Election Part I: “We Have No King But Caesar” (Reality Alert)

Human Life International e-Newsletter ^ | Friday, November 14, 2008 | Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer

[GonzoII]

Election Part I: “We Have No King But Caesar”

The following is the first of a three-part series on the 2008 Elections. In the next two weeks we will deal with issues of Culture and Conscience.

Now that the election is over, we can separate the real Catholics from those who just act the part. Those still reeling from the results of the election can rest assured that they are in good company with the saints. Those who have drawn a line in blood and made a decision to stand with the culture of death need a serious examination of conscience. Now look at what we’ve done to ourselves. America has made her “choice” for maximum leader and it is not pretty. In fact, it is one of the most devastating blows to American civilization that we have ever undergone, and I do not speak in hyperbole. Even such a saintly figure as Mother Theresa said that “a nation that kills its children has no future;” likewise, an authority like Fr. Benedict Groeschel recently commented that we have entered into “the beginning of the twilight” of our country—dire words that touch on the reality of electing the most extreme, pro-abortion candidate America has ever had the misfortune of occupying the highest office of our land.

This has happened before though. When the prophet Samuel complained to God that the people of Israel were asking for a king, the Lord God replied that they were not rejecting Samuel but were in actual fact rejecting God Himself, His sovereignty and His authority over them (cf. 1 Sam, ch. 8). He also told Samuel that the people would have to accept the consequences of their wicked desire, and as we know, the craven need to be like the surrounding pagan nations was a bitter pill for them to swallow. The people of Israel echoed that rejection of their God more than a thousand years later when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords stood before them in Herod’s derisive purple robe and the people shouted, this time with vehemence: “We have no king but Caesar!” In essence, we have chosen a Barabbas over Christ—again.

And choices have consequences they say. The consequences of this election will be imprinted upon our national conscience for years to come, one of which is that, by electing abortion extremists to rule over us, both in the Presidency and in the Congress, we have now lost the blessing promised in Psalm 41:1-4—“Happy those concerned for the lowly and the poor; when misfortune strikes, the Lord delivers them. The Lord keeps and preserves them, makes them happy in the land, and does not betray them to their enemies. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed.” It is hard for Americans to imagine that a land so consecrated could be shriven of that blessing. Yet, we have made our sickbed and we must lie in it.

This did not happen, though, without dire and prolonged warnings about the institutionalization of evil. We can’t say we were not warned. When moral persuasion about the killing of innocents did not work, rational science was our witness. When science was ignored and then co-opted for the works of death, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases came to awaken people’s consciences, but these did little better. God then had to allow such an onslaught of terrorism, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and tsunamis in the past decade that He surely thought we would wake up to the deadly reality of the culture of death and repent. When that didn’t happen, He hit us in the most sensitive spot on the human body: our wallets. The gas price hikes and the recent financial meltdown surely would do the trick, He thought, but apparently that did not work either because our people adamantly refused to be deterred at any price from our lust for abortion and put into office all those who would serve the interests of this unholy agenda for decades to come. Alas, we all need to get on our knees and repent from the very depths of our hearts for the plague that we have just invited onto our beloved nation.

At the same time, my friends, despite the dismal picture, this is a time to thank Almighty God for the gifts of life, love and family that we have been given. It is also the time to seriously engage in efforts to take the culture back so that eventually our politics will follow the growth of a new pro-life culture from the seeds we are planting today.

Stay tuned for next week’s segment on winning the culture wars.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer,
President, Human Life International

[GonzoII]

"This did not happen, though, without dire and prolonged warnings about the institutionalization of evil. We can’t say we were not warned. When moral persuasion about the killing of innocents did not work, rational science was our witness. When science was ignored and then co-opted for the works of death, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases came to awaken people’s consciences, but these did little better. God then had to allow such an onslaught of terrorism, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and tsunamis in the past decade that He surely thought we would wake up to the deadly reality of the culture of death and repent. When that didn’t happen, He hit us in the most sensitive spot on the human body: our wallets. The gas price hikes and the recent financial meltdown surely would do the trick, He thought, but apparently that did not work either because our people adamantly refused to be deterred at any price from our lust for abortion and put into office all those who would serve the interests of this unholy agenda for decades to come. Alas, we all need to get on our knees and repent from the very depths of our hearts for the plague that we have just invited onto our beloved nation".

Ain't that the truth.

[hershey]

Pray every day.

[Twinkie]

When the Catholic Church gives Uncle Teddy and a few of the other wealthy, “blueblood” Kennedys the boot, then the rhetoric won’t ring so hollow.

. . and still, the Catholic Church pets and coddles the Kennedys, allowing them to use the Catholic Church to further their abortion-laced agendas.

Of course, a LOT of Massachusetts Catholics fairly worship the Kennedys, so that wouldn’t be advisable from a purely monetary point, would it? A year from now, does anyone think anything will change where the hypocritical Kennedys are concerned?

[GonzoII]

"Pray every day".

You betcha!!

And you for me!

[GonzoII]

"the rhetoric won’t ring so hollow".

Your free to call it "rhetoric", I call it truth.

[Twinkie]

When any organization speaks truth but then won’t act on it, I call it rhetoric.

I would say the same thing about the Baptist Church or any other; plenty of problems on all fronts. The Baptist preachers who are too heavily invested in their salaries to risk a sermon that offends their liberal congregations are also part of the problem.

[GonzoII]

“When any organization speaks truth but then won’t act on it, I call it rhetoric”.

---

Fair enough; but I and many others in the Catholic Church will decide to act on the truth; with God’s help.

If preachers don’t practice what they preach, then they will answer for it.

God bless,

Gonzo

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

Just know that “Uncle Teddy's” bishop is going to have A LOT to answer for. Teddy boy is still excommunicated “latae sententiae”.

[ardara]

To show how far to the left the Catholic Bishops CONTINUE to go.Here is a heading from my Sunday bulletin here in New York City”Give To Catholic Charities through the United Way at Work.By the way the Boy Scouts were collecting in the back of the church for the poor people for Thanksgiving.

[NYer]

Ping!

[redhead]

". . and still, the Catholic Church pets and coddles the Kennedys, allowing them to use the Catholic Church to further their abortion-laced agendas."

It's often difficult for non-Catholics to separate the behavior of some of its members and some of its middle management from what the Church as an Authority actually teaches. You just read Fr. Eutenuer's piece, in which he expressed sorrow for the souls of those who refuse to obey what the Church teaches, then you use a very broad brush to tar the entire Church for the behavior of these few. This happens a lot, and we are used to it. But it is far from the facts. Name the bisops who suck up to the Kennedys and the Bidens, but please leave the Pope and we faithful members out of it.

[Twinkie]

If the Pope has complete infallibility and authority, what is to keep him from simply disfellowshipping the big shot Catholics who spit on the church while exploiting it for all it’s worth in order to enhance their images? Disfellowshipping is certainly scriptural.

I think it’s probably about as simple as “money and inflence talk”, just as it is in most Protestant churches in these evil times.

[redhead]

"If the Pope has complete infallibility and authority, what is to keep him from simply disfellowshipping the big shot Catholics who spit on the church while exploiting it for all it’s worth in order to enhance their images? Disfellowshipping is certainly scriptural."

The Pope's infallibility does not extend to the mundane. The word refers to the church's inability to teach error in matters of faith and morals. As for disfellowshipping parishoners, that is up to pastors and bishops. That's why the are pastors and bishops, or "shepherds" and "overseers."

There are over a billion Catholics in the world. Strictly speaking, a Catholic who deliberately refuses to obey the rules that apply to all other Catholics excommunicates HIMSELF. The Church can only ratify that decision, which it does, in varying degrees. The person's pastor should immediately refuse the indidual's access to the holy mysteries, or sacraments. If he does not, he shares in the trespass of the individual, as does any bishop who refuses to support a priest who adheres to the regulations of the Church. Refusing to allow an individual entry to any church is not only not humane, but not practical.

The final judge, of course, is Jesus, who will sort it all out in the end.

[Salvation]

Pray for LIFE!

A Pro-Life Nughtmare: Daschle Appointed as the new Secretary of Health And Human Services
Catholic Caucus: How to Fight FOCA with all resources of the Church
Fr. Newman Responds to Diocesan Concerns about Pro-Abortion Voting Letter
What Catholics Can Expect
Election Part I: “We Have No King But Caesar [Obama?]” (Reality Alert)
Pope says Catholics in politics must follow faith
Vatican cardinal: Obama is 'Aggressive, Disruptive and Apocalyptic'
Finally, a Religious Leader with Guts
Bishop Blasts Pro-Choice Politicians (Bishop from Biden's "hometown")
SC priest: No communion for Obama supporters
Our Pastor is in the news because of this article
SC priest: No communion for Obama supporters
Voting bishops [Catholic Caucus]
On the end of Catholic Hospitals

Catholic professor'Kmiec] draws protesters Conservative voted for Obama
Catholic Church drops ACORN funding
Obama has first telephone conversation with the Pope
Catholic bishops will fight Obama on abortion
Catholics gird for fight with Obama on abortion, Paterson, NJ bishop takes a leading role
Jill Stanek: Moving On After Barack Obama, How a Disabled Boy Restored My Pro-Life Fire
Catholic Bishops Urge Huge Anti-FOCA Campaign to Stop Abortion Expansion (Might Close Hospitals)
Abortion and Euthanasia Bringing about the Demise of Catholic Health Care: Catholic Obstetrician
To accept abortion is to challenge God, Lord of all things...
USCCB: Church should oppose FOCA 'early and often,' Niederauer (Pelosi's Archbishop) says

Cardinal [George]: Obama's Presidency Heals Racism, Now Time to End Abortion
CNN’s Rick Sanchez: Does the GOP ‘Have to Be Anti-Abortion’?
Catholic bishops plan to forcefully confront Obama
Niece of Martin Luther King Jr.: "The Dream" Is Not Yet Fulfilled
Barone: Media wanted Palin abortion
New York Subway Riders Respond to Ad and Share Post-Abortion Grief, Agony
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's Niece{Dr. Alveda King]: Abortion Means Obama Doesn't Fulfill Dream
Bishops to present concerns on abortion, other issues to politicians
Kneeling Before the World [Catholic Caucus]
Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life Receives Post-Election Death Threat

Barone: 'Liberal media' wanted Palin to abort
BISHOPS APPROVE BLESSING FOR CHILD IN THE WOMB
FIRST THINGS: Obama and the Bishops
Head of U.S. bishops says no compromise on abortion
Washington Post Admits Bias for Obama, Calls Pro-Life Policies "Offensive"
Washington Post Admits Bias for Obama, Calls Pro-Life Policies "Offensive"
Novena for the Protection of the Unborn
Carving Out a Better Respect Life Position
Prez Herod (post election reflection)
Wash Post: Pro-Life Views "Ideologically Offensive"

Election of Obama a Disaster for Pro-Life Fight in EU and Africa: Prominent Kenyan Physician
Bishops will not skip debate on abortion and politics
Obama's Startling Reaction to Funeral Service for Baby Killed After Failed Abortion
MCCL [MN's largest pro-life organization] achieves nearly all pro-life goals in 2008 election
No "Presidential sleight of hand" on stem cells
Voting for Reproductive Freedom (NYT pro-abort alert)
Abortion Groups Confident Obama Will Push His Pro-Abortion Agenda
Obama reviews Bush orders on stem cells, drilling
Obama reviews Bush orders on stem cells, drilling (Be prepared for the gas prices to go up)
Let us Celebrate Barrack Obama, Let us Celebrate Life

Obama Positioned to Quickly Reverse Bush Actions Stem Cell, Climate Rules
Pro-Life Dem Breakthroughs (Bad News for FOCA?)
Stopping FOCA: EWTN TV w/ Gianna Jessen, Sister Nirmala, Archbishop Burke, among others(?)
Dr. Alveda King to Pro-Lifers: Forward, March
What America Has Done (Was the election about racial equality or the right to life?)
The Freedom of Choice Act: Radical Attempt to Prematurely End Debate over Abortion
Becket Fund to Award Canterbury Medal to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap.
Doug Kmiec to give election ‘post-mortem’ at Calif. seminary [Catholic Caucus]
Fighting FOCA (the time to act is now!)
Billy Graham Won't Advise Obama Because of Strong Pro-Abortion Position

Bishop Carlson: Our witness must grow stronger (Statement on election results)
Back to the Drawing Board (several bishops calling for Faithful Citizenship to be overhauled)
On Eucharistic Consistency (Florida bishop urges Biden to examine conscience before Communion)
Future Obama abortion legislation will violate conscience rights, PRI president says
THERE IS STILL A GOD IN HEAVEN!
Bill Berkowitz: Religious Right Down but Not Out
Freedom of Choice Act - Election Implications
A Post – Election Reflection: Pray, Plan and Participate
Payback Time: What Planned Parenthood Expects from Barack Obama
Life will not go on

Catholic Leaders React to Obama Victory, Offer Advice
Archbishop Chaput Eager to See Kmiec Deliver a Pro-Life Obama
History, Hyperbole and Horror (Eye opening)
[Electing Obama] A Grave Mistake and an Abiding Hope
Fight FOCA (Unlimited Abortion) Sign the Fight FOCA Petition ASAP Get Involved!!
Douglas W. Kmiec on 'Obama's Miracle'
"The Killing Must End”: Christian Defense Coalition to Launch Major Post-Inaugural Pro-Life Campaign
Pro-Life Advocates Urged to Renew Efforts Against Abortion After Election Loss
Obama Pushes Abortion on Day One With Emanuel Pick
Warriors with Our Eyes Fixed on Heaven (Bishop Finn's Excellent Column) [Ecumenical]

[Salvation]

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
 Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we  humbly pray,
 and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
 by the power of God,
 Thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
 Amen
+

[Salvation]

You are bashing Catholics when others voted for these CINOs also. Everyone who voted for them will have to answer along the way.

[Twinkie]

Every slight criticism of the Catholic church is taken as “bashing”. This THREAD was on the subject of the Catholics in this country who seem to enjoy saying they listen to the Pope and follow Catholic doctrine, when in reality they are hypocrites. I said that there are plenty of Baptists and other Protestants who voted for Obama and vote Democrat without fail automatically; so there are plenty of others who are hypocrites as well.