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Last Blast to the Bishops
Yanke Academy, LLC ^ | 10/20/2016 | Patrick Yanke

Posted on 10/21/2016 7:24:31 AM PDT by pgyanke

Last Saturday, I dropped my last mailing to the bishops in the mailbox. I have said all I can say to them for this election cycle. So far, I have largely been ignored... but there are exceptions. My own bishop, though, has denied me a hearing with him.

I simply pray for our beautiful country and for our Church. The collective silence of our bishops in the face of the ever-expanding evil in our government, hurts our authority. It is true authority that separates the Catholic Church from all others. This authority is given to administer the Sacraments, instruct in all truth, govern the Church, and stand against evil. What good can we do when we allow evil to grow and fester?

fulton-sheen

Here is the text of my last letter to the bishops:

I understand the positions expressed by the Church in regards to not taking partisan positions in elections. However, standing against evil isn’t a partisan position. We are not injecting the Church into politics, the politicians have injected themselves onto the battlefield of life and death. We are derelict to not respond. Lies are a staple of politicians and the media in election campaigns. You need to stand firm for the truth.

The Democratic Party supports all five intrinsic evils in their platform or public policy. If not this, what does someone have to do to receive a rebuke from our bishops? Pope Francis had the fortitude to reject a nominated Ambassador from France due to his open homosexuality. In this country, we should follow the Pope’s example and reject those championing abortion and homosexual marriage in their party platform. They are campaigning for a job, nothing more. We should not hire them to make laws for us.

If a Democrat (doesn’t matter if it turns out to be Hillary Clinton) becomes President, we will have generations of Americans grow up not knowing there was even a debate about the constitutionality of abortion rights. The next president will likely appoint a 7-2 Supreme Court. Although the quote below is from Hillary Clinton, keep in mind that both of the issues she addresses are in the Party Platform:

“I do have a litmus test, I have a bunch of litmus tests, because the next president could get as many as three appointments,” the former first lady responded. “It’s one of the many reasons why we can’t turn the White House over to the Republicans again.” . . . “We have to preserve marriage equality,” Clinton said. “We have to go further to end discrimination against the LGBT community, we’ve got to make sure to preserve Roe V. Wade, not let it be nibbled away or repealed.” - Hillary Clinton

Catholics represent as much as 25% of the electorate overall and as much as 1⁄3 in CA and NY. No politician should be able to advocate for intrinsic evil and expect Catholic votes—no politician can be elected without Catholic acquiescence in a national or state election. Yet, Catholics have split our vote down the middle for a number of election cycles. No one respects our priorities because we don’t stand for them ourselves, as a group. Our bishops have done next to nothing to correct this problem. Too many bishops waste significant bandwidth explaining the priorities of the Church in immigration reform and publicly-funded healthcare. It’s time the Church spoke as one about real and threatening evil.

Most responses I have received regarding my book have quoted the need to maintain the Church’s tax- exempt status. How free are we when our Church considers Herself subject to the rules of government? The Church isn’t tax-exempt because of 501c3. She was tax-exempt before churches were added to the code in 1954. The Church is tax-exempt because she pre-dates the government and our Founding Fathers did not want to have government control of churches. It’s that simple. The 501c3 code is a primary example of the way government takes control... government says it is merely codifying an existing relationship and nothing will change. However, once codified, the government holds the threat to rescind the code. What should exist after the rescission is what existed for 200+ years before that... churches are still tax-exempt. That is not what the government says will happen, though, so the Church complies.

Churches were added to the 501c3 code as a tool of control and specifically to silence the Church. Sen. Lyndon Johnson did not like the Church having such a significant influence in shaping public policy. What we have become is direct result of this action. The Church has a greatly reduced influence in public life and intrinsic evil has become a staple of public policy. Are you aware that churches do not actually have to apply for 501c3 qualification? For almost all organizations, they must fill out Form 1023 and 1024. Churches are not required to file form 1023 because they are considered covered by 501c3 automatically. Donations to churches are automatically tax-deductible. Churches have a mandatory exception to filing tax returns. The IRS code automatically exempts churches from its basic requirements.

In short, the Catholic Church in America is voluntarily silent... and misguided. It is not an endorsement of the GOP to point out the evil supported by the Democratic Party. We don’t compromise our impartiality by opposing the sponsors of evil in positions of public authority. We have compromised our authority by our failure to do so.

We are scandalized among even the atheists who wonder where our Catholic leaders are when the issues are so polarized and clear in this election. Even our foes see that the Church is silent when it shouldn’t be. Unfortunately, the reality is that our bishops and priests are supporting the Democratic Party.

How can I say you support the Democratic Party? What if I told you the USCCB came out in favor of tax cuts, strong national borders, and 2nd Amendment rights... you would logically conclude the Church favors the GOP. Here’s the reality... the Church has been a major factor in pushing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), immigration reform, and we even have a Papal Encyclical on climate change. These are Democratic policy priorities and people rightly conclude the Church favors Democrat policies. Can there be any wonder at the confusion sown among the faithful? If you have followed the news, you can see the Democratic Party certainly knows who its enemies are... faithful Catholics. Their greatest fear is that the Church will do its duty and reject them. Your silence is their solace. Are you so blind?

Msgr Charles Pope wrote an article that read like it came directly out of my book and posted it to Facebook recently. The one main difference between his article and my book? He said, “but I’m not going to name the party.” From that, there were posters on that thread who concluded they should inform their own consciences and choose “the lesser of two evils”—that was Hillary Clinton to them. Msgr Pope and I put that delusion to rest but this should be a wakeup call that there are too many who will take any amount of latitude perceived—-no matter how infinitesimal-—to vote for the party sponsoring intrinsic evils. The Church must be direct, forceful, and quick... before it’s too late. Voting has already started.

Despite all of our efforts so far in our marches and prayers, if Hillary Clinton becomes the next president, she gets the chance to cement abortion and a redefinition of marriage as law for generations. We can stop it. My hope is that you and your fellow bishops will make support for evil the next “third-rail” of politics that no politician would ever dare touch again.

Some bishops have spoken out. I call your attention to the bishops of Kansas standing as one to tell their diocesan members they must vote with abortion at the forefront of their thoughts. Archbishop Aquila of Denver gave a very direct statement in support of this effort to confront evil. The most direct so far, though, has been Fr John Lankeit of the diocese of Phoenix during his homily at EWTN. He laid out the issues and the Catholic position firmly and clearly as the voice of his Bishop. His example in every diocese of America would end state sponsorship of abortion. If you haven’t seen it, search for “Homily for October 2, 2016” on Youtube. May it serve as a template to your own contemplations.

I look forward to discussing this with you further and will pray for our efforts as a Church to stand firmly against those who advocate for evil in public policy. As we celebrate the canonization of Jose Sanchez del Rio, may we all shout “Viva Cristo Rey!” at a government growing hostile to the Catholic Church.

second-letter-to-bishops


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: 2016; bishops; catholic; election
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This has been my election-cycle crusade for 10 years. This year, I published my voting guide as a book and sent it to every Cardinal, Archbishop, and Bishop in charge of a diocese in America. I have had some follow up letters with a few of them and there has been some action by a few bishops. This letter is my last offering between now and the election. I pray they wake up soon.
1 posted on 10/21/2016 7:24:31 AM PDT by pgyanke
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To: pgyanke

Good work.

The Archbishop of Denver has come out and opposed the Democrat ticket and there was one other who has done so also.

Christians have to take their churches back from the leftist maniacs who have infiltrated all of them.


2 posted on 10/21/2016 7:29:13 AM PDT by ZULU (Where the HELL ARE PAUL RYAN AND MITCH MCCONNELL ?????)
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To: pgyanke

bookmark for later


3 posted on 10/21/2016 7:29:53 AM PDT by PatriotGirl827 (O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee)
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To: pgyanke

Since this is on the News/Activism section of FR, and not the Religion Forum, I feel free to say that perhaps the Roman Catholic Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops you tried to reach are, for the most part, very pleased with the way the RCC is heading and see you and those agreeing with you as the big problem.


4 posted on 10/21/2016 7:30:55 AM PDT by Resettozero
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To: Resettozero

I would argue with you... if I could.


5 posted on 10/21/2016 7:32:50 AM PDT by pgyanke (Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)
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To: Salvation

Ping


6 posted on 10/21/2016 7:33:23 AM PDT by pgyanke (Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)
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To: pgyanke

RC parish churches in DC included a letter from the Cardinal last Sunday about how they can’t make partisan endorsements, blah blah blah. We happened to attend Mass @ Msgr. Pope’s parish that day and in closing announcements he referred to that letter, repeating the non-partisan directive of the diocese, but calling attention to parishioners his own writings, statements and activities on the issues. He recently participated in the protest vs the opening of the PP HQ in DC. Why the bishops have chosen to tie their own hands is a disgrace and well beyond me.


7 posted on 10/21/2016 7:34:41 AM PDT by EDINVA
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To: RitaOK

Did you help write this article? :)


8 posted on 10/21/2016 7:41:26 AM PDT by Shark24 (.)
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To: EDINVA

Watch “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” on EWTN, even with what I already knew it was eye-opening.

Their estimate was the Alinsky movement infiltrated the Church with 1300 priests and yes, many of them are probably bishops now.


9 posted on 10/21/2016 7:43:32 AM PDT by tiki
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To: Shark24

http://www.langerresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/1182a12016ElectionPredebate.pdf

Wapo ABC Langer survey Trump up 57/33 with Csatholics BEFORE WIKI drop


10 posted on 10/21/2016 7:43:40 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Conservatism is truth. Liberalism is lies.)
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To: Shark24

http://www.langerresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/1182a12016ElectionPredebate.pdf

Wapo ABC Langer survey Trump up 57/33 with Csatholics BEFORE WIKI drop


11 posted on 10/21/2016 7:43:52 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Conservatism is truth. Liberalism is lies.)
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To: pgyanke

The Catholic Church in America is not “voluntary silent” and “misguided” at all. It is a complicit partner in the diabolical destruction of everything that is good in this nation. And it’s been that way for years. In effect, the Catholic Church in America is no different than the “state churches” that are often found in communist countries.


12 posted on 10/21/2016 7:45:12 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("Go ahead, bite the Big Apple ... don't mind the maggots.")
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To: jmaroneps37
Wapo ABC Langer survey Trump up 57/33 with Csatholics BEFORE WIKI drop

On a national basis, that is good news. In the electoral college, there is a problem. I know from my direct correspondence with the bishops that two places which are vitally important (FL and NC) have the most doggedly silent bishops. I pray God will open their eyes to the truth and urgency of this election. They have the ability to stop Hillary Clinton all on their own. Failing to do so lays her victory directly at their feet.

13 posted on 10/21/2016 7:47:44 AM PDT by pgyanke (Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)
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To: Alberta's Child
In effect, the Catholic Church in America is no different than the “state churches” that are often found in communist countries.

The RCC leadership in ornate ostentatious garb, maybe. Not the true Christians worshiping at RC churches. They remain white as snow.
14 posted on 10/21/2016 7:47:52 AM PDT by Resettozero
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To: pgyanke

“Defeating a culture of death” means promotion of a culture of the opposite. Which means evangelism. Crazy Evangelicals get this more and more. And a lot of churches, Roman Catholic and other denominations, need to find evangelism their own selves — as you point out some Christians can get so hung up on straining out the gnats of social justice issues that they will swallow the camels of abortion (and now also things like BLM murders). Asking the unchurched to be Catholics (or Baptists etc.) won’t do any good if the people of these institutions are not trying to get clean in the blood of Jesus.


15 posted on 10/21/2016 7:51:53 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
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To: Resettozero
You might think so, but I don't necessarily agree with that. Consider this:

1. Make a list of all the U.S. states, ranked from highest to lowest based on the proportion of Catholics in their population.

2. Take the top ten "most Catholic" states, and see how they've voted in the last 3-4 presidential elections.

3. Take the bottom ten "least Catholic" states, and see how they've voted in the last 3-4 presidential elections.

That tells me everything I need to know about the rank-and-file Catholics in the United States of America. I learned a long time ago that if a Catholic wants to live among people who at least place a value on sound public morals, the last place he'd ever want to live is among other Catholics.

16 posted on 10/21/2016 7:55:26 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("Go ahead, bite the Big Apple ... don't mind the maggots.")
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To: pgyanke

We got a pile of Oregon Family Council voters guides in our church. The guide is based on Christian principles. Some of the parishioners complained that the guide favored republicans. Our pastor’s response was that is because the democrat platform is based on abortion and the attack on marriage.

Two Catholic bishops and Franklin Graham recently indorsed Trump.

Our pastor gave up his state license so he couldn’t be forced to perform a state gay wedding. Oregon Catholic priests need to be paying attention.

Bishop Sheens words need to be put out there. Thanks

God gave man the free will to follow his laws or Satan.
Liberalism isn’t just a mental disease, it is submission to Satan.


17 posted on 10/21/2016 7:57:12 AM PDT by Cold Heart
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To: Alberta's Child
You might think so, but I don't necessarily agree with that.

Please read again all that I posted and re-consider the words. Thank you.

R2z
18 posted on 10/21/2016 7:58:08 AM PDT by Resettozero
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To: HiTech RedNeck
“Defeating a culture of death” means promotion of a culture of the opposite. Which means evangelism. Crazy Evangelicals get this more and more. And a lot of churches, Roman Catholic and other denominations, need to find evangelism their own selves

Catholics are leaders in the pro-life movement. The problem we have is that our "leadership" is more concerned with Democrat Party politics than with stating the plane truth during election season--no Catholic may vote for a Democrat while the Party supports intrinsic evil. It's that simple... and that much of a travesty that they remain intransigent.

19 posted on 10/21/2016 8:01:00 AM PDT by pgyanke (Republicans get in trouble when not living up to their principles. Democrats... when they do.)
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To: Resettozero
I understand ... and I stand corrected. It's hard to argue when you include that important qualifier "true Christians," for sure.

Personally, I find that they are few and far between. Interestingly, I find that most of them aren't even surprised -- or disappointed -- in the complicity of the Catholic bishops in the demise of this country. They had already written off the American Catholic hierarchy years ago, and now look at this unfolding situation the same way they'd watch the collapse of some sh!t country in Africa.

20 posted on 10/21/2016 8:01:35 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("Go ahead, bite the Big Apple ... don't mind the maggots.")
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