The following comes from a November 5 Church Militant article:
Father Richard Perozich of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in San Diego, California has suffered backlash over two recent parish bulletins advising Catholics how to vote in good conscience.
The reaction was immediate, with multiple media sources criticizing Fr. Perozich, while his own diocese refused to support him. His bishop, Robert McElroy, went so far as to make a speech over the weekend claiming that clergy should refrain from telling Catholics how to vote, either directly or indirectly. [Editor’s note: on November 4, Bishop McElroy also issued a statement “concerning the distribution of political material at Catholic Parishes,” criticizing the Immaculate Conception Parish.]
Father Perozich spoke with ChurchMilitant.com to offer a response.
CM: Were you surprised by the backlash to the Oct. 16 flier?
FRP: After backlash began and multiplied, I knew it would continue for several reasons. First of all, no one likes to be told they are less than anyone else, have done something evil, and are going to Hell. I did not endorse that comment for a flier in our bulletin, and it was not put there by our parishioners. The five non-negotiables [support for abortion, same-sex “marriage,” euthanasia, human cloning, and embryonic stem cell research] are true.
The backlash began because of an article written by a local reporter for our paper who did not get in touch with me to ask any questions, but extrapolated what he wished and constructed his piece.
CM: Have you been disappointed in some of the clergy’s silence and passiveness during this critical election?
FRP: You don’t rise to authority in an institution unless you follow the lead of those already there. More than disappointment, I confess that this is what I expect. Catholic clergy are institutionalized — paid salaries, paid retirement, paid housing, paid cable, paid cell phone, paid car or car insurance and sometimes gasoline, paid utilities, paid internet. It would be unusual for someone to want to have that taken away.
We don’t live the lives of our parishioners unless we have been in struggling places with struggling people. Some of us are more in touch than are others. The farther away you move from the common and the poor in power, possessions and prestige, the farther away you move from reality. It is easy to insist that the common and the poor get everything that we have, as long as we don’t have to pay for it.
I believe that every 501(c)3 that promotes a government program that costs the government money and its citizens taxes should be taxed for a portion of what they are demanding from the state.
CM: What final advice would you give Catholics on voting in the few days before Election Day?
FRP: Prioritize the issues — life from conception to natural death, God-given sexuality and marriage between man and woman, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, euthanasia — way above all other things. Then a citizen has a right to vote for more taxes for all sorts of programs if he or she wishes by putting into place those seeking election who meet these first five criteria.
Much as I dislike saying it – I believe that a Schism is coming after the crowning of president ‘Pantsuit Alinsky’ bu the lamesteam media.
“Professional Catholics” will seek to turn the Church against itself, in order to line their own pockets – most piously of course – as happened with the Episcopal Schism
SEE
Catholicism as “a living” …
https://www.boston-catholic-journal.com/professional-catholics-and-catholicism-as-a-living.htm
The Church is morbidly infected and dangerously bloated with “Professional” Catholics, that is to say, Catholics to whom, and for whom, “being Catholic” is a means to emolument, money; for whom Catholicism is a job, an income, and in many cases a “profession” (not a “Profession of Faith”).
…Pantsuit Alinsky..I love it……Time to rally behind these honorable priest…..be ready to die at their side when they come for us. In my parish, many are secretly ready to protect our priest if and when necessary……..martyrdom will be a two way street for those who seek to commit evil acts against our priest.
Cardinal George was prescient in observing:
“”I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square.
His successor will pick up the shards of a ruined society and slowly help rebuild civilization, as the church has done so often in human history.”
We – Will Face such choices, and can only hope to persevere in to the re-building, but in the meantime non-violent Civil Disobedience of the Gaystapo will cost many dearly.
Thank God the Prize is worthy of the penance.
Michael McDermott– LOVE all your excellent posts! Hope “Pantsuit Alinsky” will not get her “crown” tomorrow, as the next American President!
Ha, Ha!! “Pantsuit Alinsky” did not get her crown as “Madame President!”
Not surprised by the lack of support of the San Diego brethren. I know some good ones, but also know some worldly ones. Fr. Perozich nails things exactly with how the rank-and-file priest is bought off– that’s a very generous compensation package, far superior to what most priests in NorCal get. Contrast that life of ease with the prospect of dealing with an imperious progressive bishop and I’m not surprised all Father has heard is the chirp of crickets from the other priests. But singing in the background are the angels who rejoice at an honest priest!
Amen! I salute this priest.
Just yesterday I witnessed on a local television newscast Hillary Clinton in a Black Church making a speech to the Congregation and having the support of the Pastor. Why can black churches openly endorse a Democratic Candidate and even get news coverage but a Catholic Priest can’t openly endorse pro-life, pro-family candidates in Catholic Churches across America? Why this double standard? It’s time Catholic Priests are allowed to openly promote Candidates that support the teachings of our faith and Church.
Fr. Richard successfully provides the clarity & truth for his flock where most priests or bishops fail. Schism or not, the Catholic church leadership is soft on clarity & truth. And the faithful need it more now than ever! God bless Fr. Richard!
I’ll wait to see if the IRS actually does anything about Immaculate Conception. Until then, I think the IRS is equally blind to the issue for all. Please cite one specific example where the IRS had revoked the charitable designation of a Roman Catholic Diocese for political activity.
Great. To get started, let’s list all the dioceses that have engaged in political activity.
Well. I hope the injudicious person who so unwisely inserted these fliers in the bulletins at Immaculate Conception (and other churches) has a moment to reflect on their own foolishness and on the trial and distress s/he has caused Fr. Perozich.
Was this really what you wanted, thou anonymous one? Did you ever for a moment consider how this could spin out of control, and put Fr. Perozich in a position where he is likely to be replaced?
Well done, unwise and injudicious servant.
Agreed. Right on point.
I say I am just almost impressed. If any cleric wants to be really persecuted, and viciously so, he only has to open his mouth about the evil of the death penalty. There we have a life-issue, to which the Magisterium has given a clear and definite teaching, and yet you have folks who say they’re Catholics vehemently opposed to it. Not until a person is being targeted for persecution ON ALL SIDES, as Our Lord was, is the persecution and real witness complete. Otherwise, it’s just siding with one side of the political spectrum. Nonetheless, I’d say a good effort.
Sir:
The Magisterium’s “clear and definitive teaching” on the death penalty is that the State has authority to put people to death for crimes that constitute a serious threat against the people. Now in recent years, the popes have pointed out that modern prison systems can protect the population without recourse to blood, so we shouldn’t needlessly execute people who can be imprisoned without risk to society. In any case, the death penalty is not evil per se, else it would never be allowed.
I don’t know why you strongly imply that Fr. Perozich has some qualms about the Church’s teaching, past and present, on the death penalty. As often occurs with your comments on CCD when it comes to canon law and moral theology, it seems…
…as that you are apt to condemn fellow Catholics for not following your unique interpretation of these disciplines.
Fr. Michael, the troll Jon is a self appointed canon lawyer and theologian and will attack anyone who does not bow to his views. He in fact knows little which makes a deceiver and a liar
So Bohemond prove your point as well, that I “know little which makes jon a deceiver and a liar.” Go ahead and quote me.
On the contrary, it is not morally allowed to use the death penalty in our time, in our society. Pope St. John Paul II himself had said it is “cruel and unnecessary,” and he has repeatedly called for its abolition. Benedict and Francis continued his teaching. So, I’m afraid your characterization of the Magisterium’s teaching on this is faulty and incomplete.
As for my “unique” interpretation, prove it. Quote me and show my “unique” interpretation.
Quote you? Why waste the time?
Why waste time? Because a person making a claim is duty-bound to prove it. A claim is being made here about me and therefore I have the right to demand proof. Otherwise, if no proof is forthcoming, the more pertinent question for you to ask is: Why make the claim that is false?
See jon’s 9 nov 16 post at 12:14 p.m.
jon, if you don’t mind (and even if you do) I’LL decide what are the “more pertinent questions . . . to ask”.
Excerpt from “The Fifth Commandment” from the Roman Catechism:
“Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect the innocent.”
Evangelium Vitae n. 56: “…ought not go to the extreme of executing the offendr except in cases of absolute necessity: in other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society.”
Seems to me that my summary matches Magisterial teaching better than yours…
Noble effort, Fr. Michael. However, the aforementioned individual is unconcerned with objective Catholic precepts, reason, fact.
His main goal is to draw attention to himself, that being his primary pressing need.
I suggest that you completely present the teaching of the Church on this issue IN ITS ENTIRETY. It doesn’t help in the education of Catholics to present only a partial statement of her teaching. The classic, traditional Catholic teaching on this is what was quoted by John Paul II in his Evangelium Vitae from the Catechism: “Today however, as a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent. In any event, the principle set forth in the new Catechism of the Catholic Church remains valid: ‘If bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons, public authority must limit itself…
to such means, because they better correspond to the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person’.”
Therefore, because there are now other means to protect society short of killing, the death penalty as John Paul II has taught is “cruel and unnecessary.”
FrMichael– Excellent! St. John Paul II held that BOTH views are in line with Catholic teaching! He was a good Pope, and always upheld Catholic teaching! However, he made a new suggestion– to try the more idealistic concept, of abolition of capital punishment, in today’s era, in countries and in circumstances where it may be possible to do so– and he explained why. BOTH views are correct, and in line with our Church!
Well, jon, maybe you have a calling, to go join the prison ministry, and work with prisoners, on Death Row! Our society, in today’s so-called “enlightened” and “educated” modern world— still has extremely VIOLENT, anti-society, PSYCHOPATH, SOCIOPATH, barbaric, and EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MURDERERS!!!! What would you do, give parole someday, to the Charles Manson gang, serving life sentences?? Anyway– these violent, barbaric souls, all need Christ, too! Maybe you should go join the Prison Ministry, and try to help them! Better than just quoting the Calif. Bishops, and Pope St. John Paul II! Of course, they need our prayers (and their victims, too!)
P.S. The above post was written to jon! Maybe jon has a calling to join the Prison Ministry!
“Aware that the issue of capital punishment and its use has again become an important topic in your national debate, I would reiterate that the ends of justice in today’s world seem better served by not resorting to the death penalty. ‘Modern society in fact has the means of effectively suppressing crime by rendering criminals harmless without definitively denying them the chance to reform’. While civil societies have a duty to be just, they also have an obligation to be merciful.” Pope John Paul II to the new Philippine ambassador to the Holy See, on April 19, 2004.
jon, we all know those words! However, the so-called “enlightened ” society, which the Pope suggested we live in, perhaps is actually quite barbaric, violent, lawless, immoral, and diabolic! Our modern society is NOT taught their Christian morals, nor a Moral Conscience– with guilt for sin! Very dangerous! We have the RESPONSIBILITY to PROTECT SOCIETY, jon!! Our prelates actually support BOTH traditional Church teaching, as well as God’s Mercy and Love!! Good idea, for you to try working for Prison Ministry, if you are passionate about your beliefs!
Father is a true priest who tells the truth same as Our Lord about sin. He is an inspiration for the people and should be for a Bishop who is blinded by error.
The Catholic Church needs more clergy like Father Perozich who warns people of the consequences of sin.
A courageous priest whose suffering is saving souls.
Fr. Perozich is a fine priest and good man, one with courage as well as Faith. His statement of the obvious, that the Church offers its clergy a pretty cushy life, even while not doing what it is supposed to do — lead people to salvation. “M. McDermott” is correct, except that the Schism is already here, both politically and within the Church.
It is time for us — laity that care about the Faith — to tell the institutional Church that we are “mad as hell and are not going to take this anymore.” Stop giving your Church money, unless it is lead by a Faithful pastor or has priests like Fr. Perozich. Give to Traditional Orders instead, and tell your bishop.
VOTE TRUMP TODAY
…To preserve Christendom in America!
Don’t be late! Don’t be afraid.
Or as they say in Chicago: Vote Early, Vote Often!
I’m glad to see this interview reprinted. It now seems clear that secular media and apparently our own diocese publicly accused Fr. Perozich of wrongdoing without even asking him what happened.
Cal Catholic may have exacerbated the problem by regrettably reprinting the original, faulty article without reaching out to Fr. Perozich. I urge Cal Catholic to remedy that as soon as possible.
Sadly, we cannot expect most media outlets to be factual as regards Catholic issuses- that’s why we need Cal Catholic. Please correct and publicly acknowledge this simple misstep so we can continue to rely on Cal Catholic for our information. Thank you for all your work.
Here’s a link to a responsible report
https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2016/11/05/anti-hillary-church-flier-called-work-of-lay-catholics-ecclesia-militans/
Hey padre, good to hear from you! From one parish priest to another– keep the faith!
I’m all for singing the good fathers praises but lets be honest here folks, he aint preaching the Gospel according to Fr. Perozich. I think his attitude and conviction of faith are what we should expect from one of God’s holy men and I hope he stands as an example to all of his brother priests to preach the Truth in love. I would like to know who placed the unauthorized flyer in the bulletin, makes me think of the violence at the Trump rallies supported by the Clinton campaign. Just sayin.
“You don’t rise to authority in an institution unless you follow the lead of those already there. More than disappointment, I confess that this is what I expect.”
Thank you! May God continue to bless you, and fortify you, Father Perozich, for your leading example of faithfulness and courage. Your words and your actions reflect a holy awareness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “No servant is greater than the Master.”
Sorry folks its The Church not a debating society comprised of noobs who think Kim Kardashian is a role model. I would go much further than the good Fr. A Catholic cannon in good conscience vote for any member of the Democrat party, period. Abortion, last time I looked is NOT a sacrament and biological boys should shower with their gender, not my daughter, who would resolve their “gender confusion” quite rapidly…
The Church should be united in the Faith. Priests can, as citizens, support and vote for any candidate they choose. They cannot, from the pulpit, tell the laity how they must vote. It is interesting that the very people who are supporting Father Perozich are some of the same people who are condemning the local Bishop! Jesus was neither a democrat or a republican and he loves people of both parties!
Wrong, “Bob.” A priest cannot vote for any Democrat given that Party’s demand that abortion be accepted as a good thing as a matter of National policy. Second, a priest must, on pain of sin, tell is congregation that they, too, are bound to vote only for candidates that espouse a pro-life position. Jesus was a redemption “for many” not all. Mark 10:45. Jesus loved all and wishes all to be saved, but He knew that not all will be saved (as also reflected by Mary at Fatima). You are not free to disregard your Faith when voting.
Jesus never belonged to any earthly political party, but he did take a stand for life and other moral issues. Fr. Perozich is within his rights to talk about various moral issues and to tell the people of their implications, and then it is up to the individual person to select the candidate that best will uphold these moral issues. I do not subscribe to the seemless garment, but do believe that moral issues need to be prioritized with some issues outweighing the others. Defense of life from the moment of conception to natural death always comes first. Pro life is the way to go. May God help and bless America!
There is a similar problem, in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, between a faithful, orthodox Catholic priest named Fr. Brito, of St. Anne’s Church, and Archbishop John C. Wester (originally from the Archdiocese of San Francisco, as everyone knows). Archbishop Wester of course, reprimanded Fr. Brito. The case is slightly different, but along the same lines. Abp. Wester and Bishop McElroy (also originally of our Archdiocese) have always been very similar. Maybe California Catholic Daily will print this news item!
Well said Father Richard..
Nice to hear from you it has been a long time since i have seen you. We miss you at our lady of sacrate heart. Hope to get to see you some day.
This Daeysi Ocampo.
And Jon, to get back to your original post. Who says Fr. Perozich doesn’t hold to contemporary teaching on the death penalty? You say he would persecuted for doing so, which is laughable in this uber-PC CalChurch. Appears to me that you are questioning Fr. Perozich’s beliefs with ZERO evidence: Talk about rash judgment!
Right on, Fr. Michael. jon’s unjustified pretentiousness should not go unchallenged.
Wow! How ’bout that Immaculate Conception Bulletin. All of it. With a splash of Aristotle and Plato to boot.
Fr Perozich has done us all proud.