple of years ago at the encouragement of the Religious Ed Director of our parish. All catechists are encouraged to attend. I cannot explain how shocked I was when I signed up for a Young Adult Panel and it turned out to be a biased number of YA speakers, all talking about the Church needing to be changed from the inside, supporting redefining marriage, etc. I wrote a very strong letter to people I knew decrying the Congress. The feedback I got back was all very similar, “It’s Cardinal Mahoney’s doing.” Last year I returned but I looked into every speaker I attended. I did research as to whether or not they were faithful to the Magesterium, etc. Sadly, I know most people do not take the time to do this (that is our responsibility). When we heard of Archbishop Gomez’ appointment, many faithful Catholics and I knew this would help change the tone of the Congress. However, Archbishop Gomez has only been here one year and we cannot be unrealistic in thinking he’s going to undo so many years of damage overnight. We have to pray and persevere. So here’s my thinking on the LA Religious Ed Congress, rather than protest it, become involved in it, by attending only speakers which are faithful. Inform those attending which speakers are dissenters by name (I notice the writer of this post does not use names to warn of those speakers to be avoided). If you come across a speaker that is a dissenter, stand up and make the corrections needed in the talk/class, so that others are not left with the wrong ideas. We are called to STAND UP and RE-EVANGELIZE others – not just to protest. How surprised would these dissenters be if faithful Catholics showed up only to correct their erroneous teachings, or if we warned others of the danger by speaker name so that no Catholics signed up for their classes? The Congress is a good thing – the people bringing the warped speakers are the problem. I have faith this will change. I will keep praying it will change. In the meantime, I am prepared to defend my faith wherever I go and not let the dissenters win by keeping me out of

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 12:14 PM By Denise Riggio
“You are my friends, if you do the things I command you.” Jn 15:14 Christ to His Apostles at the last supper. We don’t set the challenge for our Bishops, Christ has done that. I don’t know the Archbishop personally and can only judge by actions. Using illicit material for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass i.e. baskets and sending those that teach lies and falsehoods to educate the catechists for his diocese does not help His Excellency appear as orthodox and faithful to the commands of Our Lord. But perhaps more time will tell. Just how long should we be patient? A month, a year , five years? If my teenage son can stand up to all his peers and and the adult catechist in a teen youth group, shouldn’t we expect our Bishops to have at least the same courage if not more?

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 1:04 PM By sophia
In response to MD above (and all others who offer the plausible excuse that speakers cannot be cancelled once their contract is signed, I object that they would be cancelled if they were carriers of a contagious disease like, say, typhoid. To endanger the immortal souls of children is infinitely more serious. They should be cancelled today, without apology.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 1:46 PM By Abeca Christian
I hope that our CCD classes are teaching the CCC and the Bible. Kids need a good formation!

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 3:22 PM By Jeremy
I don’t care for the misleading line that reads “the 185 REC speakers include…” and then proceeds to list dissenting voices but in the same breath would seem to taint all 185 speakers. Having been to REC a few years now, I can say that several speakers have really affirmed me in my faith as a Catholic, especially in the hot-topic issues. I haven’t heard such water-tight arguments against abortion and euthanasia except from a speaker at previous congresses. I will however, keep an eye out for which speakers are being protested because I do agree that some of the speakers get way out of line. But, again, they are a few bad weeds that found their way into a garden sowed by God. I think it would be sad to get rid of the REC altogether.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 5:10 PM By JLS
So, Jeremy, you do well with the cafeteria style religious instruction, then? Whatever suits you is the real McCoy?

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 5:38 PM By Bob One
Kenneth, I wish you well at the conference, to persue your agenda. I know that you support your views strongly and that many other people support you too. On the other hand, the 20,000 good Catholics that attend each year, and I know many, can’t be all wrong. Perhaps a goal might be to inform the Archbishop what you think about some speakers, so that he can make a decision about them. However, I don’t think that we should try to close down the whole conference, as some have suggested, because of a few “bad apples” among the nearly two hundred speakers and youth leaders.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 6:17 PM By Mark from PA
I get the idea that some will only be satisfied if all progressives, gays and women are banned from being speakers at this conference.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:00 PM By JLS
Yes, Bob One, all those Catholics can indeed be wrong. This was in fact the case with the Catholic world during the Aryan heresy … virtually all the bishops were heretics … not simply wrong but formal heretics.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:02 PM By JLS
sophia, you’ve put it well. The Archbishop can cancel it with a word.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:11 PM By Dana
I’m putting you & your group on my prayer list, Kenneth Fisher, and asking for perseverance and spiritual protection. It’s an important work that your group carries on! And JLS, that was such a wonderful tribute…coming from you it is especially meaningful! Bob One, having been a cook & gardener for many years, I’ve learned it only takes ONE bad apple to ruin the whole basket…they don’t come up with those old proverbs without good reason! By being vigilant, I’ve saved more than one bushel of fruit from being lost. And unfortunately, when they’re ‘human bad apples’ they tend to deliberately spread their heresy and disorder all the faster and effectively because they want to despoil God’s truth. Far better to pluck them out!

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:21 PM By Maryanne Leonard
Actually, we are talking about upwards of 40,000 people from all around the world attending the Religious Education Congress every year, my friends. That’s an awful lot of paying customers who are getting misled by a surprising number of speakers who are intentionally promoting something that is so obviously contrary to Catholic teaching that so many of us lay people can spot it a mile off. Our new Archbishop Gomez has the responsibility to clean up the largest gathering of Catholics in his Archdiocese.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:59 PM By JLS
40,000 there and not here … whew, what a relief!

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:17 PM By FourMarks
May God richly bless, protect and defend Kenneth Fisher and everyone who is able to attend the protest against the heterodoxy and heresy at the REC. I live too far from Anaheim to attend, but will keep Kenneth and all participants in my prayers. I was hoping for at least some improvement last year, but I realize the 2011 REC was planned while Abhp Gomez was still coadjutor, and not yet fully in charge. However, he has been Archbishop for over a year now, so he clearly “owns” this year’s event, and the topics and presenters listed in the pre-event publicity is disappointing, to say the least. It must be supposed that Abhp Gomez is aware of and approves of the presenters, their topics, and the planned liturgical arrangements, which no doubt will be as outlandish, irreverent and non-rubrical as in the past. Other posters have named the key planner and executive of this long-running travesty- Sr Edith Prendergast. Abhp Gomez’ credibility with faithful, orthodox Catholics will vastly increase if he will exercise his legitimate authority to 1) shut down this year’s REC, and not restart it until all heretics, heterodox and dissidents are eliminated from the program, and 2) Remove Sr Prendergast from any involvement with future RECs. Absent such decisive corrective action, the REC will continue to be an embarassment to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and an affront to faithful Catholics. Anyone planning to attend the REC, please, for the good of the faithful and your own soul … please, skip the REC, stay home, and read the CCC/2nd Ed.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:29 PM By JLS
Dana, you’ve probably only seen me in my punch throwing mode. I am not stuck in that mode, and try to respond to what is being put forward, whether by “friend” or “foe”. I rationalize my blunt trauma force rhetoric this way, that if friend, then it is mere practice for more difficult situations, and if foe, then they deserve it. BTW, the CCD editing tends to keep my baseless ad hominem attacks minimalized.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 8:36 PM By hosemonkey
To Mark from PA: Yes, it would be an excellent idea to ban dissenting women, “gays” and “progressives” from the conference. They bear poisoned fruit and have caused tremendous damage to the body of Christ. They purvey error and error has no rights.

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:15 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
Fr. Michael, the priest who spoke so blasphemously about the Holy Family and described his genitals was Fr. Richard Sparks. The nun who is also a Sex Therapist (whatever that means) and was Abp. Hunthausen’s director of Vocations is Sr. Fran Ferder and her sidekick is Fr. John Heagle. Many of you have asked, so here it is: Rev. Patrick Brennan, Joan Chafe, Dr. Kathleen Chesto, Rev. Michael Crosby, OFM, Cap., Rev. John Cusick, Fr. Allan Deck, Msgr. Ray East, Sr. Fran Ferder, Sr. Barbara Fiand, SND de N, Rev. Richard Fragomeni, Greer Gordon, Dr. Thomas Groome, David Haas, Rev. John Heagle, Jack Jezreel, Rev. Brian Massingale, Rev. James Martin, Dr. Megan McKenna, Sr. Helen Prejean, Fr. Thomas Reese, S.J., Rev. Richard Rohr, Rev. Richard Sparks, and Christopher Walker. This is just a partial list of the most notorious speakers! Mark from PA, just one heterodox speaker at such a Conference is TOO MANY. I want to thank those of you who are praying for us this weekend. It won’t be easy, but Our Lord always gives us some rays of hope as we stand for His Church. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:17 PM By Susanne
It is not a few bad speakers that speak at the REC. It is a majority who are extremely liberal and or moderately liberal that speak. Only a handful are solidly orthodox. I know this because I have attended and helped CRCOA prayerfully protest it for the past 20 years. I have respectfully confronted both the Cardinal over the years and the Archbishop last year on the heretical teachings being promoted. But when you go to their closing Mass at the Congress and watch the litirgical abuse taking place, it hits you, that they aren’t going to do a darn thing. Why should they, when they have thousands of people cheering them on?

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:23 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
The past Mother General of the Carmelites of the Sacred Heart, Mother Marianne, was the one who stopped her Sisters from attending. She did so, after talking with me at length, she was and hopefully is a good friend (I hope she is still with us). She actually rejected Cardinal Mahony’s pleas to bring her Sisters back. How do I know, she told me so. Actually Marianne, we don’t believe those numbers from the MSP. We actually have observed less attendance, but don’t expect them to admit that. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 10:14 PM By Jim
Mr. Fisher, if I lived close enough, I would be happy to join you. Someone in the diocese is not doing their job!

Posted Tuesday, March 20, 2012 11:29 PM By Tracy
Either Bishop Gomez is lying or telling the truth. He wrote a recent letter published in the Tidings in which he responded to a question as to whether or not he felt any changes need to be made in the LA archdiocese. He stated that except for some minor details he was pleased to find that the LA archdiocese was in very good shape on his arrival there. He praised Cardinal Mahoney for his wonderful leadership. He stated that his goal is to build on the wonderful programs already in place, but for the most part there was really no need to change anything. For this he was very grateful to Cardinal Mahoney. I sure would appreciate if CCD republished this letter, so that the readers of CCD can judge for themselves, what Bishop Gomez is really saying. Beyond that, please everyone pray and sacrifice for Bishop Gomez and the people of the archdiocese of Los Angeles. The devil will not let go of his stronghold so easily.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 3:07 AM By Carl
It is my understanding that the speakers for the RECongress are selected two or three years ahead. I am sure that all of this year’s speakers and well as next year’s speakers have already signed contracts. If the Archbishop were to break the contracts these speakers would be able to sue the Archdiocese. We will not see Archbishop Gomez’s influenece on the choice of speakers for another year or two.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 8:11 AM By MD
Sophia-I didn’t say the speakers cannot be undone, but given these conferences are set up years in advance, I understand the reluctance to make changes. This does not excuse the fact that these speakers should not be there and it would be nice to see them removed.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 8:12 AM By MD
PA-You are missing the whole point here. This is not about sexual preference, woman priests, etc., but of speakers who have an agenda of teaching things contrary to what is taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This conference is a Religious Education Congress and should teach the faith, not individual’s own variation of what they think the faith is or should be. The intent of this conference is to teach Catechists how to teach the faith as they increase their own knowledge of Catholic Doctrine. How is it that you can twist the comments posted here to be about gay bashing? It’s much more than that. God Love You.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 11:00 AM By k
Mr. Fisher, thanks for the more exhaustive list. This makes more sense now. I remember you saying that you can’t buy a catechism, so you probably can’t pay $70 to go in to the conference. But I think you would make more progress with Archbishop Gomez if, instead of complaining about thngs people said in the past, you could document what was actually said at the conference-and to do that you have to be inside. Last year, it was said there was a live stream but I haven’t heard about that this year.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:02 PM By Rene Guesnier
Thanks for this post. I see Dr. Thomas Groome from Boston College is on the agenda. Dr. Groome has been chosen to serve on a committee to advise Barack Obama’s campaign on matters concerning religion.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 2:03 PM By Susanne
K, been there done that for CRCOA. By the way Thomas Groome is always on the agenda, he is a regular speaker at REC. Jim Wallis gave the Keynote address at REC several years ago. Jim Wallis is one of Obamas Religion czars. The Saul Alinsky students have been indoctrinating at REC for years. Every Bishop in this country knows what is going on at REC, including Archbishop Gomez!

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 3:19 PM By Canisius
To Rene Guesnier: What you posted says it all

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 3:38 PM By Mark from PA
Mr. Fisher, you put forward a list of people that you claim to be notorious. It seems that you don’t think nuns should be speakers at the REC. Sister Helen Prejean is a noted pro-life sister. I don’t know of the other nuns. You list many priests. I don’t find it surprising that priests would be speakers at such a gathering. Father James Martin and Father Thomas Reese are well known and respected priests. Just because you have a personal dislike for a speaker should not disqualify him. I think people should be more supportive of Archbishop Gomez. It is not an easy job, one can’t satisfy all of the people all of the time.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 5:08 PM By Catherine
Kenneth Fisher, Keep up the very good work and may God bless you for your faithful witness to those attending the REC.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 5:26 PM By Dave N.
Carl–I’m not sure where you’re getting your information (and would be curious to know) but let’s say for the sake of argument, you are correct. If the Archdiocese has already signed contracts for inappropriate speakers, then they should just take their lumps, pay these speakers off and tell them that their services won’t be required this year–or any other year for that matter. This Archdiocese found over $.6 BILLION to settle sex abuse cases, to say nothing of the cost of a new cathedral. Finding say, $30,000 or so to purge the deception that occurs at the REC would be money extremely well spent–this is a pittance. However, the problems at the REC go well beyond the dissident speakers. I challenge you to attend the youth rally and/or one of the smorgasbord of ethnic liturgies and you’ll see what I’m talking about. The Archbishop could effect changes in those liturgies TODAY at low or zero cost to the Archdiocese. These are very simple changes that that the Archdiocese could make TODAY that do not require anything approaching heroic virtue. And note that the effects of this conference go well beyond the attenders–recall that these are the catechists, clerical and lay leaders of parishes; they spread the messages they hear at the REC far and wide. Someone else mentioned that this is only a gathering for “hippie priests” and that it would soon die out on its own. You couldn’t be more mistaken–thousands and thousands of young people (many who are getting a day off from school as incentive) attend the REC each year as well as many, many young people. Abp. Gomez needs to get a grip on things and take some responsibility before it’s too late; he is truly asleep at the wheel.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 5:47 PM By Maryanne Leonard
Mark, it’s not a matter of liking or disliking speakers or posters. It is quite possible to disagree vehemently with people who are out of accord with Catholic teaching – and speaking about it under the auspices of something thought to be authentically Catholic – without even knowing them personally, much less liking or disliking them. It is important for us to be informed, and it is 100% understandable that Kenneth and others are opposed to these speakers presenting their own personal and distorted perceptions of Catholic teachings under the auspices of Congress, as we call it here in Southern California, to crowds of paying Catholics in search of the truth. It is difficult not to become angry at such situations, which could appear to be dislike, but it is in fact a strong feeling of outrage at deliberate and knowing distortion of our Catholic heritage, to say nothing of truth itself. What you see here is better called standing up for the legitimate teachings of the Catholic Church rather than not liking speakers as individuals. A thinking Catholic does not shy away from discourse in seeking and sharing truth or faith and does not label disagreement as personal affront or dislike.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 9:42 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
Mark from PA, You show where you are really coming from when you proclaim Sr. Helen Prejean to be a “noted pro-life sister” and Fr. Thomas Reese and Fr. James Martin, S.J. as highly respected. Respected by who? Certainly not orthodox Catholics. If I am not mistaken, Reese was removed by the Vatican from a post as Editor of a Jesuit Magazine and Martin’s own words and writings speak for themselves. You also show your complete disrespect for my beliefs, you see I would have no objection to Mother Marianne, Mother Angelica, Mother Regina, etc. etc. as speakers! God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 9:44 PM By Angelo
My parish has made it a requirement for all Confirmation students to attend and take part in the convention, or they will not be allowed to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. I could say without a doubt that my parish is a branch of the Anaheim “Den of Heretics” as termed by “The Wanderer”. I’m sure the Archbishop will be closely watching this abomination. Its sad to think of all the past attendants who are now burning for eternity. What I don’t understand is why Rome has not excomunicated all who put this soul damning foul event together? Kenneth I promised to pray that you are successful in opening the minds of innocent attendants, and I am and will.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 9:46 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
Mark from PA and Maryanne (although with Maryanne I am speaking from a different perspective). I happen to be very friendly with Fr. Michael Crosby and I like the man; however that does not mean I agree with his twisted theology. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 10:52 PM By k
Angelo, your parish cannot withhold the sacrament of Confirmation from someone who does not attend the REC. There were some homeschoolers in another diocese who would not permit their children to go on the overnight retreat that was “necessary” to receive confirmation. When their children were denied confirmation, they complained to the Vatican and the Vatican said that sacraments cannot be withheld for that reason. Raise the roof.

Posted Wednesday, March 21, 2012 11:00 PM By Maryanne Leonard
Kenneth, that proves so many admirable things about you! I’m pleased you are such a strong soldier for the forces of good and wish you courage, strength, health and effectiveness in your most admirable good work against heresy and distortion. God bless you this weekend. I am so sorry you were discriminated against in your youth but so proud and impressed with what you’ve made of your life, a gift to God.

Posted Thursday, March 22, 2012 2:11 AM By Angelo
Mark from PA, Your comment March 21, 2012 3:38 PM. That came as a shocker coming from you. Of course we want all progressives, practicing homosexuals, liberal men and women, in short all liberal dissidents out of not only the Convention, but out of the Catholic Church altogether. Unless they repent from leading souls astray and being the cause of much ruin to the Church. Many Catholics are on the road to perdition because of these very dissidents who are playing and faking Catholics in good standing. In good standing they are not!

Posted Thursday, March 22, 2012 5:18 AM By MarkF
I’m not sure of any of the orthodox here fully understand the situation. I say that because many of us on here continually engage in a pointless game of back and forth with people who exist solely to promote their pet dissent. No Mr. Fisher they do not now, never have and never will respect your beliefs. Get used to it. Move on. Ignore them. Talk above them but not to them. Above all, don’t fall for their mental traps. They know how to press your buttons. They prey on our decency and our desire to be liked and to get along. Get used to them being mad and playing the martyr. Get used to personal insults. Ignore them and don’t get drawn down the rabbit hole along with them. There isn’t enough time in the day. Perhaps God can reform them but we can’t. Our job is to get rid of them.

Posted Thursday, March 22, 2012 7:35 AM By Bob
Since the congress is held in Anaheim and this city is not part of LA, couldn’t Bishop Brown demand that certain speakers not expound their heresy in his diocese?

Posted Thursday, March 22, 2012 8:15 AM By MD
PA-Let me qualify Mr. Fisher’s statement about orthodoxy for you. An orthodox person is not conservative or liberal, but adheres to the teachings of the Catholic Church as specified in the Catechism of the Catholic Church coupled with being faithful to the Magisterium. One priest or theologian cannot constitute Catholic Doctrine and you seem to miss this point as you regularly choose to accept the opinions of people (priests, religious and lay) who have differing points of view from the CCC and Magisterium. Mr. Fisher is right to protest this event because 1. The Church should not allow or promote unorthodox theology and 2. Diocesan priest make promises while Religious Orders take vows of obedience to the Pope/Magisterium and have to be held accountable for their words. This is about presentation of the Truth as presented by the Church and leading people away from the Truth is seriously sinful and leads people away from Christ. This is about fidelity to Christ though the vehicle He has given us for sanctification, the Church and Her Perfect Wisdom. God Love You.

Posted Thursday, March 22, 2012 8:17 AM By MD
Bob-It is the Archdiocese of Los Angeles that puts this event on. Anaheim is merely the city it is held. If my recollection is correct, it is held there because there is nowhere in LA large enough to accommodate such a large quantity of people.