Free Republic

But we do well to remember when King George was being fought in order to start our great country, it was a minority of the people that were engaged and behind the revolution.

True.

But the culture at the time was Christian (for the most part).

Therefore, they were fighting a political battle.

The culture now is decidedly not Christian. To overcome that would require a complete reshaping of the culture, undoing generations of radical reprogramming of the mind of the majority of Americans.

Thank you for actually answering my question.

Yep, pretty sad. You may find this interesting. It was distributed around the DOJ.

And you can see my comment on that here.

Pretty sad state of affairs when the русский are more of a force for moral good than the United States.

…or reality and satire are converging.

It's been that way since January 20, 2009.

He needs to elaborate a lot here.

You think? Remember, these are fervorini (short, off the cuff exhortations), rather than homilies...or, much less, sermons.

There are many times when criticism needs to be given indirectly, which can benefit not just the subject of the criticism, but others as well.

By gossip? Perhaps you could elaborate a bit on that...I'm not sure what you're getting at here.

If this is true and "SILENCE WILL BE INTERPRETED AS DISAPPROVAL" then I would think this is total power overreach by this administration. This needs to be looked into.

I don't find this as shocking as some do.

This is not an earth-shattering change; rather, this is simply a matter of incrementalism that has been going on for the past 10-15 years (at least) within both the government and within corporate America.

It's all part of the "diversity" curriculum. It went on during the Clinton Era, the Bush 43 era, and the Øbama era. (And, while I remember this with race and sex -- rather than homosexuality -- during the Reagan and Bush 41 eras, it wouldn't surprise me if the groundwork for this was laid then...)

It's simply a matter of Cass Sunstein style "nudging" of society. Nothing new and, sadly, nothing dramatic.

The only way that I can see for the clock to be reversed here is by letting the Visigoths breach the walls and for this world to be plunged back into utter darkness for a few hundred years. I don't even advocate violent revolution, as I don't think there is enough of a critical mass of people left to make the needed cultural changes.

Sadly,

Good for the Georgians. I would love to see similar reactions here in the States...however, sadly, there are not enough people who recognize the danger of homosexual "tolerance" in this country to even mount a small counter-protest.

The Holy Father is again attacking a recurring theme in his Daily "Fervorino" -- gossip.

"We all chat in Church! As Christians we chat! The chatter is hurtful? We hurt one another. It is as if we want to put each other down.: instead of growing one makes the other feel small while I feel great. That will not do! It seems nice to chat ... I do not know why, but it looks nice. Like sweet of honey, right? You take one and then another, and another, and another, and in the end you have a stomach ache. And why ? The chatter is like that eh? It is 'sweet at first and it ruins you, it ruins your soul! Rumours are destructive in the Church, they are destructive ... It’s 'a little' like the spirit of Cain who killed his brother, his tongue; it kills his brother! "

 

On 27 March, he compared gossip to Judas:

"It happens when we speak badly of one and other," and this is to sell, and "the person about whom we speak becomes merchandise. And with what ease we do this! It is the same thing that Judas did."

 

On 9 April, he dedicated his fervorino to "The struggle to reject gossip":

"We all chat in Church! As Christians we chat! The chatter is hurtful? We hurt one another. It is as if we want to put each other down.: instead of growing one makes the other feel small while I feel great. That will not do! It seems nice to chat ... I do not know why, but it looks nice. Like sweet of honey, right? You take one and then another, and another, and another, and in the end you have a stomach ache. And why ? The chatter is like that eh? It is 'sweet at first and it ruins you, it ruins your soul! Rumours are destructive in the Church, they are destructive ... It’s 'a little' like the spirit of Cain who killed his brother, his tongue; it kills his brother! "

He also talked about how destructive gossip was to the Christian community on 13 April and 27 April.

I think he may be trying to make a point here...

Somebody help me out here...is Robertson saying that the Sixth Commandment doesn't apply if the husband is good looking?

The problem is not that we are sinners: the problem is not repenting of sin, not being ashamed of what we have done.

Um, no, my goods are my goods. I worked for them. If someone wants some, they’re going to have to work for it. That’s what the Tenth Commandment says: Don’t try to bogart your neighbor’s stuff. Go get your own.

Reason #3 why I am not a Protestant: Selective disregard for the Scriptures.

Your goods are not your goods. They belong to God:

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

“Accumulated wealth” being real estate, possession of other property, etc.

That is ridiculous. Just think about it a little bit.

Jesus said, For the poor always ye have with you (John 12:8). Selling off every scrap of every asset that the Vatican has would not eradicate poverty for even a month, much less forever. And what would happen?

Look at the artwork in the Sistine Chapel? Who would buy it? Who could buy it? How would somebody move those frescos?

And then all the manuscripts in the Vatican Library? Right now they are available for scholarly research. If they are sold...they become part of somebody's private collection and would be lost.

Perhaps they should sell St Peter's Square and put up condos.

Frankly, FRiend, you use the same argument that the "Apostle" of (so-called) "Social Justice" used when Mary Magdalene annointed the Lord's feet with Spikenard:

John 12:3-5 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

The argument "The Vatican should sell everything off and give it to the poor" is one I hear from left-wingers, not FReepers. Short sighted at best.

If literally every church building, work of art, manuscript, artifact, and hospital was sold...if every bishop, priest, and deacon was turned out on the street, stripped of their clothing and forced to dress in rags, while it would please a lot of people...it would do nothing to eradicate poverty.

The purpose of the Pope's statements is, whether you believe it or not, not to try to solve poverty. He knows better than either of us that this will never happen. The purpose is the same purpose that Jesus had when he taught on earth. The same purpose as His followers had...to include the quoted St John Chrysostom...along with his colleague St Basil the Great...and so on throughout history. Sadly, that spiritual message has been hijacked so often by the left, that it is immediately confused by most people.

Full title: Nebraska Bishop: ‘Mainstream Reporters’ Largely Ignored Gosnell Abortion Clinic ‘Reminiscent of Auschwitz’

Keeping in mind the words of Archbishop Chaput:

We make a very serious mistake if we rely on media like the New York Times, Newsweek, CNN, or MSNBC for reliable news about religion. These news media simply don’t provide trustworthy information about religious faith—and sometimes they can’t provide it, either because of limited resources or because of their own editorial prejudices. These are secular operations focused on making a profit. They have very little sympathy for the Catholic faith, and quite a lot of aggressive skepticism toward any religious community that claims to preach and teach God’s truth.

…I would not suggest taking this NY Daily News article at face value...but if it reports the words of spokesman Zwilling correctly, it just means that Dolan needs to talk turkey with him and show Mr. Zwilling the door.

This is socialist claptrap. Period. This is exactly the kind of thing you'd expect to hear from an economic leftwing Argentinian - which is exactly what Pope Francis is.

This same Pope that said two days ago:

"Let us think of that moment with the Magdalene, when she washed the feet of Jesus with nard, which was so expensive: it is a religious moment, a moment of gratitude, a moment of love. And he [Judas] stands apart and criticizes her bitterly: 'But ... this could be used for the poor!'. This is the first reference that I personally found in the Gospel of poverty as an ideology. The ideologue does not know what love is, because they do not know how to gift themselves".

Whatever you say Hoss.

Diana: No disrespect to His Holiness, but we’ve been living in a ‘disposable society’ since after WWII.

We've been living in a disposable society longer than that.

Le Chien Rouge: It is not the cult of money that is causing so much misery in this world but rather the lack of personal as well as economic liberty imposed by heavy handed government rule

Any economic system, without God, produces slavery.

NVDave: Let’s look at the accumulated wealth of the Roman Catholic Church

What accumulated wealth is this? In 2011, they ran a deficit of almost €15M.

Huskrrrr: Money is NOT the root of all Evil. The love of money is.

Exactly. That's why he said the "cult" of money.

JudyinCanada: The problems arise when money becomes your god. Money, in and of itself, is merely a tool, albeit a necessary one.

Precisely. And this is really emphasized in Luke 16:19-31, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 19:16-24, etc.

DManA: The solution to these ills is more economic freedom, not less.

With God, you are right. And I don't believe you would find him calling for increased control in his actual words.

Longbow1969: High population (former 3rd world) countries replaced socialist policies with capitalist ideas and the result of an exploding middle class.

I think the issue is not talking about government control over economics, rather about the responsibilities of individuals within those economies.

Here are the Pope's actual words. Before passing judgment, I would read them, rather than a secular account:

Your Excellencies,

I am pleased to receive you for the presentation of the Letters accrediting you as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See on the part of your respective countries: Kyrgyzstan, Antigua and Barbuda, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Botswana. The gracious words which you have addressed to me, for which I thank you heartily, have testified that the Heads of State of your countries are concerned to develop relations of respect and cooperation with the Holy See. I would ask you kindly to convey to them my sentiments of gratitude and esteem, together with the assurance of my prayers for them and their fellow citizens.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our human family is presently experiencing something of a turning point in its own history, if we consider the advances made in various areas. We can only praise the positive achievements which contribute to the authentic welfare of mankind, in fields such as those of health, education and communications. At the same time, we must also acknowledge that the majority of the men and women of our time continue to live daily in situations of insecurity, with dire consequences. Certain pathologies are increasing, with their psychological consequences; fear and desperation grip the hearts of many people, even in the so-called rich countries; the joy of life is diminishing; indecency and violence are on the rise; poverty is becoming more and more evident. People have to struggle to live and, frequently, to live in an undignified way. One cause of this situation, in my opinion, is in the our relationship with money, and our acceptance of its power over ourselves and our society. Consequently the financial crisis which we are experiencing makes us forget that its ultimate origin is to be found in a profound human crisis. In the denial of the primacy of human beings! We have created new idols. The worship of the golden calf of old (cf. Ex 32:15-34) has found a new and heartless image in the cult of money and the dictatorship of an economy which is faceless and lacking any truly humane goal.

The worldwide financial and economic crisis seems to highlight their distortions and above all the gravely deficient human perspective, which reduces man to one of his needs alone, namely, consumption. Worse yet, human beings themselves are nowadays considered as consumer goods which can be used and thrown away. We have begun a throw away culture. This tendency is seen on the level of individuals and whole societies; and it is being promoted! In circumstances like these, solidarity, which is the treasure of the poor, is often considered counterproductive, opposed to the logic of finance and the economy. While the income of a minority is increasing exponentially, that of the majority is crumbling. This imbalance results from ideologies which uphold the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation, and thus deny the right of control to States, which are themselves charged with providing for the common good. A new, invisible and at times virtual, tyranny is established, one which unilaterally and irremediably imposes its own laws and rules. Moreover, indebtedness and credit distance countries from their real economy and citizens from their real buying power. Added to this, as if it were needed, is widespread corruption and selfish fiscal evasion which have taken on worldwide dimensions. The will to power and of possession has become limitless.

Concealed behind this attitude is a rejection of ethics, a rejection of God. Ethics, like solidarity, is a nuisance! It is regarded as counterproductive: as something too human, because it relativizes money and power; as a threat, because it rejects manipulation and subjection of people: because ethics leads to God, who is situated outside the categories of the market. These financiers, economists and politicians consider God to be unmanageable, unmanageable even dangerous, because he calls man to his full realization and to independence from any kind of slavery. Ethics – naturally, not the ethics of ideology – makes it possible, in my view, to create a balanced social order that is more humane. In this sense, I encourage the financial experts and the political leaders of your countries to consider the words of Saint John Chrysostom: “Not to share one’s goods with the poor is to rob them and to deprive them of life. It is not our goods that we possess, but theirs” (Homily on Lazarus, 1:6 – PG 48, 992D).

Dear Ambassadors, there is a need for financial reform along ethical lines that would produce in its turn an economic reform to benefit everyone. This would nevertheless require a courageous change of attitude on the part of political leaders. I urge them to face this challenge with determination and farsightedness, taking account, naturally, of their particular situations. Money has to serve, not to rule! The Pope loves everyone, rich and poor alike, but the Pope has the duty, in Christ’s name, to remind the rich to help the poor, to respect them, to promote them. The Pope appeals for disinterested solidarity and for a return to person-centred ethics in the world of finance and economics.

For her part, the Church always works for the integral development of every person. In this sense, she reiterates that the common good should not be simply an extra, simply a conceptual scheme of inferior quality tacked onto political programmes. The Church encourages those in power to be truly at the service of the common good of their peoples. She urges financial leaders to take account of ethics and solidarity. And why should they not turn to God to draw inspiration from his designs? In this way, a new political and economic mindset would arise that would help to transform the absolute dichotomy between the economic and social spheres into a healthy symbiosis.

Finally, through you, I greet with affection the Pastors and the faithful of the Catholic communities present in your countries. I urge them to continue their courageous and joyful witness of faith and fraternal love in accordance with Christ’s teaching. Let them not be afraid to offer their contribution to the development of their countries, through initiatives and attitudes inspired by the Sacred Scriptures! And as you inaugurate your mission, I extend to you, dear Ambassadors, my very best wishes, assuring you of the assistance of the Roman Curia for the fulfilment of your duties. To this end, upon you and your families, and also upon your Embassy staff, I willingly invoke abundant divine blessings.

When you hear him talking about inequity, I would suggest that you consider the situation in areas like Bangladesh, rather than here.

You will not find the Pope advocating for government-enforced redistribution (nor would you find St John Chrysostom doing so); rather, you will continually hear him exhorting people (a/k/a individuals) to do the right thing.

Before condemning this, you may wish to recall the words of Christ, Himself. For example, Luke 16:19-31, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 19:16-24, etc.

No there isn't.

The funny thing is that these people complain about this Pope, yet it was this Pope who, two days ago, said the following:

"Let us think of that moment with the Magdalene, when she washed the feet of Jesus with nard, which was so expensive: it is a religious moment, a moment of gratitude, a moment of love. And he [Judas] stands apart and criticizes her bitterly: 'But ... this could be used for the poor!'. This is the first reference that I personally found in the Gospel of poverty as an ideology. The ideologue does not know what love is, because they do not know how to gift themselves".

Tying the "Gospel" of poverty to Judas. Yup, that really identifies him as a true-blue socialist.

Here is the actual transcript...no where does the Pope mention 'free market capitalism'.... read and decide for yourselves.

How DARE you interject facts when people have a good rant on.

Do you not realize that FReepers are required to have a healthy skepticism of the press on each and every topic in the world except Catholicism. On that subject, they will believe exactly what the press says.

ping.

You can see the original report Operation Rescue and from the left wing Austin American Statesman here. Also see this synopsis from Steven Ertelt's Lifenews.

For your lists...

Nice money quote: "So when a priest, a bishop goes after money, the people do not love him – and that's a sign. But he ends badly.” St. Paul reminds us that he worked with his hands. “He did not have a bank account, he worked, and when a bishop, a priest goes on the road to vanity, he enters into the spirit of careerism – and this hurts the Church very much – [and] ends up being ridiculous: he boasts, he is pleased to be seen, all powerful – and the people do not like that!”

Yes, we need to pray for our bishops and priests so they will be protected from this temptation.

It appears that you aren’t posting these any longer. If you want to pick it back up, please let me know...

See the document here

And the libs think Gosnell was the exception...

It eventually had to happen .

It’s from the shrine to “St” Judas in the Ursaline Church in Linz, Austria. Click on the pic for a link.

Wonderful comments! I like the part about “poverty ideology.”

Yup. Judas, patron "saint" of "Social Justice"

And from the Boston Globe: O’Malley’s reasoning on BC graduation boycott is flawed

Good for Cardinal O'Malley! If he's able to tick off both papers, he's got to be doing something right.