Bishop Poprocki further explains what should have already been widely understood about Catholics living in various irregular (objectively sinful) ways

…Critics have been urging me to rescind my “Decree Regarding Same-sex ‘Marriage’ and Related Pastoral Issues.” However, this decree is a rather straightforward application of existing Catholic doctrine and canon law to the new situation of legal marital status being granted in civil law to same-sex couples, which is contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church. All clergy before they are ordained take an Oath of Fidelity which includes the statement, “In fulfilling the charge entrusted to me in the name of the Church, I shall hold fast to the deposit of faith in its entirety; I shall faithfully hand it on and explain it, and I shall avoid any teachings contrary to it. I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the entire Church and I shall maintain the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those contained in the Code of Canon Law.” Pastors and bishops repeat this oath upon assuming their office to be exercised in the name of the Church. Thus, deacons, priests and bishops cannot contradict Church teachings or refuse to observe ecclesiastical laws without violating their oath, which is a promise made to God.

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Planned Parenthood to honor pro abort Senator (the man who discovered soot inside Chicago’s Union Train Station) on January 23rd

A recent email from Chicago’s Pro-Life Action League:

As you know, next week marks the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade,
the horrible Supreme Court ruling that stripped unborn babies of
their right to life.

While we pro-lifers hold memorial events all over the country
lamenting this tragedy and recommitting ourselves to defending
unborn babies, Planned Parenthood will be CELEBRATING.

In fact, they’re throwing a huge abortion party in Chicago on
January 23. What’s more they’ll be honoring Senator Dick Durbin
with a “lifetime achievement” award.

But get this: Dick Durbin used to be an outspoken pro-lifer!

I’d like to invite you to JOIN ME to protest Planned Parenthood’s
gala event next week:

EVENT: Protest of Dick Durbin and Planned Parenthood
WHEN: Thursday, January 23, 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St, Chicago
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/8aZAw

Editor’s note: Senator Durbin shares rooms with New York Senator Charles “Chuckie” Schumer, when in Washington, DC. Perhaps his mother forgot to caution little Dick about keeping bad company, as well as a few other very important things!

The Democratic Party now stands against what Catholics should believe.

Let’s make a list: abortion on demand, the contraceptive mandate, continued urban segregation, same-sex marriage, and unending illegal immigration. The list goes on.

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Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Des Plaines, Illinois is expecting up to 100,000 celebrants over the next two days

CHICAGO, IL (December 6, 2013) – This overnight celebration honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, will begin with an opening Mass on Wednesday, December 11, at 4 p.m., at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1100 North River Road in Des Plaines.  The Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Marco A. Mercado, Archbishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry and Rector of the Shrine.  The lighting of the traditional “Antorcha Guadalupana” or “Guadalupe Torch” will take place at 10 p.m.

Throughout the two-day celebration, Masses will be offered every two hours in the Shrine’s outdoor grotto and in the gymnasium. The outdoor mass celebrated at the grotto will be shown live in a tented area outside the gymnasium.  Music and Folkloric dances in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe will also be held indoors throughout both days. . A large food tent, located in between the outdoor grotto and the gymnasium, will be available as a warming center.  Another large heated tent will be available directly outside the gymnasium.

After the lighting of the Guadalupe Torch, pilgrims, representing dozens of parishes throughout Cook and Lake counties, will light their own torches and participate in the Guadalupe Torch Run.

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Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe 

1170 North River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Phone: (847) 294-1806 Fax: (847) 294-1981
A Shrine of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago IL

photo: YouTube

Legalizing Civil Homosexual Marriage: Institutionalizing an objectively (mortally) sinful reality.

by Doug Lawrence

Anyone living “in sin” – i.e. two unmarried persons, cohabiting and having sexual relations with each other  – whether homosexual or heterosexual – institutionalizes and makes permanent a living arrangement which is objectively, mortally sinful.

Many do not understand (or evidently, even care) that it is impossible to make a good confession while maintaining an illicit relationship of this kind, which typically means that sins – any and all of them – cannot be absolved/forgiven in the sacrament of reconciliation – unless and until something changes.

For cohabiting heterosexual couples it would require either sacramental matrimony or once again maintaining two separate domiciles.

For cohabiting homosexuals, sacramental matrimony is not now and will never be an option. Maintaining two separate domiciles is the only solution.

There is no acceptable Catholic “middle ground” – no possible compromise of the truth.

Hence, despite the appearances, homosexual “marriage” is a spiritual “dead end” – virtually guaranteed to have a  dismal future – no matter what Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, President Barack Obama, V.P. Joe Biden and others have to say about it.

Cohabiting heterosexual couples should either get married or stop living together – ASAP – for the good of their own  immortal souls.

This is not rocket science. It’s what used to be known as good old common sense!

Bishop Paprocki explains the reason for his exorcism

A Last Chance for Lost Souls

In Illinois, we just got what we were (evidently) praying for – and it’s not good!

by Doug Lawrence

Pat Quinn, the first homosexual Governor of Illinois, signed the same sex marriage bill into law, last week.

“How did things come to this?” I asked myself.

Then I remembered the seemingly innocuous little prayer that’s said before every Mass, at my local parish. That prayer covered a lot of ground. Come to think of it – I never really liked the way it sounded. Kind of “mealy-mouth”.

Now it was time for a closer look!

And there is was: “We pray for people of all nations. Fill their hearts with the desire to ensure justice and equality for all…”

As the sage rightly reminds us – be careful what you pray for – you just might get it!

photo: Yahoo News

Chicago’s Cardinal George warns of same-sex marriage ‘consequences’.

“The Pope was not speaking about approving gay marriage. To use his words against his teaching, as they were used on the floor of the State House of Representatives of November 5, is less than intellectually honest,” George writes.

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The good bishop should also be excommunicating … not merely exorcising!

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki to Offer “Prayers of Supplication and Exorcism in Reparation for the Sin of Same-sex Marriage”

SPRINGFIELD — Scheduled for approximately the same time that Gov. Pat Quinn signs into Illinois law the redefinition of civil marriage, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will offer “Prayers of Supplication and Exorcism in Reparation for the Sin of Same-Sex Marriage” at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sixth and Lawrence streets in Springfield, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 5 p.m. Clergy, religious and laity are invited to attend.

“The context for this prayer service may be understood by recalling the words of Pope Francis when he faced a similar situation as Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 2010,” Bishop Paprocki said.

Regarding the proposed redefinition of civil marriage in Argentina, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio wrote on June 22, 2010: “The Argentine people must face, in the next few weeks, a situation whose result may gravely harm the family. It is the bill on matrimony of persons of the same sex. The identity of the family, and its survival, are in jeopardy here: father, mother, and children. The life of so many children who will be discriminated beforehand due to the lack of human maturity that God willed them to have with a father and a mother is in jeopardy. At stake is the total rejection of God’s law engraved in our hearts. … Let us not be naive: it is not a simple political struggle; it is an intention [which is] destructive of the plan of God. It is not a mere legislative project (this is a mere instrument), but rather a ‘move’ of the father of lies who wishes to confuse and deceive the children of God.”

Bishop Paprocki noted, “The pope’s reference to the ‘father of lies’ comes from the Gospel of John (8:44), where Jesus refers to the devil as ‘a liar and the father of lies.’ So Pope Francis is saying that same-sex ‘marriage’ comes from the devil and should be condemned as such.”

The prayers for “Supplication and Exorcism Which May Be Used in Particular Circumstances of the Church” are taken from the Appendices to the 2004 Latin edition of the Rite of Exorcism, the introduction to which explains, “The presence of the Devil and other demons appears and exists not only in the tempting or tormenting of persons, but also in the penetration of things and places in a certain manner by their activity, and in various forms of opposition to and persecution of the church. If the diocesan bishop, in particular situations, judges it appropriate to announce gatherings of the faithful for prayer, under the leadership and direction of a priest, elements for arranging a rite of supplication may be taken from [the texts provided in these appendices].”

Bishop Paprocki said that since same-sex marriage is contrary to the plan of God (see Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9), those who contract civil same-sex marriage are culpable of serious sin. He also noted that politicians who enacted civil same-sex marriage legislation are “morally complicit as co-operators in facilitating this grave sin.”

“It is scandalous that so many Catholic politicians are responsible for enabling the passage of this legislation and even twisting the words of the pope to rationalize their actions despite the clear teaching of the church,” he said. “All politicians now have the moral obligation to work for the repeal of this sinful and objectionable legislation. We must pray for deliverance from this evil which has penetrated our state and our church.”

Bishop Paprocki concluded, “Pope Francis has also urged us to be mindful of God’s mercy, so it is good to recall the profound expression of divine mercy uttered by Jesus as he was dying on the cross to save us from our sins, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34).”

The Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is 130 parishes in 28 counties in central Illinois.

Statement of Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon, Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois, Regarding the Redefinition of Civil Marriage in Illinois

November 6, 2013

Statement of Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon,
Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois,
Regarding the Redefinition of Civil Marriage in Illinois

JOLIET, IL—Today, I stand in unison with my fellow Catholic Bishops and other clergy expressing my disappointment in the redefinition of civil marriage in Illinois. The Catholic Church deeply values and cherishes marriage, as a union between a man and a woman. When Pope Francis addressed a similar situation as Archbishop of Buenos Aires in June, 2010, he wrote “The Argentine people must face, in the next few weeks, a situation whose result may gravely harm the family. It is the bill on matrimony of persons of the same sex. The identity of the family, and its survival, are in jeopardy here: father, mother, and children. The life of so many children who will be discriminated beforehand due to the lack of human maturity that God willed them to have a father and a mother is in jeopardy. A clear rejection of the law of God, engraved in our hearts, is in jeopardy…Let us not be naïve: it is not a simple political struggle; it is an intention [which is] destructive of the plan of God. It is not a mere legislative project (this is a mere instrument), but rather a ‘move’ of the father of lies who wishes to confuse and deceive the children of God.” (“Father of lies” refers to the devil, as mentioned by Jesus in the Gospel of John.)

While this new law redefines marriage for the state, it does nothing to change what is revealed to us by God for the good of human society.

Link

Scandal of the Week: “Catholic” Speaker of Illinois House cites Pope Francis when voting to OK homosexual marriage.

The speaker quoted Pope Francis
in explaining his decision
to vote for the bill:

“If someone is gay, he searches for the lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

Link

Editor’s note: To put it correctly: “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience — those too may achieve eternal salvation …” (Lumen Gentium)

Bishop Poprocki: Asking the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede on behalf of gay “marriage” legislation was a sacrilege he would not tolerate on church property.

About a week ago, the Rainbow Sash Movement announced its intentions to silently pray the rosary inside Immaculate Conception Cathedral on Tuesday afternoon, 45 minutes before evening Mass. Their intention? That the state legislature would pass Senate Bill 10, titled the “Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act,” legalizing same-sex “marriage” in Illinois.

“By standing up in the Cathedral you will indicate you are there to pray the rosary for marriage” redefinition, its website said. “If you come from a specific parish, you can title yourselves ‘Friends of (Name of the Parish or Parishes).’”

Bishop Thomas Paprocki, whose See is based in the capital city of Springfield, used his role as shepherd of his people to warn Christians not to profane God by asking Him to publicly degrade holy matrimony.

“It is blasphemy to show disrespect or irreverence to God or to something holy,” he said, citing several passages of the Gospel that “Jesus clearly taught that marriage as created by God is a sacred institution between a man and a woman.”

“Praying for same-sex marriage should be seen as blasphemous, and as such will not be permitted in the cathedral,” he warned. “People wearing a rainbow sash or who otherwise identify themselves as affiliated with the Rainbow Sash Movement will not be admitted into the cathedral, and anyone who gets up to pray for same-sex marriage in the cathedral will be asked to leave.”

“Of course, our cathedral and parish churches are always open to everyone who wishes to repent their sins and ask for God’s forgiveness,” the bishop added.

Text and video

Editor’s note: Who would have thought that a Catholic bishop standing up for the truth of the faith would ever be newsworthy?

If you liked Aunt Gene’s 1955 Chevy, you’ll love her parish church!

Photos from the St. John of God Church Golden Jubilee Magazine
1957 – Chicago, Illinois

by Doug Lawrence

In a recent post, I mentioned my Aunt Genevieve, the 1955 Chevy Bel Air that she won in the church raffle, and my feelings about Pope Francis. Today, I want to share with you some details about Aunt Gene’s extraordinary parish church.

Chicago’s St. John of God Church was richly and beautiful constructed in order to suitably host the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God – and to truly inspire the faithful (predominantly Polish Stock Yard workers, at that time) to lift their hearts and minds to God. (How’s that for a novel idea?) I was baptized there, in 1953.

The proverbial “little slice of Heaven on Earth”, it became immediately clear to all who entered that this was no ordinary venue. Of course, “they” don’t build beautiful churches like this anymore – nor does St. John of God Church exist anymore – except for the bell towers, which were salvaged and incorporated into the newly constructed St. Raphael the Archangel Church, located about 50 miles northwest of the city.

Built in 1907, St. John of God Church stood for slightly more than a century before it was demolished – a victim of changing neighborhood dynamics. This short video provides a look at the magnificent interior furnishing and design elements. The church was a real “jewel”!

This thirty-one second video shows the demolition site, which sadly, looks like a “war zone”.  Today, due to rampant and largely uncontrolled street gang activity, it IS a war zone! 

St. John of God Church to me, seems like a metaphor for the post-Vatican II era. Once upon a time, we Catholics had beautiful churches, close-knit communities and firm, universally accepted beliefs and practices, in accord with almost 2,000 years of sacred and apostolic Tradition and nearly two millennia of the finest theology, philosophy and scholarship the world had ever known.

Catholics around the globe shared a common faith, a common language and a common liturgy – which was, at the time, a most uncommon thing! There was a certainty which accompanied our Catholic faith that was at once, both reassuring and challenging. Things weren’t perfect, but they were very good!

Then – everything changed – and for no particularly good reason!

Now, many of our churches look more like gymnasiums; belief in the Real Presence is waning; it’s tough to get a straight answer about matters of faith from our priests and bishops; Catholic schools and universities tend to be Catholic in name only; we’ve squandered more than two billion dollars paying for the misdeeds of scores of wayward clerics; Catholic religious orders are no longer willing to follow orders; a caricature of The Simpson’s,”Crusty the Clown” runs the U.S. Bishop’s Conference (USCCB); our new pope often sounds more like a certain Chicago politician (POTUS) than the Vicar of Christ; and things in general, seem to be crumbling to dust, before our very eyes!

But to close this essay on a high note, watch the four-minute video about the new St. Raphael the Archangel Church, located in Antioch, Illinois, which is an amazing resurrection story, in itself! (Video link 4:41) 

With God, all things are possible!

Sketch of the new St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church
in Antioch, Illinois which incorporates the bell towers from
Saint John of God Catholic Church, formerly located in Chicago, IL
and more…

Take a shot at running over a pro-lifer. Only $180!

As we reported at the time here and here, local high school student Hannah M. was sidewalk counseling at Planned Parenthood in Aurora after the monthly protest at the facility, when a car exiting the Planned Parenthood lot swerved at Hannah, nearly hitting her.

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Illinois’ allegedly Catholic governor Quinn makes another queer decision

SPRINGFIELD-Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Friday that would impose a new statewide sex-education standard for sixth- through 12th-graders that goes beyond abstinence-only instruction.

Opposed by Republicans, the bill would encourage school systems to adopt “comprehensive, medically accurate and age-appropriate” sex-education curricula with a specific focus on sexually-transmitted diseases, contraception and unintended pregnancies.

Backed by Planned Parenthood of Illinois and the ACLU of Illinois, the new law would enable parents to withhold their children from any sex-education courses to which they object. Quinn took action without making any public statement on his move.

Link

Former head of NARAL Nancy Keenan lamented in 2010 the huge lack of young people in the pro-abortion movement

by Doug Lawrence

When you kill thirty to forty percent of babies still in the womb, those kinds of things tend to happen!

This past week, the Chicago Teachers Union – which has been publicly and officially pro-abortion, for the past thirty years or so  – is lamenting the fact that around 1000 teachers will be losing their jobs, this year. This is on top of some 400 teaching jobs lost, about two years ago.

Now, these are supposed to be highly educated people. Their chosen profession is (in theory) the education of young people. You would think they would be able to understand that it would be much easier to keep their jobs if people stopped aborting babies. But no – it’s “bloody” business as usual in Chicago’s abortion industry – but now the teacher’s union is hemorrhaging, as well.

The “official” reason the teachers are losing their jobs is the state’s financial crisis, so here’s another cold, hard fact for pro-abortion, Illinois politicians: Dead babies never grow up to pay taxes – and they never have a chance to contribute to the state’s economy – all of which makes it very difficult for a pro-abortion liberal state to grow out of its’ financial problems.

Chicago politicians are evidently, no better at math than the teachers. That would be funny, if it wasn’t so tragic. Need I mention the fact that Barack Obama hails from Illinois?

The Live Action Team has much more to say about this here

Illinois is the first state to stop the gay marriage momentum since North Carolina in 2012.

“Today a broad grassroots coalition of Illinois families of Faith of all creeds and colors took on all the Illinois political bosses from Washington to the Governor’s Mansion to Chicago’s City Hall who tried to pay back the homosexual community for their political support,” said Paul Caprio, Spokesman for the Coalition to Protect Children & Marriage.

Link

Wichita’s newest abortionist also engages in “Family Practice” in Oak Park, Illinois.

Taking over “Tiller the Killer’s” Old “Diggs”

According to Eric Scheidler of the Pro Life Action League:

You may have heard that notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller’s old abortion clinic is re-opening in Wichita, Kansas, under the name South Wind Women’s Center. But what you may not have heard is that the owner of that abortion clinic – Cheryl Chastine – works as a family practice doctor right here in Oak Park, Illinois.

When I found out the doctor trying to carry on Tiller’s legacy was operating right in our own back yard, I immediately mounted a ‘surprise protest’ at her Oak Park office. Her clients, including a woman in advanced pregnancy, were shocked to learn their family practice doctor is an abortionist. What’s more, the protest was so effective that it drew the ire of the national abortion cartel, which sent out emails to their supporters about our ‘threat’ to the Wichita abortion clinic.

If Chastine drops her affiliation with South Wind Women’s Center, the Wichita clinic will have to close under Kansas law. You see, medical offices in Kansas have to be owned by physicians. It took abortion advocates in Wichita a long time to find Chastine – a young doctor who wasn’t at all prepared for the stigma of being an abortionist.

Scheidler plans another protest of Chastine’s Oak Park office in the coming days.

Link

Editor’s note: This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “killer commute”.

Families Respond To Pro-Homosexual Marriage Illinois Senate and Governor With An Inspiring Lobby Day.

Yesterday in Springfield—in 19° weather—hope animated the men, women, and children as they arrived, busload by busload, car by car, from every corner of the state to express their opposition to the removal of sexual complementarity from the legal definition of marriage.

Despite the indoctrination that pervades academia, the bias that dominates the mainstream media, the flood of Hollywood images that glamorize homosexuality, and the increasing vilification of those who dare to dissent from “progressivism,” scores of Illinoisans remain resolute in their defense of marriage.

All those unable to be in Springfield but who recognize that children have a right to a mother and a father, who treasure religious liberty, who understand that the government does not construct marriage, and who rightfully fear the consequences of the government’s refusal to recognize what marriage is owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands who stood for truth in the public square today.

Photos and text

Is Pat Quinn Illinois’ first openly homosexual governor?

Although the legislation says it would not force any religious denomination or minister to “solemnize any marriage,” Gilligan warned of “promises” made “two years ago when civil unions were passed, and now Catholic Charities has been kicked out of its mission of serving children in foster care.”

Even though the Church received assurances its social services would not be affected, within six months of the passage of civil unions in the state, Catholic Charities adoption services was barred from working with the state.

While Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has already pledged to sign the bill should it arrive on his desk, its fate in the House is unsure. Even though it too is controlled by Democrats who support the bill, it is expected to face tougher opposition in that chamber.

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Send an free email message to your representatives to help protect marriage in Illinois.

The National Organization for Marriage has an e-mail already written that you can sign and have sent automatically to your state rep and state senator to let them know that you are opposed to marriage being redefined in Illinois.

Here’s the link.

Please act quickly. The vote on proposed legislation to legalize same sex marriage in Illinois could occur in a few days.