Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
What do we do if the Synod takes a ‘strange turn’? The simple answer just got Cardinal Burke big applause.
Join Cardinal Burke and 615,000 other concerned Catholics and sign the Filial Appeal to Pope Francis asking him to clearly reaffirm Chruch teaching on marriage at the Synod on the Family. Click here.
His Eminence was warmly welcomed and introduced by the retired Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis, the Most Rev. Robert Hermann, and then spoke to an audience of over 300 about "The Truth of Christ in Marriage". He discussed spiritual, social, doctrinal and canonical aspects of the current crisis affecting marriage and the family in Western culture, warning that this crisis has led to serious confusion and even rebellion within the Church herself.
Cardinal Burke emphasized that in our increasingly secularized and hostile culture, more weight than ever is now falling on the shoulders of Catholic parents in giving children a formation, by word and example, in what real Christian marriage is. Along with the Church's authentic and perennial teaching, he said, this sound family formation will prove to be the main source of guidance for children and adolescents, as the basic means by which parents pass on Christian truth in word and deed to the next generation.
Cardinal Burke recommended the well-known 2014 "Five Cardinals'" book, Remaining in the Truth of Christ, and again expressed strong disagreement with Cardinal Walter Kasper's proposal of admitting some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to Holy Communion. His Eminence also noted that certain problems could arise in connection with Pope Francis' new marriage nullity legislation, promulgated on September 8th.
He commented respectfully that these revisions to the Code of Canon Law, which among other things eliminate the required confirmation of nullity decrees by a tribunal of second instance, will require "very careful interpretation and application" in the light of the Church's long canonical and doctrinal tradition. Cardinal Burke referred to his own chapter in the aforesaid book, in which he recalls his earlier experience as a Monsignor in the Apostolic Signatura during the period 1971-1983, when the 2nd instance tribunal confirmation of nullity decrees was almost completely suspended in the United States. Cardinal Burke repeated in his lecture what he said in the book: that the American experiment in “streamlining” the nullity process led in practice to a serious laxity which became widely perceived as "Catholic divorce." It seems this was one reason why the 1983 Code restored the obligatory second instance review (which had been introduced by Benedict XIV back in 1740).
Another point emphasized by Cardinal Burke is that too often today the law of God regarding marriage and chastity is being presented as just an "ideal" - as something which often requires a level of heroic sanctity that is supposedly beyond the capacity of ordinary Christians. This in turn gives rise to false ideas of "mercy" which would allow admission to the sacraments of some Catholics living in sinful situations, on the grounds that it is in effect impossible for them - at least in their present situation - to reach that "ideal"of chastity. His Eminence stressed that, on the contrary, it is the clear teaching of Sacred Scripture and the Church that God's abundant grace will always be sufficient for his children to resist any temptation and to obey his commandments, provided they sincerely turn to him in humility, confident faith and persevering prayer.
After his talk, in answer to a question as to what Catholics should do if the upcoming Synod of Bishops should take a "strange turning," His Eminence gave an immediate two-word answer that drew a big round of applause: "Stay faithful!" Those two words well summarize the whole thrust of Cardinal Burke's courageous and outspoken witness at this time of division and uncertainty over grave moral issues in today's Church. May God bless, strengthen, and protect him!
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Vatican: It’s ‘impossible’ for transsexuals to serve as godparents
MADRID, September 2, 2015 (LifeSiteNews)-
After Alex Salinas, a woman living as a man in San Fernando, Spain,
claimed her parish priest had allowed her to be the “godfather” for the
baptism of her two nephews, local bishop of Cadiz and Ceuta, Don Rafael
Zornoza took the matter up with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith. The response, which strongly affirms Church teaching on the
nature of gender, was published yesterday on the diocese’s website.
“On
this particular case I inform you of the impossibility of admission,”
read the response.
“Transsexual behavior publicly reveals an opposition
to the moral demand of resolving the problem of sexual identity
according to the truth of one’s own sex. It is therefore evident that
said person does not comply with the requirement of leading a life of
faith and to the function of godparent (CIC, can 874 §1,3).”
“This
is not seen as discrimination, but merely as the recognition of an
objective lack of requirements that by their nature are necessary to
take on the ecclesiastic responsibility of being a godparent,” it
concluded.
The prelate explained how Pope Francis has confirmed this doctrine on several occasions and quoted his last encyclical Laudato
Si: “Human ecology also implies another profound reality: the
relationship between human life and the moral law, which is inscribed in
our nature and is necessary for the creation of a more dignified
environment.”
Bishop Zornoza also quoted Benedict XVI on the “ecology of man,” as “man too has a nature that he must respect and that he cannot manipulate at will.”
“The
acceptance of our bodies as God’s gift is vital for welcoming and
accepting the entire world as a gift from the Father,” continued Zornoza
quoting Francis. “Thinking that we enjoy absolute power over our own
bodies turns, often subtly, into thinking that we enjoy absolute power
over creation. Learning to accept our body, to care for it and to
respect its fullest meaning, is an essential element of any genuine
human ecology.”
The
bishop went on to explain that if parents are unable to find a suitable
person to qualify as godparent, the priest can baptize the child
without godparents, “which are not necessary to celebrate this
sacrament.”
“Words
have been attributed [to me] which I have not pronounced,” he noted,
referring to the media falsely reporting his approval of Salinas as
godfather. He explained he had reached out to the Congregation “due to
the complexity and the media relevance this matter has reached, and
keeping in mind the possible pastoral consequences of any decision on
the matter.”
Local
media reported that the baptism, scheduled for this September, has been
cancelled, and that Salinas’ sisters will not baptize their children
until the bishop changes his mind.
Salinas,
who had declared herself to be a “firm believer,” has now claimed to be
an “apostate” due to the Church’s rejection, reported Spain’s EFE.
In
a petition started by change.org, Salinas wrote she didn’t understand
why “the Catholic Church denies me the possibility of being a godfather”
if Spanish authorities have already changed her name from Alexandra to
Alexander in her official IDs.
The petition falsely celebrated a “victory” after Salinas claimed she was being allowed as godfather.
Mainstream
media, which initially reported Salina’s “celebration,” have not yet
reported on the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s response.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
8 Principles to Outlast the "gay" revolution.
Eight principles to help Americans with conservative moral values
outlast the gay revolution:Never compromise your convictions
Take the high moral ground, Cherish sexual purity
.Defend natural marriage
Celebrate gender distinctions
Propagate the truth
Turn to God
and refuse to throw in the towel.
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