Sunday to Sunday

As we enter the mysteries of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, we circle around and around again to the meaning of “Jesus Christ is Lord.” How different the world looks—and how differently we view the world!—as we move from the hosannas of Palm Sunday to the Alleluia! of Easter Sunday! We learn anew what St. Peter proclaimed to Christ:

“You are the Christ, the son of the Living God.” (Matt. 6:16)

Citizen and Believer

Benedict XVI in Cuba (from Denver Post photo gallery)

"The right to freedom of religion, both in its private and in its public dimension, manifests the unity of the human person, who is at once a citizen and a believer. It also legitimizes the fact that believers have a contribution to make to the building up of society.”

Excerpt from March 28, 2012 homily of Holy Father Benedict XVI at Havana's Plaza de la Revolución José Martí  (Source: Vatican Information Service)  Full text here.

A Call to Citizenship

“No, I want my people to be a force in public life!”

Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, on being asked during an interview if he wanted "the Catholic Church" "to be a force in public life."  (See the video.)

From your lips to God's ears, good Cardinal!

Gutting Church Authority?

In a recent New York Times opinion piece, University of Notre Dame philosophy professor Gary Gutting, who holds the University’s endowed Philosophy Chair, discounts the teaching authority of the U.S. Bishops.  Professor Gutting posits an opinion, purportedly based on philosophical principles, that the tenets of a U.S. Catholic “majority”—and not the teachings of the Church through its Bishops—forms the faith-and-morals authority of the Church on the issue of birth control—and presumably whatever else a “majority” of U.S. Catholics tend to believe. The U.S. Bishops, the professor argues, have no claim on God’s teaching.   Vox populi, vox Dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God).  Note to the University of Notre Dame: 

Really!

As we move into Holy Week, on to Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, and all through the 40 days of Eastertide, listen closely to the Scriptural readings to hear what Jesus tells the Apostles about their teaching authority.   Then read the Acts of the Apostles to see how it all works out on Pentecost Sunday and in the days, weeks, months, and years that follow.

In the meantime, you can read this counterpoint response on why there can be no gutting of Church authority on issues of faith and morals, reported by EWTN, from Professor William E. May of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. Read more.

Labels

In a recent op-ed piece about religion and politics in America, Michael Gerson, of the Washington Post Writers Group, eventually comes to his point that neither the politics of sectarianism nor the politics of secularism fits the American model of "religious pluralism, humanized by tolerance."  Point taken.  Yet the opinion begins by describing Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum as "(t)he pre-Vatican II Catholic candidate."  The pre-Vatican II Catholic.  An odd phrase.  With this code-laden description, Gerson neatly categorizes Santorum's religious beliefs, labels them--and marginalizes them.  Pre-Vatican II Catholic and other such labels--name calling, in essence--cut against the fostering of a society built upon pluralism and tolerance.  Lacking thought, honesty, or civility, labels serve the lowest form of persuasion, the ad hominum argument.  Why debate ideas when you can attack, label, and marginalize the person?  As such, labels are a first step to intolerance.  As Catholics and Christians, we have a right, as do all Americans, to participate fully in the markeplace of ideas, including religious ideas.  As aptly described by Archbishop Chaput, it is our duty.

No Masters, No Gods

No Masters, No Gods. This pithless expression of humanistic philosophy fit nicely across the bumper sticker; its comprehensive message presumably serving as the Summa on the topic of God and man. Yet on that same topic, we find in Mary’s fiat (from Latin “let it be done”) true freedom: In being open to, accepting of, and trusting in God’s plan, Mary freely conformed her will to God’s will. With her “yes,” Mary achieved the triumph of human free will over the tyranny of the self and to that world to which the self clings with grasping fingers.

On the significance of Mary’s fiat, read, Bl. John Paul the Great.

Ave Maria

The feast of the Annunciation normally falls on March 25 (informing us that Christ's birth is just 9 months away!)  Because today is Sunday, the feast day will be observed tomorrow.  The mysteries of the Annunciation are many and wondrous, among them:  God's intervention in human history; Mary's fiat; the beautiful Magnificat; the fulfillment of ancient prophecies; the affirmation of the sanctity of life in the womb, and more.  Ave Maria, indeed. 

Rallying Cries

(C) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

The Stand Up for Religious Freedom rally in San Francisco on March 23, 2012, like the day’s companion events throughout the United States, had memorable speakers and many powerful eloquent moments. While RCIA blog could not capture them all--these and other quotes will likely all be found at other sites-- here is a sampling of the day’s “rallying cries.”

“Catholic Charities not an expression of religion?  . . . Unbelievable!”  [on the Administration’s position on who qualifies as a religious employer] – George Wesolek, Public Policy, Archdioceseof San Francisco

 “Don’t force us: We will not do harm!” [on why conscience protection must be observed] – William B. May, President, Catholics for theCommon Good

 “We keep our mouths shut, and evil triumphs everywhere.” [on why Christians can no longer remain silent] – Gary Wagner, Pastor, Reformed Heritage Church

 “The bell that once rang, is still ringing again:  Let freedom ring!”  [on the growing chorus of voices in support of religious liberty] – Rev. Fr. Enrique Morales, Jr., Iglesia de Cristo Nuevo Pacto, San Francisco

 “Send the National Guard to close our (church-run) elementary schools . . . the answer is still No! [on why conscience cannot be compromised] – Dolores Meehan, San Francisco Walk for Life West Coast

“We are here!”  [on the “stand up” presence of Christians and others of faith united for religious liberty] – Walter B. Hoye II, Founder and President, California Civil Rights Foundation

March 23, 2012 - America Stands Up!

(c) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

Where Do You Stand?

DAY 9 of the Novena

To Make Our Voices Heard

From DAY 8 of the Novena:

Enable us, then, to speak up
and educate our fellow citizens,
and to make our voices heard to our elected officials.

Just weeks ago, then Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops, spoke in plain terms about the need to make our voices heard.

Confiteor

For every moment we lacked courage in the past, give us the grace to repent.

For every time we were silent when we should have spoken, give us the grace to repent.

For every time we could have witnessed to life but did not, give us the grace to repent.

(source: DAY SEVEN of the Novena)

I confess, sometimes are not these the most difficult words from the Confiteor:
and in what I have failed to do

A Righteous Man

Feast of St. Joseph, March 19



St. Joseph, Husband and Father


Much is written of St. Joseph, yet little is recorded about him, either directly in Scripture or by way of tradition. Yet only a few words or phrases speak volumes about St.Joseph:   Of his identity—a Jew, of the House of David and a subject of Rome; of his vocations—husband, father, and carpenter; of his traits—righteous, obedient, loving, faithful, hopeful, courageous, and silent; of his actions—protecting, guiding, and fostering. (Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24; Lk 2:41-51.)   He was, in the truest and best sense, a good, righteous man.


DAY 6 of the Novena

Faithful Servants

In speaking out on the subject of religious freedom, the U.S. Bishops are faithfully serving in their role as priest, prophet, king - as must we all!

Not familiar with the Catholic teaching about “priest, prophet, king”? Read more here and here.

DAY 5 of the Novena

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In American Catholic culture, St. Patrick is among the most beloved saints--and probably also among the least known!  Apart from the legends of snakes and shamrocks (and the green beer and parades!), the real St. Patrick, whose name was Patricius, has a story worth telling.  Read some of it here.

DAY 4 of the Novena

Getting Our Irish Up!

In recent federal court litigation, private business owner, Frank R. O’Brien, has sued the Administration claiming the HHS mandate violates his religious liberty in conducting the business of his company:

Excerpt below from the federal court complaint, at paragraph 5, O’Brien v. U.S. DHHS:

5.  O’Brien contends that by requiring him to choose between conducting his business in a manner consistent with his religion, or paying ruinous fines and penalties, the Mandate violates his rights under the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

Just in time for St. Paddy's Day!

Support Our Catholic Bishops

U.S Bishops to Speak at Religious Freedom Rally

RCIA  blog sent this “thank you” to the U.S. Bishops on March 15, 2012:

Heartfelt thanks to the U.S. Bishops for their united voice and continued pastoral, courageous leadership on the question of religious liberty, as recently evidenced in the USCCB March 14 Statement on Religious Freedom and HHS Mandate.

Encourage our Shepherds, send your own message of support today!

***

For Day Three of the Novena, click here.

The Heart of the Matter

In United for Religious Freedom, USCCB March 14 Statement on Religious Freedom and HHS Mandate:  A Statement of the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued March 14, 2012, the Bishops re-frame the debate to answer the question: 

So what is it about? 

An unwarranted government definition of religion. The mandate includes an extremely narrow definition of what HHS deems a “religious employer” deserving exemption—employers who, among other things, must hire and serve primarily those of their own faith. We are deeply concerned about this new definition of who we are as people of faith and what constitutes our ministry. The introduction of this unprecedented defining of faith communities and their ministries has precipitated this struggle for religious freedom.

 And why does it matter?  The Bishops explain,

Those deemed by HHS not to be “religious employers” will be forced by government to violate their own teachings within their very own institutions. This is not only an injustice in itself, but it also undermines the effective proclamation of those teachings to the faithful and to the world. For decades, the Bishops have led the fight against such government incursions on conscience, particularly in the area of health care. Far from making us waver in this longstanding commitment, the unprecedented magnitude of this latest threat has only strengthened our resolve to maintain that consistent view.
(Emphasis added.)

Novena

Catholics have many traditions where numbers have significance:  40 days of Lent, 7 sacraments, 10 Hail Marys in a decade of the Rosary, and today, the number is 9 - for novena.  Nine days of prayer in anticipation of the upcoming rally for religious freedom.

Here's Day One:

NOVENA FOR A REVERSAL OF THE HHS MANDATE: DAY 1
Lord God,

You are the Author of Life and Freedom. In Your Spirit, we have the freedom of the children of God, and in Your Name, we promote the freedom of all to seek, embrace, and live the truth of Your Word.

In that freedom, Lord, we your people stand with Life and reject whatever destroys life or distorts the meaning of human sexuality.

In that freedom, Lord, we Your people live our lives in a way that advances Your Kingdom of Life, and we refuse to cooperate in what is evil.

At this moment, therefore, when our government has decided to force us to cooperate in evil, we pray for the grace to be faithful to You and to oppose the unjust laws and mandates that have been imposed upon us and our institutions.

We pray for the conversion of those in civil authority who fail to appreciate the demands of conscience. We pray for the complete reversal of all policies that permit the destruction of life or coerce the cooperation of Your people in practices that are wrong.

Bring us to a Culture of Life.

We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Liberty by Design

In contrast to secular, humanistic legal arguments that ultimately lead to a State-limited right of conscience, the Christian argument for religious freedom as a fundamental and "inalienable" human right recognizes, and indeed is premised upon, the relationship between God and man, and the Divine Creator's design that allows man's free will:  Freedom of conscience necessarily exists as a prerequisite to our being able to accept, through our own free will, Christ's "invitation" to enter into a loving relationship with the Father.  

As explained in the First Things article,  In Defense of Relgious Freedom, A Statement by Evangelical and Catholics Together:

Human freedom, and especially religious freedom, reflects God’s design for creation and his pattern of redemption. Religious freedom is thus grounded in the character of God as revealed in the Bible and in the moral structure of the world that we can know through reason.

Read the article here.

"Free Exercise"

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Well, what exactly does "free exercise thereof" mean?
For a short plain-English explanation, The First Amendment Center writes,  

Although the text sounds absolute, “no law” does not always mean “no law.” The Supreme Court has had to place some limits on the freedom to practice religion. 

(To read more, click here and scroll half way down the page to find the question, What does ‘free exercise’ of religion mean under the First Amendment?)

For the longer version about limits on religious liberty, find a lawyer to translate, and click here.

Bottom line:  The battle over your religious liberty is being fought today, here and now, in Congress and in the courts.  Where do you stand?

More Confusion than Clarity

In his March 1, 2012 blog entry, "I Owe You an Update," Cardinal Timothy Dolan's blog "updates" the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of New York about the HHS mandate conflict, describes the Administration's "concession," and concludes: “There seem far more questions than answers, more confusion than clarity.” Read the full blog here.

Full-Court Press

 

In basketball, a full-court press is when a team puts pressure on the opponent along the full length of the basketball court.  In other words, you don't wait for the other team come to your side of the court to defend.  In support of the U.S. Catholic Bishops' call for Catholic action in defense of religious liberty, Ave Maria Radio has taken up this strategy with its all-out Stop HHS campaign.  This "one-stop" STOP provides comprehensive information, late breaking news and commentary, and opportunities to take action.  Game on!   

Preachin' to the Choir

After a pleasant conversation over morning coffee with a good friend, in which we had mostly nodded in agreement over the current-day challenges facing the Catholic faithful, she said to me, "Well, we're preachin' to the choir, aren't we!"  Of course, the notion of "preachin' to the choir" is that we are all in agreement and there is really nothing left to discuss.  But with the errant and false notes being sounded, especially of late, by some untrained voices in the diverse and beautiful American Catholic choir, the symphony has turned into cacophony.  On the most basic of Catholic beliefs, we have lost the melody line.  As a community of the Catholic faithful, we are out of sync, we are out of tune!  Some preachin' to the choir is exactly what needs to happen.

Righteous Rap

Fr. Claude “Dusty” Burns (aka Pontifex), pictured above, succinctly describes why the controversy over the HHS mandate is “not a Catholic issue. It is an American issue.” 

The main issue is Religious Liberty. The mandate, as it stands right now, violates the Constitution and specifically the 1st Amendment. We have a right to the free exercise of our religion without violating our consciences. Every American should see this as an important issue. It is not a Catholic issue. It is an American issue.

Excerpt from the lyrics of “We Hold these Truths” by Pontifex

A Mandate that violates the corporate conscience of our faith And once this door is open every religion and creed is at stake Every American should see this as a threat to our country’s foundation Religion doesn’t make us second class, settling for an accommodation

Sleight of Hand

Sleight of hand refers to a kind of clever deception used by magicians (and con artists) to distract attention from what is really going on to create an illusion:  now you see it, now you don't!  Keep your eye on the ball!  The issue over the HHS regulation is not health care, but the imposition of government mandates upon the free exercise of religion.  Cardinal Dolan makes the point in his March 2, 2012 letter to U.S. Bishops. 

Fightin' Irish

The Cardinal Newman Society reports on the recently launched 'Dear Father Jenkins' Campaign:

“While the University of Notre Dame continues to be considered as a model Catholic institution by so many Americans, the institution's public response following Obama's February 10 nominal revision to the HHS mandate has been very low key. Now, ND alumni are actively calling on Fr. Jenkins to turn up the University's level of opposition to the HHS mandate."

Follow Dear Father Jenkins here.

Blunt Responses

In answer to requests to support the now-failed Blunt amendment, these responses from the two U.S. senators representing California support the President’s unilateral "compromise" or "accomodation" of February 10, 2012:

Sen. Boxer

Thank you for contacting me regarding a proposed federal rule requiring private health insurance plans to provide access to preventive services such as contraception. As you may know, churches and other religious groups are exempted from this rule, and President Obama has announced a compromise under which other types of religiously affiliated employers with objections to covering contraceptive services in their employees' health plans will not be required to provide, pay for, or refer for contraception coverage; in these cases, insurance companies, not religiously affiliated employers, will be required to directly offer access to contraception.

Sen. Feinstein

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for an amendment introduced by Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) to the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act. I appreciate hearing from you, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

I understand you support Senator Blunt's amendment, which would authorize employers to decline to cover any health service authorized by the health reform law on the basis of religious beliefs or moral convictions.

I oppose efforts to restrict access to preventative health benefits such as contraception. In addition to preventing unplanned pregnancies and reducing the number of abortions, oral contraception is also often prescribed to treat medical issues. Since my election to the Senate, I have strongly supported access to comprehensive reproductive care for all women.

As you know, there has been substantial debate regarding the requirement that employers provide no-cost contraception coverage for their employees.

The Obama Administration recently finalized its policy to include contraception coverage as part of the preventive health services recommended for women. The policy stated that employers are required to provide no-cost contraception or another option to their employees, with a narrow exemption for religious employers.

On February 10, 2012, the Administration announced an accommodation to this policy, which will expand the exemption to organizations with religious affiliations, such as hospitals and universities. The accommodation requires health insurance companies to directly offer contraception at no-cost to employees if the employer with religious affiliations declines to pay for this coverage.

The Administration's accommodation solidifies its commitment to respecting religious and moral beliefs while ensuring women have access to contraception – a proven preventative health benefit.

Being Pushed Off Stage

Is the HHS mandate a sign of Catholic institutions being "pushed off stage"? Fr. Robert Barron, of Word on Fire, makes the case that the HHS mandate is not only "anti-Catholic," but "anti-American." See the video.

Preparing for Tough Times

In a March 2, 2012 letter to U.S. Bishops describing the status of the HHS regulation controversy, Cardinal Timothy Dolan states, "Given this climate, we have to prepare for tough times."  Read Cardinal Dolan's letter here.