Fr. Newman Responds to Diocesan Concerns about Pro-Abortion Voting Letter

LifeSiteNews ^ | 11/17/2008 | Sharon Howey

[littlehouse36]

Fr. Newman Responds to Diocesan Concerns about Pro-Abortion Voting Letter

Commentary by Sharon Howey, parishioner at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville, S.C.

GREENVILLE, S.C., November 17, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - “I don’t know about you guys, but I had an interesting week,” began Fr. Jay Scott Newman’s Saturday night homily, after a week of national and international attention gained from last Sunday’s ‘Letter from the Pastor,’ printed in the parish bulletin. In that letter Fr. Newman had said that persons who voted for a pro-abortion politician should not receive Holy Communion until they are reconciled to God, lest they eat and drink their own condemnation. 

Prior to the 5:00 Saturday mass, a group of parishioners had gathered to pray the rosary in support of their beloved Fr. Newman outside the church, with a sign reading “this church is pro-life,” until the priest requested that they go inside to pray.

The congregation laughed at his “interesting week” statement and the clapping quickly turned into a spontaneous standing ovation.  Fr. Newman turned toward the Blessed Sacrament and genuflected.

This was a homily to remember - one on unity and humility that was lived out. (You can listen to it by podcast at http://www.stmarysgvl.org/discipleship/audio-homilies where it should be available by Tuesday.)  Indeed, what stood out most to me was this remarkable man’s humility.

Fr. Newman’s initial Letter did not address the fact that a person needs to “have full knowledge” in order for a sin to be mortal for them. This technicality, as well as the political nature of the address, led the Diocese to intervene and make a statement repudiating Fr. Newman’s letter, while also calling for the protection of unborn life.

In his homily Fr. Newman shared that his ‘Letter from the Pastor’ is written on a deadline and he was writing for his congregation (who, if they were listening the last two months, were fully informed). He never imagined the letter would spark national, and even international debates on the separation of church and state.  He graciously conceded that he did not adequately reflect church teaching on this complex issue and said that he “joyfully submits” to Diocesan input in the matter. 

Fr. Newman quoted from Philippians 2 on preserving unity in humility. “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. ... Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped, rather He emptied Himself.”

Fr. Newman also mentioned his regret that the larger part of his letter, which asked for prayers for Obama, was completely ignored by the media. It is very beautifully stated and I will reproduce it here as it is no longer available online:

“Barack Obama, although we must always and everywhere disagree with him over abortion, has been duly elected the next President of the United States, and after he takes the Oath of Office next January 20th, he will hold legitimate authority in this nation. For this reason, we are obliged by Scriptural precept to pray for him and to cooperate with him whenever conscience does not bind us otherwise. Let us hope and pray that the responsibilities of the presidency and the grace of God will awaken in the conscience of this extraordinarily gifted man an awareness that the unholy slaughter of children in this nation is the greatest threat to the peace and security of the United States and constitutes a clear and present danger to the common good. In the time of President Obama’s service to our country, let us pray for him.”

Listening to Fr. Newman’s gracious words, I was reminded of the conversion of the woman who was Roe in Roe vs. Wade. The thing that always struck me about the conversion story of Norma McCorvey, was that it was Flip Benham’s humility and love that won her over. 

Flip worked next door to the abortion clinic Norma worked at and he yelled out to her one day, “You should be ashamed of yourself. How do you sleep at night?” and he saw in the look in her eyes that he had really hurt her. So the next chance he got, he apologized (not for being pro-life, of course, but for hurting her) and asked, “Will you forgive me?” It was this personal concern for her well-being, not his initial (though true) statements that won her over to the truth.

In his Saturday night homily Fr. Newman chose to follow a long line of saints down the road of obedience and humility, showing the signs of a truly holy man. And in due form, I’m sure his attitude will bear tremendous fruit for the Glory of God.

 

[rollo tomasi]

Social Justice trumps evil.

Church of Anunciation in Longwood Fl, is having one big problem with that. At RCIA meetings they were passing out fliers in support of Obama/democrats. The sister of John Morgan (Personnel injury attorney/Real Estate mogul, the obnoxious “forthepeople.com” crap) is a bigwig in the Church and John is a bigwig in democrat circles. Also other staff in the Church are involved with the DNC. Either the clergy were in on it or were absolutely blind.

I have known the Pastor, Monsignor Caverly for 30 years. He is up there in age and I believe some of the younger staff/volunteers take advantage of this. Pretty big scandle from what I been hearing.

[rollo tomasi]

Sorry, "Social Justice trumps evil when it comes to elections."

[Mad Dawg]

The ability to deceive oneself is so common that I always fear I have been exercising it. For someone pretending to be a Catholic to vote for the Dear Leader-elect requires an almost oluntary cessation of thought, as far as I can tell.

"Seamless garment" rightly understood, is a fine thought. But it's a lousy excuse.

[baa39]

If they were really serious about getting the Church in America straightened out, they should make this courageous priest the Bishop, asap! By “they” of course the only people who could do that would be Benedict, traditionally by acting on the recommendation of Sambi, our Apostolic Nuncio. I mean no disrespect to either man, I doubt some kerfluffle like this even get’s on the Holy Father’s radar screen.

[baa39]

AftR, good description! And it deserves to be unread for those reasons. But more important, it should not be read because it is meaningless: the entity called the USCCB has no authority over American Catholics. If they want to print statements, that’s fine, but they are not encyclicals, apostolic letters, proclamations of doctrine or any such thing. They are not binding, any more than the flier you might get in the mail from the Milkman’s Union with their voting recommendations.

So it really is irrelevant what the “position” of the USCCB is, they cannot have their own position. If they had come out with a unanimous and complete endorsement of Obama and said all Catholics should vote for him, that has no moral authority.

These national conferences have taken on too much power. If bishops want to get together to discuss ideas of how to be more effective, that’s fine. But they are using the organization to shirk their individual pastoral responsibilities, they hide behind what the USCCB says instead of each crafting a clear document for their own flock, which is a failure of their charter to teach and to govern.

It does not matter what the USCCB says, it matters only what your own bishop says, and if he is in error, you are obligated to disobey, and it’s very easy to discern if he is in error: as JP2 recommended, every home should have a the Catechism. If you’re more intellectual, read the Papal Encyclicals or go to the online Canon Law site at the Vatican.

It’s really pretty easy to understand Church teaching, especially when you simply disregard anything coming from the USCCB.

[baa39]

Sorry, I meant to copy genxer on post #25.

[fetal heart beats by 21st day]

There is a monsignor temporarily in charge who found part of Father’s statement incomplete. He is not a bishop.

[Quix]

I’m a bit . . .

split . . . re bureaucrats.

Have met some earnest kind hearted Christian souls who deserve praise and minimal hassles.

On the other hand . . .

I mostly think most bureaucrats are from hell and

RELIGIOUS BUREAUCRATS are from the most horrific ranks of hell.

I recognize that’s still an exaggeration . . . but one well earned, imho.

Thanks for your clarification.

[Quix]

Incomplete?

Harumph.

How do you think the Pope is going to come down on the new global effort to draft online a new world religion based on the Golden Rule?

A hideous deceptive “make war with peace” effort of the Anti-Christ, imho.

[littlehouse36]

It’s really pretty easy to understand Church teaching, especially when you simply disregard anything coming from the USCCB.

I learned this the hard way. Now I bypass the USCCB and go straight to the Magisterium.

[littlehouse36]

The 16 pages of single spaced, small type of the Bishop’s treatise on “Faithful Citizenship” that we were enjoined to read each week was off-putting, as well as confusing. I don’t know how they can equate global warming, illegal immigration, and abortion!

This document was nothing more than a comprehensive and overstuffed compromise on citizenship, aptly named "McCain/Connell." (okay I'm kidding about the name.)

[littlehouse36]

So does any of you that are smarter than me know the bishops position on this.

Here is the canon law:

Any Catholic who supports intrinsically evil acts (abortion, euthanasia, cloning, same-sex marriage, etc), votes for them, or otherwise financially supports or furthers their cause, cannot remain Catholic. Catholics must adhere to Catholic teaching or they separate themselves from the Church; the Body of Christ. Such Catholics are excommunicated by virtue of the acts themselves. A latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication is triggered when they support, enable, and perpetuate such obvious and egregious evil (Cf. Code of Canon Law, Canons 1364, 1398; Canon 1329, §2). They are in turn forbidden from approaching the sacraments as the result (Cf. Catechism of Catholic Church # 1463)."

[baa39]

Seems pretty clear, thanks for posting. Maybe that should go up on parish bulletin boards.

So at Mass during the Sign of Peace we could be shaking hands with someone who has excommunicated himself and is about to commit a sacrilege by going to Communion. Not that we should ever personally make that judgment just because the person has an Obama sticker on his car; it’s POSSIBLE someone could vote for Obama in ignorance of his position on abortion, or somehow be innately stupid enough to not understand what they are doing. Let’s just hope they do get a glimmer of light and take it up with the priest in confession and come to a thorough understanding of the truth, for their own sake as well as the entire Church, as we are all in this together.

[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
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]