The following is from Eva Muntean, leader of the Walk for Life and SFCatholics.org
Brian Cahill makes a startling assertion in his latest opinion piece on the editorial pages of the San Francisco Chronicle—that the Catholic Church’s teaching on human sexuality is outdated and equivalent to the discredited view of the earth as flat.
In just about every column or utterance opposing Archbishop Cordileone, Pope Francis is cited, and Mr. Cahill does so as well.
As pope, unsurprisingly, Pope Francis’ many comments on marriage and family are completely in line with 2,000 years of Catholic teaching on sexuality. In fact, Pope Francis has repeatedly said that the institution of marriage between one man and one woman is under attack by destructive forces in our world and that the consequences for families and for society are dire.
The day that the Chronicle published Mr. Cahill’s opinion piece, April 22, Pope Francis yet again spoke on the importance of marriage between one man and one woman during his Wednesday audience.
Here is what he said: “The social devaluation of the stable and generative alliance of man and woman is certainly a loss for all. … And the Bible says a beautiful thing: man finds woman, they find one another, and man must leave something to find her fully. And for this, man will leave his father and his mother to go with her. It is beautiful! This means to begin a journey. Man is all for woman and woman is all for man.”
This statement is just the latest by our pope on marriage.
In November, Pope Francis said the decline of marriage is associated with increased poverty and other social ills. In his Nov. 17, 2014, address to participants in the International Colloquium on the Complementarity between Man and Woman, sponsored by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Pope Francis said:
“Marriage and the family are in crisis today. We now live in a culture of the temporary, in which more and more people reject marriage as a public obligation. This revolution of customs and morals has often waved ‘the flag of freedom’, but it has, in reality, brought spiritual and material devastation to countless human beings, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. It is ever more evident that the decline of the culture of marriage is associated with increased poverty and a host of other social ills that disproportionately affect women, children and the elderly. It is always they who suffer the most in this crisis.”
Pope Francis followed those statements up with this on Jan. 16 in Manila during his trip to the Philippines: “The family is also threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage, by relativism, by the culture of the ephemeral, by a lack of openness to life.”
Clearly, Pope Francis continues to assert the Catholic Church’s timeless teaching on marriage and on the absolute right to life from conception to natural death.
Archbishop Cordileone with Pope Francis believes that knowing and living our Gospel values, including Church teaching on sexuality, are important for all of us. In his talk in February during a three-hour meeting with Catholic high school teachers, Archbishop Cordileone said that the primary goal of a Catholic education is bringing all to holiness: “Our Catholic schools exist to serve the Church’s mission of sanctification and evangelization. This mission indicates that some widely esteemed achievements in secular society are inadequate goals – not in themselves contrary, but inadequate – for Catholic youth. They become goals contrary to the Catholic mission of a school if they become separated from the call to holiness and the mission to evangelize.”
As the ongoing uproar demonstrates, there is a great disconnect on this. But, finally, in the end, the high schools are Catholic high schools, originally founded with the primary goals of education and sanctification according to the values of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Cahill and many others may disagree with those goals and with some of those doctrines, as delineated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, supported by the Bible, and believed by the Catholic Church for 2,000 years.
But to try to enlist Pope Francis in support of an ongoing effort to discredit the Church’s teaching on sexuality is just wrong.
If Archbishop Cordileone fully supports Catholic teaching, why is he simultaneously “building bridges” with this dissident nun?
https://newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/building-bridges-with-archbishop-cordileone/
Activists have criticized Archbishop Cordileone for not “reaching out” and “listening”.
This meeting occurred because he had reached out to the people/groups who had written to him demanding that he not speak at the rally supporting marriage last year. He replied to them telling him of his willingness to meet with them individually. As I understand it, he only received replies from two people/groups. This meeting was the result of one of those replies. They state this in the post at the link you shared.
His Excellency has been accused of not listening, not wanting to meet with people of differering opinions. When he meets with “the other side” he should not be accused of being a turncoat. (I do not mean to imply that that is what you are saying).
What is the problem with attempting to build bridges to understanding?
The problem with “building bridges” is that it also needs to be accompanied by a reminder of the content of Catholic teaching–I didn’t see anything like that in the article, do you? What is actually achieved by this bridge building? What message does it send? Consider this article about how another bishop reacts to the work of Sr. Gramick:
https://www.cruxnow.com/life/2015/04/23/charlotte-catholic-bishop-cancels-gay-ministry-talk-by-nun/
Also, it seems that Abp. Cordileone has now complied with Sr. Gramick’s mandate to not attend the March for Marriage. Coincidence?:
https://www.cruxnow.com/life/2015/04/23/sf-archbishop-cordileone-to-skip-march-for-marriage/
Dave N., I guess you are another that no one will be able to trust – by your trying to harm the reputation of the Abp.
The Abp has his own Diocese to work on, and he inherited a real hell-hole in San Francisco. His own Diocese is his job, not marching on the other side of the Country.
Further one of the leaders of the CRUX is John Allen, who recently left the NC REPORTER after many years of employment there, to spread its garbage.
One can not and should not build bridges with EVIL.
Nobody but idiots and the LCWR pay attention to anything that Gramick has to say.
You are not too bright if you do not think the Abp adheres to the Catholic Faith.
He is very busy in his own Diocese.
Interesting links, Dave N, thank you.
That this archbishop like so many others is forced to “not be confrontational” is yet another means of controlling others’ behavior and speech. However, Christ and his teachings we know are by their very nature a “sign of contradiction” (Luke 2:34, literally “a sign that will be spoken against”). Let Legion begin howling: it is a sign that you are making progress.
This is in reply to the post of Dave N. In carefully reading material put out by Archbishop Cordileone, he is trying to get the point across– that his style of presenting and defending Catholic teaching, is not confrontational. He wants very much, to have a good rapport with others, and to then non-confrontationally approach Catholic Truth– and teach them! That is his style, which he has explained, in videos and in his writings. Please read, see news videos too, and see for yourself, Dave N.! The good Archbishop believes that in building nice relationships, a nice rapport, with opponents of our Church, he can then more effectively lead dissenters to Christ’s teachings! See for yourself!
Well, Brian Cahill, it is unfortunate that you no longer believe in the Catholic Faith. You are obviously deeply disturbed by what you perceive as disrepect by the Church regarding homosexuals, of which your son is one. However, while your past emotional suffering was entirely real, you cannot simply self-outdate the Church’s teachings on sexual ethics (or anything). Simply put, you have left the Faith, and now want to make the Faith leave us.
Yet, that is the way of things for our Zombie-Liberal elites. They do not like this, or that, and that means that none of us can life or accept these same things. Yet, there are many other avenues open to such denier of the Faith. For example, if you wish to remain in a Christian community, join the Episcopalian Church. Mr. Cahill, you and your Catholic-rejecting pals would have a ball over there. Every Sunday (Saturday, too) is Girl-Priest (or Bishopress) Dress-Up Day.
And, most joyous of all, anyone can play. Be an Episcopalian priest. How hard can it be as they pretty much believe everything, including whatever the Democratic Party says is true. In fact, the NY TImes/Washingtopn Post are pretty much at the same level of scripture.
The Catholic Church, Mr. Cahill, to remain the Catholic Church, needs to teach the truth of God. This means that certain behavior, including sexual behavior, is sinful, except in certain proscribed ways. You cannot change this.
Perhaps more importantly, you and your pals cannot take the Church away from us. Nope, no revisions permitted. It will take decades yet to undo Vatican II’s crazy and destructive impacts, Mr. Cahill. Let’s not add to this wreckovation of the Faith. Find somewhere else to call home.
As always, St. Christopher, a thoughtful piece. But more succinctly and simpler, it’s plain that Brian Cahill is just a jerk. Or as a friend has said, an “idiot.”
Thank you Eva!
It’s good to have the Pope’s quotations gathered together like this. I might add that the secular media is not inclined to quote him on any of these matters. More suitable for them to take him out of context
This was a very good piece. Thank you for publishing it here.
Pope Francis set the stage nor this slippery sexual slope with the comment that defines his papacy: “Who am I to judge?” In this case it was a proven pederast who had made use of male prostitutes while leading the Nunciature in Uruguay. Monsignor Ricca continues to direct Domus Sanctae Martae guesthouse where the Pope lives to this day. Pope Francis seems to never change his mind and to be ready to denounce Catholic as rabbits. This Pope has not been very helpful on fighting the culture of death and the homosexual mafia who almost brought down our Church. In the meantime Liberation Theology has received a huge Jesuitic boost.
Brian Cahill is a nut who wants to throw out Church teaching.
Sadly, Father Joseph Illo is not very stable, either, but from the other end of the spectrum:
“Canonical and court documents from 2003 and 2005 that cast a negative light on the ministry of Fr. Joseph Illo during his time in the Stockton, Calif., diocese (including a court ruling that he inflicted “intentional emotional distress” on an 11-year-old girl) have further enraged parents at Star of the Sea School who have sought the priest’s removal as Star of Sea Parish administrator.
A San Francisco Examiner story posted Thursday reports that a civil case settled in San Joaquin County Superior Court in 2005 ruled that Illo emotionally abused the child when he was pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Modesto and that “the girl was ultimately awarded $20,000 in damages.”
“According to court documents provided to NCR, the event took place Sept. 11, 2001. The girl reportedly went to Illo to tell him of alleged sexual misconduct against her and her sister in their home about two months earlier by associate pastor Fr. Francis Arakal.
“According to a “settlement conference statement” filed in February 2005 by attorneys of the girls’ guardian ad litem and mother, Kathleen Machado: “Rather than protect and minister to the 11-year-old … Fr. Illo breached the child’s confidences by forcing the child to confront the offending priest.
Anonymous’ post takes material from the FRAUDULENT National “Catholic” Reporter, the original source! A highly dissident, immoral publication! Fr. Illo is a totally trustworthy, elderly, dedicated Catholic priest! He is NOT someone for disturbed, liberal, dissident lay FOOLS in the pews, to manipulate! He is quiet and kind, but also truthful, regarding the Church! He has an excellent idea, of a return to Catholic traditions, “altar boys ONLY,” development of strong Catholic father-son bonds, and the hope of sparking interest in young boys, for the priesthood! Also, the Oratory (similar to a religious order) is a GIFT, and we are BLESSED to have it! The “Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministry” is a Vatican II experiment, tragically ABUSED! It was meant originally, as an “extraordinary” means of helping the priest give Communion, in rare cases, and in priest shortages! Overall– the priest must have the authority of the Church, to run his parish, and the Bishop, likewise, to run his Diocese! And the laymen must RESPECT their Church leaders!
Father Illo you find “quiet and kind?”
Here’s what the Canon Law inquiry had to say about him:
A Jan. 6, 2003, canonical investigation into “Allegations of Harassment and Defamation of Character Raised by Ms. Kathleen Machado against Reverend Joseph Illo” stated: “There is sufficient testimony to indicate that Fr. Illo on occasion can exhibit two opposite facets of a personality — on the one hand kind and helpful and sensitive and on the other hand dictatorial, manipulative and insensitive.”
For me, the fact that Fr. Illo screamed at an 11-year-old girl who came to him for help (about the other priest being sexual with her), the fact that he called the child a liar and insulted her mother, then forced her into a room with the accused priest, shows he should NOT BE IN CHARGE OF A SCHOOL.
EVER.
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/3845/attacks_on_sf_pastor_aim_to_test_abp_cordileone.aspx
Anonymous, I have some questions: Why was the associate priest, Fr. Francis Arakal alone in that house or a room with those two girls? Where were their guardians? Why didn’t the girls tell their guardian or guardians first so the adult could inform Fr. Illo? Some things are missing in your report..
You can look up this case, on http://www.bishopaccountability.org! Click on “abusetracker,” and then pick out the Diocese of Stockton CA. Scroll down to the name of the priest in question: Fr. Francis Arakal, a Carmelite, born in India. See the case, its results, and decide for yourself.
Yes all pedophiles must be confronted and reported to the Police.
Fr. Illo did the right thing.
Anonymous, if I was Fr. Illo I would find out who you are through your email address and IP number and sue both you and the NC REPORTER for your lies and Slander and Calumny.
The NC REPORTER fraudulently calls itself “Catholic” since it was first condemned by their Diocese Bishop in 1968.
Leigh, how can you attack ANONYMOUS for revealing what is in the public record? Here’s what I found after five seconds of searching:
A Jan. 6, 2003, canonical investigation into “Allegations of Harassment and Defamation of Character Raised by Ms. Kathleen Machado against Reverend Joseph Illo” stated: “Fr. Illo’s handing of the incident with the child, and … other incidents, indicate a need for improvement of his pastoral management skills.”
“There is sufficient testimony to indicate that Fr. Illo on occasion can exhibit two opposite facets of a personality — on the one hand kind and helpful and sensitive and on the other hand dictatorial, manipulative and insensitive.”
“Perhaps counseling for Fr. Illo in gender boundaries and pastoral care of women would be appropriate,” the investigation report said in its “conclusions and recommendations.”
The report, submitted to Stockton Bishop Stephen Blaire, also said: “The Petitioner [Machado] needs to be aware of her own vulnerability as a woman suffering the trauma of divorce. She needs to be aware of how this vulnerability drives her into continued and frustrating attempts at establishing relationships.”
Via email, Illo declined comment. “I’m sorry but Archbishop [Salvatore] Cordileone has asked me not to respond to questions from the media. I refer you to our legal counsel, Larry Januzzi,” he wrote.
Star of the Sea School parent Christy Brooks told NCR that she and other parents want answers about the vetting process used before Illo was assigned to the parish not only as administrator but as initiator of transforming the parish into what is known as an oratory.
“Did Archbishop Cordileone know about this?” she asked. “If he did, why weren’t we told? If he didn’t, he should have.”
Michael, supply a link to any OFFICIAL church documentation that you have seen.
We can read proof positive.
Do not reprint some report which came from an anti-Catholic rag like the “NC Reporter” – who mixes fact with fiction.
Or from a publication who merely quoted the “NC Reporter”.
Regarding your posted question:
QUOTE: “Did Archbishop Cordileone know about this?” she asked. “If he did, why weren’t we told? If he didn’t, he should have.” UNQUOTE.
– WHY DID SHE NOT ASK the ABP DIRECTLY rather than asking the public in a publication ?
How are the rest of us supposed to know ?
She did it to purposely cast doubt on the reputation of another. Unethical reporting to say the least.
Cardinal George said it best –
” Cardinal George on Pope Francis: ‘Why doesn’t he clarify?’ ”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/cardinal-george-on-pope-francis-why-doesnt-he-clarify
When misquoting the Bible regarding judging, it makes non-Catholics think our Pope is gay – and has not taken the log out of his own eye before taking the splinter out of his brother’s eye.
Our Pope is not gay, but merely does not understand how to deal with the secular press.
Very good link, Lynn, to the memorable interview with the now-late Card. Francis George. Prophetic words; and now he, Card. George, belongs to the ages.
When in doubt about any Catholic Church teaching – use a Catholic Bible, and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition”.
We are required to adhere to these in entirety.
Personal opinions of anyone,
public statements of anyone (which may be accurate or a misquote) mean absolutely nothing for our eternal salvation !
(And this includes the “personal opinions” of both Clergy and posters on this web site.)
Thank you Eva for your well written article. I am wondering what makes Brian Cahill an expert on Catholic teaching? Does he think that a year or two in the seminary when he was a young teenager, makes him an expert on the teachings of the Catholic Church. He is a very bitter, angry man who believes in his own deviant thinking and is trying to convince others to follow him. I would suggest he find a good confessor and have a long talk. We surely do need to pray for
Mr Cathill and others like him to find peace of soul.
Tell me this. For all the disagreement about the Catholic Church and it’s age old stance in defense of human life, marriage, the sacred doctrines which hold our world together-have any of the critics studied John Paul II’s Theology of the Body? Let them argue with a saint. Let them argue with God’s word. Let them argue for more chaos as society embraces the disintegration of the family, rampant misuse of sexuality, and the ingratitude of the gift of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Fools are a plenty in this land deserting principles, truth, morality and our God.
This is an excellent article, by Eva Muntean! Brian Cahill should long ago have been excommunicated!! Too bad he was allowed to serve as director of the SF Archdiocese’s Catholic Charities, and is now collecting a Church retirement salary!! The Church really should have “cleaned house,” on these kinds of immoral, false “Catholic” heretics, a long time ago! As for Pope Francis– he really does need lots of prayers, daily, for God’s help, to properly and effectively guide the Church, morally and spiritually!
Any heretic should not be able to receive a pension or any other benefits from “Catholic Charities” or any other organization that calls itself “Catholic”.
Thanks and yes! — a “great disconnect.”
In fact, Mr. Cahill & associates actions read right out of Saul Alinsky’s “12 Rules For Radicals” as if the Catholic Church were a man-made organized association of workers. In this mistaken interpretation, the ‘Catholic’ part of ‘The Church’ is just fluff– unnecessary, easily tossed, and especially in the area of the teachings on sexual morality and marriage.
In their shameful disrespect of Archbishop Cordileone, for example, Mr. Cahill & associates apply Alinsky’s Rule # 5–the use of “ridicule to create fear and anger.”
And in their taking out the SF Chronicle ad, it’s Rule # 8–“keeping the pressure on and never let up.”
Treating the Catholic Church like Organized Labor along with treating Archbishop Cordileone like an unpopular, uncaring, dishonest Union Boss, Mr. Cahill and associates display a shallow, immature incomplete understanding of the Catholic Church and their own Catholic faith. In fact, in words and actions they show that they are completely opposed to fundamental teachings that can not be changed because some find them unpopular.
“A student of Catholic education should be one who knows the Church, loves the Church and lives the Church.” Sadly, Mr. Cahill & his associates are missing all three qualifications.
To Archbishop Cordileone: thank you for your courageous and steadfast example to San Franciscans and to the world! Prayers for your continued authentic leadership.
I would modify Eva Muntean’s article in regards to this line, at least: “As pope, unsurprisingly, Pope Francis’ many comments on marriage and family are largely (instead of “completely”) in line with 2,000 years of Catholic teaching on sexuality.”
PF’s most often-quoted malaprop—“”If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?” (29th July 2013, interview returning from Rio World Youth Day)— was a scandalous comment which has motivated the Zeitgeist for the current state of turmoil: it is the very nature of the office of the Supreme Teacher of the Faith to define and judge the doctrine, esp. the long-held traditional moral teachings on sexuality. He has done untold damage by this foolish statement.
The Holy Father was only expressing the teaching of the Church as found in CCC 2358.
Don’t you also want to quote at me CCC 2359? It’s worth reviewing.
Also, note that CCC 2360 and ff are even better. Pope Francis could have said all this to provide proper Catholic context, on that Rio flight interview in 2013. But it wouldn’t have been popular. He likes being loved.
C&H et all –
The CCC must be taken in entirety (no picking and choosing).
All those who wish to be Catholic must adhere to the teachings in the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’ in entirety.
“ This catechism is conceived as an organic presentation of the Catholic faith in its entirety. It should be seen therefore as a unified whole. ”
(CCC pg 11)
Regarding homosexual acts – CCC: 2357, 2358, 2359, & 2396.
Sacred Scripture regarding homosexual acts – Gen 19:1-29; Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:9-10; 1 Tim 1:10; Jude 1:7.
As for the priest Father Illo protected, here’s what the court case was about:
The lawsuit brought by the woman claims that Illo responded improperly in September 2002 when her middle daughter reported concerns about the Rev. Francis Arakal, an associate pastor at St. Joseph’s.
The mother claims that Arakal twice touched the breast of her eldest daughter in July 2002 while he was pinning the girl to the ground during a tickle fight at the family’s home. She also claims that Arakal asked her youngest daughter to reach into his pants pocket to pull out a priest’s collar.
In regards to Pope Francis’ colossally confused “Who-am-I-[tho’ Supreme Teacher-of-the-Faith]-to judge?” insanity, here is what a true Catholic leader says:
“The idea that would consist in placing the Magisterium in a nice box by detaching it from pastoral practice — which could evolve according to the circumstances, fads, and passions — is a form of heresy, a dangerous schizophrenic pathology.” -Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect for Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship: Interview in book, Dieu ou Rien (“Either God or Nothing”), cf. Rorate-Caeli.blogspot, 2/2/15 (No: he is not a member of the SSPX.)
The silence of the Sovereign Pontiff on defined Church teaching while permitting the developing internal fragmentation as a result is appalling.
And here is something else that Card. Sarah says:
“I affirm solemnly that the Church of Africa will firmly oppose every rebellion against the teaching of Christ and the Magisterium.” (same interview)
Saw the Avengers 2 movie last night. Pope Francis comment about Catholics breed like rabbits was used in a line in comparison to the villain multiplying his robots faster than Catholic rabbits. People laughed in the theater at this insulting joke. Somehow I believe that line wouldn’t of been in the movie if it wasn’t for Pope Francis making that comment on the way home from his trip to the Phillipines. After the movie I overheard a person say the movie was good but what was with the weird Catholic joke? One could take it as subtly equating Catholics to villains for populating since the villain was producing his evolved robots to extinguish the human race and protect the earth. In other words making the Catholic teaching about openess to human life as being evil and destroying the planet. Perhaps I’m reading too much into the ill tasted line in the movie. Anyway it was a very strange line to use.