V. P. Biden blesses himself after receiving communion at St. Patrick’s. Cardinal Dolan looks the other way.
Oh, yes…there is NEWS for Week 10, some of it quite challenging, haunting and daunting. But when the drama and mystery is cleared away, and tragedy acknowledged in many diverse events and circumstances, and when the portents are reckoned rationally by assessing the likely outcomes, there is nothing, yes I do mean NOTHING, as significant this week as the content of Ben Anderson’s post on the latest lapse of Cardinal Dolan as a prelate of the Catholic Church. Do not miss the outstanding Michael Voris recap here [link corrected] which lends much credibility and perspective to a stream of such abuses by Cardinal Dolan since his arrival in NYC, against the essence of Catholic morality and against the souls of faithful Catholics influenced by what he says, and the cavalier way in which he says it. Now, by mimicking the words of Pope Francis, Cardinal Dolan claims an inappropriate legitimacy for his opinions.
Contrary to a year-old rebuttal defense of Cardinal Dolan, inserted here for balance, Voris’ attack is not an ad hominem attack, but rather is directly about the “fruit.” Is it fair to judge Cardinal Dolan on what he says and does? Yes, it is the only way to judge fairly–to judge not the man but the results. Matthew 7:20 reads: “Thus you will know them by their fruits.” And Luke 6:4 says: “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit.” Those who would say “judge not” on such vital matters are ignoring Christ’s clear words about the importance of fruit inspection.
I cannot help but sense there is something seriously amiss in the second largest diocese in the country. Michael Voris generously attributes these failings in the public square to incompetence about handling the media. Where the line falls between media incompetence and a character issue remains open for debate. Yet, after 40+ years of abortion rampant in New York, we might also remember the old aphorism: “People get the leaders they deserve.” Unfortunately, there is little recent history of disciplining prelates who go astray, although recently Pope Francis sent the luxuriating Bishop of Bling to a cold monastery in Bavaria for the winter or maybe longer. Where do Cardinals go who don’t teach what the Church teaches, who are intoxicated by the limelight, and who make fools of themselves, the Church, and those trying to be faithful? Only Pope Francis can say and, as long as Cardinal Dolan remains Archbishop of New York, he answers only to the Pope, and, of course, ultimately to God. But, in the meantime, as laity, we do have the obligation to care about the souls of our brothers and sisters in the Faith. And that is why this story is more important than even, sadly, the missing Malaysian aircraft. Even if/when it is found, with concomitant loss of life, we remember what Christ has told us: in Matthew 10:28: “…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
With a few exceptions, stories sorted for the weekly update tend to be those which most endanger souls, whether it is German home-schoolers having their children taken away, or tribal warfare in Africa, or the weakening of Catholic Colleges. Here are a few Week 10 highlights:
Update on Catholic Colleges in Lent from the Cardinal Newman Society:
“On Ash Wednesday, Georgetown University wrapped up its “Sex Positive Week,” including a pole dancing class. LeMoyne College plans a drag show on Monday. Loyola Marymount University is hosting a speaker who supports abortion rights, and Merrimack College is hosting an outspoken critic of the Church. ”
Breitbart Exposes Disney pro-Gay Culture
Parents could easily stumble into this one unknowingly. Last year, as we know, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) caved in and began to allowing same-sex attracted youth to become scouts. At age 18 they were to leave scouting, and the assurance at the time, in order to secure enough votes, was that no “gay” leaders would be permitted. But the slippery slope is never satisfied to allow one to perch there, defying the mire. The only question is who will give the next push down the slippery slope. And, somewhat a surprise, especially to parents who buy all those cute character toys and matching pajamas, Disney gave the push. On Monday, March 3, Breitbart (on-line) published an expose’ on Disney: in which it seems that Disney thinks the BSA haven’t gone pro-gay enough. Here are a few excerpts:
“Mickey Mouse is not happy with the way the [BSA] are treating gays. The Walt Disney company will not be providing any type of financial support or grants to local troops and packs over the organizations policies. According to a letter from Robert Utsey, BSA’s Central Florida Council Board President, ‘Disney World’s views do not currently align with the BSA.’” …. In addition to citing the restriction on same-sex attracted men over 18, Disney objects to the policy that the youth can’t wear their Boy Scout uniforms in so-called “gay-pride parades.” [This may not continue to be an issue, because in some areas the marchers are pushing for nudity from the knees up. See LifeSiteNews article here about Toronto.] “[Disney] does not provide grants to institutions that operate or support activities that are counter to the policies of The Walt Disney Company.” In a sense, this should all not be too surprising since the entertainment industry is a major source of pushing for broad acceptance of sinful lifestyles. It’s just that we don’t often think we have to pick up every rock to peek under it. Especially rocks with which we’ve become comfortable.
And, for their part, the Boy Scouts of America, having fallen away in their own moral issues, now feel pressure they never had before when they strove to be “morally straight,” when they had principles to uphold, and when even the Supreme Court upheld those principles. When the backbone is gone, what is left to hold up values? Playing to the approval of the masses, whether for a scouting organization or for a cleric on TV, can never be a successful strategy.
Indisputable Pro-Abortion Argument — NOT!
In a LifeSiteNews article last week, author Matt Walsh tongue-in-cheek (but not without great forensic argument) gives 10 reasons the “autonomous body” argument (“It’s my body; I can do what I want with it!”) is wrong, all without referring to Church teaching, the Bible, etc. This is the kind of apologetics / evangelization adult Catholics need in order to stop dodging arguments from friends and family, and speak up. It is a short, easy-to-read article but well worth the read.
Tags: Cardinal or Abp Dolan, Catholic Schools, Homosexual Agenda, News and Media
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It has been a year since Cardinal Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis.
Enjoy http://m.nationalreview.com/article/373243/pope-franciss-first-year-george-weigel
Boy, according to Weigel it sounds like Pope Francis practically co-authored “Evangelical Catholicism”.
What was it that Cardinal Burke and Pope Benedict XVI saw in +Dolan when he was transferred to new York? What we may be seeing now is that Cardinals O’Malley and Wuerl have more influence than +Dolan in the American Church. +Dolan is a loose cannon on the deck of the Barque. (I don’t know if this is an apt metaphor!)
I suppose we should be glad that VP Biden acknowledges his sinfulness by receiving ashes. It’s funny how many folks want ashes so badly but never even show up for Mass on other days.
Gaudium,
I don’t think that is ashes — the priest seems to be holding Communion in his hand.