Catholic Archbishop [Chaput]: Wake Up! Religious Liberty At Risk In USA

[ishii]

I disagree since during the first Obama campaign the bishops were clear enough that a writer for the National “Catholic” Reporter in defending his vote for Obama said, “Bishops be damned”. And the HHS mandate was condemned by 100% of US bishops, but many Catholics still refused to listen and voted for Obama anyway. If the US bishops were unclear in the 1970’s they made up for it in the last 8-10 years. Like I said, it comes down to how people now only listen when someone is telling them what they want to hear. This time was prophesied in Holy Scripture as follows:

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.” - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
.

Hi Livingwordunity. The efforts by the bishops to educate people about Obama/HHS mandate were too little too late. You need to look at the big picture: too often the criticisms of Obama were framed so that it gave liberal Democrat Catholics easy excuses to vote for Obama. You heard this: “I’m not voting for Obama because of his abortion policies, but for his anti-poverty programs.” The communications coming from the bishops were inconclusive, unclear, and at times wishy washy. Look at how Cardinal Dolan responded to the pro-abortion efforts of Andrew Cuomo: he criticized Cuomo for it, but then added that he supports most of Cuomo’s 10pt women’s equality act. It is almost as if they are more concerned about looking one-sided and feel the need to say, “but I support the pro-abortion guy on these other issues” (so he’s not all bad). And this is part of the problem when we reflect on the abject evil that is Planned Parenthood, abortion lobby, pro-abortion governors, senators, congressmen, president, etc: Such evil deserves a much more emphatic denunciation, not criticism that is balanced by praise - that sends mixed messages. An example of the kind of response I think is necessary is the response given to the racist. There is no tolerance for racism - to be accused of racism is almost to be accused of the worst kind of sin. The Catholic Church needs to act the same way toward abortion, abortion providers and pro-abortion politicians.

In Washington state, as I have mentioned in other posts, we have a diocese that has a history of giving pro-abortion governors and senators the legitimacy that comes from getting invited to speak at archdiocesan events, for example. When pressed as to why the Archdiocese of Seattle would invite a pro-abortion Emily’s List governor to speak at a conference, the response was, “but governor so and so is not going to be speaking on abortion, she’s going to speak on immigrant rights.” (so its okay). Something tells me the Archdiocese would not have invited an avowed racist to speak.

Ishii

 

[edwest2]

That’s true. The mainstream media is totally corrupt and does the work of Satan. But I still say that it’s not an excuse for most since we have the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the living Magisterium by which we can measure truth from lies. But the problem is that many who call themselves Catholic or Christian are in reality hedonists in love with the pleasures of the flesh, and they allow themselves to be seduced by the lies of the Devil which exploit this weakness of humans. The truth is not what most people want to hear anymore.

I believe we are close to the end times that were prophesied in the Holy Bible. How close God only knows. But it’s clear that there is a major apostasy from God that is aggressively taking place on a global scale. In the prophecies it says that in the end times it will be like how it was in the time of Sodom and Gomorrah and how it was in the time of Noah. In the time of Sodom and Gomorrah homosexuality was rampant, and the flood of Noah represented something that was on a global scale. So combined it matches what’s happening today - the whole world turning into one big Sodom and Gomorrah. This on a global scale is unprecedented in the history of the world.

I emphasize the global aspect of this because there are those who will say “but this has happened before”. But homosexuality has never been this aggressively pushed on a global scale like it is now.

And there are other prophecies that have come to pass in modern times that were previously unprecedented on a global scale such as the global culture of death:
This as well as the “rumors of wars” prophesied for the end times which I believe is the threat of nuclear holocaust which is considered by world leaders to be the biggest physical threat to human civilization.

They said similar things when the Jews, and others, were being killed during World War II. It was a global war. Millions are dying and then we get the atom bomb. You know what? I lived through most of the Cold War, meaning once the Russians had ICBMs, you had, at maximum, 30 minutes to find shelter, but even if you did, your chances were not good. In the 1960s, China had nuclear weapons. The best estimates at the time was that we could destroy the world four times over. And we didn’t lose a second of sleep over it, because we knew God was with us.

Pope Benedict said it twice during his pontificate: the end times are not near.

Have hope,

Ed

 

[Tigg]

The efforts by the bishops to educate people about Obama/HHS mandate were too little too late. You need to look at the big picture: too often the criticisms of Obama were framed so that it gave liberal Democrat Catholics easy excuses to vote for Obama. You heard this: “I’m not voting for Obama because of his abortion policies, but for his anti-poverty programs.” **The communications coming from the bishops were inconclusive, unclear, and at times wishy washy. Look at how Cardinal Dolan responded to the pro-abortion efforts of Andrew Cuomo: he criticized Cuomo for it, but then added that he supports most of Cuomo’s 10pt women’s equality act. It is almost as if they are more concerned about looking one-sided and feel the need to say, “but I support the pro-abortion guy on these other issues” (so he’s not all bad). ** And this is part of the problem when we reflect on the abject evil that is Planned Parenthood, abortion lobby, pro-abortion governors, senators, congressmen, president, etc: Such evil deserves a much more emphatic denunciation, not criticism that is balanced by praise - that sends mixed messages.
Ishii

THIS!!!

 

[livingwordunity]

That’s true. The mainstream media is totally corrupt and does the work of Satan. But I still say that it’s not an excuse for most since we have the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the living Magisterium by which we can measure truth from lies. But the problem is that many who call themselves Catholic or Christian are in reality hedonists in love with the pleasures of the flesh, and they allow themselves to be seduced by the lies of the Devil which exploit this weakness of humans. The truth is not what most people want to hear anymore.

I believe we are close to the end times that were prophesied in the Holy Bible. How close God only knows. But it’s clear that there is a major apostasy from God that is aggressively taking place on a global scale. In the prophecies it says that in the end times it will be like how it was in the time of Sodom and Gomorrah and how it was in the time of Noah. In the time of Sodom and Gomorrah homosexuality was rampant, and the flood of Noah represented something that was on a global scale. So combined it matches what’s happening today - the whole world turning into one big Sodom and Gomorrah. This on a global scale is unprecedented in the history of the world.

I emphasize the global aspect of this because there are those who will say “but this has happened before”. But homosexuality has never been this aggressively pushed on a global scale like it is now.

And there are other prophecies that have come to pass in modern times that were previously unprecedented on a global scale such as the global culture of death:
This as well as the “rumors of wars” prophesied for the end times which I believe is the threat of nuclear holocaust which is considered by world leaders to be the biggest physical threat to human civilization.

They said similar things when the Jews, and others, were being killed during World War II. It was a global war. Millions are dying and then we get the atom bomb. You know what? I lived through most of the Cold War, meaning once the Russians had ICBMs, you had, at maximum, 30 minutes to find shelter, but even if you did, your chances were not good. In the 1960s, China had nuclear weapons. The best estimates at the time was that we could destroy the world four times over. And we didn’t lose a second of sleep over it, because we knew God was with us.

Pope Benedict said it twice during his pontificate: the end times are not near.

Have hope,

When I said these things are unprecedented on a global scale I meant unprecedented on a global scale before the 20th century. The 20th century was the beginning of all these global events, and the end of WWII didn’t mean there won’t be a WWIII. The threat of nuclear annihilation is still the biggest threat of war on the minds of world leaders. That’s why Iran is in the news so much. And the aggressive global push for acceptance of homosexual behavior and so-called “same-sex marriage” is as recent as this century. This and all the other things I mentioned that were previously unprecedented on a global scale before the 20th century fits with how it describes the end days in the Holy Bible. I’m not saying that I know when Jesus will return. All I’m saying is that I think a lot of the things that were prophesied have come to pass globally in modern times in a very short time frame. In the Holy Bible in Matthew 24 it says we can’t know the day or the hour be we can know when the season is near.

"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

 

[KCT]

I don’t put all the blame on poor catechesis.

Catechists have not had good formation in recent years.

Another topic entirely, I realize, but it’s true. If catechists have not been well formed (which is the responsibility of the parish and diocese), those they teach will not be well formed.

 

[brierpatch1974]

If the church would start denying politicians communion publicly for their support of gay marriage and abortion and other wrong doings then they will send a message. By not doing what they are suppose to do they make the church look weak and like a hypocrite. Practice what you preach and stand firm. Stop playing political correct games and put faith first. Not all churches are doing this I know but it’s time the church does something about liberal members and especially leaders.

 

[livingwordunity]

Catechists have not had good formation in recent years.

Another topic entirely, I realize, but it’s true. If catechists have not been well formed (which is the responsibility of the parish and diocese), those they teach will not be well formed.

That may be true. But every Catholic at least should know about the existence of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. When I became a Catholic, there was no internet, and books on defending and explaining the faith were few and far in between. The Catechism of the Catholic Church had just been released, and it was at least a couple of years before I started to hear about it because it took time before it started to be more well known to the average Catholic on the street. But now it seems that everyone knows about the CCC. If someone wants to know about the Catholic faith and is seeking the truth, it’s right there in front of them. But I think the bigger issue is that most people don’t want to hear the truth. Instead, they want to be told lies because lies are in fashion and truth is not.

 

[Ender]

I don’t put all the blame on poor catechesis. The bishops have spoken in public on this time and time again, but the people don’t want to hear it.

The bishops and especially the USCCB have spoken out on almost every political issue that has come before Congress. The problem is not that they failed to speak out about this but that they have spoken out so often that it is not reasonable to expect the laity to distinguish between their moral pronouncements and their political ones. The result is what one should expect: this statement is viewed as a political observation which one is free to disregard.

Cardinal Dulles’ warning explains why so many Catholics are unconcerned about the bishops’ statement on this subject:“By issuing policy statements on matters that lie beyond their specific competence, and that pertain rather to experts in secular disciplines, the bishops diminish their own credibility in speaking about matters with which they are specially charged as spiritual leaders of the church.”
Ender

 

[JMJSHJ]

Perhaps if the Pelosi’s or Biden’s were denied communion and/or excommunicated, then perhaps people would wake up as that would be all over the news and perhaps people would pay attention.

 

[gus]

They said similar things when the Jews, and others, were being killed during World War II. It was a global war. Millions are dying and then we get the atom bomb. You know what? I lived through most of the Cold War, meaning once the Russians had ICBMs, you had, at maximum, 30 minutes to find shelter, but even if you did, your chances were not good. In the 1960s, China had nuclear weapons. The best estimates at the time was that we could destroy the world four times over. And we didn’t lose a second of sleep over it, because we knew God was with us.

Pope Benedict said it twice during his pontificate: the end times are not near.
The Pope has no idea when the end times will occur.
That’s contrary to Catholic Understanding of Scriptures and the position of the Catholic Church.
Only the father knows the time.
If he said we are wrong to assume we understand the signs.
For all Catholics we should act like the end could happen st any time. If are are lamps are full of oil we have nothing to drear.

Have hope,

Ed