Like cheap fiddles

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 1:03 AM By Clinton
Right on! Time for the bishops and all Catholics to fight for the freedom of the Catholic Church. Obama doesn’t have the right to force his perversions down the throat of the Church Militant. The Holy Church was founded by Our Lord. We shouldn’t have to grovel for scraps from Obama. The time for polite dialogue is over. Is this the Church Militant or the church compromise? St. Michael, defend us in battle! +JMJ+

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 1:22 AM By Gratias
Maybe the bishops have been played. But then maybe they are playing a good hand of poker. The way I remember it, the democrats got Little George Stephanopulus to ask a question about prohibiting Contraception to Mitt Romney. After that trap, Nancy Pelosi arranged a mock hearing with activist Sandra Fluke who needed thousands of dollars from the Federal government to pay for her sex life during law school. Only then they came after us. When they did, Cardinal Dolan redefined the conversation a “War on Religious Liberty”. Brilliant. Just when the SCOTUS has to decide on the constitunality of ObamCare. Now it is simply known as “Obama’s War on Catholics”. I agree with your non-compliance suggestion as well, but Cardinal Dolan has Obama cornered, for this is an election year. Many other religions such as Protestants and Jews that like free abortifacients and sterilizations still favor Religious Liberty and have heard loud and clear the message of what Obama is doing to US.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 2:30 AM By Matthew
The author comes off as more than just a little naive but I do wonder if the US Bishops are indeed up to the task when it comes to dealing with the HHS Mandate threat. Are they being played by the Obama Administration? Cardinal Dolan is now being unfairly attacked, more and more people in the USA view the Church as being lower than pond scum based on the molestation crimes. I feel the Church is fast reaching a moment of truth in the USA. Something far more profound than the “Truce of 1968” that George Weigel wrote about where the Holy See blinked when it came to Humanae Vitae/dissenting priests in the Archdiocese of Washington DC. If the Church blinks on the HHS Mandate it’s pretty much done in the USA. It will be shattered for at least for the next several generations. It might well die altogether in the USA for all intents and purposes. Jesus Christ promised us that “the powers of death shall not prevail against” the Church worldwide. He made no such promises for the USA alone. Pray, pray, pray folks, this is a very big deal for posterity here in the USA.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 2:54 AM By fatherkarl
The bishops must listen to these time tested proverbs: (1)”Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!” (2)” If you lie with a dog, you’ll get fleas.”(3)” He who does not gather with me, scatters.”(4)”Sociallism is candy-coated communism,”(5):He who has ears, let him hear!” Since for the past 50 years or so, the majority of the bishops are spinless wonders, we have had a lack of true Catholic leadership in the Church. Basic Catholic befiefs have suffered, and the vast majority of the faithful are faithless. If ignorance is bliss, than most of the laity are happy morans. Christ told us that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church, but the Catholic Church will, according to what Pope Benedict XVI has said, will be much smaller.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 3:42 AM By Stan Willilams
FINALLY, some common sense. This blog post should be plastered on the desk of every bishop in the country. Pass this around. I’ve been saying something like this for months, and being criticized for it. But it is the truth. Bishops are you paying ANY attention to this.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 4:45 AM By Neil C
Good points . . .

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 4:56 AM By Joe Sprowls
A bold and angry proposal and argument that just might be “right-on-the-money” when it comes to tactics to beat this godless regime. You want it, come and take it; force me, seize me, do what you will with me, but I will never give in to your godless ways and demands. Isn’t this what martyrdom was all about and didn’t it conquer its enemies?

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 4:58 AM By 4unborn
I agree! Fight AND don’t shut down!! If we would hear this from our bishops, the HHS mandate might not be enforced.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 5:07 AM By Larry from R.I.
Yes.Meet them at your front door ‘in full regalia’ like the Bishop of MUNSTER,gERMANY BISHOP VON galen was ready to meet the Gestopo during the Nazi pagan regime.Stand up and fight.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 5:16 AM By Canisius
This is so right, for God’s sake fight,,, I hope for a direct confrontation with this corrupt regime… I pray for it,, make these thugs look like the criminals they are….

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 5:56 AM By St. Christopher
You have to love Ann Barnhardt — she is entirely correct, of course, but says so with such gusto and conviction: “MEN fight wars.” Of course. Go right to the real issue: a Church dominated by feminine men, afraid to “STAND AND FIGHT.” And Ms. Barnhardt is right on this; the Catholic Church is largely (not entirely, though) run by women and men that see the world and act upon key issues like women. Oddly, many Catholic women were warriors. See St. Catherine of Siena, for example. The Barnhardt demand to the bishops to “MAN UP!!!FIGHT!” is great, but you cannot take blood from a stone, as the saying goes. These men like to party, and talk, and talk to each other, and have meetings (at great resorts) and issue statements, and say “pastoral” nice things about everyone, thinking that this is Christian. Ann Barnhardt would likely call this way of governing the Church (much less trying to lead all to Salvation) by another name. But this article is very valuable and should be read and taken to heart by every bishop. Use your crosier against the wolves, mighty men!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:13 AM By PAPA
Thank you David Axelrod, but I think it is great what the Bishops are doing and they have the best interests of our Church and all Americans at Heart, you and Pelosi should try that for a change..MGB

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:17 AM By Anna Asher
I had been thinking if the society at large rejects the Church and BHO oppresses her … we should give them what they want so that they can realize all that we give. But this post causes me to reconsider. I like the bit about beating wolves. Powerful.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:21 AM By BC
I agree completely. Don’t give up the ship!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:26 AM By Ted
I followed the link to the website and saw the responses to this article. One actually bemoaned the lack of a constructive idea for the bishops to use in opposition to the government. Just defiance, that’s the tactic. Just say NO. Make the government shut down the Catholic institutions that are brave enough to act like Catholics. Then let the government take the hit in public opinion. The author is saying to the bishops, “Quit waving your arms around, wringing your soft hands, and start acting like men who lead other men – and fight for what’s right and just. The faithful will, by a huge majority, respect you and back your play. So – leaders of the faithful, defenders of the faith – LEAD AND DEFEND or retire in abject cowardice and fear – as usual.”

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:28 AM By Leonard
Amen, amen, amen I say to you …

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:30 AM By Life Lady
Uhh, I think the bishops have already counseled us sheep to do just what this person is saying. Last time I attended a Protect Religious Freedom Rally we were all instructed that we would likely have to do this, which is to stand and be counted, and then be prepared to go to jail. I don’t think the bishops have counseled us any less. If they have withdrawn insurance to students, it’s because it made sense to their school. Stuebenville is so small, and the parents of those students already had insurance for their children, so, that made sense. But no one is going to shut down any university, hospital, or any other institution that I know of, unless the Obama goons do it themselves, to my knowledge, but then, if this guy knows more than me, I would welcome the information.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:52 AM By Deacon Dave Hornick
You are absolutely correct with regard to how the bishops are being used by Obama and the forces that hate Jesus and our Church. We must speak out now against these godless bureaucrats…there is not much time before the election in the fall. Keep up the good work!!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:55 AM By Alex
Amen!!!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:58 AM By hosemonkey
Agreed! Bishops, force the issue. Make the Obama Nazis haul you to jail if necessary. Loyal Catholics will back you. Give us the leadership and we will follow. Remember the Cristeros, who offered their lives for God’s Church. Viva Christo Rey!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:59 AM By RUTH
There are only two choices. 1) to stop providing insurance, or 2) to disobey the law which includes huge daily Fines $$$$$$$$ amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The real issue at this time is – VOTING for evil politicians – which has been downplayed over the years, and getting Catholics to read the CCC so they will have formed good consciences.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:01 AM By tom byrne
While I like the tone, this very rousing address leaves out a few things. (1) There are at present many legal avenues to address these threats and just war theory demands that we employ those first before going ballistic (figuratively speaking, of course). (2) As obnoxious as the Obama ADMINISTRATION may be, it’s no REGIME, and may very well get tossed out on its ear in November. (3) Resistance a al Cristero will not address the fundamental problem of the Church in America, which is the laxity of the laity. Armies need good generals, yes, but also foot-soldiers.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:05 AM By OSCAR
The OBAMA Administration is doing a great job of Social Engineering. They want US citizens to be dependent on the Government – so the Government will become their god. Obama wants the Government to control all including life and death decisions on behalf of the individual under the guise of cost containment and his percieved lack of value of an individual to society.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:08 AM By Sandra
Be Not Afraid. Our Lord is leading the way.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:14 AM By MD
Ms. Barnhardt makes a point, but her manner of expressing herself is a bit crass and disrespectful in my opinion. I have heard nothing by the bishops about closing hospitals or schools. She has failed to acknowledge that this is the first time that 100% of the US Bishops have been in solidarity in an effort to fight for our Lord and Savior. What she does not state is that by withholding insurance, the Franciscan University is subjecting itself to being fined by the federal government and they just may storm the university and try to forcefully shut it down for non-compliance. Like all of us, we have to trust that our Bishops are being guided by the Holy Spirit and making decisions for God’s Greater Glory. We are in an age where white martyrdom can be the result of standing firm and like Archbishop Gomez said in his letter over the weekend to Los Angeles, we are all called to be Cristeros. Viva Cristo Rey!!! God Love You.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:19 AM By JLS
Ruth and tom byrne need to re-read the article … they missed the contents the first time through.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:19 AM By Sue in soCal
This blogger is singing my song!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:24 AM By JLS
Life Lady, A. “this guy” is a woman, who wrote the article. B. Obviously she knows more than you … click on the link and be boggled.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:29 AM By JLS
Where in their childhood did the bishops miss out on the immortal lesson of life that we call, “Bring it on, dude!” Could that have been the day they were at home playing with dolls?

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:37 AM By Fred
This article makes a very good point. Some Bishops & Cardinals have already verbalized the approach of shutting down services & institutions. Chicago comes to mind. The approach needs to be two-pronged: BOTH legal challenges AND civil disobedience, including refusal to pay any fines. And if court challenges go against us, more and continued civil disobedience.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:41 AM By JimAroo
and their rallying cry should be “For Greater Glory! Viva Cristo Rey! Blessed Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!” May we have your courage and your dignity as sons and daughter of the one true God.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:42 AM By BETH
tom byrne is correct. We must go through the Courts first – as we are doing now. And we must work for good candidates in addition to Voting properly – prior to taking other forms of action. I think some of you need to read the “HHS Mandate Statement” info on the USCCB web site. -You may be surprised. It is not weak. (Hopefully weak Bishops will become something of the past in the USA.)

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 7:44 AM By JMJ
Miss Barnhardt seems to be very confused about what is being shut down and what is not being shut down. The schools are only telling the students: NO INSURANCE and of course, the big ‘o’ will force them to pay illegal and immoral fines to help fill his coffers. If God stays with His punishment on this country this fall, then we will see the big ‘o’ take over all of our Catholic Churches, schools, hospitals, etc. just as his “God-father” Hitler did in German and of course, he will be filling up the concentration camps with Catholics and other Christians and Jewish people that will stand up against him; sadly, there won’t be too many that will do this. Psalm 108:8 (NAB): “May his days be few; may another take his office” and may I also add once again: we need to STOP THE EVIL OF OBAMANISM, NOW as GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED!!! +JMJ+

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:26 AM By Nightingale
I heard some of the Catholic universities have discontinued health insurance to students already. This does play into Obama’s hand: he will provide for them what the Catholic universities will not. This falsely makes Obama look like a saviour, and falsely makes the Catholic church look uncaring. I hope and pray that the Catholic leadership in America will stand their ground; take this government to court; ignore the threats of fines and don’t pay; and rally the faithful. And if the rank and file Catholics don’t like what the Bishops are doing, they can leave the Church. It’s time to prune the Church, and that could be easily said for the Protestant branch as well.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:26 AM By Former Altar Boy
Let’s give credit where it is due. That commentary was written by the feisty Ann Barnhardt on her blog: Barnhardt.biz

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:27 AM By Canisius
@Ruth let the fines pile up make the regime shut us down,, @ Tom, yes it is a regime

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:28 AM By steve
blah…blah…blah….are you people actually reading what you write? WE are the Church. WE have to stand and fight. WE have to pray & fast. WE have to write our rep’s. WE have to vote like Catholics. WE have to educate those who aren’t. WE have to fight this battle. MD 3 comments above has it right. Nice use of ‘for God’s Greater Glory’. Did anyone see the movie? The people didn’t wait for the Bishops to tell them what to do! They got ‘er done themselves. THIS is what we are called to do!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 9:16 AM By JLS
When I clicked on that link, and then onto the further link, it bogged down my computer. Something is up with that large website, because my pc is not exactly a lightweight. I suspect that that site “sanctepater” is over cookied up, or some of the cookies on it have some obfuscating links or whatevers and need to be gotten rid of by that webmaster.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 9:36 AM By max
ANN BARNHARDT sound like she needs a good nap. when shee addresses the SUCCESSORS TO THE APOSTLES by writing “Listen, you fools,” it reminds me of what JESUS told us about people who use such language. “Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:22) maybe she has been ‘ordained’ by ROMANCATHOLICKWOMENPRIESTS and now considers herselfr a know it all?

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 9:58 AM By Catherine
MD, Every time someone coddles our already much too softened shepherds, this gives them another days license to remain forever soft. Please MD, Rome knows how bad it is and they are waiting for the laity to speak up. Rome is also waiting for our shepherds to Man Up In Holiness. MD, Ann Barnhardt’s crassness is nothing in comparison to the rising sulphuric odor of a rotten foul smelling memo from a bishop that promotes the various and sundry issues that Ann Barnhardt talks about. This memo is what we all should be calling disrespect for God. God love you also MD but please, Man Up! Bishop Sheen always Manned Up with the truth. Read St. Christopher’s 5:56 AM post for it is completely accurate. Our shepherds have become the feminized tools in the hands of masculine radical left women who lyingly refer to themselves as feminists. There is nothing feminine about these masculine acting broods of vipers and their is nothing masculine about a bishop who does not defend his flock. Hold our bishop’s feet to the fire of holiness for they have not done this themselves. It is also a fact MD, that some of our bishops have been the unholy wolves using their crosier to beat the very daylights out of their own sheep. The Holy Father has asked them to become MEN OF ACTION THROUGH HOLINESS NOT MEN OF EMPTY AND SPINELESS DIALOGUE. Our shepherds will not become holier men if they do not listen to and follow the ever present guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Democratic Party is NOT guided by the Holy Spirit yet many of our lead shepherds are still much too enthralled by the dainty tea fellowship and the wolf laden wisdom of the Democratic Party. They in fact are responsible for allowing this wolf laden leadership to permeate poison into their own diocese. This is why such a large percentage of Catholics were fooled into voting for Obama. It is high time that our shepherds act like HOLY MEN to use their crosiers to drive out the snakes and the wolves out of each of their own diocese.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 10:00 AM By kaves1
Amen

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 10:19 AM By kaves1
A more likely scenario is that the govt will automatically take the money owed in penalties from the institutions accounts until no money is left. This needs to be prevented before the govt is forced to physically invade the institutions.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 10:19 AM By goodcause
The Bishops are right on the issue of religious freedom and deserve our prayers and support, even if most Catholics ignore the Chruch’s teaching on birth control. The Church has every right to run its institutions according to its teachings, even if some of the teachings are ignored by the averge Catholic in the pew.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 10:24 AM By Paul Dion
YYYessss!!! Call me, I’ll be there.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 10:35 AM By Delilah
I may not have a crosier, but I do have a walking staff. My husband, on the other hand, has a 308 5 load. If necessary, I will stand in front of my church and defend it.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 11:46 AM By John Feeney
We are in a fight against an evil government. Do not compromise or capitulate. Ms.Barnhart is 100% right!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 12:02 PM By Anne T.
I love the part where she says to beat the crap out of the wolves as I almost had to beat the crap out of a bob cat once if it had attacked my daughter, but passive aggressiveness works quite often, too, as every women should know, and in that case it worked. “Lord give us wisdom, the attendant at thy throne.” And Aslan, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, be at our side.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 12:43 PM By JLS
max, it is not the use of the word fool in describing someone, anyone; it is the accuracy of using that word that is crucial. What I hear Barnhardt saying in her post is the parable Jesus told about the rich farmer who had a surplus harvest. Instead of giving it to the poor (people suffering due to episcopal inaction), he built a barn to store it in … Jesus called him a fool, because his soul was taken that night. Now, does Jesus mean that the rich man died that night? Or … or, check it out, max … did Jesus mean that his foolish decision cost him his soul?

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 12:45 PM By JLS
US Government, aka Obamanist Regime.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 1:43 PM By MD
Catherine-I am sorry, but I have to disagree with you. I will not and do not see someone like Cardinal Dolan as a feminine man too scared to fight. We do not have the authority balk the actions of Church. Rome knows exactly what is going on, you are correct. If you look at the history of the Church, the Church has never overreacted in matters such as this, never acted emotionally or erratically. Rest assured that our bishops are being guided by both the Holy Spirit and our earthly holy father, for this I am 100% confident. The bishops have made bold proclamations, opposed to the opinion otherwise stated in this article have not threatened to close any hospital, school or other facility, but have taken legal action to resolve peacefully this erroneous threat. It is not the Church’s job to rise up, but us as the laity to do the fighting in the trenches. The Church is here to guide us in this fight just as she did for the Cristero soldiers in their rebellion. We must not be so quick to judge our bishops for what they are doing and not doing because this too is a source of division that threatens us. When we see our bishops united under Rome as they are, we have to remain faithful and trust the Holy Spirit. The Spirit has moved our bishops in recent months in ways we have not experienced in this lifetime and we must be united with them and ready to fight as they are preparing us to do. They are setting the table and we are the ones who will eat the meal. The actions of our ordained bishops, hers to apostolic authority given by Christ have spoken clearly using this authority and if you look clearly it is the farthest thing from soft, they are preparing us for a potential battle that will entail great sacrifice and martyrdom. God Love You.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 1:58 PM By MD
One final point of which I was trying to convey in my previous post. We all develop opinions during such times, about our Church and how things “should be” and we all think we know what is right. This is why Our Lord gave us the teaching authority of the Church and the apostolic succession of the bishops. Our bishops have used this authority to speak the truth regarding this HHS mandate, they have been issuing letters to the laity through social media and are undertaking peaceful means of preventing an all-out war. We can’t expect our bishops to initiate war. They have been preparing the laity though for civil disobedience if necessary. FUS taking actions as an act of civil disobedience which may have some damaging results and financial penalties of which I am sure FUS will not pay. Our Church’s authority resides in the Pope and Magisterium and we are called to be faithful to the authority of our Bihsops, our earthly shepherds. As I alluded to earlier, we are in a time where information is readily available and everyone thinks they are some type of moral theologian because we can all read Church documents, history and literature, but one thing laity does not have is the anointing of apostolic succession passed down to our Bishops by Jesus Christ Himself. We have to be mindful of this when we want to criticize them and their actions. God Love You.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 2:34 PM By MD
One last and final point, and I apologize for belaboring this. I have noticed that the most brilliant Catholic Thinkers today, Dr. Scott Hahn, Dr. Mark Maravalle, Dr. Regis Martin, Tim Staples, Jimmy Akin, Dr. Michael Barber, etc many more who are not included here all have one thing in common, namely the humility to never speak out against a bishop or priest and hearts of obedience as laity. I have had the luxury of hearing and meeting all the names of people in the list above and all speak of the necessity of obedience to our priests and bishops. It is not in obedience that we criticize our bishops and we must not do so. We should follow the example of the Catholic minds we have come to know and love and strive to be humble in how we see our spiritual shepherds. God Love You.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 3:39 PM By Anton L. Seidl
Ann Barnhardt writes with clarity and conviction. Our prelates have finally realized that they cannot expect fair treatment from a dedicated Marxist like Obama and his many “Catholic” sycophants like Sibelius et al. Alas! the bishops’ epiphany may parhaps have come too late. Another four years of Obama and you will not recognize this country. Instead of wishy-washy “voter guides”, let us hope the USCCB will come straight out and tell the faithful that a vote for Obama is a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of their faith! Little Miss Barnhardt is clearly fed-up with the “social justice greenies” that have infested our chancelleries, hoping that the administration may relent on a few points and that all will be well again in Obamaland. Good luck and fat chance! Totalitarian statists like Obama can never be trusted. They have no conscience. The ends will always justify the means in their book. Read history!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 4:08 PM By SAM
Just who does this ‘blogger’ think she is dictating magisterial policy to any Bishop? Christ didn’t create her a man so that she can’t be a Bishop who does her own thing. Leave the Bishops lead the Church according to God’s will and not yours.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 5:09 PM By Dana
I’m put off by the disrespectful ‘tude,(and we’re to call NO ONE a fool!) but was reminded of how many men in past wars were shamed into signing up for military service by scolding women faulting them for cowardice. The “Age of Chivalry’ was in honor of Our Lady, and to please ladies by being heroic was de rigeur. I don’t think the bishops that Ms.Barnhardt is chiding are going to read her blog however, but if she can rouse up some male enthusiasm for being men then more power to her! I miss the unapologetic masculinity of the men of my youth. It’s nothing to do with macho-ness, but everything to do with being the men that God has always called men to be…strong and led by ideals rather than by selfish desires. I would never label Catherine of Sienna as a warrior so much as an ardent lover of Jesus who was very frustrated at the weak popes and selfish men of her age…just as Joan of Arc was in her age. When men fail to be men, women will always rise up to fill the gap. I wonder which came first, weak men or feminazis? And I’m generalizing! I don’t see that shilly shallying weakness from the men who write on these posts! I wish more men were reading Cal.Cath.Daily.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 5:52 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
I agree wholeheartedly with most of this message. If you don’t think it can happen here, you don’t know the history of Catholic Mexico and the Cristeros. Obama is looking more and more like the murderer of Blessed Miguel Pro and many many others, Calles. Viva Cristo Rey, La Virgen de Guadalupe, e Los Martos de Mexico! God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:11 PM By JLS
The wolf pack is said to be nature’s most efficient killing machine. Aristotle uses the wolf/sheep dynamic to discuss his view of the nature of the reasoning faculty in man not existing in sheep. But Jesus uses the sheep motif to instruct us about reasoning, since it is by reasoning and not instinct that we follow bishops. We have to use our reasoning to determine if the bishop is worthy of following or if it would endanger one’s soul to follow him. Therefore, as far as sheep fleeing wolves by instinct, I rather see it as the sheep simply think really fast and decide to flee even faster … especially, of course, if the sheep perceives the bishop as a wolf in sheep’s clothing and spending his days pulling the wool over his own eyes.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:14 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
Our Bishops must not close anything down, that will give them the victory. No, they should be forced to try to do so. If they come after our Churches, Schools, Seminaries, and Convents, they should be met with American Cristeros! Viva Cristo Rey, Viva La Virgen de Guadalupe, e ayudamos Los Martos Mexicanos. Long Live Christ the King, the Virgin of Guadalupe, and help us oh Martyrs of Mexico! I know they are reading this, and I could care less. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:28 PM By JLS
Anne T., have you ever seen video or film of how fast a bob cat acts? Curious myself, I just searched it up on youtube, where I found a video with a wild bob cat attacking a large rattlesnake. The fight went for over a minute and the cat killed the snake by continual hitting with claws and spectacular leaping away from the fangs. Anne T., one more reason to explore nature both in situ and sitting in front of tv or youtube. BECAUSE, it improves our understanding of Holy Scripture: For example, Jesus is sometimes referred to as the Lion of Judah, and we know the serpent is always given a bad rap … but does not win against the big cat.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:28 PM By Fredi D’Alessio
The only opinion about the article I wish to share is that the author makes her argument quite irreverently. There’s no need for that.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 6:47 PM By Juergensen
The author is spot on, except that his call to battle presupposes that the bishops really truly oppose Obama’s mandate. I’m not convinced they do. Remember, EWTN News Chief Raymond Arroyo, in an interview he gave to Laura Ingraham after the 2008 presidential election, stated: “LAURA INGRAHAM: ‘Here is the problem, how many of the bishops voted for Obama?’ RAYMOND ARROYO: ‘The bishops I spoke to say that maybe half of their brother bishops, if not more, voted for Obama.'” So, if more than half of the bishops voted for Obama, how many are going to go to war against him?

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:06 PM By Bud 
After reading the lady’s full article and thinking about it…..I’m sure she is more right than wrong. However, our bishops, priests and laity are certainly at fault collectively. So, why start discouraging and blubbering about the few who are trying they’re best with what they have to work with in the pews! (50% or less) and about 40% who would pick up their skirts and pants and run like hell. This has been a long long time coming. I hope they can stir me out of so much of my complacency to help them fight.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:37 PM By JLS
Dana, your question is answered in the story of Samson and Delilah.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:38 PM By alan
The curse words could have been left out; the rest of the article was excellent. I fear there are still too many priests AND bishops who agree with the Obama agenda.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:38 PM By JLS
Fredi D, if one waits for the smoke to clear, then one will find oneself in chains.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:43 PM By JLS
Delilah, a “308 5 load”?? I know what a .308 Winchester aka 7.62 NATO round is, and I would guess what you mean by a “5 load” would be number 5 shot in a shotshell, either 12, 16, or 20 gauge. But I’ve never heard of a “308 5 load”. Can you provide a hint?

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:50 PM By Don Guillermo
It is a sad day for the Church when bishops need to be told to “man up” and nuns to man down. Blogger Ann Barnhardt has rightly criticized the bishops for sidestepping paragraph 2242 of the Catechism by closing up shop instead of standing their ground and actively disobeying these immoral laws. Her words are different than mine, but this is the essence of her insight.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 11:24 PM By Fredi D’Alessio
Thanks JLS. I expected a negative response.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 11:37 PM By Anne T.
JLS, I am sure St. Michael the Archangel and his army were with me that day as I could not have fought that cat by myself if it had attacked as I did not have a crudgel, walking stick, with me that day as I use now. Perhaps the big cat, Aslan (Hebrew for lion) was there with me there, too. Ha! Ha!

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 11:44 PM By Anne T.
Oops! I put in one too many “theres” in my last post. JLS, I do have a great devotion to the Archangels Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and my guardian as I say the St. Michael chaplet ever so often besides just prayers for their intecession. It has really paid off at times. I could tell you some really miraculous stories, but they are too long for this thread.

Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2012 11:53 PM By Anne T.
I should say “near miraculous” happenings because they were just too coincedental not to have been answers to prayers.

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 6:32 AM By Miguel
I couldn’t agree more! You simply force them to enforce the law. Martin Luther King Jr. Used civil disobedience. We need to do the same. When people see the Bishops being dragged away in handcuffs you will then know what it’s like to kick a hornets nest.

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 7:07 AM By S. Mary
If Catholics can be excommunicated for belonging to the Free Masons or Communist party, should the bishops issue a formal statement that since the Democratic party has declared war on the Church, that Catholics must quit their membership in the Democratic party or suffer excommunication? (Of course before this move is even made, Catholic pro-abort politicians such as Pelosi and Sebellius must be publicly excommunicated as well, something the bishops should have done years ago.) Since these actions would cause the loss of our tax-exempt status, the bishops should transfer their diocesan accounts to the Vatican Bank NOW so this rogue gov’t cannot seize the church’s assets to pay fines.

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 10:37 AM By Don Roberto
Further, following the good example of manly Catholic leaders (Elijah, St. Thomas More, St. Pius X, and so many others of blessed memory.), the bishops should excommunicate Obama’s henchmen (e.g., “Sister” Maureen Fiedler, Sebelius, Pelosi, Biden, ad nauseum). They can alway don sackcloth and repent, but until then their continuance among the allegedly faithful sends a terribly confusing message. St. Michael, defend us in battle. †

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 12:19 PM By Syliva
BRAVO….finally someone brave enough. What this blogger wrote is exactly what the Cristeros in Mexico did in between 1926 to 1929 (movie for Greater Glory) Mexican president said you can’t do this and this and what did the bishops and Rome do? They packed up and left. Who stayed and fought for religious freedom? Some brave priest and brave catholics (Cristeros) with translates to Christ’s people. Viva Cristo Rey / Long Live Christ King.

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 1:06 PM By max
S. MARY —- oh, right, i’m going to trust the vatican bank! they’ve had such a stellar record!

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 2:11 PM By Catherine
MD, You have nothing to apologize for in the sense that YOU also desire the truth. If your particular duty on this battlefield of life is to only use the gift of kindness or perennial niceness then this is your particular gift. MD, We are battling dark powers and dark principalities. This takes HOLY MANNING UP. There are those who will never change their disobedience because of kindness or niceness. The reality is, most people who are not obeying God or doing their job properly, they do not feel that they need to change. They change when they are truly afraid and then forced to react. That is not love of God. It is self-centered fear. Yes, this mandate might be the great tool of awakening that has begun to unite our bishops but this particular battle is only the surface battle. Disobedience to the Magisterium has created this crucial battle. MD, If the mere name dropping or mere mentioning of certain names helps you to interiorly feel comfortable then I am sorry to tell you that I have also met Tim Staples. I have also met Scott Hahn. His wife Kimberly has visited my home. MD, I have also had numerous priests, monsignors and pastors over for dinner. There is a very good reason that these individuals do not freely talk in public. It is called PRUDENCE. Yes, the threat of this mandate has now opened the eyes of our lead shepherds. MD, The clergy, great thinkers and the laity must always speak up as bravely when possible, as assuredly when possible and when necessary as prudently as possible. The Christeros understood this. Of course we are praying that our bishops unite and not just for the reason of Obama’s spiritually malignant health mandate. There is a much greater spiritual battle at stake within the Church itself and to naively ignore this cancerous malignancy has absolutely nothing to do with humility. It has to do with HONESTLY MANNING UP WITH HOLY LEADERSHIP. You cannot cure a deadly cancer by pretending it does not exist.

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 2:39 PM By JLS
max, I can save you half the money you’d lose by putting it in the Vatican bank. How? Keep half and give me the other half : )

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:23 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
Anne T. I Boy Scouting, we taught the boys that, when they were confronted with Bob Cats, or Mountain Lions, to make themselves look as big as possible, even having one Scout climb on the shoulders of another may help, and to very slowly back away without ever taking their eyes off of the Cat. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:31 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
Sylvia 12:19 PM, The Mexican Bishops were forced at gun point to leave Mexico, they didn’t leave voluntarily. If we don’t put a stop to the Calles clone,Obama, we may soon see the same thing here. Viva Cristo Rey, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 4:48 PM By MD
Catherine-I have to agree that we have been asleep for a long time in this country. I was not name dropping for the mere point of doing so, but had the privilege of studying at the Franciscan University under some great Catholic thinkers who resonated the need for obedience and humility. The bishops are here to guide and teach the laity and it is our duty to dive into the trenches and fight for the Lord. Sometimes it takes events such as the HHS mandate to awaken us when we fall asleep just as we have done in America and can now see from the actions of our Bishops that we need to take a stand and fight. The point I was making is we have to be careful in how we speak about our bishops and we must strive to forgive any mistakes they have made in the past as men and trust that when they use their authority that the Lord is guiding them. My point is a point of unity, respect and trust in the authority of our bishops. I agree that this is a horrific mess we are in, but believe we do nothing by criticizing our bishops and can potentially make matters worse by doing so. This is a difficult subject and I agree that we need to take action, but the first action has to be exactly what our bishops are asking of us now, prayer, fasting and sacrifice. More than anything we need the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us and we have to seek unity in our prayer for God’s Greater Glory. God Love You.

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 5:59 PM By JLS
On the other hand, Kenneth, if the bishops are forced out of the USA by gunpoint, then the only ones willing to sneak back in would be those answering the call of the Pope to “become holy”.

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 7:51 PM By Linda Maria
Perhaps this article was written by someone with good intentions. However, the writer was obviously a very babyish person, using very poor English and cuss words, to express their feelings! Grow up! We do not need this kind of babyish junk from supposedly dedicated “Catholic” laypeople! Grow up! Also, can’t the editor for this computer service for Catholics edit out the cuss words, and have a firm policy to never publish any article with cuss words?? Have you no integrity??

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 9:22 PM By Julia
I agree with Linda Maria. Yes, we ought to fight…but Our Lord will only bless our efforts if we do so with charity, and the manner in which this blog is written lacks dignity and charity. Fight, fight indeed…but all things in charity. The gratuitous use of profane language and imagery, and the condescending tone toward our bishops, is NOT the Catholic way (nor does it often result in fruitful outcomes)…regardless of the merits of the underlying rally-cry.

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 9:30 PM By JLS
Linda Maria, you’re comparing a few cuss words to millions of babies being slaughtered in the womb because bishops won’t do anything to stop it. Do you actually believe that when you face God on your judgment day, that He’ll be impressed with how neatly you’ve applied your make up?

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 10:03 PM By Jeff
Sancte.pater has it exactly right. The government should be forced to shut down Catholic Institutions. That will make the mainstream media and that will finally tell Americans what is going on.

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 11:03 PM By JLS
Linda M, the authoress is real, and says real things addressing real issues and real people. This, Linda M, is how real things get done … they do not get done by being politically correct or nice. Too many of the bishops see life on planet earth as sitting around being nice. This is the reason the Church has been hit by unconscionable pedophilia, gay clergy and nuns, abortion voting laity and clergy … and your call is for being nice?

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 11:06 PM By JLS
MD, why do you and some others believe that bishops will crumble if talked about in less than exalted words? Do you believe that they really are that fragile? Doesn’t say much for the faith you imput to them, right?

Posted Thursday, June 07, 2012 7:19 AM By MD
JLS-It is not the bishops I worry about, but Church as a whole if the laity speak ill and are disrespectful towards the bishops. I speak about unity, togetherness and striving to be children under the guidance of our spiritual fathers here on earth who I trust are guided by the Holy Spirit. The apostolic authority handed down to our bishops means nothing if we as laity don’t follow their guidance. We all have opinions on how things should be, but it is important to also trust that God is in charge and has selected these men to guide the US Church and is working in our bishops through His Holy Spirit. Our bishops have not been weak and are standing firm in unity to conquer the evil presented in the HHS mandate; something we have not seen in the US ever in my lifetime. We must not allow our hearts to be hardened from the disunity of the past and must pray for, make sacrifices for, fast for and follow the example of what our bishops are now doing. Our bickering changes nothing, but only causes disunity. Our prayer and sacrifice gives our bishops strength and gives us strength to fight and conquer evil. This is what I am asking, for the Lord to give us strength to fight as one united Church doing His will to defend life and liberty. God Love You.

Posted Thursday, June 07, 2012 2:59 PM By Anne T.
By the way, I should clarify that when that incident with the r bob cat happened, my daughter was not a little girl. She was taller than I was and had already parachuted from a plane, and probably would have been helping to save ME.

Posted Thursday, June 07, 2012 4:33 PM By Anne T.
Kenneth Fisher, thanks for the tip. That reserve, and other such parks I have been to, did and do have signs saying to make oneself look big when confronted by mountian lions or bob cats, and as I said in my last post, although I am a rather short woman, my daughter is tall and we were together, so I am sure the bob cat thought about that one.

Posted Thursday, June 07, 2012 6:55 PM By Mark from PA
MD, you made a good point in your post of 6/7, 7:19 AM. I wonder if Mr. Fisher read this and now understands that he should be more faithful to his bishop.

Posted Thursday, June 07, 2012 7:11 PM By JLS
MD, the unity is effected through the “Bread” and the “Word”. See, the oft quoted conclusion to the Three Temptations of Christ. Lack of the Word is the bishops’ sin. Tell me that as a whole, the bishops are providing the flock with “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”.

Posted Thursday, June 07, 2012 9:32 PM By Cody in Tucson
Anne, JLS, Kenneth – I have a lot of experience observing bobcats in my yard. I would not leave a newborn infant in the yard unattended but bobcats are leery of people. I have walked into my backyard not knowing that a bobcat was lying in wait near my bird feeders. As soon as it hears you walking it will be on alert and when it sees you it will casually get up, walk along the backyard wall (52” high) away from you, jump up on then over the wall and amble away in no hurry. It loves to take out quail, woodpeckers, doves, etc and will consume its kill quickly leaving only the wing tips. After one quail meal we timed the cat taking an over 3 hour nap in our yard. The biggest animal I have ever heard a bobcat kill is a neighbor’s miniature dachshund. The neighbor heard the dog screaming, ran into the yard, the bobcat took off empty clawed, but the dog was already done in. A MOUNTAIN LION is a different story! Yes, don’t turn your back and run from this cat, stand your ground, make yourself REAL big, wave your arms, make a lot of noise, as already suggested. I have never seen a mountain lion in the wild but I found a lion print in the backyard of my last house and its pad measured 4” across, that’s BIG. I had a couple dogs back then so the lion marked a spot in my yard, a smell that I’ll never forget. YUCK! The last human/lion death I have read about was a female jogger in the mountains east of San Diego, quite a while ago.

Posted Friday, June 08, 2012 9:37 AM By MD
JLS-Unfortunately I can’t tell you with 100% certainty that our bishops are making the correct decision on how they are guiding us, but the solidarity they are showing us now is a good sign in that they are striving to uphold the fundamental basics of our faith. I am hoping that we all use faith, hope and charity here: faith that our Lord is guiding our bishops through this mess, hope that they hear His voice and follow His Will, and that we love our bishops, pray for them, fast for them and most importantly be obedient to them and the authority they have as successors to the Apostles. Sometimes we get so focused on how we want the bishops to act as if we know the will of God better than they do if we don’t agree with their actions, yet we don’t have any authority to object for authority has been passed to them by the apostles. As I said earlier, I do not believe that they have made the best decisions in the past, but if we look at the signs and fruits of what is going on right now, the unity and togetherness the bishops are employing, the firmness in their resolve to defend life and freedom; then we have to have faith and trust them and most importantly pray for them to guide is to and with Christ in humility and obedience. God Love You.

Posted Friday, June 08, 2012 10:38 AM By JLS
His bishop should be more faithful to the Pope who called him and bishops in general “to become holy”; note PA that the Pope did not tell them to become “more” holy, but to become holy. A bishop who leads is holy; otherwise they do not lead anywhere important.

Posted Friday, June 08, 2012 10:51 AM By JLS
Few years ago paper carried story of woman sadly and painfully watching a mountain lion carry off her 90 pound dog leaping over the back fence into the woods. Predators do not risk injury unless they have to; hunger, protection of young, rabid: Defence would include bear spray, big knife, handgun, baseball bat, golf club. Cody, one time I was in local mountain scrub area with two young labradors. As I walked under an acrid smelling granite overhang, both dogs stopped and would not follow me. I then observed how this position served ideally for a cougar launch pad. The prey would come walking down a dry sandy creek bed, whereupon the lion (or bobcat) would spring into action. The prey animal would try to escape but be slowed down by a three foot high sandy embankment, and presto, dinner. I think I had to circumvent that overhang before the dogs would follow me, as I recall. But these two labs one other time scrambled after what I think was a bobcat in heavy brush. They could not move forward much but that cat zipped through it and outta there. Rec’d a photo series, where a cougar stalked hunting dogs in a mounted party. When it made its play, the horses ran, but the mule attacked and killed the cougar.

Posted Friday, June 08, 2012 12:20 PM By JLS
MD, words and marches are cheap; canon 915 is expensive.

Posted Friday, June 08, 2012 4:38 PM By MD
JLS-I get your point and it is well taken. All I know is I don’t have the authority to excommunicate and should not criticize the bishops because it is their decision to make. Would I like to see people like Pelosi or Sebelius formally declared as not being in communion with the Church, yes, but I trust the bishops judgement not to make the formal declaration. The Church does not excommunicate, it is individuals who excommunicate themselves and we don’t know that these individuals have not heard privately from a bishop or bishops that they have excommunicated themselves. I know this is tough to chew on, trust me I know because I have my own thoughts and desires that I have to push aside in obedience, but I also know it is my calling to be reverent and obedient in matters out of my control. I have to first and foremost pray for, fast for, etc. the pope, bishops, priests and religious. We have to overwhelm them with God’s Grace…God Love You.

Posted Friday, June 08, 2012 8:44 PM By Cody in Tucson
JLS – I probably saw my first bobcat about 8ish years ago, across the backyard wall looking into the natural area/wash behind my house. I watched the cat for 40 minutes. The first 20 min it just laid there at the edge of a vegetated area, occasionally looking at me. Then a desert cottontail hopped into the area where we toss bread crumbs out for the birds, about 10’ from the cat. For the next 20 min the cat looked at the bunny then he would look at me watching it. Bunny, me, bunny, me, bunny, me. I expected the worse for the bunny but finally the cat got up and wandered away. I’m not sure if the bunny even knew it might be on a menu! Either that bobcat had a good quail meal earlier or the bunny had one heck of a guardian angel (if they have one).

Posted Friday, June 08, 2012 10:29 PM By Anne T.
Thanks for your mountain lion tips, too, Cody of Tucson. Although we live in a city, mountain lions do come down occasionally into our area, and at least once into a neighbor’s backyard at night. They usually do not come down during the day.

Posted Saturday, June 09, 2012 1:22 AM By Kenneth M. Fisher
So many seem to be offended by the initial S.O.B. One could only hope and pray that they are equally offended by the actions of this “Administration” and inactions on the parts of so many of our would be Shepherds. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Saturday, June 09, 2012 1:35 AM By Kenneth M. Fisher
By some peoples thinking on this site, Bishop St. Athanasius the Great should have obeyed Pope Liberius, and St. Cardinal John Fisher who was made a Cardinal while he awaited death in the Tower of London, should have obeyed Archbishop Cranmer, and St. Catherine the Great should not have reprimanded the Pope for staying in France. God gives us the gift of Wisdom and we must use that gift to determine which Shepherds we should follow. We do so, as St. Paul wrote in trembling and fear, but we must do so. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Saturday, June 09, 2012 10:54 PM By JLS
MD, why not rather trust the bishops when they prove trustworthy? Where does Catholic doctrine demand we place our trust blindly? Did Jesus insist that his disciples trust Iscariot?

Posted Monday, June 11, 2012 8:02 AM By MD
JLS-My hope does not lie in men or the actions they do or don’t do; my hope resides in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who said the gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church. There is nothing to fear or be concerned about for He is in charge. God Love You.

Posted Monday, June 11, 2012 9:32 AM By JLS
MD, men and their actions are not separate from Jesus Christ who became a man and deals with men and expects us to do the same. You cannot get to Heaven without first working for it on earth.

Posted Monday, June 11, 2012 11:51 AM By Catherine
MD, I must say that you are contradicting yourself a bit. In an earlier post you did seem to place trust in men such as Scott Hahn, and others. Don’t you think that JLS’s hope resides in Our Lord too? JLS, never said that his hope only resides in bishops who are trustworthy. JLS is only reiterating what the Holy Father has said when he asked our bishops to become holy. MD, You are correct when you say that God is in charge but when you say that there is nothing to be concerned about then this is not true. There is a great deal to be concerned about. MD, I am going by the diocese that I live in and although the bishops may seem united there has never been a retraction of teaching that our belief in the Real Presence borders on cannibalism in the diaconate formation program. There has never been a retraction about the memo that supported homosexual domestic partnership. These are very serious errors that have been taught and you made the statement that we should forgive them for their past sins. MD, That is no different than asking the faithful to look the other way while behind the scenes error is still being taught. Yes, we are to forgive the sinner but we are not to remain silent when error is taught. Father John Hardon was not silent when he corrected certain writings of a certain individual that you have a called great thinker. Father John Hardon was a great holy thinker and he came from the era that knew we should be particularly careful about converts teaching the fullness of the truth of Catholicism. Does this mean that he or we are not joyous that converts become Catholic. Of course not. I have told the story about the Protestant woman who became Catholic of Protestant church grounds. Conversions are incredibly joyful. Father Hardon encouraged some of the those great thinkers to become Catholic and this was while books were being written, so our hope is in God and in listening to the Holy Father. Denying belief in the Real Presence should be a concern!