Bishop orders priests to read anti-Obama letter at Sunday sermons

[SuperLuigi]

I respect the bishop’s decision. It would be instructive if he might likewise enlighten us on the implications to our faith from voting for Romney, since Obamacare is based to a large extent on his model of health care. I understand that task might be a tad more difficult given that it is so difficult to hold the gentleman in question to a specific position…but maybe his tenure in Massachusetts could be a starting point?

Romney isn’t openly attacking the Catholic faith. The only disagreement there is that he and Ryan favor abortion in cases of rape and incest.

Romney’s healthcare plan is for Massachusetts only. Not likely folks in Illinois would be too interested.

 

[SuperLuigi]

It was your phrasing that led me to take your post as more directed and I will consistently defend myself when I feel that my character is being personally called into question.

The way I see it, either you need to stop being so sensitive on here or go somewhere else.

I don’t see anyone violating forum rules when responding to you.

 

[Jeanne_S]

First, “non-negotiables” is not a theological term. Second, there represent only small percentages of important issues. Third, the Church clearly teaches that being aligned on even a major issue like abortion is no reason to ignore other important issues, like healthcare, immigration, etc. I do not think it would fly for me to use my fidelity to my wife as an excuse to treat her like dirt.

While this letter may address life issues, I fear that after the election conservative Catholics may be like that husband, proud of their support to end abortion, dissenting on many social issues.

Where do you get the idea that the Republican party,specifically Conservative Catholics don’t care about the issues you mention?

 

[estesbob]

A blind man read the bishop’s letter then asked me if it was issued by the Romney campaign.

Isnt it sad that the democrat Party has so embraced the culture of death that a letter affirming the eternal teachings of the Church is condemned as an endorsement of the republican Canidate?

 

[SuperLuigi]

I think that is a specious comment. Do you truly believe that had Obama and the writers of the Dem platform reversed their position on abortion, the Bishops’ letter would be pro-Republican? The Bishops are only commenting on the public platforms, positions and legislation promoted by politicians. If a Republican politician is militantly pro-abortion, anti-religious freedom, and pro-gay marriage would the Bishops’ letter still be considered pro Republican?

You are conflating party with position. The Democrat party has long since left life issues in the dust and if anything are becoming more militant. Do you remember the Dem Convention where they couldn’t round up THREE pro life Democrats? Somehow that this party opposes our deeply held teachings with respect to non-negotiables should be ignored?

Democrats need only to leave the dark side and see the light.

Lisa

Indeed. The Catholic democrats don’t like it because it’s getting harder and harder for them to justify voting for them. And the democrats will keep pushing so long as Catholics continue to vote for them.

The harder the democrats push towards the secular left, the more excuses they need for what is undoubtedly their own selfish benefit.

That is what is going on here and it needs to be exposed however mean it may sound to some folks because that is what is at the center of this mess we call a country.

 

[SuperLuigi]

How do you know what I do Lisa? Indeed, I have no idea what time, talent and treasure you commit to the poor.

We don’t know, ringil, but some of us have been blogging long enough to notice certain trends.

I find that those who preach about helping the poor often spend most if not all of their time doing that and thinking that they’ve done it all by merely paying taxes.

How inappropriate for Catholics.

People on this forum need to stop worrying about who gives what and focus on what they can do with what they have.

Is that not what Jesus taught us?

 

[ringil]

We don’t know, ringil, but some of us have been blogging long enough to notice certain trends.

I find that those who preach about helping the poor often spend most if not all of their time doing that and thinking that they’ve done it all by merely paying taxes.

How inappropriate for Catholics.

People on this forum need to stop worrying about who gives what and focus on what they can do with what they have.

Is that not what Jesus taught us?

Well, no, I don’t recall Jesus teaching that.

Jesus paid taxes. He never spoke against them.

Personal charity and Governmental assistance can and should exist in tandem.

I don’t believe that “the Government that governs least governs best”.

 

[iloveangels]

Well, no, I don’t recall Jesus teaching that.

Jesus paid taxes. He never spoke against them.

Personal charity and Governmental assistance can and should exist in tandem.

I don’t believe that “the Government that governs least governs best”.

You don’t know your scripture if you don’t know what Christ said about taxes.

 

[ringil]

The way I see it, either you need to stop being so sensitive on here or go somewhere else.

I don’t see anyone violating forum rules when responding to you.

Why said anything about braking rules?

I was responding how I felt inclined to respond.

I resist the push from some to smooth anyone with left-leaning political inclinations into an amorphous evil boogeyman". I resist the simplicity of the “black hats and white hats” idealization present in some postings.

 

[ishii]

Are you acknowledging that Bishops preaching/teaching could be a tool in effecting voting- especially for a GOP candidate? I thought the Bishop’s letter simply reflected Church teaching not an endorsement of Romney.

By your comment you turn the Bishops words into a political advertisement.

No, you’re misunderstanding what I said. This is about what people do with information. If people take to heart Catholic teaching, especially in light of Democrats’/Obama’s attacks on the Catholic Church by HHS mandate as well as attacks on the sanctity of life by support for abortion rights/funding for PP, etc. then they might possibly reflect that its not good for a Catholic to support such a party or president. What they do after that - vote for Romney or simply not vote for Obama is their own business. I would argue that its a no-brainer to support Romney in order to stop the evil of Obama’s policies. Others might listen to the letter and decide to not vote for any presidential candidate or for a 3rd party candidate. The letter is not an advertisement*** for*** a candidate.

Ishii

 

[ishii]

Indeed. The Catholic democrats don’t like it because it’s getting harder and harder for them to justify voting for them. And the democrats will keep pushing so long as Catholics continue to vote for them.

The harder the democrats push towards the secular left, the more excuses they need for what is undoubtedly their own selfish benefit.

That is what is going on here and it needs to be exposed however mean it may sound to some folks because that is what is at the center of this mess we call a country.

Excellent post. That is it in a nutshell. One wonders just what it will take to pry Democrat Catholics away from their party - a party which is joined at the hip with NARAL yet says to Catholics, “vote for us, we’re for the poor.” People need to open their eyes.

Ishii

 

[LisaA]

Well, no, I don’t recall Jesus teaching that.

Jesus paid taxes. He never spoke against them.

Personal charity and Governmental assistance can and should exist in tandem.

I don’t believe that “the Government that governs least governs best”.

You like all of us are the world’s expert on your own opinion reflected by your statements above. We don’t know if Jesus paid taxes. Further the taxes paid to the Romans were not for Food Stamps but for their huge military and lavish building projects.

Certainly government and individuals and charitable organizations could achieve more working together. However when charities work with government they find themselves slaves not friends. How many Catholic organizations have had to abandon their efforts to help those in need because of our adherence to our Catholic faith? Your theory is great in theory but not in practice. All should know their role and not mix them up such as does the Left by claiming that by voting for government programs using OPM they have discharged their responsibility to their fellow man.

As to your last statement, so you think we are all too stupid or incompetent to run our own lives and therefore must have the government intruding in ways never imagined by either the Foudning Fathers or even the Democrats of a few decades past? You think John Kennedy would support gay marriage or transgender rights (the CAUSE OF THE AGE according to Biden)? Would Lyndon Johnson have supported abortion on demand?

The government exists to protect our freedoms, not run our lives. The less the better, unless it is something that cannot be done by individuals…common defense for example. We dont’ need government to select our lightbulbs, tell us what kind of cars we can drive or how large of a soda can be purchased. Is this what kind of world you prefer?

Lisa

 

[estesbob]

Excellent post. That is it in a nutshell. One wonders just what it will take to pry Democrat Catholics away from their party - a party which is joined at the hip with NARAL yet says to Catholics, “vote for us, we’re for the poor.” People need to open their eyes.

Ishii

You would have thought Obamas HHS mandate followed by his endorsement of homosexual marriage would have done it.

 

[_Abyssinia]

Bishop Morlino column on forming conscience

 

[LisaA]

You would have thought Obamas HHS mandate followed by his endorsement of homosexual marriage would have done it.

Quite honestly his support of infanticide was kind of a deal breaker even back in 08. Still cannot wrap my head around Catholics who support him.

Lisa

 

[pnewton]

You don’t know your scripture if you don’t know what Christ said about taxes.

Okay, this got my curiosity up, because I do know Scripture. What in the world are you referring too??? Jesus never spoke out against paying taxes or the role of government helping other. The first he said the contrary and the second he did not address.

We do however have the teaching of the popes on social justice, for those that read it. The latest was Pope Benedict’s Caritas in Veritate. He drew fire from conservatives for that particular teaching.

 

[Nimzovik]

Quite honestly his support of infanticide was kind of a deal breaker even back in 08. Still cannot wrap my head around Catholics who support him.

Lisa

Yah… Succinctly stated. This alone should have been the Red flag…

I simply do not get why some people do not get it…

 

[livingwordunity]

Isnt it sad that the democrat Party has so embraced the culture of death that a letter affirming the eternal teachings of the Church is condemned as an endorsement of the republican Canidate?

The Democrat Party now forces people to choose between man’s ways and God’s ways. Unfortunately, many Democrats have made the wrong choice.

 

[estesbob]

Okay, this got my curiosity up, because I do know Scripture. What in the world are you referring too??? Jesus never spoke out against paying taxes or the role of government helping other. The first he said the contrary and the second he did not address.

We do however have the teaching of the popes on social justice, for those that read it. The latest was Pope Benedict’s Caritas in Veritate. He drew fire from conservatives for that particular teaching.

Unfortunately we cant pull money out of the mouth of a Fish to pay our taxes like Jesus did

 

[SuperLuigi]

=ringil;9969563]Well, no, I don’t recall Jesus teaching that.

He told the rich man to sell off his possession to come and follow Him. Once the rich man walked away sad, He didn’t say “that’s injustice, and I’m going to make sure Rome taxes you and gives it to the poor”.

Jesus paid taxes. He never spoke against them.

He also didn’t endorse big government or tell Caesar to redistribute wealth.

My post wasn’t even about paying taxes.

Personal charity and Governmental assistance can and should exist in tandem.

They do and it’s a disaster. Our social programs now cost more than our military! Too many people are dependent on government and there is too much fraud and waste. I’m fine with government workers making a decent wage or with sick and disabled people being on welfare, but we are borrowing money from China, other foreign creditors and using private bond-holders to fund this behemoth and not everyone on it needs it.

Surely, you must know that God sees that! They may be able to fool the government but nothing will get past the Lord.

Government competes with charity. During administrations with less government, people will give more to charity.

I don’t believe that “the Government that governs least governs best”.

That’s the problem. You “believe” in government. There is substantial evidence in political science that indicates the ineffective, inefficient nature as well as the corruption and scandal of government.

Jefferson said that a government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.

Government = force + waste. The Founding Fathers sought to limit government involvement.

That is the main reason why we have freedom and most the rest of the world does not.

Government cannot create wealth nor can it provide perpetually for its people. It’s been tried before many times and it fails every single time.