Monday, August 18, 2008

Censored at "Catholic" Conference/Supreme Court, here we come

Dear Life Advocates, The Catholic Voters Conference www.catholicvotersconference.com on Tuesday night at Saint Clare Church was a new experience for me. I was at a speaker's table sitting between two young people, a gal for Obama and a guy for Merkeley. The panelist for Gordon Smith didn't show. Asking the questions was host, Bill Gallagher, news manager from KPAM radio and a Saint Clare parishioner. About fifty? people showed up. There were some friendly faces that gave me strength, as did your prayers. Thank you. The first speaker for this conference in July was Fr. Claude Pomerleau who is a liberation theology proponent. This "theology" is condemned by the Church. Here is a great article by then Cardinal Ratzinger. http://www.christendom-awake.org/pages/ratzinger/liberationtheol.htm The questions for the panel were written by the people who attended Fr. Pomerleau's talk. Saint Clare Justice and Peace committee sponsoring the conference is part of the Saul Alinsky/Faith in Public Life - based Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good (MACG). So, the questions were lopsided: more on "war" than "questions on "life" probably 10/1. In fact the categories were really called: Iraq, Social, International. (Forgot what "Faith in Public Life" is? Get a FREE CD from last years' JUSTICE IN PIECES workshop with Stephanie Block that explains the great persecution and drain of money from Catholics in the pews due to the control that Faith in Public Life/EMO groups have in our Catholic Church...contact me.) The TRUTH has a RING to it, that's why there is censorship in the Church. During the Question and Answer period...pro-life warrior, Dr. Russell Sacco, noted for a picture of him holding precious ten-week old unborn feet between his fingers, got many people there riled up. Flashing symbolic "stop it right now" blue cards (in case speakers were rude or off topic) the doctor's explanation of abortion procedures created this panic. He did get a few gruesome truthful descriptions in...a quick pro-life education where none would have been. Thank you Dr. Sacco. My comments were "censored" three times by having my microphone shut off and flying blue cards again. It seemed that stating facts of Obama's record on abortion and the firmness on Church teachings were seen as "rude" . I later asked the conference leader if this response was just "consciences being pricked" and not rudeness. But, he said he was going to have to give me a bad report to the McCain Campaign anyhow. As long as my "report" to Christ the Lord is in union with His Will I am at peace. As I said that night and I'm sure John McCain would agree, I'd rather have the Truth out there and save Souls (hopefully) than get votes for McCain by being silent. To continue with the meeting....the "faith formation" teacher from Jesuit High School used as an expert on the "seamless garment", said that Cardinal Bernardin's theory was "Magisterial teaching" when asked this by a practicing Catholic in the audience. His answer showed his lack of knowledge on this issue. (This is NOT Magisterial teaching.) The Earth Charter is taught at Saint Mary Academy and Bernardin's theory as Magisterial teaching taught at Jesuit: these teachers need our prayers. Bill Mizia, Catholic School Superintendent. (see www.vocalnews.org for contact info) The meeting was cut short by fifteen minutes even though many people had their hands up. This seemed to be another aim at censorship. After the talk, a man with his teen daughter confronted me on the aborted innocent child versus the innocent Iraqi child killed in combat. He understood the difference by the answer: MOTIVE : Abortion is ALWAYS the INTENTIONAL KILLING of innocent human life, whereas, the US Military does NOT intentionally kill Iraqi children. Warnings are given so the innocent are able to flee, if at all possible. Protecting the innocent civilians is US Military policy anything else is punished. Whereas, the terrorists use children as suicide bombers. He understood and our conversation ended happily. Things can get confusing. Next month there is the third talk of the series of four. This one is on Immigration and the Economy, with a gal from Catholic Relief Services. It would be healty to have some questions for her and see where she stands. In my opinion, the people in authority at this conference have rarely, if ever, been challenged. They are making a living with Catholic money so they should live the Catholic life. I am still "debating" the leader of the conference via email. One statement he made to a group of us afterwards was that if something wasn't "Ex Cathedra" from the Chair of Peter, then belief in it was up for grabs; he brought up Humane Vitae, out of the blue. When challenged, he said "You make a good point about ExCathedra statements. It's a very poor debating tool and you're right, all things that are "truth" are not ExCathedra. Nor are all things truth in Holy Scripture, or recorded by a Bishop, a Cardinal or a Pope." hmmm He went on in his note to me... "I hope you will either quit this charade of Catholics for McCain or actually get behind, commit to, and learn about the real policies of Senator McCain. " (what about abortion/marriage policies of Obama, what policy of McCain's is of more severe proportion? VOCAL) He continues...."Or, conversely (and I do mean conversely), become an agent of change in our church and culture to turn away from recreational sexuality and save lives through sexuality that doesn't transmit lethal disease or generate unwanted pregnancy and which never places a woman in the position of having to even choose." What kind of sexuality? I'm almost afraid to ask. I don't think that Catholics for McCain is a CHARADE.. I don't think that being an advocate for unborn life is a charade. I don't believe the that Church teachings are a charade. I do believe John McCain when he says that he'll be a pro-life President. (google Saddleback church/McCain) His actions in the past have shown him to be an honorable man. He supports unborn life and traditional marriage something that Obama is against. Even if you think it's a charade...help me. The plan is to have someone for each county. This is a way to get to know people of like mind. It's just until Nov. I'll have things to send you that the Archdiocese allows to have in churches, issue pieces, and church teachings to help us all have informed consciences and defend our beliefs with TRUTH. WE can have FREE CONFERENCE CALLS and get togethers. The McCain campaign will pay for some nice meetings for us. That would be a treat. Usually it's all volunteer. We don't have any budget for pro-life ministries in Oregon. Justice and Peace has at least $80,000 to help support Saul Alinsky groups through advertising and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon "ministries"...like Climate "Justice". Knowing how hard these election cycles can be, thank you to those priests/Bishops who support the Church and Her Teachings and need our prayers in this battle. By standing firm on the foundational issues of Life and Family, the Ship will stay on course, even though the rudder might be hard to control. We need to pray for all priests and Bishops that they may be standards for Christ. He Will Come Again. This election may not have the perfect candidate for us..however, in the case of the fundamental issue of life and saving marriage between one-man and one-woman, we need someone who will pick Supreme Court justices that don't legislate from the bench. These are fundamental issues that take top priority. They keep us grounded, on the narrow path. Sad to say, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the people of Oregon regarding Measure 303 Domestic Partnerships. Now it must go before the Supreme Court. We know first hand about this movement of liberal judges to have our society made in their image. www.worldnetdaily.com "Court Trashes Right to Vote" Thanks again for your prayers. Let's play charades for Life. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn "It is not slavery to surrender to Christ, for only the Truth can make us free. In ardent charity, tempered by humility and understanding, with no taint of animosity or of prejudice, let us beg the Holy Spirit to teach us all truth, to show us the established and secure road to the eternal vision of God, which is the eternal destiny of every soul." The Signs of the Times...Understanding the Church since Vatican II by Fr. Richard Gilsdorf, page 24. www.vocalnews.org VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-769-4767 Member of the Catholc Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World".

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Updates: Monsignor Taaffe, Donna Steichen event, Pro-family Initiatives. NEW! Catholics for McCain

Dear Advocates for Life, Monsignor Taaffe's funeral would have pleased him. His friends and those he has helped were in attendance. And a family member slipped little statues of a cocker spaniel, border collie and a leprechaun in his casket...a reminder of his love of his dogs and Ireland. The Father Taaffe Foundation will continue to function with great leadership with the attentive spirit of our dear Monsignor leading the way. To make donations to his homes for unwed mothers please send to Father Taaffe Foundation/PO Box 47/Salem, OR 97308. Email address is taaffefdn@hotmail.com/phone 503.393.2843. The Donna Steichen event is being postponed. We planned for her to be out here by now..however she's convalescing from orthopedic surgery and is not able to travel at present. Her new book "Chosen" will be out soon. More on this later. Her writings include, Ungodly Rage: The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism , Prodigal Daughters: Catholic Women Come Home to the Church where seventeen women of the baby boom generation share their poignant personal stories of apostasy and repentance. Let's pray for her speedy recovery for her sake and ours. We'll reschedule. Regarding the initiatives. From the 2007 legislative session two pro-homosexual activity bills were signed into law. SB2/special protective rights for any sexual activity and HB 2007/domestic partnership. In January 2008 they became law. Since HB 2007 was short only five signatures (there is a "formula" so one signature is worth approx. 500 votes) and when those five people attached to the signatures went to their respective county clerks office to verify their signatures to make them "count" they were told that the Legal time of 30 days was now down to 10 and they were "late". Yes, this is illegal probably, SO....this was appealed to the State Federal Court, which sided with Basic Rights (homosexual lobby) SO..it went to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.....and it looked good, now it is back to a three judge team in Portland again and we are waiting their verdict. IF they agree with our side, that the five signatures are valid.....we vote on Domestic Partnerships in November. If not, we are looking toward 2010. In the meantime....there was a replacement initiative #303 against domestic partnerships...we had the signatures to start the process to vote in November, however, the Oregon Supreme Court held up the "naming" of the initiative until time ran out. The citizens of Oregon are being held hostage by a few at the top. We should know soon about the answer. The Alliance Defense Fund from Arizona is helping the citizens of Oregon. We are indebted to them and their search for truth and justice. NEW!!! Catholics for McCain. If you are interested in helping the John McCain for President campaign and be part of the coalition, please let me know. I was asked to be Chairman of the Catholic Coalition. Thankfully, this is a team effort and I know that the intelligent, justice seeking Catholics in Oregon can help educate, pray and work our way to a state that supports LIFE. I have handouts that compare the candidates on abortion and other LIfe issues. They are very well researched and easy to follow. If you'd like to have some I'll send you any quantity. FREE. Please prayerfully consider being part of Catholics for McCain. You will get a package of bumper stickers, signs and information. We are getting County leaders in place...contact me, if you'd like to be a leader or co-leader. If you have any questions as to John McCain's pro-life stand, I'll find the answer and share these questions/answers in an email. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput has proposed this definition of proportionate when it comes to voting. "What is a 'proportionate' reason when it comes to the abortion issue?," he wrote in January 2008. "It's the kind of reason we will be able to explain, with a clean heart, to the victims of abortion when we meet them face to face in the next life - which we most certainly will. If we're confident that these victims will accept our motives as something more than an alibi, then we can proceed." www.vocalnews.org VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-769-4767 Member of the Catholc Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World".

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Monsignor Charles P. Taaffe, Rest In Peace

Dear Life Advocates,

On Saturday, July 5th, at approximately 3pm, our dear Monsignor Charles Taaffe went to the Lord. His services are pending and I'll keep you apprised of them.

Here was a man who will now see the children he has saved and the lives he has changed by doing the Will of the Lord in his life.

I am proud and humbled to have called him a friend and for his guidance and prayers for VOCAL as our Spiritual Director, and the people of Oregon for all these years.

God Rest His Soul and May Light Perpetual Shine Upon Him.

Friday, June 6, 2008

"barred from burial in blessed ground"/Archdpdx Marching in Gay Pride Parade, Again!

Dear Catholic Advocates,

Saturday, June 7th there will be the second scandalous "ordination" of a woman at Ecumencial Ministries of Oregon affiliated Zion United Church of Christ, Gresham. Those Oregon women involved will suffer the pains of excommunication, by default, anyways, if Archbishop Vlazny decides to ignore this cancer with formal proceedings. It's called a "latae sententiae' .
They will be "barred from burial in blessed ground, or having a funeral in a Roman Catholic Church."

The women in his Archdiocese, Toni Tortorilla already "falsely ordained" and her partner Ruth, will lose standing in the Roman Catholic Church and of course, the "sacraments" of Eucharist, marriage, confession, baptism, holy orders, last rites, confimation are null and void to those fool enough to go along with these pretend rites.

 No matter how well meaning the people are who are attending these "ceremonies', that are grave sins, are strictly forbidden. This is the decree from Archbishop Raymond Burke of Saint Louis, Missouri when three women from his Archdiocese decided to participate in a fake ordination and didn't heed Church Teachings or his warning stated below.

The Archbishop Burke warned the women, who proceeded with being "priestesses" with this statement, thus safeguarding the Deposit of Faith of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church and preventing more misunderstanding for the Faithful (aka, those Catholic who follow the teachings of the Church).

"Statement Regarding Those Involved in Attempted Ordinations of November 11, 2007 Archbishop Raymond L. Burke has issued the following statement regarding Patricia Fresen, Rose Hudson, and Elsie McGrath:

"As Archbishop of St. Louis, it is my responsibility to safeguard the unity of the Catholic Church and protect the souls of the faithful. I have communicated with Ms. Fresen, Ms. Hudson, and Ms. McGrath, and informed them that if they participated in an attempted female ordination, they would be excommunicating themselves from the Catholic Church.

In the apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, Pope John Paul II reaffirmed that the Catholic Church has no authority to confer priestly ordination on women. This teaching is to be held definitively by all the faithful as belonging to the deposit of faith.

Because they participated in the attempted ordination, Church law requires me to publicly declare the excommunication. The situation is sad for the whole Church. It is cause of great concern for me as archbishop. Please join me in praying that both will be reconciled with the Church and that the great harm which has been caused to the Church, with the help of God's grace, will be healed."

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The Zion United Church of Christ, Gresham also contains the office of Community of Welcoming Congregations www.welcomingcongregations.org a pro-homosexual group that Catholic Churches in Oregon belong to with no apparent public condemnation from the Archdpdx.

On June 14 and 15 the Catholics will participate in the Portland (Gay) Pride Parade and ceremonies once again. http://www.pridenw.org/paradelineup.asp

The Catholic Coalition of the Community of Welcoming Parishes include: St. Andrews - Monsignor Charles Lienert pastor. This church has participated in the parade for years. Monsignor Lienert was rewarded with this title, giving confusing signs to loyal Catholics.  Cat Willett director of Office of Justice and peace attends this church.

St. Francis of Assisi - Rev. Robert Krueger/Administrator, contact for National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries - Knows Fr. Schexnayder who came to St. Philip Neri for pro-homosexual workshop in May.

St. Philip Neri Paulist Parish (created Disciples in Mission), Fr. Richard Colgan, CSP where Fr. James Schexnayder homosexual activist had workshop last year, he's part of NACDLGM as above.

Journey/Koinonia Catholic Community - Had homosexual "marriage" ceremonies Cat Willett director of Office of Justice and Peace advertised in their newspaper. The Archdiocese turns their back on these events even after the bankruptcy, it would seem foolish, but maybe we are the fools. Remember Saul Alinsky and his agenda. More about this later.

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Here's what we as the Catholic Faithful can take comfort in...no matter what happens in Oregon.

Breaking News Vatican cracks down on attempts to ordain women Vatican City, May 29, 2008 / 02:29 pm

 (CNA) -- The Vatican declared today that any women who attempt "ordination" or any bishops who attempt to "ordain" women are automatically excommunicated from the Church by their actions. The decree from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is said to be absolute, universal and immediately effective. The decree, which was published in the Vatican daily L'Osservatore Romano, comes in the wake of several women attempting to be "ordained" as Catholic priests.

The most recent attempt to ordain a woman occurred on May 4 in Winona, Minnesota, when Kathy Redig participated in a ceremony of ordination. Bishop of Winona Bernard Harrington responded to the news of Redig's purported ordination by saying it made him "very, very sad."

The bishop also said that "She, by her actions, has excommunicated herself."

Another occurrence of attempted ordination occurred in St. Louis, Missouri, on Nov. 11, 2007. The ceremony involved a German woman named Patricia Fresen conducting a would-be ordination ceremony at a St. Louis synagogue. Fresen used the formula and rite of a Catholic ordination to "ordain" as priests two St. Louis-area women, Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath.

The attempted ordination caused Archbishop Raymond Burke of the Archdiocese of St. Louis to declare the three women excommunicated for taking part in an attempted ordination of women to the priesthood. The archbishop said the excommunication was part of his "solemn duty" to protect the faith and unity of the Church.

Archbishop Burke, who is regarded as one of the foremost experts on canon law, explained that this type of situation has been addressed before. In August 2002, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also excommunicated two women who had taken part in an invalid ordination ceremony, he said. Patricia Fresen, the archbishop said, had "formally and directly engaged" in founding a "new and separate sect" called Roman Catholic WomenPriests USA.

The decree from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also mentions that it applies to all people in communion with the Catholic Church, including any bishops or women who are members of the Eastern Churches.

Anyone who incurs this excommunication can only be received back into the Church by the Apostolic See, the decree says. The declaration, which is signed by Cardinal William Levada, concludes by saying that it is absolute, universal and immediately effective upon its publication in L'Osservatore Romano.

Translated text of the Decree: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith General Decree regarding the crime of attempting sacred ordination of a woman. 

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to protect the nature and validity of the sacrament of holy orders, in virtue of the special faculty conferred to it by the supreme authority of the Church (see canon 30, Canon Law), in the Ordinary Session of December 19, 2007, has decreed:

Remaining firm on what has been established by canon 1378 of the Canon Law, both he who has attempted to confer holy orders on a woman, and the woman who has attempted to receive the said sacrament, incurs in latae sententiae excommunication, reserved to the Apostolic See. 

 If he who has attempted to confer holy orders on a woman or if the woman who has attempted to receive holy orders, is a member of the faithful subject to the Code of Canon Law for the Eastern Churches, remaining firm on what has been established by canon 1443 of the same Code, they will be punished with major excommunication, whose remission remains reserved to the Apostolic See (see canon 1423, Canon Law of the Eastern Churches). 

 The current decree will come into immediate force from the moment of publication in the Osservatore Romano and is absolute and universal. "

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May the hearts of those who's responsibility is to safeguard His sheep be opened to the Truth of doing hard things for the Kingdom. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Matthew 7:21-23

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Attack on the Priesthood/Pastors Revolution/Monsignor Taaffe

Dear Catholic Advocates, On June 7th, Womenpriests/Call to Action's second Oregon pretend "woman's ordination" will take place at Zion United Church of Christ in Gresham. All of the participating churches that host these anti-Catholic events are members of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. June 7th is the SAME DAY as the authentic priestly ordinations at the St. Mary Cathedral in Portland. There would seem to be no coincidence, but a conscience effort to have them at the same time. Toni Tortorilla had her mock ceremony in 2007, her lesbian partner Ruth will have her's on June 7th, along with another woman who will become a "deacon". Toni and Ruth create confusion and scandal and are a mockery to Christ Himself. Toni still might be working for the Archdiocese of Portland in the Northwest Catholic counseling center. This center gets referrals from area churches. Toni is also a counselor/advocate for homosexual community. Archbishop Raymond Burke excommunicated three women from his Archdiocese because of their blatant disregard for the Church's Teachings. Attached is his proclamation, giving comfort and dignity to Catholics, even those who are part of the "Democracy of the Dead", those Catholics who lived the Church's teachings and those martyrs, religious and lay who died for the Christ and His Church. http://stlouiscatholic.blogspot.com/2008/03/archbishop-burke-declares.html The Archdiocese of Portland takes no action against these churches to stop these practices. We pay tens of thousands of dollars in membership fees to the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. The Office of Justice and Peace is used as a free advertising vehicle for Ecumencial Ministries of Oregon and has a budget just from the Archbishops annual appeal of over $60,000, that doesn't count all the union benefits given to the director Catherine Willett. The Respect Life Office has still has no budget. May Truth and priorities prevail someday. __________________________________________________________________________ On September 28th there will be a "revolution" of protestant pastors to demand their right to speak from the pulpit on faith and morals with regards to politicans, with no fear of losing their tax exempt status. The Johnson Amendment will be tested in the Courts, by the Alliance Defense Fund. See. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=65446 ( World net Daily/Jill Stanek) Other groups for faith, freedom and religious liberty will be joining. In the Oregon we don't have priests marytred by gunshots, hanging and starvation, however our men in black can be white martyrs standing up against those that would scandalize those entrusted to them in the pews. May they find strength to follow Christ in all things. May these women who are searching look in places that bring life and not a mockery of the true Way, Truth and Life. _____________________________________________________________________ Monsignor Charles Taaffe is still in need of prayers, however he is gaining strength each day after his bypass operation and another procedure long needed. He is a cheerful, Godly man, and a great example of a priest. With these assaults on the priesthood let us pray for our priests and bishops that they will be granted Divine Grace to fulfill His Mission. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn "When no S. S. men were in the Block I went to the Bunker to talk to the men and comfort them. Fervent prayers and songs to the Holy Mother resounded in all the corridors of the Bunker. I had the impression I was in a church. Fr Kolbe was leading and the prisoners responded in unison. They were often so deep in prayer that they did not even hear that inspecting S. S. men had descended to the Bunker; and the voices fell silent only at the loud yelling of their visitors. When the cells were opened the poor wretches cried loudly and begged for a piece of bread and for water, which they did not receive, however. If any of the stronger ones approached the door he was immediately kicked in the stomach by the S. S. men, so that falling backwards on the cement floor he was instantly killed; or he was shot to death ... Fr Kolbe bore up bravely, he did not beg and did not complain but raised the spirits of the others...." www.vocalnews.org VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-769-4767 Member of the Catholc Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World".