When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray the Kingdom was still future. When do you expect it?

Q: When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray the Kingdom was still future. When do you expect it?

A: The Kingdom of God became present on the earth once again, the moment the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived.

When Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb, the Kingdom of God became the most powerful force on earth.

Jesus’ atoning sacrifice at Calvary, and the subsequent birth of the Church on Pentecost, made it possible for anyone to become part of the Kingdom, by inviting the Holy Spirit to indwell their soul, through baptism.

When Jesus comes again, and God dwells with man on the newly renovated earth for all eternity, that which is anticipated in the Lord’s Prayer will see its’ complete fulfillment.

Young African woman crawls 2.5 miles to attend Sunday Mass

Young African woman crawls 2.5 miles to attend Sunday Mass

 

Olivia (Photo courtesy of AVAN)

Valencia, Aug 28, 2008 / 01:42 am (CNA).- The Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly in Chissano (Mozambique) took into their home this week a 25 year-old African young girl named Olivia, who despite not being baptized at the time and not having any legs, crawled 2.5 miles every Sunday to attend Mass.

According to the AVAN news agency, the nuns said that one day, they saw “something moving on the ground far away,” and when they drew near they saw, “to our surprise, that it was a young woman.”

“We were able to talk to her through a lady who was walking by and who translated into Portuguese what she was saying to us” in her dialect, they said.

The sisters said that although “the sand from the road burned the palms of her hands during the hottest times of the year,” the young woman crawled to Mass, “giving witness of perseverance and heroic faith.”

The young woman received baptismal preparation from a catechist, who periodically visited her at home.  After she was recently baptized, one of the benefactors of the sisters donated a wheel chair for Olivia.

Indulgences

Q: What were indulgences? Why would some be angry at them? Why was the Catholic Church so in need of them?

A: Indulgences are only peripherally connected with the forgiveness of sins. Indulgences cannot save anyone, or get anyone released from hell.

Indulgences are “favors” granted to the faithful, much as the apostles were known to cure the lame, or heal the sick, but these favors serve to mitigate the consequences of sins that have already been forgiven.

For example: A contrite and repentant murderer might be forgiven by God for his sin, but that does little or nothing to mitigate the results of that murder, which will resound through history for generations.

Meanwhile, the many consequences of that murder remain the responsibilty of the murderer, even though the sin has been completely forgiven.

And while one who is forgiven of heinous sin may no longer be in danger of eternal damnation, there’s no assurance that such an imperfect soul is anywhere near ready to enter heaven.

Empowered by the grace and merits of Jesus and all the saints, and distributed by the authority of the Pope, indulgences have the power to spiritually “heal” the damage, rifts, and imperfections that still remain after sins have been duly forgiven, and to make up for what is still lacking, in virtually all forgiven sinners.

Non-Catholics often intentionally ignore or misrepresent this very significant and important issue, while the Catholic Church has always clearly understood and dealt with it … since the power to forgive sins that was given to the apostles by Christ, has always been linked to the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, which they received from Jesus, at the very same time.

During the middle ages, indulgences were, for a short time, a source of Church donations. When abuse began to occur, the practice of donating money to gain indulgences was permanently discontinued … but indulgences were not.

Today, indulgences are as necessary and practical as ever, but they can only be obtained through certain types of work and/or prayer, and they may only be applied to one’s own soul, or to the soul of one who has already died. They cannot be transferred to any other person who is alive on earth.

For more on this little understood matter, go here:

http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/indulge/…

Catholics: Could I ask you a few questions about your denomination that I find confusing?

Q: Catholics: Could I ask you a few questions about your denomination that I find confusing?

There are some things about your religion that I don’t understand and I’m wondering if you can help me…

* Why do you pray to the Mother Mary and Saints? From my readings of the Bible, it doesn’t say anywhere to do this. The only way to God is through His son, not his mother or saints.

* Why do you go to confession? Only God can forgive us for our sins, not a priest. So if you pray and ask God for forgiveness, what is the purpose of confession?

* Why are priests and nuns forbidden to marry? This is not mentioned in the Bible.

A: First of all, Catholicism is not a denomination. Catholicism is the one, true Church, that was founded, authorized, empowered, and eternally guaranteed by Jesus Christ, for the purpose of our salvation.

Catholicism is not based solely on the Bible. It is based on the revelations of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, on the teachings of the apostles, and on the continuing guidance of the Holy Spirit, who is the constant advocate of the Church and the arbiter of all divine truth, along with Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Catholic Church, and who remains at the very center of all Catholic worship.

The Bible was the Catholic Church’s idea … an idea that was inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. The Bible was not absolutely essential to the Church, since the Church did just fine without a Bible, for some 400 years.

Based on this, it is clear that the Bible follows the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Anyone who doesn’t understand this has things bass-ackwards.

Prayer is the ordinary means of communication with our loved ones who are in Heaven, as facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Prayer is certainly related to, but distinctly different than worship, which is given to God alone.

Jesus promised that all who are invited into Heaven will share in his glory, and will receive, among other things, power and authority.

Catholics believe that it is acceptable to God, and quite appropriate for those in Heaven to assist their “kin folk” still alive here on earth, in obtaining salvation … since the right of kinsman to intercede for their own extended family is clearly stated in the Bible, and that same right is closely intertwined with the way our redemption in Jesus Christ was actually obtained.

Heaven does not pose a barrier to the ongoing work of our salvation in Christ.

The first thing the risen Jesus did was give his apostles the power to forgive sins in his name. It was the greatest head on attack against Satan, sin, and death that the world has ever seen, or ever will see … empowered by the grace of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice … and the Church continues to fight that battle, in the world today.

As a result, through the sacrament of reconciliation, Catholics enjoy absolute forgiveness for all their sins, right here and right now, virtually without exception, while everyone else will have to wait until Judgment Day to find out for sure if God has truly forgiven them. Catholics also appreciate the sacrament of reconciliation as a primary source of God’s superabundant grace … grace that is typically lost through sin.

Non-Catholics … even if they might be forgiven of their sins … have no particularly effective, specific way of replenishing the grace that was lost through sin … something which could leave them at a serious spiritual disadvantage.

It was Jesus who authorized those who could do it to remain celibate. Jesus was celibate, as well … something which certainly was not the “norm” when he walked the earth.

Many of the apostles were celibate, and others even gave up their marriages in order to better accomplish God’s work of evangelizing the world.

Pro-life, Pro-family Leaders Praise McCain’s Choice of Pro-Life Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for VP Running Mate

 

Pro-life, Pro-family Leaders Praise McCain’s Choice of Pro-Life Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for VP Running Mate

By Kathleen Gilbert

DAYTON, OH, August 29, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Republican John McCain has picked first-term Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his surprise choice for a running mate, in a move hailed by conservative leaders as “absolutely brilliant” and “electrifying” conservative voters, especially women.

Gov. Sarah Palin, known for her traditional and unabashedly pro-life and pro-family views, is the mother of five children, including her youngest boy, Trig, who has Down Syndrome.  She is now only the second female vice-presidential candidate in history and the first for the Republican Party.

Gov. Palin had been considered a wild-card for a running mate, and the choice further solidifies the appeal of the Republican presidential contender to values voters.  The news comes only days after the Republican platform became what has been called the most pro-life and pro-family in Republican party history.

Representatives for the National Right to Life said they were “thrilled” to hear of the selection.  President Wanda Franz, Ph.D said, “Governor Palin brings another strong pro-life voice to the Republican ticket, in sharp contrast to the pro-abortion ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.”

“The country now has a clear choice,” added Darla St. Martin, Co-Executive Director of the National Right to Life Committee, “between an avowed pro-abortion ticket that would continue to push for unrestricted abortion on demand, and a strongly pro-life ticket that will bring us closer to a society that embraces the value and dignity of human life.”

Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America (CWA), welcomed the fresh perspective that Palin will bring to the presidential race.

“Governor Palin will change the dynamics of the entire presidential race,” she said. “Her admirable record of confronting corruption and living her pro-life convictions shows she is a doer, not just a talker. Sarah Palin will make history as a vice presidential candidate – and not simply because she’s a woman, but because she’s a woman of substance and character.”

Janice Shaw Crouse, director and senior fellow of CWA’s Beverly LaHaye Institute, proclaimed the choice of Palin a victory for a true feminism. 

“It is particularly significant that a conservative woman was nominated for the nation’s second highest office,” she said. “For years the feminist movement has acknowledged for leadership only those women who embrace a radical agenda. How refreshing that now we have a woman who reflects the values of mainstream American women. Sarah Palin is pro-life, pro- marriage and pro-family. She is a woman who is balancing the personal and professional in admirable ways. She is an outstanding woman who will be an excellent role model for the nation’s young people. Sarah Palin is chief among equals with American professional women; she brings the kind of balance that characterizes the high-achieving women of today. She will bring to the forefront of our cultural conversations an intelligent, realistic, well-grounded woman’s perspective.”

“Absolutely brilliant,” said Matthew Staver, Chairman of Liberty Alliance Action, Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, on the choice of the attractive young governor.  He continued, “Personnel is policy. With the selection of Gov. Palin, Sen. John McCain has proven that he can exercise sound judgment.” 

“The selection of Gov. Palin means that this upcoming election will be historic. But beyond making history, Palin brings substance and excitement. She is intelligent, young, attractive and articulate. As a woman and a mother, she can attract women voters, particularly those who feel disenfranchised,” said Staver.

Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser agrees. “Sarah Palin is the whole package. Women voters are electrified, and Sarah is someone who is truly in sync with the way real American women think,” she said.

Almost without exception, social conservatives are hailing McCain’s new running mate as a brilliant choice that will appeal to a broad swathe of voters and inject a freshness into McCain’s run for the presidency.

Click here to go to LifeSite News

IRLC Pro-Life week in review

News Headlines on Life Issues:

 

August 29, 2008:
Pro-life, Pro-family Leaders Praise McCain’s Choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for VP
August 28, 2008:
Researchers Make More Stunning Advances With Embryonic Stem Cell Alternative
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Racks Up Another Failure, Immune System Issues
Republican Party Platform Calls for Ban on Embryonic Stem Cell Research
National Right to Life calls GOP Platform “Strongest Ever” on Life Issues
Two More Bishops Have Come Out against Pelosi’s ‘Catholic’ Abortion Theology
Mexico Supreme Court Votes to Uphold Mexico City Law Allowing Abortions  Tragic!
August 27, 2008:
California Bill Promoting Suicide Almost to Governor, Pro-Life Group Worries
August 26, 2008:
Republican Party Platform Proposal Keeps Pro-Life Amendment on Abortion
Poll: Majority of Americans Disagree With Barack Obama on When Life Begins
Watchdog Group Says Barack Obama Misleading About Abortion, Infanticide Bill
Cardinals, Bishops and Congressmen Slam Pelosi on Abortion    More
Pro-Life Advocates Seek Guinness Record for Democratic Convention Abortion Sign
Large Prayer Rally at Denver Planned Parenthood During Democratic Convention
August 25, 2008:
National 40 Days for Life Event Hits 170 Cities and Canada to Oppose Abortion
Democratic Party Approves Platform Mirroring Barack Obama’s Pro-Abortion View
August 24, 2008:
Sweden Abortions Increase Despite Much Higher Sales of Morning After Pill

Commentary:
When Does Human Life Begin? Obama’s Pro-Abortion Answer His Downfall  (Carl Anderson)
Tasha Danvers-Smith Shuns Abortion, Still Earns Olympic Medal  (Bradley Mattes)
Why Obama couldn’t answer Warren’s baby question  (Jill Stanek)
UN Staff Secretly Meet With Abortion Advocates for Intl Strategy  (Samantha Singson)
APA Report on Abortion-Mental Problem Link Politically Biased  (Priscilla K. Coleman, Ph.D.)
The ‘Making Abortion Rare’ Hoax  (David Limbaugh)

http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/

 

Underground Catholics defy police ban, celebrate mass with their bishop

 

 

 

 

Bishop Zhiguo

 

08/21/2008 12:47

AsiaNews.it

CHINA
Underground Catholics defy police ban, celebrate mass with their bishop
by Wang Zhicheng

It happened in Zhengding on the feast day of the Assumption. Fearing bad publicity during the Olympics, police allow Bishop Jia Zhiguo to celebrate mass, but he is still banned from meeting priests and seminarians.

Zhengding (AsiaNews) – More than a thousand underground Catholics defied police controls to meet in a church in Wuqiu (Hebei) to celebrate mass on the feast day of the Assumption of Mary with their bishop, Julius Jia Zhiguo, who has been under house arrest and police surveillance around the clock. Sources told AsiaNews however that the bishop is isolated and that priests and seminarians cannot see him in person. Monsignor Jia is bishop of the underground diocese of Zhengding (Hebei), which has more than 110,000 Catholics with 80 priests and more than 90 nuns.

For the Olympics public security officers warned Catholics in the diocese not to celebrate the feast in Wuqiu cathedral. Prelates and priests were placed instead under house arrest.

Mgr Jia Zhiguo himself has been under police surveillance around the clock since April. The police even build a small house in front of the bishop’s residence just to monitor him.

The solemnity of the Assumption is a major Catholic celebration in China. At least a thousand faithful peacefully flocked to the church in Wuqiu in defiance of police order.

The bishop’s residence is located just beside the place of worship.

To avoid conflict and other problems, the public security officers monitoring the cathedral allowed the large crowd to go in. The officers did not follow them into the church but maintained order in the courtyard.

The bishop was thus able to celebrate mass with the faithful.

Sources in Zhengding told AsiaNews that the bishop remains in isolation and cannot see or meet his seminarians or priests.

Pastoral activities are in the hands of priests who were warned however to keep a low profile when they held meetings.

At least six priests have been forced by the security forces to take “involuntary holidays” during the Olympic period.

A deacon was expected to be ordained but will likely have to wait until October after the Olympics and the Paralympics.

Monsignor Jia, 73, spent 15 years in prison (1963-1978). Since 1989 he has been closely monitored by police, and has been arrested and released 11 times.

In the past the Vatican has often pleaded his cases to Chinese authorities.

Are Obama and Pelosi dodging the life-and-death question?

The Democrats and the Abortion Wars

Are Obama and Pelosi dodging the life-and-death question?

George Weigel

Newsweek Web Exclusive

Updated: 8:38 PM ET Aug 25, 2008

A few years ago, Richard Doerflinger, a pro-life Roman Catholic intellectual with decades of experience in the trenches of America’s culture wars, was invited to debate the moral and legal status of the human embryo before a large class of Harvard undergraduates. During the course of the discussion, Doerflinger’s Harvard faculty interlocutor drew a timeline of human biological development on the blackboard: conception, implantation, brain waves, viability, birth and so forth. His challenge to Doerflinger was to defend, in a nonarbitrary way and without reference to religious principles, the notion that society should recognize moral value and legal rights at any particular point along that line. If here, why here? If there, why there?

After the class, as the conversation continued with a few students and the professor, Doerflinger took a piece of chalk and extended the timeline to the end of the blackboard, where he wrote “Tenure.” The students laughed, and got the message. The only point along that continuum that wouldn’t be arbitrary was the starting point—conception.

Perhaps Doerflinger should send his extended timeline to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Click here for the rest of the article

Montezuma’s Abortion Revenge

Montezuma’s Abortion Revenge

Men like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata may be remembered as some of the worst criminals of Mexican history, but yesterday’s vote of the Mexican Supreme Court will make Villa’s and Zapata’s killings seem like so much child’s play. Reminiscent of the US Supreme Court decision in 1973, eight (out of eleven) Supreme Court justices of Mexico legalized abortion yesterday, August 27th, and consigned themselves to the annals of history as the worst of their country’s killers. They gave Mexico the disreputable distinction of being the first country in Latin America to legalize abortion on demand, and in fact, if the likely “domino effect” of abortion legalization in the Hispanic world follows, they will be guilty of the innocent blood of a whole continent.

Criminals are apparently not bound by logic or popular convention. Despite recent surveys of millions of Mexicans indicating that at least 65% of the people were totally against the legalization of abortion, the Supreme Court just simply ignored them – which is another way of saying that democracy is essentially meaningless in Mexico. And, despite the specific wording in the Mexican Constitution that enumerates a right to life “from the moment of fertilization,” something the US Constitution could only dream of, the eight enlightened gods of law sitting on their lofty thrones simply declared that right null and void – which is another way of saying that the rule of law is meaningless in Mexico too.

These eight justices have now, arbitrarily and inhumanely, unleashed a plague of killing that will destroy the Mexican family, the already-plummeting fertility rate and the degrading morals of Mexico’s youth. The Mexican bishops said it correctly in their televised ads prior to the killer decision that “when a society opens up a debate on abortion, what they are doing, in effect, is debating the very future of a nation.” Yes indeed; and not only the future of Mexico, but of the whole Hispanic world.

I have continuously tied the business of abortion to the satanic work of child sacrifice which has tried to rear its ugly head in every age since biblical times. Abortion is a demonic industry, and every society that opens its doors to the killing of its infants becomes slowly possessed by these demons whose thirst for innocent blood will never, ever, be sated. Mexico was at one time home of the devilish Aztec religion which practiced bloody human sacrifice until Hernando Cortes and his troops defeated the Emperor Montezuma in the 16th Century thus preparing the way for the total Catholic evangelization of that land by Our Lady of Guadalupe. Yet, demons don’t live in time. They live in the sinfulness of the human heart, and they have been given a new birth in Mexico once again.

I have no doubt that the recent appearance and immense popularity of the so-called “Santa Muerte” (“holy death”) occult practice in Mexico, whose symbol is the Grim Reaper, has presaged the appearance of the demon of human sacrifice once again. This ancient demon that once ruled Mexican society only needed a few servants on the Supreme Court to ritualize human sacrifice once again – this time in the guise of abortion on demand. And they have already begun to reconstruct the new pagan pyramids of Mexico – in the hospitals and abortion mills where blood sacrifice is being offered as we speak.

In light of this catastrophic defeat for life, I can only repeat the Lord’s stinging rebuke of the black-robed leaders of His day who were responsible for the death of the Innocent One: Woe to the eight servants of Montezuma’s abortion revenge – their souls are in danger of a worse death than they inflict on those innocent children. We must pray for their eternal salvation. And I must add: Woe to everyone who remains silent while this demon satisfies his blood lust on innocent children anywhere in the world.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer,
President, Human Life International

What was Jesus’ relationship with Mary, his mother like?

Q: What was Jesus’ relationship with Mary, his mother like?

A: Pure, perfect, and infinite love, plus total freedom, unencumbered by any fear of death or hell … which is the Christian ideal.

New “Questions For God” Book and DVD Series

A 10 Book Series designed to teach the authentic Catholic faith, through words and pictures, to children of any age. Complete with a brand new DVD presentation.

View sample book “God, How Did You Begin Our Church?”

Click here to visit the Questions For God Books Website

Obama Wants You!

Click here to visit the site

Former Altar Boy Weisner – Now Abortion Advocate – To Speak

Noted abortion promoter, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, is seen in the photo above, speaking to the 2007 graduating class at Marmion Academy.

Mayor Weisner reminded the graduates that to whom much is given, much is expected.

“Go, then, gentlemen. Fulfill both your dreams and the gospel of Christ,” Mayor Weisner challenged the graduates. “Make your fortune. Make a lasting impact on the world. Make us proud.”

Blogger’s note: One should ask the folks at Marmion what they were thinking, inviting a pro-abortion “Catholic” hack politician like Weisner to “preach” on campus. Furthermore, what kind of message does that send to the students?  Are Catholic men supposed to make a fortune by facilitating the slaughter of innocent babies in their towns? How is that supposed to engender pride?

Now Weisner plans to speak in his home town of Batavia … 

The Donovan Bridge in Batavia – also known as the Wilson Street bridge -will be officially rededicated in honor of longtime Batavia religious leader William J. Donovan, now that reconstruction is nearly complete.

Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, who grew up in Batavia, will speak. Weisner served for 10 years as an altar boy at Holy Cross Catholic Church during Donovan’s tenure. Monsignor Daniel Deutsch, the current head priest at Holy Cross, will offer a blessing.

Blogger’s note: One can only hope Monsignor Deutsch will have the “guts” to ask Weisner what in the hell he’s doing there, desecrating the memory and the legacy of a good Catholic priest.

In a 2006 Daily Herald article about growing up in Batavia, Weisner spoke of the influence Donovan had on him: “He would always take the time to talk with me after Mass. He was a wonderful man. I got to observe him in the way he dealt with others of all faiths. He was a very humanistic Christian and taught me a lot.”

Blogger’s note: Father Donovan evidently failed to mention that cooperating with abortionists is evil, constitutes a grave sin, and that such actions can easiy lead to spending lots and lots of quality time with Satan, the devil. Or maybe Weisner just wasn’t listening.

Weisner ought to know that the Catholic Church, since early in the first century, has consistently taught that abortion is intrinsically evil, that all human life is sacred, and that anyone who willingly cooperates in such evil typically commits a mortal sin.

If Weisner had a Catholic bone in his body, and if he really wanted to make a lasting impact on the world, he would bull-doze the Aurora Abortion Fortress … the same way Chicago’s scandalously pro-abort Mayor Daley took out the late, great, Meigs Field.

That … and nothing less … might make us proud of him!

Read the Entire Daily Herald Article

Obamas “Punished” By Two Children On National Television

Obamas “Punished” By Two Children On National Television

by Doug Lawrence

After Michelle Obama wrapped up her Convention speech, the Obama’s two daughters came out on stage for a little long distance, TV Land, back and forth, with “daddy”.

The big questions, now:

Why would Barack allow his lovely wife to be “punished” by having two children?

Why didn’t he simply have them aborted, or leave them somewhere, to die?

Were there more than just these two Obama children, at any time in the past?

Are Barack and Michelle planning to abort or abandon to death, any future offspring?

Would they do that while they occupied the White House?

Would NARAL and Planned Parenthood increase their contributions, if they did?

Will the Democrats begin offering tax credits for abortion and infanticide, any time soon?

Pat Buchanan – A Catholic Case Against Barack

A Catholic Case Against Barack

by Pat Buchanan

As David Freddoso reports in his new best-seller, “The Case Against Barack Obama,” the Illinois senator goes further than any U.S. senator has dared go in defending what John Paul II called the “culture of death.”

Thrice in the Illinois legislature, Obama helped block a bill that was designed solely to protect the life of infants already born, and outside the womb, who had miraculously survived the attempt to kill them during an abortion. Thrice, Obama voted to let doctors and nurses allow these tiny human beings die of neglect and be tossed out with the medical waste.

How can a man who purports to be a Christian justify this?

Click to read the entire article

PELOSI DENIES CATHOLICISM OPPOSES ABORTION

August 25, 2008

PELOSI DENIES CATHOLICISM OPPOSES ABORTION

On yesterday’s NBC-TV show, “Meet the Press,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked to comment on when life begins. Here is what she said: “I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the Church have not been able to make that definition.”

When Tom Brokaw told her that the Catholic Church “feels very strongly” that life begins at conception, Pelosi said, “I understand. And this is like maybe 50 years or something like that. So again, over the history of the Church, this is an issue of controversy.”

Catholic League president Bill Donohue responded as follows:

“Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: ‘Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.’ It also says, ‘Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.’ Looks like Pelosi didn’t study the subject long enough. But not to worry: We are sending her a copy of Catholicism for Dummies today (the Catechism is like maybe a bit advanced).

“Whether Joe Biden is as ignorant of what his religion teaches remains to be seen. What is not in doubt is the enthusiasm which NARAL showed when he was selected to join the ticket. The radical pro-abortion group was delighted, as were the radical pro-abortion delegates to the Democratic convention: as reported in today’s New York Times, 64 percent of Americans reject abortion-on-demand, yet only 23 percent of the delegates do. It is only fitting, then, that NARAL’s president will speak today at the Convention and Planned Parenthood’s president will speak tomorrow.

“So there we have it: the man running for president on the Democratic ticket supports selective infanticide, his running mate is a pro-abortion Catholic, the delegates are wildly out of step with Americans on abortion and the Speaker of the House hasn’t a clue what her religion teaches on the subject.”

August 27, 2008

 PELOSI MISFIRES AGAIN AT CATHOLIC CHURCH

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments today on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s continued dispute with the Catholic Church:

 “On August 24, Pelosi contested the fact that the Catholic Church has always been unequivocally opposed to abortion. After being roundly criticized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and many individual bishops—led by Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput—as well as ten Catholic congressmen, the Catholic League et al., Pelosi’s office admitted yesterday that ‘Catholic teaching is clear that life begins at conception.’ Unfortunately, after this confession of ignorance, the statement continued by offering the quip that ‘many Catholics do not ascribe to that view.’ The release also said she shared the view of St. Augustine on the subjects of abortion and ensoulment.

“Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Melbourne, Australia, wrote in his 1997 book, Issues of Faith and Morals, that St. Augustine ‘believed that the embryo was ensouled at 46 days. Nevertheless, he also believed that it was gravely wrong to kill a formed or unformed fetus.’ It is instructive to note that philosophical discussions about the soul, and research on embryology, continue to advance beyond the knowledge available in the 5th century. In any event, Pelosi will find no relief for her bizarre reasoning by citing St. Augustine, or any other Church Father.

“Nor does her argument gain strength by pointing out that not all Catholics agree with the Church on this subject. So what? There are plenty of Catholics living a life rife with sin that seek to justify their behavior by saying they disagree with the Church on the source of their delinquency. What the House Speaker doesn’t get is that the Church is no more a democracy than the Democratic and Republican parties are: none arrive at conclusions based on referenda. Moreover, in the instance of the Catholic Church, the Magisterium is not the functional equivalent of the DNC or the RNC.

“Maybe that’s the source of Pelosi’s confusion—she really doesn’t understand the difference between the teaching authority of the Catholic Church and the DNC.”

A Treasury of Over 2000 Catholic Prayers

A Treasury of Over 2000 Catholic Prayers

Click here

Can Catholics go to any church, other than a Catholic church?

Q: Can Catholics go to any church, other than a Catholic church?

A: Catholics are obliged (for a number of very good reasons) to attend Catholic Mass, every Sunday.

In that respect, no other type of observance will do.

Going to other churches is problematic in other ways too … since what is preached … is often in direct opposition to authentic Catholic beliefs and practices.

Why do humans have the fundamental belief that we are the end result of creation and therefore own the earth?

Q: Why do humans have the fundamental belief that we are the end result of creation and therefore own the earth?

A: The Judeo-Christian belief system and the Bible both agree that God created all things for his own pleasure, that he created man, and that God gave dominion over the whole earth to him.

Genesis 1: 27-28  And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth.

Furthermore, the facts seem to prove it.

Better ask Al Gore where your thought process went off the track, since he might be the only one smart enough to figure it out for you.

Volcanic Eruption Meets Lightning Storm

Volcanic Eruption Meets Lightning Storm

Two of nature’s most spectacular forces produced an incredible brew in the skies of Chile as a volcanic eruption met a lightning storm.

Tons of dust and ash from the eruption of the Chaitïn volcano poured into the night sky just as an electric storm passed overhead.

The resulting collision created a spectacular sight as lightning flickered around the dust cloud amid the orange glow of the volcano.

Submitted by Bob Stanley