I have been meaning to do this for a while, but I have finally gotten around to changing the name of the blog. Don't worry, you will not have to worry about your Favorite/Bookmark link. It will remain the same.
The change is that I realized a while back that this is not the Archdiocese of Washington DC but simply the Archdiocese of Washington. Therefore, the name change to "An Archdiocese of Washington Catholic."
For those of you who are regular readers, I thank you. For those who stop by once in a while, thank you for visiting and I hope that you will come back more often. For the first timers, I hope that you come back again.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Update on Pastor Problem
A short time ago, I published a letter sent to Msgr. Fisher, who is responsible for priests in this Archdiocese. Some of you (okay, maybe it was just Melvin) asked which parish it was.
Instead of telling which parish it is, I think I should tell you which parish it is not:
Instead of telling which parish it is, I think I should tell you which parish it is not:
- St. Peter Claver (St. Inigoes, MD)
- University of Maryland - Catholic Center
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Hate Speech - You Reap What You Sow.
The Maryland Catholic Conference a few years ago pushed/supported hate crimes legislation against the killing of a homeless person. On this blog, I argued that the intentional killing of a homeless person is just as bad as the murder or a priest, nun or my own mother. There should be no special "hate crime" legislation. I also warned that this was a dangerous precedent to set. Once done, it could open the door for other "special groups."
I thought that this from Pipeline News, sums it up nicely:
The theatre of the absurd is illuminated when society adds to the mix the concept of motivation to determine what is a crime or is not. Not only is it necessary to then "guess" at why a person does something but if the punishment for an act which has been previously deemed criminal is "enhanced," then a situation is created where the untenable becomes the rule and anything becomes possible to criminalize and punish whether reasonable or not - which brings us to "hate crimes."
What is a hate crime? The answer is whatever law makers say it is. And what do law makers say is a hate crime - whatever a sufficiently strong pressure group wants it to be. There need not be any logic to it.
Last July in another of the Democrat's leader's tricky moves, the senate voted to expand the 1969 federal hate crimes law to include people attacked because of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability by attaching it to a "must pass" defense appropriation bill. Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid said: "This bill simply recognizes that there is a difference between assaulting someone to steal his money, or doing so because he is gay, or disabled, or Latino or Muslim."
This is the first time in American history that thought alone is being criminalized. Until now the government has adhered to the admonition by Thomas Jefferson who said the reach of legislation should extend only to actions and not to opinions but now the law will punish people not just for what they did but what they were thinking when they did it.
Consider the effect this will have on the practice of religion and freedom of speech. Anyone speaking from a pulpit who preaches the biblical view of homosexuality may be subject to criminal prosecution.
Not only does the new law make thought a factor in criminality, it also extends the power of the federal government over the states. Despite many states also having enacted hate crimes legislation, it would provide federal grants to help with the prosecuting of hate crimes and funds programs to combat hate crimes.
The federal government can step in after the Justice Department certifies that a state is unwilling or unable to follow through on a purported hate crime.
It in not likely that this law will be able to be repealed in the future so it will remain the law of the land and another triumph of a special interest group, in this case the homosexual community.
For the full story, click here.
Nice job Maryland Catholic Conference, nice job. You must be really proud of yourselves now.
PS: For those of you will bring up Matthew Sheppard, please make certain to include the fact that he was a meth addict, that one of the three men who killed him was bi-sexual and that all of them killed him (and admitted so) not because he was gay, but because he was an easy target and they wanted his money. Seems these facts get swept under the rug.
I thought that this from Pipeline News, sums it up nicely:
The theatre of the absurd is illuminated when society adds to the mix the concept of motivation to determine what is a crime or is not. Not only is it necessary to then "guess" at why a person does something but if the punishment for an act which has been previously deemed criminal is "enhanced," then a situation is created where the untenable becomes the rule and anything becomes possible to criminalize and punish whether reasonable or not - which brings us to "hate crimes."
What is a hate crime? The answer is whatever law makers say it is. And what do law makers say is a hate crime - whatever a sufficiently strong pressure group wants it to be. There need not be any logic to it.
Last July in another of the Democrat's leader's tricky moves, the senate voted to expand the 1969 federal hate crimes law to include people attacked because of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability by attaching it to a "must pass" defense appropriation bill. Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid said: "This bill simply recognizes that there is a difference between assaulting someone to steal his money, or doing so because he is gay, or disabled, or Latino or Muslim."
This is the first time in American history that thought alone is being criminalized. Until now the government has adhered to the admonition by Thomas Jefferson who said the reach of legislation should extend only to actions and not to opinions but now the law will punish people not just for what they did but what they were thinking when they did it.
Consider the effect this will have on the practice of religion and freedom of speech. Anyone speaking from a pulpit who preaches the biblical view of homosexuality may be subject to criminal prosecution.
Not only does the new law make thought a factor in criminality, it also extends the power of the federal government over the states. Despite many states also having enacted hate crimes legislation, it would provide federal grants to help with the prosecuting of hate crimes and funds programs to combat hate crimes.
The federal government can step in after the Justice Department certifies that a state is unwilling or unable to follow through on a purported hate crime.
It in not likely that this law will be able to be repealed in the future so it will remain the law of the land and another triumph of a special interest group, in this case the homosexual community.
For the full story, click here.
Nice job Maryland Catholic Conference, nice job. You must be really proud of yourselves now.
PS: For those of you will bring up Matthew Sheppard, please make certain to include the fact that he was a meth addict, that one of the three men who killed him was bi-sexual and that all of them killed him (and admitted so) not because he was gay, but because he was an easy target and they wanted his money. Seems these facts get swept under the rug.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Same Sex Marriage and DC
Our colleagues over at Restore DC Catholocism have a first hand account of the rally this past weekend.
Yesterday, hearings were held in DC. You can read about it here.
Unfortunately, I think that this is a lost cause. Not because I am for same sex marriage, but because we have not put the heat on our politicians, esp. those who call themselves Catholic to follow their faith.
We have also not paid attention to the words used in various pieces of legislation. Look at the DC law which has brought us to this horrible situation re that you cannot bring to a vote any legislation that may deny the "human rights" of another.
Is it possible that they can turn this against those institutions which do not wish to marry same sex couples? It is entirely possible, most likely probable and was probably part of the long term thinking. They will come after us saying: Either marry gay couples, or lose tax exemption, etc. You may say that this violates your human rights, but don't hold your breath that they will see it that way. Then, you will have little choice.
Yesterday, hearings were held in DC. You can read about it here.
Unfortunately, I think that this is a lost cause. Not because I am for same sex marriage, but because we have not put the heat on our politicians, esp. those who call themselves Catholic to follow their faith.
We have also not paid attention to the words used in various pieces of legislation. Look at the DC law which has brought us to this horrible situation re that you cannot bring to a vote any legislation that may deny the "human rights" of another.
Is it possible that they can turn this against those institutions which do not wish to marry same sex couples? It is entirely possible, most likely probable and was probably part of the long term thinking. They will come after us saying: Either marry gay couples, or lose tax exemption, etc. You may say that this violates your human rights, but don't hold your breath that they will see it that way. Then, you will have little choice.
Monday, October 26, 2009
USCCB and Talk Radio - They are Making A Mistake
It seems that the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) has signed on to a request to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to investigate "hate speech" on the radio because of the stance of people like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, etc. In particular, it deals with the issue of illegal immigration or as the USCCB calls it "immigration."
Don't they realize that it is only a matter of time that they will come after anyone who supports our views on homosexuality, abortion, etc.
THe USCCB may think that they are taking the high moral ground but they are only fooling themselves.
Maybe they should be more concerned about speaking out about this.
For more on this, go to Catholic Culture.
Don't they realize that it is only a matter of time that they will come after anyone who supports our views on homosexuality, abortion, etc.
THe USCCB may think that they are taking the high moral ground but they are only fooling themselves.
Maybe they should be more concerned about speaking out about this.
For more on this, go to Catholic Culture.
Update (10pm): According to the Catholic News Agency, the USCCB denies that it joined the FCC petition. Read about it here.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Catholic Standard Weekly Update
Well, folks, I have been remiss in my Catholic Standard weekly update.
This week the Standard seems a little thinner than normal. Not certain if it due to reduced ads, or just not much happening. However, here is a summary for you.
The cover story is on the 150th Anniversary of St. Aloysius. We also have the blessing of the new vestibule at St. George's in Southern Maryland. There was also the blessing of a new room in St. Patrick's downtown.
Page 3 has an article and advertisement on "The People's Rally" against same-sex marriages. The only problem is that this has come out so late. It is hard to plan these things at the last minute. Come on guys.
A story from Catholic News Service states "USCCB officials say problems remain in health bill." Yea, like the whole damn concept.
The Archdiocesan Legal Network celebrated their 20th Anniversary.
We have an advertisement from Stone Ridge, which is a regular advertiser. You remember them, they invited former Lt. Gov. Townsend, a pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage person to speak at one of the graduations a couple of years ago. And who did the school blame for the bad publicity...why it was the protesters and those against the visit and making things difficult for the students. Gee, who invited who. (Now, I do not know if the same school officials are there are not. So, please correct if I am wrong.)
The Insight Column discusses funding of abortion in the health care reform package. I have a much more basic question: Will this really give us better healthcare? Personally, I doubt it and will cost us much more in the long run.
Blessed Sacrament parish hosts a bone marrow drive for Zach Balog. Pro-Life in action.
We have one story on the welcoming of our Anglican brothers and sisters back into the family of our Catholic faith (should they wish to join) and one on the Joint Declaration of Justification with Lutherans.
The Standard recognizes the 5th Anniversary of the death of Cardial Hickey, as well as, the death of Fr. Twohig. Fr. Twohig served in various parishes and at Gallard University.
Now, remember, your parish pays to have the Standard (whether they like it or not), so pick up a copy and drop a little in the plate for it.
This week the Standard seems a little thinner than normal. Not certain if it due to reduced ads, or just not much happening. However, here is a summary for you.
The cover story is on the 150th Anniversary of St. Aloysius. We also have the blessing of the new vestibule at St. George's in Southern Maryland. There was also the blessing of a new room in St. Patrick's downtown.
Page 3 has an article and advertisement on "The People's Rally" against same-sex marriages. The only problem is that this has come out so late. It is hard to plan these things at the last minute. Come on guys.
A story from Catholic News Service states "USCCB officials say problems remain in health bill." Yea, like the whole damn concept.
The Archdiocesan Legal Network celebrated their 20th Anniversary.
We have an advertisement from Stone Ridge, which is a regular advertiser. You remember them, they invited former Lt. Gov. Townsend, a pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage person to speak at one of the graduations a couple of years ago. And who did the school blame for the bad publicity...why it was the protesters and those against the visit and making things difficult for the students. Gee, who invited who. (Now, I do not know if the same school officials are there are not. So, please correct if I am wrong.)
The Insight Column discusses funding of abortion in the health care reform package. I have a much more basic question: Will this really give us better healthcare? Personally, I doubt it and will cost us much more in the long run.
Blessed Sacrament parish hosts a bone marrow drive for Zach Balog. Pro-Life in action.
We have one story on the welcoming of our Anglican brothers and sisters back into the family of our Catholic faith (should they wish to join) and one on the Joint Declaration of Justification with Lutherans.
The Standard recognizes the 5th Anniversary of the death of Cardial Hickey, as well as, the death of Fr. Twohig. Fr. Twohig served in various parishes and at Gallard University.
Now, remember, your parish pays to have the Standard (whether they like it or not), so pick up a copy and drop a little in the plate for it.
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