The Saint Benedict Center (Richmond, New Hampshire), will be conducting its annual conference once again at The Royal Plaza Hotel in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. One of the speakers at this conference will be Mr. John Sharpe, an anti-Semite who is described in the Saint Benedict Center newsletter - the Mancipia - as a "Publisher, Distributist Scholar, Founder and President of IHS Press."
For more background on Mr. John Sharpe, please visit Fringe Watch at: fringewatcher.blogspot.com/2005/ 12/john-sharpes-legion-of-st-louis.html
Paul
Monday, May 08, 2006
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Cardinal O'Malley and schism
On July 29, 2003, Archbishop Sean O'Malley issued a statement through his Archdiocese's Public Release Office in which he said that, "a Catholic politician who holds a public, pro-choice position should not be receiving Communion..." To this he added: "The Church presumes that each person is receiving in good faith. It is not our policy to deny Communion. It is up to the individual."
As well-known Catholic author Barbara Kralis has noted in an article which addresses the Archbishop's statement, such a presumption "is obviously faulty." Kralis rightfully reminded her readers of Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law which states that: "those who...obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Communion."
Indeed, in a memorandum sent by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and addressed to Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick as head of the Ad Hoc Task Force for Catholic politicians, the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said that, "regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person's formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church's teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist."
Now, there are some who are suggesting (or are saying outright) that Cardinal O'Malley is in schism since he has said that "It is not our policy to deny Communion." One Catholic blogger regularly refers to "Sean's schism" (reverence for pastors is not a strong suit in this woman's brand of Catholicism). An individual who frequents the Holy Cross Cardinal Newman Society website wrote that, "The Pope said that pro-abortion politicians like John Kerry should be denied the Eucharist, but Archbishop O'Malley said he would give the Eucharist to Kerry," and then asked: "Is that a refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him?"
The answer, as Dr. Germain Grisez explains, is that "Those who simply disobey a precept or law, while acknowledging its authority, are not schismatic. Neither are those who refuse to submit to a particular ecclesiastical precept or law they believe to be illegitimate. Nor are religious who refuse to submit to their superiors but do submit to the pope and their own bishop."
St. Thomas Aquinas makes it clear that schism is not just any kind of disobedience. He explains that schism is a distinct sin from other sins, and refutes the erroneous opinion which suggests that since schismatics are those "who do not obey the Church" and since every kind of sin involves some sort of disobedience to the Church, there is really no specific difference between schism and other offenses. Aquinas explains further (Q. 39, a.1, ad 2) that the essence of schism is in "rebelliously disobeying [the Church's] commandments. I say 'rebelliously' because the schismatic shows obstinate scorn for the Church's commandments and refuses to submit to her judgment. Not every sinner does that; and so not every sin is schism."
The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia affirms this teaching: "not every disobedience is schism; in order to possess this character it must include besides the transgression of the commands of superiors, denial of their Divine right to command" (Vol. 13, p.529a, s.v. "Schism").
Those who insist that His Eminence Sean Cardinal O'Malley is in "schism" will be hard-pressed to make a case from Canon Law. For some twelve years, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre defied the Holy See's declaration that he was suspended from the exercise of his priestly and episcopal functions. However, he was never accused by Rome of schism. Lefebvre continued to offer Holy Mass and even to ordain priests for the SSPX from 1976 until 1988 and still Rome never accused him of schism. It wasn't until he illicitly consecrated four bishops in 1988 that he was accused of schism and was excommunicated.
Those individuals who have accused Cardinal O'Malley of being in schism have calumniated him. Let's pray that these individuals will repent of their calumny.
Until next time,
God love you
Paul Anthony Melanson
As well-known Catholic author Barbara Kralis has noted in an article which addresses the Archbishop's statement, such a presumption "is obviously faulty." Kralis rightfully reminded her readers of Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law which states that: "those who...obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Communion."
Indeed, in a memorandum sent by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and addressed to Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick as head of the Ad Hoc Task Force for Catholic politicians, the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said that, "regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person's formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church's teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist."
Now, there are some who are suggesting (or are saying outright) that Cardinal O'Malley is in schism since he has said that "It is not our policy to deny Communion." One Catholic blogger regularly refers to "Sean's schism" (reverence for pastors is not a strong suit in this woman's brand of Catholicism). An individual who frequents the Holy Cross Cardinal Newman Society website wrote that, "The Pope said that pro-abortion politicians like John Kerry should be denied the Eucharist, but Archbishop O'Malley said he would give the Eucharist to Kerry," and then asked: "Is that a refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him?"
The answer, as Dr. Germain Grisez explains, is that "Those who simply disobey a precept or law, while acknowledging its authority, are not schismatic. Neither are those who refuse to submit to a particular ecclesiastical precept or law they believe to be illegitimate. Nor are religious who refuse to submit to their superiors but do submit to the pope and their own bishop."
St. Thomas Aquinas makes it clear that schism is not just any kind of disobedience. He explains that schism is a distinct sin from other sins, and refutes the erroneous opinion which suggests that since schismatics are those "who do not obey the Church" and since every kind of sin involves some sort of disobedience to the Church, there is really no specific difference between schism and other offenses. Aquinas explains further (Q. 39, a.1, ad 2) that the essence of schism is in "rebelliously disobeying [the Church's] commandments. I say 'rebelliously' because the schismatic shows obstinate scorn for the Church's commandments and refuses to submit to her judgment. Not every sinner does that; and so not every sin is schism."
The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia affirms this teaching: "not every disobedience is schism; in order to possess this character it must include besides the transgression of the commands of superiors, denial of their Divine right to command" (Vol. 13, p.529a, s.v. "Schism").
Those who insist that His Eminence Sean Cardinal O'Malley is in "schism" will be hard-pressed to make a case from Canon Law. For some twelve years, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre defied the Holy See's declaration that he was suspended from the exercise of his priestly and episcopal functions. However, he was never accused by Rome of schism. Lefebvre continued to offer Holy Mass and even to ordain priests for the SSPX from 1976 until 1988 and still Rome never accused him of schism. It wasn't until he illicitly consecrated four bishops in 1988 that he was accused of schism and was excommunicated.
Those individuals who have accused Cardinal O'Malley of being in schism have calumniated him. Let's pray that these individuals will repent of their calumny.
Until next time,
God love you
Paul Anthony Melanson
Thursday, May 04, 2006
God hath shined in our hearts
"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give illumination of knowledge of the brightness of God, in the face of Christ Jesus." (2 Cor. 4, 6)
"Quoniam Deus, qui dixit de tenebris lucem splendescere, Ipse illuxit in cordibus nostris, ad illuminationem scientiae claritatis Dei, in facie Christi Jesu." (2 Cor. 4, 6)
"Quoniam Deus, qui dixit de tenebris lucem splendescere, Ipse illuxit in cordibus nostris, ad illuminationem scientiae claritatis Dei, in facie Christi Jesu." (2 Cor. 4, 6)
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Group blasts Catholic university over 'queer studies'
Another article: http://www.tfp.org/what_we_do/index/depaul_queer_studies.htm
And DePaul will continue to be Catholic how?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church couldn't be more clear on this subject:
"2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstance can they be approved."
One has to wonder which part of this paragraph is too challenging for the Vincentians who run DePaul University.
Paul
And DePaul will continue to be Catholic how?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church couldn't be more clear on this subject:
"2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstance can they be approved."
One has to wonder which part of this paragraph is too challenging for the Vincentians who run DePaul University.
Paul
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Orthodoxy: An Adventure
Last and most important, it is exactly this which explains what is so inexplicable to all the modern critics of the history of Christianity. I mean the monstrous wars about small points of theology, the earthquakes of emotion about a gesture or a word. It was only a matter of an inch; but an inch is everything when you are balancing.
The Church could not afford to swerve a hair's breadth on some things if she was to continue her great and daring experiment of the irregular equilibrium. Once let one idea become less powerful and some other idea would become too powerful. It was no flock of sheep the Christian shepherd was leading, but a herd of bulls and tigers, of terrible ideals and devouring doctrines, each one of them strong enough to turn to a false religion and lay waste the world.
Remember that the Church went in specifically for dangerous ideas; she was a lion tamer. The idea of birth through a Holy Spirit, of the death of a divine being, of the forgiveness of sins, or the fulfilment of prophecies, are ideas which, any one can see, need but a touch to turn them into something blasphemous or ferocious.
The smallest link was let drop by the artificers of the Mediterranean, and the lion of ancestral pessimism burst his chain in the forgotten forests of the north. Of these theological equalisations I have to speak afterwards. Here it is enough to notice that if some small mistake were made in doctrine, huge blunders might be made in human happiness. A sentence phrased wrong about the nature of symbolism would have broken all the best statues in Europe. A slip in the definitions might stop all the dances; might wither all the Christmas trees or break all the Easter eggs. Doctrines had to be defined within strict limits, even in order that man might enjoy general human liberties. The Church had to be careful, if only that the world might be careless.
This is the thrilling romance of Orthodoxy. People have fallen into a foolish habit of speaking of orthodoxy as something heavy, humdrum, and safe. There never was anything so perilous or so exciting as orthodoxy. It was sanity: and to be sane is more dramatic than to be mad. It was the equilibrium of a man behind madly rushing horses, seeming to stoop this way and to sway that, yet in every attitude having the grace of statuary and the accuracy of arithmetic. The Church in its early days went fierce and fast with any warhorse; yet it is utterly unhistoric to say that she merely went mad along one idea, like a vulgar fanaticism. She swerved to left and right, so exactly as to avoid enormous obstacles.
She left on one hand the huge bulk of Arianism, buttressed by all the worldly powers to make Christianity too worldly. The next instant she was swerving to avoid an orientalism, which would have made it too unworldly. The orthodox Church never took the tame course or accepted the conventions; the orthodox Church was never respectable. It would have been easier to have accepted the earthly power of the Arians. It would have been easy, in the Calvinistic seventeenth century, to fall into the bottomless pit of predestination. It is easy to be a madman: it is easy to be a heretic. It is always easy to let the age have its head; the difficult thing is to keep one's own.
It is always easy to be a modernist; as it is easy to be a snob. To have fallen into any of those open traps of error and exaggeration which fashion after fashion and sect after sect set along the historic path of Christendom -- that would indeed have been simple. It is always simple to fall; there are an infinity of angles at which one falls, only one at which one stands. To have fallen into any one of the fads from Gnosticism to Christian Science would indeed have been obvious and tame. But to have avoided them all has been one whirling adventure; and in my vision the heavenly chariot flies thundering through the ages, the dull heresies sprawling and prostrate, the wild truth reeling but erect.
- Gilbert Keith Chesterton, Orthodoxy
The Church could not afford to swerve a hair's breadth on some things if she was to continue her great and daring experiment of the irregular equilibrium. Once let one idea become less powerful and some other idea would become too powerful. It was no flock of sheep the Christian shepherd was leading, but a herd of bulls and tigers, of terrible ideals and devouring doctrines, each one of them strong enough to turn to a false religion and lay waste the world.
Remember that the Church went in specifically for dangerous ideas; she was a lion tamer. The idea of birth through a Holy Spirit, of the death of a divine being, of the forgiveness of sins, or the fulfilment of prophecies, are ideas which, any one can see, need but a touch to turn them into something blasphemous or ferocious.
The smallest link was let drop by the artificers of the Mediterranean, and the lion of ancestral pessimism burst his chain in the forgotten forests of the north. Of these theological equalisations I have to speak afterwards. Here it is enough to notice that if some small mistake were made in doctrine, huge blunders might be made in human happiness. A sentence phrased wrong about the nature of symbolism would have broken all the best statues in Europe. A slip in the definitions might stop all the dances; might wither all the Christmas trees or break all the Easter eggs. Doctrines had to be defined within strict limits, even in order that man might enjoy general human liberties. The Church had to be careful, if only that the world might be careless.
This is the thrilling romance of Orthodoxy. People have fallen into a foolish habit of speaking of orthodoxy as something heavy, humdrum, and safe. There never was anything so perilous or so exciting as orthodoxy. It was sanity: and to be sane is more dramatic than to be mad. It was the equilibrium of a man behind madly rushing horses, seeming to stoop this way and to sway that, yet in every attitude having the grace of statuary and the accuracy of arithmetic. The Church in its early days went fierce and fast with any warhorse; yet it is utterly unhistoric to say that she merely went mad along one idea, like a vulgar fanaticism. She swerved to left and right, so exactly as to avoid enormous obstacles.
She left on one hand the huge bulk of Arianism, buttressed by all the worldly powers to make Christianity too worldly. The next instant she was swerving to avoid an orientalism, which would have made it too unworldly. The orthodox Church never took the tame course or accepted the conventions; the orthodox Church was never respectable. It would have been easier to have accepted the earthly power of the Arians. It would have been easy, in the Calvinistic seventeenth century, to fall into the bottomless pit of predestination. It is easy to be a madman: it is easy to be a heretic. It is always easy to let the age have its head; the difficult thing is to keep one's own.
It is always easy to be a modernist; as it is easy to be a snob. To have fallen into any of those open traps of error and exaggeration which fashion after fashion and sect after sect set along the historic path of Christendom -- that would indeed have been simple. It is always simple to fall; there are an infinity of angles at which one falls, only one at which one stands. To have fallen into any one of the fads from Gnosticism to Christian Science would indeed have been obvious and tame. But to have avoided them all has been one whirling adventure; and in my vision the heavenly chariot flies thundering through the ages, the dull heresies sprawling and prostrate, the wild truth reeling but erect.
- Gilbert Keith Chesterton, Orthodoxy
Traditionalist Bishop attacks Pope Benedict XVI
This really calls for prayer. Dissent, no matter where it comes from - from either "traditionalist" or liberal circles - always represents a grave matter. In the words of Pope John Paul II, "dissent is opposed to ecclesial communion and to a correct understanding of the hierarchical constitution of the People of God" (Veritatis Splendor, No. 113).
The Bishop in question has added calumny to his dissent from Church teaching and authority. Let's all pray for his reconciliation with the Church.
Paul
The Bishop in question has added calumny to his dissent from Church teaching and authority. Let's all pray for his reconciliation with the Church.
Paul
Monday, May 01, 2006
Magisterial Teaching not "opinion."
Archbishop Amato, 67, acknowledged that there is a "weakening in the faithful of that ecclesial sense that the saints described as 'to love the Church and feel with the Church.'"
This weakening is at the root of our present-day crisis.
Paul
This weakening is at the root of our present-day crisis.
Paul
We love you St. Joseph!
Prayer to St. Joseph over 1900 years old
O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.
Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Breakfast at McDonald's
An important lesson which we all have to learn in our lifetime:
Breakfast at McDonald's
Please read until the end.This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology.The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.Her last project of the term was called "Smile."The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.
I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling".His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them.The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope."We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.We are not church goers, but we are believers.That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it.Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?"I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.
In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how toLOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
If you think this story has touched you in any way, please send this to everyone you know.There is an Angel sent to watch over you.In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over.
An Angel wrote:Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.To handle yourself, use your head.To handle others, use your heart.God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.
Amen.
Paul
Breakfast at McDonald's
Please read until the end.This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology.The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.Her last project of the term was called "Smile."The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.
I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling".His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them.The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope."We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.We are not church goers, but we are believers.That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it.Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?"I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.
In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how toLOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
If you think this story has touched you in any way, please send this to everyone you know.There is an Angel sent to watch over you.In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over.
An Angel wrote:Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.To handle yourself, use your head.To handle others, use your heart.God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.
Amen.
Paul
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Pius XII Closing In On Sainthood
My father met Pope Pius XII in April of 1958, just six months before he died. And this meeting had a profound impact upon him. It is tragic that so many have slandered Pius XII in their hate-filled attacks on the Mystical Body of Christ. But then, any true disciple of Christ will often encounter such attacks. The enemies of Christ and His Church cannot fight a battle on solid ground. Therefore they rely on gossip and slander which may be done in secret. And in the darkness.
Paul
Friday, April 28, 2006
Anyone who would like a copy of attorney Daniel Shea's hateful emails regarding the Catholic Church may obtain one by writing me at: cleghornboy@juno.com
Paul M.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Anti-Catholic for District Attorney?
Attorney Daniel J. Shea, who has referred to the Catholic Church as "a criminal institution," announces bid for District Attorney position:
Attorney Daniel J. Shea, an attorney who represented clergy abuse victims within the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts and who has referred to the Catholic Church as "a criminal institution," while asserting that "Ratzinger and Co" have engaged in an "international conspiracy to obstruct justice," has announced that he will seek the Democratic nomination to the position of District Attorney for the Middle District, which encompasses Worcester County/Central Massachusetts.
On one occasion, attorney Shea wrote me an email in which he said that the Church, "..is a criminal institution and those who contribute to it any longer are aiding and abetting this criminal conduct called obstruction of justice." On another occasion, he asserted that I "..seem to be blinded by the ability of Ratzinger and Co. to engage in an international conspiracy to obstruct justice."
Please take the time to read my two articles on attorney Daniel J. Shea, the links to which are below. Note how attorney Shea has been involved with the transgender movement. Attorney Shea's anti-Catholic remarks are a cause for serious concern. Do we really want to see this man elected to the District Attorney's Office of the Middle District? How will Catholics fare under Daniel Shea as a District Attorney? Will Catholics be able to receive justice from a man who has said that Catholics who contribute to the Catholic Church are 'aiding and abetting" a "criminal institution"?
What do you think?
The articles:
http://lasalettejourney.blogspot.com/2005/06/attorney-daniel-shea-and-co-liberal.html
http://lasalettejourney.blogspot.com/2005/06/attorney-daniel-shea-and-co-liberal_23.html
God love you,
Paul
attorney daniel shea
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Saturday, April 22, 2006
A Prayer for Parish Priests on Divine Mercy Sunday
A Prayer for Parish Priests on Divine Mercy Sunday
Lord Jesus,
You have entrusted to me the care of my brothers and sisters gathered together in this parish family. My mission in life is to get to Heaven and bring my brothers and sisters with me. But, you know how sinful and weak I am. Nevertheless, I know that I can do all things in you. Grant me any suffering in this life so that I may offer that suffering up for the conversion of all of my brothers and sisters who refuse to approach the sacrament of mercy. Do not let anyone who has been entrusted to my pastoral care be lost because of my negligence or my lack of holiness. Never let me be departed from you. Jesus, I trust in you! Amen.
Lord Jesus,
You have entrusted to me the care of my brothers and sisters gathered together in this parish family. My mission in life is to get to Heaven and bring my brothers and sisters with me. But, you know how sinful and weak I am. Nevertheless, I know that I can do all things in you. Grant me any suffering in this life so that I may offer that suffering up for the conversion of all of my brothers and sisters who refuse to approach the sacrament of mercy. Do not let anyone who has been entrusted to my pastoral care be lost because of my negligence or my lack of holiness. Never let me be departed from you. Jesus, I trust in you! Amen.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Psychiatry & Faith
Psychiatry & Faith
The Struggle for Chastity and Purity
by Bruce W. Walters, M.D.
Read this important article here:
http://www.latinmassmagazine.com/articles_2001_FA_Walters.html
The Struggle for Chastity and Purity
by Bruce W. Walters, M.D.
Read this important article here:
http://www.latinmassmagazine.com/articles_2001_FA_Walters.html
More Education in Immodesty
Last year, this Blog exposed the fact that Transfiguration Parish in Manchester, New Hampshire had inappropriate website links for teens at its website. After the Diocese of Manchester was notified, these links were removed. Some of these website links may now be found at the website for NH Catholic Youth: http://www.nhcatholicyouth.net/
Among these website links:
http://www.nomoho.org A website whose name is a clear reference to the words "No more whore" and which discusses matters of sexuality. Although this website is temporarily down, a little message from an individual named Matt Smith reads, "NOMOHO.com will be back up soon. I have a lot of coding to do. When the site is back up, you'll be able to purchase the most durable chastity belts on the planet."
I'll bet. I wonder if Mr. Smith plans on offering condoms and abortifacient drugs as well?
http://www.pamstenzel.com A website which has a banner reading "No screwin around," and an introduction which states that, "Pam Stenzel travels the world talking to teens and their parents about sex. Scott Gardner works every day with teen girls who are suffering the consequences of poor choices. Kyle and Abby have been married for a couple of years. Eric is getting ready for college. Jasmine is waiting for the right guy. Cassandra is getting over a bad relationship. Alisha is trying to make good choices in her life. She made bad ones in the past. Nate likes to skate.
They talk about their experiences, they talk about character, they talk about STD’s, pregnancy, boundaries, friends, respect, body parts, good relationships and bad ones, boys and girls. It’s all real, it’s all true. Sex is a big deal, it is a topic we all deal with at some point, and we are all a result of the act… whether we like it or not."
In other words, immodesty must reign since "we are all a result" of the sex act. So, let's talk about body parts and hold what should remain a sacred sphere to be treated with modesty under a laboratory microscope.
http://www.xxxchurch.com/ This one speaks for itself.
The Diocese of Manchester did the right thing when it had Transfiguration Parish remove these morally offensive and inappropriate website links from its website. One has to wonder why these links remain at the website for New Hampshire Catholic Youth.
Read the following:
The Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, in an Instruction entitled "Educational Guidance in Human Love - Outlines for sex education," had this to say about the importance and role of modesty in sex education:
EDUCATION FOR MODESTY AND FRIENDSHIP
90. Modesty, a fundamental component of the personality, may be considered - on the ethical level - as the vigilant knowledge which defends the dignity of man, woman and authentic love. It tends to react to certain attitudes and to curb behaviour which stains the dignity of the person. It is a necessary and effective means of controlling the instincts, making authentic love flower, integrating the affective-sexual life in the harmonions picture of the person. Modesty has great pedagogic weight and must therefore be respected. Children and young people will thus learn to respect the body itself as a gift from God, member of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit; they will learn to resist the evil which surrounds them and to have a vision and clear imagination to seek to express a truly human love with all its spiritual components when they meet people in friendship.
91. To such an end, concrete and attractive models of virtue are to be presented, the aesthetic sense be developed, inspiring a taste for the beauty present in nature, in art and in moral life; the young are to be educated to assimilate a system of sensible and spiritual values in an unselfish impetus of faith and love.
92. Friendship is the height of affective maturation and differs from mere cameraderie by its interior dimension, by communication which allows and fosters true communion, by its reciprocal generosity and its stability. Education for friendship can become a factor of extraordinary importance in the making of the personality in its individual and social dimensions.
93. The bonds of friendship which unite the young of both sexes contribute both to understanding and to reciprocal respect when they are maintained within the limits of normal affective expression. If however they become or tend to become manifestations of a genital character, they lose the authentic meaning of mature friendship, prejudice the relationships involved and the future prospects with regard to an eventual marriage, and render the individuals concerned less attentive to a possible call to the consecrated life.
This teaching on modesty is echoed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For example, No. 2521 says that: "Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is ordered to chastity to whose sensitivity it bears witness. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their solidarity."
And No. 2522 says that: "Modesty protects the mysteryof persons and their love. It encourages patience and moderation in loving relationships...Modesty is decency. It inspires one's choice of clothing. It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk of unhealthy curiosity. It is discreet."
Bearing this Magisterial teaching in mind, can we honestly suggest that the website for New Hampshire Catholic Youth is respecting modesty of persons when it features links to websites such as the ones mentioned above?
I submit that the Diocese of Manchester is not yet fully committed toward promoting an authentic sex education for its youth. One which recognizes the importance and role of modesty.
Paul Anthony Melanson
Among these website links:
http://www.nomoho.org A website whose name is a clear reference to the words "No more whore" and which discusses matters of sexuality. Although this website is temporarily down, a little message from an individual named Matt Smith reads, "NOMOHO.com will be back up soon. I have a lot of coding to do. When the site is back up, you'll be able to purchase the most durable chastity belts on the planet."
I'll bet. I wonder if Mr. Smith plans on offering condoms and abortifacient drugs as well?
http://www.pamstenzel.com A website which has a banner reading "No screwin around," and an introduction which states that, "Pam Stenzel travels the world talking to teens and their parents about sex. Scott Gardner works every day with teen girls who are suffering the consequences of poor choices. Kyle and Abby have been married for a couple of years. Eric is getting ready for college. Jasmine is waiting for the right guy. Cassandra is getting over a bad relationship. Alisha is trying to make good choices in her life. She made bad ones in the past. Nate likes to skate.
They talk about their experiences, they talk about character, they talk about STD’s, pregnancy, boundaries, friends, respect, body parts, good relationships and bad ones, boys and girls. It’s all real, it’s all true. Sex is a big deal, it is a topic we all deal with at some point, and we are all a result of the act… whether we like it or not."
In other words, immodesty must reign since "we are all a result" of the sex act. So, let's talk about body parts and hold what should remain a sacred sphere to be treated with modesty under a laboratory microscope.
http://www.xxxchurch.com/ This one speaks for itself.
The Diocese of Manchester did the right thing when it had Transfiguration Parish remove these morally offensive and inappropriate website links from its website. One has to wonder why these links remain at the website for New Hampshire Catholic Youth.
Read the following:
The Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, in an Instruction entitled "Educational Guidance in Human Love - Outlines for sex education," had this to say about the importance and role of modesty in sex education:
EDUCATION FOR MODESTY AND FRIENDSHIP
90. Modesty, a fundamental component of the personality, may be considered - on the ethical level - as the vigilant knowledge which defends the dignity of man, woman and authentic love. It tends to react to certain attitudes and to curb behaviour which stains the dignity of the person. It is a necessary and effective means of controlling the instincts, making authentic love flower, integrating the affective-sexual life in the harmonions picture of the person. Modesty has great pedagogic weight and must therefore be respected. Children and young people will thus learn to respect the body itself as a gift from God, member of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit; they will learn to resist the evil which surrounds them and to have a vision and clear imagination to seek to express a truly human love with all its spiritual components when they meet people in friendship.
91. To such an end, concrete and attractive models of virtue are to be presented, the aesthetic sense be developed, inspiring a taste for the beauty present in nature, in art and in moral life; the young are to be educated to assimilate a system of sensible and spiritual values in an unselfish impetus of faith and love.
92. Friendship is the height of affective maturation and differs from mere cameraderie by its interior dimension, by communication which allows and fosters true communion, by its reciprocal generosity and its stability. Education for friendship can become a factor of extraordinary importance in the making of the personality in its individual and social dimensions.
93. The bonds of friendship which unite the young of both sexes contribute both to understanding and to reciprocal respect when they are maintained within the limits of normal affective expression. If however they become or tend to become manifestations of a genital character, they lose the authentic meaning of mature friendship, prejudice the relationships involved and the future prospects with regard to an eventual marriage, and render the individuals concerned less attentive to a possible call to the consecrated life.
This teaching on modesty is echoed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For example, No. 2521 says that: "Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden. It is ordered to chastity to whose sensitivity it bears witness. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their solidarity."
And No. 2522 says that: "Modesty protects the mysteryof persons and their love. It encourages patience and moderation in loving relationships...Modesty is decency. It inspires one's choice of clothing. It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk of unhealthy curiosity. It is discreet."
Bearing this Magisterial teaching in mind, can we honestly suggest that the website for New Hampshire Catholic Youth is respecting modesty of persons when it features links to websites such as the ones mentioned above?
I submit that the Diocese of Manchester is not yet fully committed toward promoting an authentic sex education for its youth. One which recognizes the importance and role of modesty.
Paul Anthony Melanson
From the La Salette Journey Archives
Interficere errorem, diligere errantem
This basic principle, taught by St. Augustine in his classic work entitled "The City of God" (Book 14, ch.6), translates thusly into English: "kill the error, love the one who errs." Unfortunately, there are many Catholics today who believe that one cannot accomplish both of these actions at the same time. Such people fail to understand that love actually requires the killing of error.
Why do these individuals remain silent when faced with the grave evils of our day? And why are they critical of those Catholics who actually do condemn these evils? The answer is simple, they wrongly interpret Sacred Scripture as teaching that it is never permissible to judge. Yes, our Lord tells us, "Judge not, that you may not be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again" (Matthew 7: 1-2).
And we also read in James 4: 12-13, "There is one lawgiver and judge, that is able to destroy and to deliver. But who art thou that judgest thy neighbour?"
Vatican II, specifically Gaudium et Spes, No. 28, also reminds us of this prohibition against judging others: "God alone is the judge and searcher of hearts; for that reason he forbids us to make judgments about the internal guilt of anyone." But this norm does not preclude us from rendering judgments on words, ideas and actions. On the contrary, the words of the great St. Augustine (Bishop of Hippo and Father and Doctor of the Church) "kill the error, love the one who errs," says it all.
We have a responsibility as Catholics to admonish others at times. And this responsibility is grounded in love of neighbor. When we truly love our neighbor, we will for them to abide in God's love and not to be separated from His love by sin. Recall the Church's definition of charity as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1822. The responsibility we have as Catholics to admonish others at times and to engage in fraternal correction is clearly taught in Sacred Scripture: Luke 17:3, 1 Corinthians 6: 1-6, Galatians 6:1, 1 Thessalonians 5: 14, 2 Thessalonians 3: 14-15, James 5: 19-20.
There are two different meanings to the word "judge" in Sacred Scripture then. God alone may judge a person's interior dispositions. God alone may judge a person's soul. Scripture is clear on this. However, the same Scripture is clear when it teaches us that we may judge actions, words and ideas which fail to live up to Gospel demands. Recall what the Holy Spirit tells us through St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 5: 12, "..Do not you judge them that are within?"
It is possible to judge that what others are doing (or saying) is wrong and to accomplish this without judging the person's internal guilt. While killing the error, we continue to love the one who errs. And our love is shown by the very fact that we admonish the person because we don't want them to be separated from God's love by sin.
Until next time,
God love you
Paul Anthony Melanson
This basic principle, taught by St. Augustine in his classic work entitled "The City of God" (Book 14, ch.6), translates thusly into English: "kill the error, love the one who errs." Unfortunately, there are many Catholics today who believe that one cannot accomplish both of these actions at the same time. Such people fail to understand that love actually requires the killing of error.
Why do these individuals remain silent when faced with the grave evils of our day? And why are they critical of those Catholics who actually do condemn these evils? The answer is simple, they wrongly interpret Sacred Scripture as teaching that it is never permissible to judge. Yes, our Lord tells us, "Judge not, that you may not be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again" (Matthew 7: 1-2).
And we also read in James 4: 12-13, "There is one lawgiver and judge, that is able to destroy and to deliver. But who art thou that judgest thy neighbour?"
Vatican II, specifically Gaudium et Spes, No. 28, also reminds us of this prohibition against judging others: "God alone is the judge and searcher of hearts; for that reason he forbids us to make judgments about the internal guilt of anyone." But this norm does not preclude us from rendering judgments on words, ideas and actions. On the contrary, the words of the great St. Augustine (Bishop of Hippo and Father and Doctor of the Church) "kill the error, love the one who errs," says it all.
We have a responsibility as Catholics to admonish others at times. And this responsibility is grounded in love of neighbor. When we truly love our neighbor, we will for them to abide in God's love and not to be separated from His love by sin. Recall the Church's definition of charity as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1822. The responsibility we have as Catholics to admonish others at times and to engage in fraternal correction is clearly taught in Sacred Scripture: Luke 17:3, 1 Corinthians 6: 1-6, Galatians 6:1, 1 Thessalonians 5: 14, 2 Thessalonians 3: 14-15, James 5: 19-20.
There are two different meanings to the word "judge" in Sacred Scripture then. God alone may judge a person's interior dispositions. God alone may judge a person's soul. Scripture is clear on this. However, the same Scripture is clear when it teaches us that we may judge actions, words and ideas which fail to live up to Gospel demands. Recall what the Holy Spirit tells us through St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 5: 12, "..Do not you judge them that are within?"
It is possible to judge that what others are doing (or saying) is wrong and to accomplish this without judging the person's internal guilt. While killing the error, we continue to love the one who errs. And our love is shown by the very fact that we admonish the person because we don't want them to be separated from God's love by sin.
Until next time,
God love you
Paul Anthony Melanson
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