Thursday, September 25, 2008

Continued...Stop the Insanity.Pro-gay hires but Why No Pro-Life Catholic Speakers? Sr. Simone Campbell, NETWORK, Darling of Archdiocese

Dear Advocates for Life...

Many of us are working together to bring a "Summit for Life" to Oregon, where practicing Catholics can work out a stratedgy that follows the teachings of Christ. We have been silent for too long. If you'd like to be involved, just let me know. We can't have these meetings at a Catholic Church however, more insanity.

Thank you Diana R. Walters (Oregon Catholic Citizens) and Stephanie Block (Los Pequenos de Cristo) for helping with these articles.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Find Out About .NETWORK.don't be in the dark.

Be sure to read all about NETWORK; Find information and links at bottom of this email)
Faith Alive: Catholic Social Teaching, Spirituality
and the 2008 Election by Sr. Simone Campbell
Promoted in  the bastion of  pro-homosexual St.Andrew Catholic Church (Cat Willett,Director of the Office of Justice and Peace. Sunday Bulletin, 9/21/08, the Catholic Sentinel

Theresa Willett Memorial Lecture
at All Saints Church (Claire Willett, confirmation teacher, soulforce Scandal Unopossed  )
Monday 9/22/08 at 7:30 pm
"Sister Simone Campbell, a gifted and faithful witness for justice and peace and a national and international leader for advocacy and reconciliation, will be this year's speaker. The time with Sister Simone should assist all of us in integrating our rich Catholic Social Teaching with the decisions we will soon make in the November election."

St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church, Porltand
Tuesday 9/23/08
For more information, or comments contact: Catherine (Cat) Willet, Director of Archdiocesan Office of Justice and Peace, Parishioner St. Andrew Catholic Church: cwillet@archdpdx.org, or phone: (503) 233-8361

#######

So, Who is Sister Simone Campbell and What is NETWORK?

Please read: Obama: Orthodox Christians are hijackers, 6/25/07: Insight Scoop - Ignatius Pres

Excerpt:

"Which is not to say that good people, including Catholics, cannot hold differing views on many of these issues. What I wonder is simply this: how many people really buy into this sort of rhetoric, which is transparently self-serving, confused, and condescending?

Specifically, when Obama mocks those Christians who abhor abortion based on a traditional Judeo-Christian understanding of moral basics (that is, killing innocent people is wrong), does this really expand his appeal? I'd like to think it doesn't, but that is obviously the approach he's taking. And it seems to mesh, more or less, with the approach embraced by many "progressive" Catholics who are pro-abortion but would rather emphasize how committed they are to the poor, to women, to social justice, etc., as a June 24th U.S. News and World Report article, titled "Democrats set their sights on winning back Catholics," explains:

A Roman Catholic nun who leads a social justice advocacy group called Network, Simone Campbell rarely got a phone call from Capitol Hill before the 2006 election. Campbell, based in Washington, D.C., says she "wore her knuckles bare" fruitlessly knocking on lawmakers' doors, particularly those of Democrats who should have been natural allies on issues like raising the minimum wage and comprehensive immigration reform.

Then came last year's midterm elections. Campbell joined a new Catholic voter-turnout operation working to reverse the wilting Catholic support Democrats had seen in 2004. After her efforts helped elect Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Bob Casey Jr. in Pennsylvania, her phone began ringing. Campbell's group is now regularly invited to meetings with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

In a recent conference call about immigration with other religious activists, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York announced at the last minute that she wanted to jump on. Campbell was asked to give the closing prayer at a big Democratic National Committee meeting last winter. "I stopped being a pariah," she says. "Now, I'm value added."

What are the beliefs of Sister Simone and Network? According to the Network site, "NETWORK is a progressive voice within the Catholic community that has been influencing Congress in favor of peace and justice for more than 30 years." The site also states that issues are analyzed according to "Principles of Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospel Message," as well as "A feminist/womanist/mujerista perspective that ... respects the diversity of women's experiences in moving from oppression to liberation..." In other words, Sister Simone gives lip service to Catholic teaching but is pro-abortion. Therefore it's no surprise that she has ties with another, better known "progressive" group, Call To Action.

NETWORK  one more time...

NETWORK is a Catholic social justice lobby, founded in 1971 by 47 Catholic sisters from several orders around the country to influence the federal government on various policy issues.

They believed that in addition to charitable services for the poor, the Church must also work to change unjust systems that perpetuate economic inequity. To this end, they formed a "network" of sisters to lobby for federal policies and legislation that promote their understanding of economic and social justice.

In addition, NETWORK has produced educational resources and programs related to public policy. The NETWORK Education Program (NEP) is designed to provide issues analysis, skills development for responsible citizenship, and faith reflection on political ministry. To address these issues, NETWORK activists – lay and religious – are asked to familiarize themselves with the talking points, backgrounders, and sample letters supplied by the organization for writing and phoning legislators and media.


NETWORK has a liberationist approach to its policy recommendations. According to its literature, the organization analyzes issues from "a feminist/ womanist/ mujerista perspective that," among other things, "respects the diversity of women's experiences in moving from oppression to liberation."

The group has been highly influential in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), assisting the Conference in its formulation of its own public policy positions. It is referenced in a number of "official" USCC[B] documents and programs, such as the "Communities of Salt and Light: Parish Resource Manual" and CCHD's adult education program "Poverty and Faithjustice."

NETWORK is a Call to Action "church renewal group" supporting Catholic Church 'reform." [See Call to Action]. It has been involved at Call to Action conferences for many years and its national coordinators, past and present, are on Call to Action's "Speakers and Artists Referral Service" listing.

Issues supported by NETWORK over the years have included normalizing US relations with communist Cuba, pushing for federally funded "universal" health care, closing the US Army School of the Americas, increasing availability of public housing, child care, and transportation for low income workers, and lobbying for global governance. Its well-connected leadership has also worked for homosexual and abortion "rights," population control, and within the Church, for women's ordination.

References:

Conner, Laurene, Sustainable Development: A Global Agenda Structured on Population Control, Wanderer Forum Foundation, 1997.

Network website: NETWORK

Steichen, Donna, Ungodly Rage: The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism, (San Francisco: Ignatius Press), 1991.

8 If I tell the wicked man that he shall surely die, and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked man from his way, he (the wicked man) shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.
9 But if you warn the wicked man, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself. Ezekiel 33

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Stop the Insanity! Archdpdx Pro-homosexual hires, Why No Pro-Life Catholic Speakers? ....to be continued


There is a battle for the souls of Oregon Catholics. In feedback I've received from Catholics that are trying to get IRS LEGALLY acceptable information voting information into Oregon Catholic churches, there are roadblocks set up by many priests and church staff. This information and education are censored.

Conversely, the Obama pushing Catholics that work within the Archdpdx and have all the power/money are having a field day with getting their points across. Cases in point, the Catholic Voters Conference. (one to go in Oct) and the welcoming of dissident priests Fr. Richard Rohr and Father Roy Bourgeois just recently and now Sr, Simone Campbell, SSS with Saul Alinsky/Faith in Public Life affiliated NETWORK.


At the Fr. Roy event staff from the Archdiocese was seen helping out in the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon parish where it was held. So..the Pro-Obama/anti-McCain message (no fear of IRS here), pro-women priests (two of whom were there, Toni Tortorilla and Ruth Broeski), pro-homosexual, pro Call to Action and the generally progressive Archdiocesan position was alive and well.

NOW we have more Obama promoting under the banner of the Office of Justice and Peace's Cat Willett, and her St. Andrew Parish Sr. Simone Campbell Parish (where these things originate) a new lecture series named after her mother.

This latest pro-Democrat meeting will be held at All Saints Church where another Willett, Claire, who teaches confirmation, goes to church. Here is a YouTube of Claire Willett who mentions her sister Cat in her opening sentence. I found this in July of 2007 and have sent emails and a letters to the Archbishop with no response. I chose not to be really public with this video in respect for Mrs. Willett until after she died, even though chances are she saw the YouTube video of her daughters. A guy will speak first and then Claire Willett will speak, about her sister and herself. This is part of Soulforce. Fr. Roy Bourgeois is involved in this too.
Scandalous Message From Her Own Lips about her Lifestyle - No comment from Archdpdx.

No money for the unborn, elderly or strengthening of families. Only strengthening of anti-Catholic values with these latest speakers and the voters conference giving a platform for dissent.

We declared bankruptcy because of homosexuality, we have St. Andrews, and All Saints Church involved in Gay Pride parades with no end in sight to this insanity. Connect the dots.

Hiring just liberal staff to push the liberal agenda is unjust, and obviously planned for this election. The Archdpdx doesn't give money for pro-life speakers and can't get a budget or staff for Pro-life work. We are shut down at the parish level and can't get Catholic Teachings on Life handed out at no cost. Let's stop the insanity.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Bishop Vasa: Pro-Abortion Candidates are "Disqualified" - Clarifies "Faithful Citizenship"/ NEW BLOG!!!

Dear Advocates for Life.... Here's our other Oregon Bishop. Thank you for speaking out. Bishop Vasa: Pro-Abortion Candidates are "Disqualified" - Clarifies "Faithful Citizenship" By John-Henry Westen CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, September 12, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - During the opening day of the Catholic Leadership Conference yesterday, Baker Oregon Bishop Robert Vasa clarified the teaching of the US Bishops Conference regarding voting in favor of pro-abortion politicians. The question of whether Catholics may remain in good standing with the Church while voting for pro-abortion politicians was raised. Bishop Vasa responded referencing the document of the United States Catholic Conference titled "Faithful Citizenship", noting a pro-abortion stance disqualifies candidates from consideration by faithful Catholics. LifeSiteNews.com spoke with Bishop Vasa after the session. Describing the deliberation among US bishops over the "Faithful Citizenship" document, he said: "When we were working on the document 'Faithful Citizenship', and the issue of whether or not a person's adamant pro-abortion position was a disqualifying condition, the general sense was 'yes that is a disqualifying condition'." However, during the discussions mention was made of the document by Pope Benedict just prior his elevation to the pontificate which noted that Catholics may in good conscience vote for a politician who supports abortion in the presence of "proportionate reasons." Bishop Vasa explained the notion of proportionate reasons, saying, "The conditions under which an individual may be able to vote for a pro-abortion candidate would apply only if all the candidates are equally pro-abortion." He added: "And then you begin to screen for the other issues and make a conscientious decision to vote for this pro-abortion candidate because his positions on these other issues are more in keeping with good Catholic values." In that case, he said, "It doesn't mean that you in any way support or endorse a pro-abortion position but you take a look in that context at the lesser of two evils." Speaking of politicians with a pro-abortion stand he said, "When we have someone who has that stand on a disqualifying issue, then the other issues, in many ways, do not matter because they are already wrong on that absolutely fundamental issue." Only when taken to a level of insanity could a 'pro-war' candidate be considered on par with a pro-abortion candidate in the Bishop's view. "If we had a candidate in favor of a war in Iraq in which we decimate the entire population and we kill as many civilians to impose as much terror on everybody as possible to make sure . . . If that was in opposition to a pro-abortion person then I'd have a real conflict of conscience because you'd have a direct and intentional killing of innocent persons on one hand and the direct and intentional killing of persons on the other hand, said the Baker Bishop. "But we don't have that issue with capital punishment, we don't have that issue with the war in Iraq we don't have that issue with the present Administration," he added. Bishop Vasa explained that as a man from the Midwest, the analogy of a combine worked well to describe how a sifting of candidates could be undertaken. He described a combine as having a series of sieves, the first of which eliminates the largest and most obvious refuse. In the analogy the first screen would eliminate pro-abortion candidates, "to weed out the greatest evil," he said. He concluded saying, "Abortion needs to be in our country a defining issue and we ought not be afraid to make it a defining issue because when we do that we will have an end of abortion in this country." http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/sep/08091203.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ There is also a new blog for Oregon Catholics for McCain. We will fight for the Culture of Life and know that Our Lord has already won the REAL BATTLE for us. Join your brother and sister Catholics that are banding together to fight this battle. www.catholicsformccainpalin.blogspot.com God Bless you and yours, Carolyn "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few. " Our Lord's words in Matthew 7 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".

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Coming Attraction: Fr. Richard Rohr - "the boy (male psyche) always gets naked."

Dear Advocates for Life,

The subject line is not something that I prefer to do, however this shows what type of man is being welcomed into the Archdiocese of Portland and time is short!! I wanted to use, 'Everything the Catholic Church offers in the way of its sacramental rituals and moral and doctrinal teachings is an obstacle to having a relationship with God.' Another statement of his but it was too long. You'll find this and "the boy always gets naked" in the fourth article below.

Seemingly in cahoots with dissidents in the Oregon Catholic Church, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) affiliated Holy Trinity Episcopal "Cathedral" will host Fr. Richard Rohr from New Mexico, since he wouldn't be allowed in Catholic Churches. No problem, EMO churches are always available for "womens ordinations" and allowing folks like Fr. Rohr to spew forth their anti-pope , pro-homosexual agenda. The Archdiocese of Portland has seemingly no control over this dissident priest or EMO churches. If you want to protest this fiasco, Holy Trinity is close to our Cathedral,  the contact information is:

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral - 147 NW 19th Ave. (corner of NW Everett  - NW 19th) 503-222-9811

Lecture/Workshop Weekend with Fr. Richard Rohr
September 12 th 13, 2008
Friday Evening Lecture: Silence in the City
7:30 – 9:00pm, Trinity Cathedral
Cost: $15 general, $10 Trinity members, $5 students, free to Diocesan Clergy

Saturday Workshop: Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality
9:00am – 3:00pm, Kempton Hall
Cost: $50 general, $35 Trinity members, $25 Diocesan Clergy, $15 students
Fr. Rohr is smooth-talking and it seems the uncatechised welcome the lack of moral compass he offers. He is "forming their consciences" into pretzels. This will lead them astray: will they ever hear the voice of the Good Shepherd? It would be interesting to see what Archdpdx employees will be at these "workshops"

The Archdiocese of Portland works with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) closely in the Legislature, with them in the Gay Pride Parade; and give these progressives credibility (being linked with the Catholic church) And their ecumenical ministry to US? they protect dissident activities. The "ordination of two women" was in an EMO church and one of their "Member Congregations" is the Metropolitan Community Church: a homosexual church. What in the world is this bankrupt Archdiocese doing?

The second saddest thing, next to the loss of souls, of course is the loss of unborn lives. We, through the Archdpdx give to EMO, at least $20,000 a year, while the Respect Life Office has no budget, just a website with links. The well-provided for Office of Justice and Peace gets a minimum of $70,000 and spends money on advertising for EMO activities while unborn Catholic children are aborted. It might be "justice" to give the Office of Justice and Peace a web page with links for a while and the Respect Life Office the $70,000 but I digress.

Stephanie Block who was here last year with our "Justice in Pieces" workshops on Saul Alinsky's Faith in Public life, community organizing through Catholic Campaign for Human Development (an arm of the Justice and Peace Office), is well aware of Fr. Rohr. He lives in New Mexico where she is from. She has been reporting on him since the 90's.

Please look into these links, we need to educate ourselves. Some in high places have seemingly lost their way. Let us pray and fast for an end to this injustice.

New Mexico Member Catholic Media Coalition -Stephanie Block
The Pepper Issues on Richard Rohr

Catholic Media Coalition
Dissidents from Our Lady's Warriors

Cal Catholic on Richard Rohr

Renew America-Matt Abbott on Richard Rohr

"When men have come to the edge of a precipice, it is the lover of life who has the spirit to leap backwards, and only the pessimist who continues to believe in progress".
G.K. Chesterton

Friday, September 5, 2008

Saul Alinsky Alive and Well at the Catholic Voter's Conference? / My Reply to CVC Leader

Dear Advocates for Life, Tuesday, September 9th from 7 - 8:30 pm, the Catholic Voter's Conference will hold its third meeting at St. Clare Church in Portland. www.saintclarechurch.org Some might say, Saul Alinsky, who's he and what does this have to do with the Archdiocese of Portland? Saul worked closely with Catholics in Chicago decades ago to form community organizing that would be funded by the Catholic Church: Using "moral garments" to change Church teachings and fund anti-Catholic groups with Catholic money. In fact, most of these groups would wither away without the constant watering with Catholic Collection plate money. (Free "virtual workshop" CD's on this available) The speakers for this month are listed below with information on these Catholic employees. As we rebuild our bankrupt Western Oregon Catholic Church we need to be mindful that our collection plate money is used wisely. Jeanine Boucher-Colbert Catholic Relief Services Maryknoll Missioner (one year in Brazil, I believe) Saint Andrews Parishioneer FYI - Alert! Look at the attachments from Oregon Catholic Citizens. It has to do with a Maryknoll priest, slated to speak at St. Andrew's Church. "Fr. Roy" has "concelebrated" with a "woman priest ordination" and the Maryknollers are awaiting a disciplinary decision from the Vatican in Rome. (These are just a coincidence with Jeanine and not meant to insinuate that she invited Fr. Roy to St. Andrew. Or that she even knows about this. VOCAL) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Anthony Granados Catholic Charities, Parish Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator Member of Archdiocesan Pastoral Council for many years. In 2004 election worked with Bob Castagna and Oregon Catholic Conference when Saul Alinsky's Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) affiliated group Interfaith Workers Justice .www.iwj.org to do voter's registration in targeted Portland area Catholic Churches under the same name "Faithful Citizenship" used by US Catholic Bishops. Director of Office of Justice and Peace at Archdiocese of Portland 2003. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Francisco Lopez - Coordinator or Director CAUSA Oregon Immigrant Right's Coalition Catholic Charities - El Programa Hispano VOZ Hispanica Newest member of the Oregon State Housing Council, named by Gov. Ted Kulongoski to a four-year term. * El Programa Hispano * Headed up Voter's registrations to targeting the Hispanic Community: * Quoted in Socialist blog: http://willamettereds.blogspot.com/2008/04/promoting-latino-voting-chavista.html The recent Pew findings do not come as a surprise to Francisco López, the director of the Woodburn-based nonprofit Voz Hispana's voter registration campaign. "The anti-immigrant rhetoric that many in the Republican Party have used is now having an adverse impact on them," López said. "Now, many U.S.-born Hispanics with families of mixed immigration status are expressing their preferences in favor of the best candidate they believe will resolve the immigration dilemma in this nation, and that's Obama." * Catholic Charities of Western Oregon's new Latino services program manager, overseeing the El Programa Hispano offices in Canby and Gresham since January. * CAUSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Basic Rights Oregon - Homosexual promotion Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC) Juventud Faceta Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS) Mano a Mano Family Center Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas OCIMO Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN) Rural Organizing Project Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality - Homosexual promotion UNETE Voz Hispana Causa Chavista CAUSA CONNECTED TO OREGON ACTION recipient of grants from Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Starting up advertising program now. Oregon Action is a member of... * Affordable Housing Coalition * America Votes * Jobs With Justice * National Campaign For Jobs and Income Support * Northwest Federation of Community Organizations * Oregon Campaign For Economic Justice * Oregon Health Action Campaign * Oregonians For Health Security * Progressive Action Network * USAction Oregon Action works with... * ACORN Saul Alinsky affiliation * American Civil Liberties Union - Oregon * AFL-CIO - Oregon * Basic Rights Oregon * CAUSA * Community Development Network * Ecumentical Ministries of Oregon * Eugene-Springfield Solidarity Network * Fair and Clean Energy Coalition * MoveOn.org * Oregon Food Bank * Oregon Human Rights Campaign * Oregon Revenue Coalition * Oregon Rural Action * Oregon Trial Lawyers Association * OSPIRG * PCUN * Rural Organzing Project * SEIU Local 503 * Sisters In Action * VOZ CCHD recipient by itself * Alinsky, was the principal mentor for Cesar Chavez. We STILL advertise for VOZ with through the Office of Justice and Peace and have given money from Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) to this organization as well as others connected to them. We still don't know who's on the board of CCHD to make decisions on these picks. AND there is STILL no priority, no money for the Unborn. http://www.westernstatescenter.org/region/oregon.html http://www.archdpdx.org/justice_and_peace/september2008EventsUpdate.pdf http://www.archdpdx.org/news2004/nov04/cchd2004-projects.html More Information found here: VOCAL ARCHIVES www.vocalnews.org November 19, 2005 Oregon Catholic Money Used Unjustly? March 10, 2007 CCHD Funding Illegal Immigration March? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Here is the letter from Mike Ashland to me (highlighted in bold blue) with my reply inserted. This is to bring you up to date on the events at the Catholic Voter's Conference last month. Mike, WOW! was my the first response to your email. I will answer you this way.. "At the CVC we had a discussion about the Bishops statement Faithful Citizenship. Neither you, nor any of the people standing with you and "debating" with me, had read it. But you made the statement that the Holy Father, the Vatican, had repudiated this statement. I asked if you would send me something that documented that and you promised to do that." Actually, I have read the statement from the USCCB and told you that. It is very vague and long- winded and I believe that it confuses folks. When we wade through it though, it actually does say bottom line - That Catholics with a well-formed conscience cannot vote for a pro-abortion candidate when there is a pro-life candidate whose beliefs don't trump other foundational issues. So we can't vote for Obama...nothing trumps this. NOTHING. This is what the Church teaches and the Bishops statement echoes. "I don't recall any discussion about Obama saying that babies were "punishment" and, having watched your YouTube video, it puzzles me even more. We did not discuss this and--stranger-than-strange--I agree with the man! I have three precious children. None should be "punished" because of a crime committed by someone else. My daughter, if she were raped, might choose to take the "morning after" pill, "Plan B." I believe you would have it made illegal and certainly would judge her a sinner. That is a difference between us. Neither of our opinions makes us a better Catholic. But we didn't talk about that." The statement about Obama was one of the things that caused alot of emotion. I don't know how you missed it. Obama would have his grandchildren aborted, "so his daughter wouldn't be PUNISHED with a child"..rape wasnt brought up. For you to agree with his statement in either case shows you don't have a deeply formed conscience. Which is dangerous to your soul when you are teaching kids. I do think that "Plan B", the abortion drug should be illegal and have lots of information on what it does to children and their mothers. Plus it's against church teachings darn right I think it should be illegal. BUT, there is a difference and our opinions do make us a better well formed Catholic in this instance, I'd encourage my daughter to give birth to the baby, my grandchild. Although I believe that my girls would come to this conclusion on their own. It isn't the baby's fault and they value their Faith and wouldn't bail out on a hard thing. Wow...you think I'd call someone a sinner...you are delusional. You are being judgmental, you don't even know me. How prejudiced are you. Egads, Mike open your eyes. Before it's too late. "I would ask you to read Faithful Citizenship and then indicate where the Holy Father, the Magisterium, the Vatican, has repudiated this statement. The Magisterium is the living tradition of our church, versus Holy Scripture. I'm going to win no arguments with you, of course, but the very fact of tradition presumes cultural change. Peter was married. Todays priests may not. One day soon they will. What of the Magisterium?" I go back to the how confusing FC is. It does support Church teaching and that we can't vote for a pro-abortion candidate especially Obama. He's a real bad dude for babies. You are very confused about big T tradition and small t tradition. Like priests marrying, small t tradition can change if it's in the best interest of the Body of Christ. However, big T Tradition cannot change and it's in the Deposit of Faith. Like Women in the priesthood. God doesn't change. We need these to hold us close to Him. I don't know what you know of the Magisterium. Are you asking a question or making a statement? You can win arguments with me when you know what you're taking about. "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." Use Truth as a debating tool? Also be careful about saying things about Holy Scripture and the Popes. That's what happens when people aren't challenged and are insulated like at St. Clare. Truth seems like fiction. Truth has to be censored. When you have MACG at your church it's all over for big T truth. "I think you're a great talent, Carolyn, and you could do much to change the word and culture. You're articulate, learned about the things you feel strongly about and agree with, and you have a decent sense of humor! 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." Did you see the Saddleback Church debate..hmmm Whoops there it is...in other words you're going to vote for Obama? Whose life is a charade? Infanticide/partial birth abortion...good policies to get behind. "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" doesn't transmit lethal disease. Abstinence? I'm all over it. But I almost don't want to know what You mean. Catholics who think the Church needs "change" in many cases really mean to open His Body to the Culture of Death. Abortion/Homosexual activity. I would challenge you to teach on the four Last Things. Don't worry so much about sex. This will help more. "Abortion is surely a scourge. So is war and Aids and hunger and poverty and injustice of all kinds. The answers are tied together in JUSTICE. Exactly what Jesus in His wisdom and Godhead brought to the people of His time. Would that you and I could be so just, so merciful and so forgiving." The answers are really tied together in "Divine Justice". Justice owed to our Maker. And it starts with believing that Jesus is God and God is our Creator and the Creator knows what He's doing and that Each life is Planned by Him. And when we interfere with this, WE think WE are HIM and things get all out of proportion so that...then the Intrinsic Evils are watered down, (a ploy of Satan) with other evils. When you equate Abortion with hunger, etc. The Church teaches to end Evils with our vote, we need to end Abortion....which is the Mother of all Evils. Meditate on this. "Thanks, mike" Thanks Mike, for inviting me to the Catholic Voter's Conference. I'm sure you've kicked yourself about it. I'm planning to have a "Justice in Pieces" workshop again soon on Saul Alinsky and Faith in Public Life aka MACG and EMO. It's a subversive type meeting, all about the Truth. God Bless, Carolyn ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I KNOW that this is one headache of an email. Remember, I'll have it on my blog to refer to. Saving Souls and the Unborn are All our responsiblity. Mike Ashland said truthfully, that there are better ways to say what I do, and I agree with him. And told him so. However, these things that allowed to take away from our Dear Lords' priorities so there's no money left for the unborn need to be addressed no matter HOW the message is delivered. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn "Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins — or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer" Saul Alinsky dedication in his book "Rules for Radicals" 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".