Archdiocese of Portland's Last Lousy Legislative Loo-Loo, God Willing.

For the first time the Archdiocese of Portland has set a comprehensive legislative agenda for Oregon Catholics, but wait...it looks just like the Office of Justice and Peace's playbook, not much else.

There is legislation in the works to put same-sex marriage on the Oregon agenda but no mention of opposition to this at all.  Since the Archdiocese has long roots embedded in Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and their member churches which include the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (pro-homosexual activity) this doesn't surprise anyone.  I don't believe any anti-abortion policies are reflected in any of the churches.

Our last lobbyist for Oregon Catholic Conference was Roger Martin.  He apparently hasn't changed his pro-abortion position in the many years he represented the Archdiocese of Portland.  We desperately need a change in so many positions. 

Now the Office of Justice and Peace is again trying to look professional with this ad, when it is really just like the same old thing.  But...let's pray this is the last time.

We used to have an Office of Marriage and Family life to balance things out.

Archdiocese of Portland - Office of the Archbishop 2013 State Legislative Agenda In the Catholic tradition, government has a positive role because of its responsibility to serve the common good, provide a safety net for the vulnerable, and help overcome discrimination and ensure equal opportunity for all. In this tradition, and after consultation with the Board of Advisers of the Oregon Catholic Conference, the Archdiocese of Portland urges you to support its 2013 State Legislative Agenda by contacting your State Senators and Representatives THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH IS THAT HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED AND ACCORDED HUMAN DIGNITY. BEGINNING OF LIFE: OUR POSITION: In support of life and dignity, we oppose SB490, the effect of which would be to discourage clients from entering pregnancy resource centers. BEGINNING OF LIFE: OUR POSITION: In support of life and dignity, we support SB553, which places restrictions on aborting unborn life after the 20th week. HUMAN TRAFFICKING: LABOR TRAFFICKING/SEX TRAFFICKING (TEENAGE PROSTITUTION): OUR POSITION: Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. It violates the dignity of these victims. We support HB2021, which makes it illegal to traffic in illegal aliens. We support HB2780 and HB2334, which makes it a crime to facilitate sex tourism and prostitution. DEATH PENALTY: OUR POSITION: All life is sacred, including those on death row. We support HRJ1, submitting for the vote of the Oregon people a constitutional amendment to repeal and prohibit the death penalty. WHILE THE COMMON GOOD EMBRACES ALL, THOSE WHO ARE WEAK, VULNERABLE, AND MOST IN NEED DESERVE PREFERENTIAL CONCERN. EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT: OUR POSITION: The Catholic bishops have been strong supporters of the Earned Income Tax Credit for many years. This essential program assists workers and families raising children to provide the necessities of life. We support increased funding for EITC and urge support of SB507, HB2477 and SB326. TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF): OUR POSITION: We oppose any attempts to decrease funding for TANF or limit eligibility requirements so that TANF better serves families and individuals in need to help them make a successful transition to work and provide adequately for themselves and their family. We urge our state legislature to restore cuts to TANF in the DHS budget, in particular JOBS Support Services, the 60-month time limit and cuts to funding for immigrants and refugees. We urge opposition to HB2055. DEBT COLLECTION PROTECTION: OUR POSITION: The existence of a debt that is owed and past-due does not justify an unfair process or the imposition of a severe, unjust penalty. We support SB525/HB2826 to ensure a fair process and just results. EMPLOYMENT-RELATED DAY CARE: OUR POSITION: We support Governor Kitzhaber's budget proposal to increase funding for employment-related day care. The Employment Related Day Care program low-income working families pay for child care. Progress against hunger requires broader efforts to reduce poverty, which includes removing obstacles to employment such as day care. FORECLOSURES: OUR POSITION: We urge our state legislators to support foreclosure prevention initiatives that protect families at risk of losing their homes and ensure a fair process that protects a basic human right: shelter. We support SB73, SB367 and SB368. WAGE THEFT: OUR POSITION: Wage theft is the illegal practice of not paying workers for some or all of their work. We support state policies that will strengthen protections and close loopholes in current employment law to guarantee that all workers are paid the wages they have legally earned. We support state policies that will ensure that enforcement mechanisms are effective at holding unlawful employers accountable. We encourage passage of HB2976, HB2977, HB3142 and SB573. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: OUR POSITION: Communities and the government have an obligation to ensure the housing needs of all are met, especially poor and vulnerable people and their families. While we support the right to private property we do not support using this right to discriminate against poor and vulnerable people. We support SB410 prohibiting discrimination based on receiving particular Section 8 vouchers. THE GOSPEL MANDATE TO "WELCOME THE STRANGER" REQUIRES CATHOLICS TO CARE FOR AND STAND WITH IMMIGRANTS, BOTH DOCUMENTED AND UNDOCUMENTED, INCLUDING IMMIGRANT CHILDREN. TUITION EQUITY FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS: OUR POSITION: The Tuition Equity Bill is about fairness to high school graduates who were brought to this country unlawfully through no fault of their own, since they came with their parents. Despite achieving their high school diploma, they have no options. HB2787 has passed. We encourage passage of SB10. DRIVER LICENSE, DRIVER PERMIT OR IDENTIFICATION CARD TO PERSON ISSUED DEFERRED ACTION STATUS: OUR POSITION: We support HB3226, which authorizes the Department of Transportation to issue driver license, driver permit or identification cards to persons issued deferred action status (DACA) by United States Department of Homeland Security. FARM WORKER HOUSING TAX CREDIT: OUR POSITION: Society must all do more to meet a shared obligation to provide safe and decent housing for all. We support HB2980/SB323 to encourage the creation and rehabilitation of affordable agriculture workforce housing ensures quality homes for vulnerable people by extending the Farm Worker Housing Tax Credit to 2020. WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE PLANET ON WHICH WE LIVE - TO RESPECT GOD'S CREATION AND ENSURE A SAFE AND HOSPITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR HUMAN BEINGS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AT THEIR MOST VULNERABLE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT. IDENTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE OF CHEMICALS HARMFUL TO CHILDREN: OUR POSITION: Among the most vulnerable and most susceptible to the effects of environmental hazards are children. Because children may be exposed to environmental hazards at an earlier age than adults, even before they are born, they can develop slowly-progressing, environmentally-triggered diseases such as asthma, childhood cancer, mercury and lead poisoning. We urge support for HB3162 as the first step in increasing awareness of toxic chemicals in children's products.

justiceandpeace@archdpdx.org Archdiocese of Portland | 2838 E. Burnside Street | Portland | OR | 97214

Bill Diss. Contract NOT Renewed, Out of a job, Having Chest Pains.,,. Planned Parenthood has lots of Tentacles.

I heard that Bill was having chest pains and had gone to the doctor today.

He got checked out, had an EKG, and his blood drawn. He said his heart enzymes were elevated, but that he is OK.

Let's keep praying for him and his family, as they go through this stressful time.

I hope I'm not speaking out of turn, but people are looking out for Bill and some have already given him some job leads.....you know who you are .

Let's keep our eyes, ears, and mostly prayerful hearts open on this !

Thanks everyone!!  From Therese.

This note is from Therese who is with 40 Days for Life and more importantly in this case with Precious Children of Portland.  Thank you Therese for letting us know about Bill.

 

This is what being a "white martyr" is.  "White martyrdom" is when a Christian totally commits his life to God, uniting himself completely to God. Often "white martyrdom" involves tremendous suffering accepted and offered up to God in union with the cross of Christ." Michelle Arnold, Catholic Answers Apologist.

 

May we follow the example of Bill Diss this Lent..and go out on a limb for Christ. Bill is having a Lent that will make Easter so blessed.

 

"If anyone comes to me, I want to lead them to Him." --St. Edith Stein

 

Dear warriors for Christ,

Portland Public Schools decided last night at 11:00 pm not to renew Bill's teaching contract.

This is extremely sad news, BUT:

a) we're confident that Bill won't stop fighting, even if it's "just" to help keep the kids safe from PP,

and b) maybe God means for him to be elsewhere.

Am unsure of how we'll proceed from here, except that Bill said (before he knew the result) that we should keep on attending the Board mtgs.

Our heart goes out to Bill and his wife, and THANKS for all of your continued prayers !!

Therese

 

 

Bishop Vasa "Bearing Witness", asks His Teachers to "Reject Modern Errors" and Pays for It.

Here's a little blast from the past...click on the link.

  Religion in the "Modern World".. w/ modern "errors"

Titled "Bearing Witness," the addendum asks teachers to "acknowledge" or "recognize" that:

They are called to a "life of holiness" and that "this call is the more compelling for me since I have been entrusted, in my vocation as a teacher/administrator in a Catholic school, with the formation of souls." In part here is the addendum:

 

As a teacher in the Santa Rosa Diocese, "I am, by that fact, also a ministerial agent of the Bishop who is the chief 'teacher' of the Diocese."

 

It also requires all teachers to "agree that it is my duty, to the best of my ability, to believe, teach/administer and live in accord with what the Catholic Church holds and professes.
 

"I am especially cognizant of the fact that modern errors -- including but not limited to matters that gravely offend human dignity and the common good such as contraception, abortion, homosexual 'marriage' and euthanasia -- while broadly accepted in society, are not consistent with the clear teachings of the Catholic Church."

Here is the whole article for you to read.

Bishop Vasa Requires Teachers to Reject Modern Errors

The comments shows the lack of True Catechisis for too long.  The Church is not what they perceive Her to be. 

Feeling the heat from his "Fireside Chat" Univerity of Portland's president issued this:
http://www.upbeacon.net/a-letter-from-fr-beauchamp-1.2996176#.US7f9uuY5Ho

God Bless Bishop Vasa, Archbishop Sample, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and our new Holy Father.
 

Archbishop Alexander Sample's Curriculum Choice, also for Us?

It seems that the only sources used for Religious Education are The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Holy Bible.

Curriculum Used by Bishop Sample in Marquette, Michigan.

This program was the way the Diocese of Marquette was under Bishop Alexander K. Sample.

This will save us untold amounts of money if used in Western Oregon and any "funny business" with publishers disappear.

All the misery that some parents have been going through will be ended we pray.

"Following the renewal of the Liturgy and teh new codification of the canon law of the Latin Church (Roman rites) and that of the Oriental (Byzantine i.e.) Catholic Churches. this catechism will make a veryu important contribution to that work renewing the whole life of the Church, as desired and begun by the Second Vatican Council." Catechism of the Catholic Church , Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum pg. 3 (the Deposit of Faith Where things cannot change in the Church, VOCAL)

Most Rev. Alexander K. Sample's homily at the Rite of Election Feb. 17, ...