With EMO, IT'S A WASH..

Archbishop Vlanzy came to the defense of the Holy Father and the Church last week by asking for a boycott of the Oregonian by his priests.. Please read the link if you haven't already.
AB Vlazny Asks Priests to Boycott

If that wasn't enough, when alerted to the fact that Call to Action NW was having "Father Roy Bourgeois", an excommunicated priest, speak at the Ecumenical Minisitries of Oregon affiliated Central Lutheran Church in PDX and would use Zeller's Chapel of the Roses parking lot for this event, the Archdiocese reacted strongly.
Call to Action Slips? Through


"Father" Roy just called for the resignation of the Holy Father because of the recent scandals
 Why No Boycott of pro-woman's ordination Roy Bourgeois
This on the heels of Archbishop Vlazny's Oregonian cancellation boycott.

According to Call to Action, if Zeller's allowed the parking lot to be used for this event, the Archbishop would call for a boycott of Zeller's. The Call to Action folks might be confused because when Fr. Roy came in 2008 staff from the Archdpdx was present.

The anti-Catholic event includes two "women priests" from Oregon. One Toni Tortorilla, is a long time friend of the Archdpdx and worked for the Griffin Center and the Catholic Counseling Center at one time. The other gal is Sandra DeMaster from McMinnville who apparently has served as a pastoral associate for many years in a priestless parish. Suzanne Thiel and Ruth Broerki ("married" to Ms. Toni Tortorilla) are the other two self professed "women priests" in Oregon. Women "Ordained" at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon chruch

Zeller's was an innocent in this event and has allowed Central Lutheran Church use it's parking facilities for the Call to Action meetings for a long time. They had no idea that this anti-Catholic group was involved. Their kindness was being used. Now, Call to Action NW is very upset. They might picket Zeller's.

To support these actions by the Archbishop and Zeller's please give them a call of support. Maybe this is a move forward for a break in the Archdiocese of Porltand and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's long sorted history. Their affiliates are pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, liberation theology, enviromental theology churches. We have no business supporting them...but that's another email.

Since these events are being held, "women ordinations" etc, in EMO churches and not Roman Catholic ones, the Archbishop has no power, it seems. Even though EMO "advertises" very proudly that the Archdiocese of Portland is an affiliate, but dissents on most moral grounds with us, we still keep paying them money to belong.
Ecumnenical Ministries of Oregon


Archbishop Vlanzy contact info:
2838 East Burnside Street
Portland, OR 97214-1895
(503) 234-5334
His secretary's email: rjohnson@archdpdx.org

Zeller's Chapel of the Roses
2107 Northeast Broadway Street
Portland, OR 97232
503-287-1155

We have to be vigilant to keep our Church safe. We are the Church Militant on earth and are called to action, the action of TRUTH. Let's encourage our Archbishop in his Holy Boldness. Now if he would just.....


Jesus says,

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:7-10

Bishop Vasa: The "Positively Evil" Health Care Bill

Bishop Vasa: The "Positively Evil" Health Care Bill

By John Quinn
Pewsitter.com Pewsitter - Letter from Bishop Vasa

March 27, 2010 - In an address to his  Baker Diocesan Newspaper, Bishop Robert Vasa explains why one cannot support the Health Care Bill, which funds abortion, even if one believes enormous good benefits would result.

It appears the Bishop is indirectly answering the position of Sr. Carol Keehan, President of the Catholic Health Association, that even with the abortion issue the good outweighs the bad.
The Bishop writes that not only is such a position “a serious understatement,” but also a “serious error.”

“If they were further to claim that the plan has so many other good features that an insistence on the elimination of abortion provisions is really a demand for an unrealistic “perfection” then they are in serious error.”

To clarify his point he uses the example of the importance of fidelity in marriage.
“No one would claim that a fiancee’s insistence on fidelity … is an enemy of an otherwise “good” relationship.  Absurd!  No one would counsel a fiancee to ignore the present infidelities  … on the grounds that he or she is really a good, well-intentioned person.  No, the infidelity destroys the possibility of an authentic relationship.”

No matter which side of the fence you are on for authentic health care reform, as a Catholic “the provision of abortion funding or abortion expansion destroys the very heart of health care.”  Which means that one  in good conscience cannot support the Health Care Bill.  How can true social justice include Satan’s number one attack on our society today, consisting of murdering innocent little babies?

Sometimes when writing about such controversial topics one might water down what is true, but Bishop Vasa is very clear when he says, “a plan that includes funds for the direct and intentional killing of innocent human beings is much more than imperfect, it is nothing short of positively evil.”

Although the Bishop did not mention Mr. Bart Stupak by name he does refer to his misconceived thought process.   “I do not at all believe it is legitimate to conditionally support such a plan even if there is a “promise” that the objections to abortion will be worked out once the plan is approved.”

Bishop Vasa concludes by saying , “besides involving the federal government in the business of killing pre-born children, such a policy would coerce men and women to pay for a procedure they find absolutely abhorrent.”

"Roman Catholic" Democrat Congressmen who voted Yes on "Healthcare" bill

 Code of Canon Law

Can.  915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

Can.  916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

Here is a list sent to me by a friend who spent many hours looking into which "Catholic" Democrats voted for the Healthcare Bill that will cause many lives and go against the Catholic teachings on Subsidiarity. 

If there are errors, there shouldn't be many.  At least she deserves applause for caring.
Vote Results Of Democratic Congressman who
voted YES for Obamacare/Healthcare H R 3590
on Sunday, March 21, 2010, at 10:49PM.

   REPORT:  WHO THEY ARE

 ........................................................................
Gary Ackerman (NY)                  news publisher                             Jewish
Rob Andrews (NJ)                      college professor                        Episcopalian
Joe Baca (CA)                           public realtions                   *Roman Catholic*
Brian Baird (WA)                       college professor                         Protestant
Tammy Baldwin (WI)                 *Attorney*                                 not available
Melissa Bean (IL)                        saleswoman                         Serbian Orthodox
Xavier Becerra (CA)                 *Attorney*                                  not availiable
Shelley Berkley (NV)                 *Attorney*                                    Jewish
Howard Berman (CA)               *Attorney*                                    Jewish
Sanford Bishop (GA)                *Attorney*                                     Baptist
Tim Bishop (NY)                         college administrator         *Roman Catholic*
Earl Blumenauer (OR)               *Attorney*                                   Protestant
John Boccieri (OH)                    military officer,politician      *Roman Catholic*
Leonard Boswell (IA)                 farmer, politician                  Community of Christ
Allen Boyd, Jr. (FL)                    farmer, politician                          Methodist
Bob Brady (PA)                          union leader                         *Roman Catholic*
Bruce L. Braley (IA)                  *Attorney*                                   Presbyterian
Corrine Brown (FL)                    college professor                         Baptist
G. K. Butterfield (NC)                *Attorney* *Judge*                    Baptist
Lois Capps (CA)                          nursing instructor                       Lutheran
Mike Capuano (MA)                  *Attorney*                             *Roman Catholic*
Dennis Cardoza (CA)                  rancher-business                *Roman Catholic*
Russ Carnahan (MO)                 *Attorney*                                    Methodist
Chris Carney (PA)                        college professor                *Roman Catholic*
André Carson (IN)                         police officer                             Muslim
Kathy Castor (FL)                        *Attorney*                                 Presbyterian
Judy Chu (CA)                               college professor                      none
Yvette Clarke (NY)        economic development specialist       African Methodist
William Lacy Clay (MO)                 paralegal                                   Protestant
Emanuel Cleaver (MO)       community organizer-Mayor                Methodist
Jim Clyburn (SC)                House Majority Whip                        African Methodist
Steve Cohen (TN)                        *Attorney*                                   Jewish
Gerry Connolly (VA)                  public adminstration                *Roman Catholic*
John Conyers, Jr. (MI)                  *Attorney*                                  Baptist
Jim Cooper (TN)                          *Attorney*                                Episcopalian
Jim Costa (CA)                 farmer-long term politician              *Roman Catholic*
Jerry Costello (IL)               baliff, sheriff, investigator              *Roman Catholic*
Joe Courtney (CT)                       *Attorney*                            *Roman Catholic*   
Joseph Crowley (NY)        Chief Deputy Whip-BA degree       *Roman Catholic*
Henry Roberto Cuellar (TX)        *Attorney*                            *Roman Catholic*
Elijah Cummings (MD)                *Attorney*                                    Baptist  
Kathy Dahlkemper                      clinical dietician                   *Roman Catholic*
Susan Davis                                  social worker                         none availiable
Danny Davis (IL)                    non-profit coordinator                       Baptist
Peter DeFazio (OR)                          gerentologist                          *Roman Catholic*
Diana DeGette (CO)                 *Attorney*                                   Presbyterian
Bill Delahunt (MA)                      *Attorney*                              *Roman Catholic*
Rosa DeLauro (CT)         non-profit program coordinator      *Roman Catholic*
Norm Dicks (WA)                      *Attorney*                                     Lutheran
John D. Dingell, Jr.                    *Attorney*                              *Roman Catholic*
Lloyd Doggett (TX)                    *Attorney*                                    Methodist
Joe Donnelly (IN)                       *Attorney*                              *Roman Catholic*
Mike Doyle (PA)                     insurance agent                        *Roman Catholic*
Steve Driehaus (OH)       community organizer/activist         *Roman Catholic*
Donna Edwards (MD)               *Attorney*                                      Baptist
Keith Ellison (MN)                      *Attorney*                                  Sunni Islam
Brad Ellsworth (IN)                   law enforcement                    *Roman Catholic*
Eliot Lance Engel (NY)      junior high school teacher                     Jewish
Anna Eshoo (CA)                      political assistant                 *Chaldean Catholic*
Bob Etheridge (NC)       farmer-education-organizer                   Presbyterian
Sam Farr (CA)                     peace corps - activist                    Episcopalian
Chaka Fattah (PA)                community organizer               Freemason-Baptist
Bob Filner (CA)                      college professor                              Jewish
Bill Foster (IL)                                physicist                                      none
Barney Frank (MA)                     *Attorney*                                     Jewish
Marcia Fudge (OH)                    *Attorney*                                     Baptist
John Garamendi (CA)     long time politician/legislator              not available
Gabrielle Giffords (AZ)          politician; businesswoman                Jewish
Charles A. Gonzalez (TX)          *Attorney - Judge*              *Roman Catholic*
Bart Gordon (TN)                        *Attorney*                                 not available
Alan Grayson (FL)                      *Attorney*                                     Jewish
Al Green (TX)                             *Attorney*                                      Baptist
Gene Green (TX)                       *Attorney*                               United Methodist
Raúl Grijalva (AZ)                  college administrator                 *Roman Catholic*
Luis Gutiérrez (IL)       high school teacher-social worker           not available
John Hall (NY)                               musician                            *Roman Catholic*
Debbie Halvorson (IL)    long term legislator-organizer                Lutheran
Phil Hare (IL)                  political assistant-union leader        *Roman Catholic*
Jane Harman (CA)                    *Attorney*                                     Jewish
Alcee Hastings (FL)              *Attorney - Judge*                   African Methodist
Martin Heinrich (NM)            long term politician                             Lutheran
Brian Higgins (NY)               long term politician                  *Roman Catholic*
Baron Hill (IN)                         financial analyst                         United Methodist
James A. Himes (CT)           financial executive                         Presbyterian
Maurice Hinchey (NY)            factory foreman                     *Roman Catholic*
Rubén Hinojosa (TX)               grocery executive                *Roman Catholic*
Mazie Hirono (HI)                     *Attorney*                                     Buddhist
Paul Hodes (NH)                     *Attorney*                                      Jewish
Rush Holt, Jr. (NJ)                    physicist-professor                        Quaker
Michael Makoto Honda (CA)        teacher                                      Protestant
Steny Hoyer (MD)                    *Attorney*                                      Baptist
Jay Inslee (WA)                        *Attorney*                                     Protestant
Steve Israel (NY)                        political assistant                          Jewish
Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL)     politician-civil rights leader                   Baptist
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX)          *Attorney*                      Seventh Day Adventist
Henry C.Johnson Jr. (GA)         *Attorney*                                   Buddhist
Eddie Johnson (TX)                 nurse, therapist                             Baptist
Steve Kagen (WI)                  physician - politician                        Jewish
Paul Kanjorski (PA)                    *Attorney*                          *Roman Catholic*
Marcy Kaptur (OH)                 urban planner                          *Roman Catholic*
Patrick J. Kennedy (RI)            politician                                *Roman Catholic*
Dale Kildee (MI)                     teacher-politician                    *Roman Catholic*
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI)   high school teacher           African Methodist
Mary Jo Kilroy (OH)                    *Attorney*                         *Roman Catholic*
Ron Kind (WI)                             *Attorney* politician             Lutheran
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ)                  *Attorney*                          *Roman Catholic*
Ron Klein (FL)                            Attorney*                                   Jewish
Suzanne Kosmas (FL)          real estate broker                          Methodist
Dennis Kucinich (OH)             long term politician                *Roman Catholic*
Jim Langevin (RI)                          politician                         *Roman Catholic*
Rick Larsen (WA)                  public affairs director                    Methodist
Barbara Lee (CA)            social worker, political assistant          Baptist
Sandy Levin (MI)                           *Attorney*                             Jewish
John Lewis (GA)     political consultant, civil rights leader           Baptist
David Loebsack (IA)               college professor                          Methodist
Zoe Lofgren (CA)                         *Attorney*                               Lutheran
Nita Lowey (NY)                             politician                                Jewish
Ben Ray Luján (NM)                political assistant                   *Roman Catholic*
Dan Maffei (NY)                journalist - businessman              *Roman Catholic*
Carolyn Maloney (NY)          long term politician                        Presbyterian
Betsy Markey (CO)                political assistant                    *Roman Catholic*
Doris Okada Matsui (CA)     political assistant                           Methodist
Carolyn McCarthy (NY)                 nurse                                 *Roman Catholic*
Betty McCollum (MN)           long term politician                    *Roman Catholic*
Jim McDermott (WA)               psychiatrist                                Episcopalian
Jim McGovern (MA)                  politician                               *Roman Catholic*
Jerry McNerney (CA)                politician                               *Roman Catholic*
Kendrick Meek (FL)              state trooper                                    Baptist
Gregory Meeks (NY)           *Attorney & Judge*                 African Methodist
Mike Michaud (ME)                  politician                                *Roman Catholic*
Brad Miller (NC)                   *Attorney*                                    Episcopalin
George Miller (CA)               *Attorney*                                *Roman Catholic*
Harry Mitchell (AZ)               high school teacher                   *Roman Catholic*
Alan Mollohan (WV)               *Attorney*                                     Baptist
Dennis Moore (KS)                 *Attorney*                                  Protestant
Gwen Moore (WI)            community organizer-politician            Baptist
James P. Moran (VA)        investment broker                       *Roman Catholic*
Chris Murphy (CT)                   *Attorney*               non-denominational Christian
Scott Murphy (NY)          businessman-politician                       Catholic
Patrick Murphy (PA)                *Attorney*                             *Roman Catholic*
Jerrold Nadler (NY)                 *Attorney*                                     Jewish
Grace Napolitano (CA)        auto executive                          *Roman Catholic*
Richard Neal (MA)               high school teacher                  *Roman Catholic*
Jim Oberstar (MN)                political assistant                     *Roman Catholic*
Dave Obey (WI)                     realtor                                      *Roman Catholic*
John Olver (MA)                   college professor                        no info available
Solomon P. Ortiz (TX)        long term politician                         Methodist
Bill Owens (NY)                         *Attorney*                          *Roman Catholic*
Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ)             *Attorney*                            *Roman Catholic*
Bill Pascrell (NJ)                    high school teacher                *Roman Catholic*
Ed Pastor (AZ)                       high school teacher                *Roman Catholic*
Donald M. Payne (NJ)         financial executive                            Baptist
Nancy Pelosi (CA)         Speaker of the House of Rep.       *Roman Catholic*
Ed Perlmutter (CO)                    *Attorney*                                 Protestant
Tom Perriello (VA)                     *Attorney*                        *Roman Catholic*
Gary Peters (MI)                         *Attorney*                            no info available
Chellie Pingree (ME)                    politician                                 Lutheran
Jared Polis (CO)                    internet executive                           Jewish
Earl Pomeroy (ND)                     *Attorney*                              Presbyterian
David Price (NC)                    college professor                            Baptist
Mike Quigley (IL)                          *Attorney*                      *Roman Catholic*
Nick Rahall (VA)                broadcast executive                         Presbyterian
Charles Rangel (NY)                    *Attorney*                          *Roman Catholic*
Silvestre Reyes (TX)         border patrol sector chief            *Roman Catholic*
Laura Richardson (CA)               politician                                    Methodist
Ciro Rodriguez  (TX)     social worker, college professor     *Roman Catholic*
Steve Rothman (NJ)                     *Attorney*                                 Jewish
Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA)       public affairs officer                *Roman Catholic*
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD)   *Attorney*                              Methodist
Bobby Rush (IL)                      civil rights leader                              Baptist
Tim Ryan (OH)                                 *Attorney*                    *Roman Catholic*
John Salazar (CO)                         rancher                            *Roman Catholic*
Linda Sánchez (CA)                       *Attorney*                      *Roman Catholic*
Loretta Sanchez (CA)                  financial analyst                 *Roman Catholic*
John Sarbanes (MD)                      *Attorney*                        Greek Orthodox
Jan Schakowsky (IL)         nonprofit program coordinator             Jewish
Mark Schauer (MI)                public administration                       Protestant
Adam B. Schiff (CA)                        *Attorney*                               Jewish
Kurt Schrader (OR)                   veterinarian                                  Episcopal
Allyson Schwartz (PA)               politician                                         Jewish
David Scott (GA)                 advertising executive                            Baptist
Bobby Scott (VA)                             *Attorney*                           Episcopalian
José Serrano (NY)               political assistant                      *Roman Catholic*
Joe Sestak (PA)                      politician                                 *Roman Catholic*
Carol Shea-Porter (NH)              social worker                      *Roman Catholic*
Brad Sherman (CA)                         *Attorney*                              Jewish
Albio Sires (NJ)                       insurance executive               *Roman Catholic*
Louise Slaughter (NY)                    politician                                Episcopalian
Adam Smith (WA)                            *Attorney*                           Episcopalian
Vic Snyder (AR)                              physician                                 Methodist
Jackie Speier (CA)                          *Attorney*                       *Roman Catholic*
John Spratt (SC)                              *Attorney*                            Presbyterian
Pete Stark (CA)                         banking executive          Unitarian Universalist
Bart Stupak (MI)                          police officer                        *Roman Catholic*
Betty Sutton (OH)                            *Attorney                           United Methodist
Mike Thompson (CA)              vineyard owner                        *Roman Catholic*
Bennie Thompson (MS)         high school teacher                      Methodist
John F. Tierney (MA)                       *Attorney*                       *Roman Catholic*
Dina Titus (NV)                    professor of political science          Greek Orthodox
Paul Tonko (NY)                               engineer                           *Roman Catholic*
Ed Towns (NY)                              social worker                               Baptist
Niki Tsongas (MA)                 *Attorney* + social worker          Greek Orthodox
Chris Van Hollen (MD)                *Attorney*                                   Episcopalian
Nydia Velázquez (NY)             college professor                     *Roman Catholic*
Pete Visclosky (IN)                      *Attorney*                           *Roman Catholic*
Tim Walz (MN)                        high school teacher                          Lutheran
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL)   political assistant                       Jewish
Maxine Waters (CA)                      politician, teacher                     Protestant
Diane Watson (CA)          psychologist, health specialist              (disputed)
Mel Watt (NC)                               *Attorney*                                 Presbyterian
Henry Waxman (CA)                    *Attorney*                                  Jewish
Anthony Weiner (NY)                    politician                                    Jewish
Peter Welch (VT)                          *Attorney*                       *Roman Catholic*
Charlie Wilson (OH)                    mortician                           *Roman Catholic*
Lynn Woolsey (CA)          human resources manager               Presbyterian
David Wu (OR)                             *Attorney*                             Presbyterian
John Yarmuth (KY)                 newspaper publisher                       Jewish
____________________________________________________________________

Democratic votes were 219 ayes, and 34 noes. Republican votes were 178 noes.
Total recorded votes: 219 ayes, and, 212 noes. H R 3590

CCHD - FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS. Please spread this far and wide.

Dear Advocates for Life,

Here is a great video from the American Life League, a leading member of Reform CCHD NOW www.reformcchdnow.com . It keeps the facts straight on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development's (CCHD) and sadly some in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). USCCB on CCHD: TRYING HARD to IGNORE FACTS Five minutes could save you lots of confusion.

There is a push from those who receive, in many cases ill gotten gains, to petition the USCCB when they meet in June. Please sign the Reform CCHD Now petition if you agree with it.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND.

The USCCB is NOT the Holy See and does NOT have it's authority.
What is difference between the The Holy See (Sancta Sedes, Holy Chair, the seat of Peter the first pope and all future popes) and the Vatican? (taken from wikipedia in part)

Although it is often referred to by the ambiguous term "the Vatican", the Holy See is not the same as the Vatican City State, which came into existence only in 1929, while the Holy See dates back to early Christian times. Ambassadors are officially accredited not to the Vatican City State but to "the Holy See", and papal representatives to states and international organizations are recognized as representing the Holy See, not the Vatican City State.


The State of the Vatican City aka The Vatican, was created by the Lateran Treaty in 1929 to "ensure the absolute and visible independence of the Holy See" and "to guarantee to it an indisputable sovereignty in international affairs"

Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, the Holy See's former Secretary for Relations with States, said that the Vatican City is a "minuscule support-state that guarantees the spiritual freedom of the Pope with the minimum territory".

Basically, the "government" aka The Holy See of the Catholic Church needed a physical place in the world and The Vatican State was created for this purpose and is the smallest country in the world at 0.2 square miles. (No problem with Church and State)

The Holy See, not the Vatican, maintains diplomatic relations with states and participates in international organizations. When necessary, the Holy See will enter a treaty on behalf of the Vatican City.

THE USCCB is a relatively young organization.
The turn towards truly "social justice" in a rabid sense began 1966. IMAGINE.

See attachment above and this link for more history. http://www.usccb.org/whoweare.shtml
"......This model continued until 1966 when the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) and the United States Catholic Conference (USCC) were established. The NCCB attended to the Church's own affairs in this country, fulfilling the Vatican Council's mandate that bishops "jointly exercise their pastoral office" (Decree on the Bishops' Pastoral Office in the Church, #38). NCCB operated through committees made up exclusively of bishops, many of which had full-time staff organized in secretariats. In USCC the bishops collaborate with other Catholics to address issues that concern the Church as part of the larger society. Its committees included lay people, clergy and religious in addition to the bishops.

On July 1, 2001 the NCCB and the USCC were combined to form the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). USCCB continues all of the work formerly done by the NCCB and the USCC with the same staff. The bishops themselves form approximately 17 committees, each with its own particular responsibility.

The staff work is overseen by the General Secretariat which is led by Reverend Monsignor David J. Malloy, General Secretary.

VOCAL COMMENT: When it opened up to the laity note the red....it was the end of Vatican II and in that confusing time, the turmoil in the Church reflected itself in the liberal take of the now USCCB. They saw this as a chance to really take advantage of the situation and in my opinion they charted a new course and the ship is turning home, slowly but surely. Their are many people to pay and so many agendas at the USCCB, Christ seems to be lost in the shuffle.
REMEMBER!!!
The Holy See ALWAYS trumps the USCCB if there's ever a question with two answers.

The CCHD campaign is NOT a mandatory collection.

The Archdiocesan Annual Appeal is NOT a mandatory collection. Your priest has to ask for 100% compliance. The Archbishop is in charge of the USCCB National Collections so there's an extra push. Remember also that the Oregon Catholic Press does give almost a MILLION dollars to the Appeal, and they have lots more money, so don't feel too badly.

The Archdiocese of Portland needs a complete audit so we can be sure that our money is being used to build up the true Catholic Church that answers only to the Holy See and NOT the USCCB, which seems to be in a state of confusion at best.


VOCAL SUGGESTION:
Save oodles of money by disbanding the CCHD in it's current form: no administrative costs, no radio/tv/print ads, no postage, and NO CORRUPTION.

Have a webpage on the USCCB site with suggested non-profits they feel are worthwhile. Catholics are smart enough to discern whether a non-profit is worthy to receive our hard-earned money.
Saved money could easily be used at each parish for their purposes and make ALL the laity feel like they are not just being used for their money.

We pay enough money in taxes for most of these secular non-profits. Diversity is becoming a four-letter word.


God Bless you and yours,
Carolyn
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
John Adams, 'Argument in Defense of the Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials,' December 1770
US diplomat & politician (1735 - 1826)

Bishop Vasa says Oregon hospital can no longer be called Catholic.

Dear Advocates for Life, Lent shouldn't be a time for rejoicing, but it is. Please bathe in the knowledge that Bishop Vasa keeps his promises to His Boss and in doing so, protects HIS SHEEP. Here's the good Bishop's email address bpvasa@dioceseofbaker.org . Thank God for Holy Boldness. Thank God for Bishop Vasa. . CNS Story: HOSPITAL-BAKER Feb-16-2010 Bishop says Oregon hospital can no longer be called Catholic By Ed Langlois Catholic News Service PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) -- The Diocese of Baker has ended the church's official sponsorship of central Oregon's largest medical center, citing the hospital's refusal to adhere to some Catholic teachings. Baker Bishop Robert F. Vasa said St. Charles Medical Center in Bend "gradually moved away" from church ethical and religious standards and can no longer be called Catholic. "As bishop, I am responsible for attesting to the full Catholicity of the hospitals in my diocese, a responsibility which I take very seriously, and I have reached the conclusion that I can no longer attest to the Catholicity of St. Charles," Bishop Vasa wrote in the Feb. 18 issue of the Catholic Sentinel, diocesan newspaper for Portland and Baker. The main point of contention is tubal ligation, a form of permanent female reproductive sterilization. "It would be misleading for me to allow St. Charles Bend to be acknowledged as Catholic in name while I am certain that some important tenets of the ethical and religious directives are no longer being observed," the bishop said in a statement issued jointly with hospital officials. The statement said the decision was difficult for all involved. Mass will no longer be celebrated in the hospital's chapel and all items considered Catholic will be removed from the hospital and returned to the church. The St. Charles name will remain the same and the cross will remain on top of the building. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton, Ind., founded St. Charles 92 years ago. In the 1970s, the hospital became a community nonprofit organization with the sisters remaining as sponsors. In 1992, when the sisters decided they could no longer sponsor St. Charles because of the smaller number of sisters, an "association of the Christian faithful" took up the duty of making sure the hospital's Catholic identity was preserved. At the same time, control of policy and operations went to a board of directors. Bishop Vasa said the association's structure did not give it sufficient authority to control the tenets of Catholic identity as expressed in the U.S. bishops' "Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services." In 2007, the bishop asked St. Charles officials for an audit of compliance with the directives. He identified problems and began talks, which hit an impasse. In the joint statement Feb. 15, hospital administrators and the bishop said they have "respectfully disagreed" on the meaning of some of the directives. "We are saddened by this decision because of the 92 years of history the St. Charles Bend hospital has had with the Catholic Church," said James Diegel, president and CEO of Cascade Healthcare Community, the parent company of St. Charles. "But, we have an obligation to provide comprehensive health care services to our patients while remaining true to our values of compassion and caring for all." Diegel said the Cascade Healthcare board of directors intends to continue using the ethical and religious directives as they have been interpreted by the hospital. Bishop Vasa has encouraged the hospital to stay as close to the directives as possible in the future. "This is not a condemnation of St. Charles, it is a sadly acknowledged reality," Bishop Vasa wrote in the Sentinel. The bishop said he is convinced that the St. Charles board genuinely thought the ethical and religious directives were voluntary and optional and board members now cannot see a way to move back into compliance. END Copyright (c) 2010 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1000676.htm God Bless you and yours, Carolyn From the Code of Canon Law....to be followed in all cases different from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops which is non-binding. Can. 387 Since the diocesan bishop is mindful of his obligation to show an example of holiness in charity, humility, and simplicity of life, he is to strive to promote in every way the holiness of the Christian faithful according to the proper vocation of each. Since he is the principal dispenser of the mysteries of God, he is to endeavor constantly that the Christian faithful entrusted to his care grow in grace through the celebration of the sacraments and that they understand and live the paschal mystery. www.vocalnews.org VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-769-4767 Member of the Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World". www.catholicmediacoalition.org and Reform CCHD Now www.reformcchdnow.com