I saw this at Mark Shea's blog and watch it all of the time now.

I love this!

NY Allows Gay Marriage.

I forgot it is legal in Massachusetts too.
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The issue will be on ballot for the 2012 elections in Minnesota as well.  Momentum to legalize gay marriage is growing, and so is frustration and anger on the other side of the issue.  As everyone knows, I'm against it - gay marriage that is - so need I say more or hurl invectives and condemn everyone to hell?  I don't think so.  The fact is, laws change.
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I wonder how individuals adjusted to the novelties brought on by the French Revolution, especially as laws began to change?  We know quite a bit about that, don't we?  But what was the actual experience like?  For instance, closer to our own time - what was it like in Nazi Germany when the laws began to change?  When old people and mentally disabled people were euthanized?  Culture changed radically for the German people - just as it did for the Russian people after 1917.  There was Christian resistance of course, but the laws changed nonetheless.  I'm not saying legalizing gay marriage makes us like the Nazis or the Communists or the Jacobins, I'm just wondering out loud what it was like to live in a society where traditional morality was no longer the standard, when Christian teaching was found objectionable and obscene.
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We may find out soon enough.
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Does that mean we should lose our peace over it?  I mean our interior peace - if indeed we have that.  That interior peace comes as a result of living in union with God's will.  Trusting God, though thousands around you fall.  Seeking God above all else - seek first the kingdom of God, and all of that.  Working and doing what we must, but with detachment and without anxiety, contempt, or hatred.  Letting the dead bury their dead.  At least that is the disposition of soul I'm finding necessary to remain faithful. 
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One friend left a comment on Fr. Corapi saying: "Let it go and let him go in peace to the new phase in his career."  That is very good advice.  In his precautions, John of the Cross tells the religious soul, "Never be scandalized or astonished at anything you happen to see or learn of, endeavoring to preserve your soul in forgetfulness of all of that.  For should you desire to pay heed to things, many will seem wrong, even though you live amongst angels, because of your not understanding the nature of them."
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You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
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Of course whenever I quote John of the Cross readers object because the counsel may not apply to them in their state in life.  Nevertheless I believe there is something in John's precautions that is helpful for a soul's balance in ordering one's priorities.  For instance, in the case of the Corapi scandal - Christ's answer to Peter's curiosity regarding the apostle John and his future come to mind, "how does that concern you?  Your business is to follow me."  Like the guy or not, Corapi is responsible for his own choices and in the end has to give his own personal account to God for his conduct.  So, let the dead bury their dead.  That's pretty much my personal attitude about the gay marriage thing as well.  When they ask for my shirt, I'll give them my coat as well.
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As St. John says, "Take Lot's wife as an example, because she was troubled at the destruction of the Sodomites and turned her head to watch what was happening, God punished her by converting her into a pillar of salt.  You are thus to understand God's will: that even though you live among devils you should not turn the head of your thoughts to their affairs, but forget these things entirely and strive to keep your soul occupied purely and entirely in God, and not let the thought of this thing or that hinder you from doing so."
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How can you believe when you seek approval from men?
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Christians are not approved by the world - indeed, Christians often do not approve of one another - all the snark online verifies that much.  But how does that concern me when my job is to follow Christ?  St. Seraphim Sarovsky assures us, "Keep yourself in peace and thousands around you will be saved."  So there you have it - that is what I understand by the words, let the dead bury their dead.  It is in reality a going out of sorts - outside the city gates, bearing the insult Christ bore.  For here we have no lasting city; we are seeking one which is to come.  Through him let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is the fruit of lips which acknowledge his name.  Our life is hidden with Christ in God and I need to fix my eyes on him, who inspires and perfects my faith.
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Right now, that is what I need to do - let the dead bury their dead.

God alone.

Forgetting all else...
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When I first returned to the Church, many years ago now, I remember attending my first Mass at the most traditional church in town.  My friends and I looked like hippies, long hair, beards, dressed in torn jeans, t-shirts and trinkets and amulets.  I was so intent upon attending Mass I made my friends sit in the second or third row from the front.  I was completely oblivious as to who else was there or how people were dressed, whether I fit in or not.  I had recently become captivated with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament - my eyes were fixed, as it were, my heart burned. That day I went to communion, again oblivious to my surroundings and the people who were there.  I was instantly convinced and understood that Jesus was truly and really present in the Eucharist.
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The next day I immediately began to go to daily Mass, and spent as much time as possible with the Blessed Sacrament in prayer.  It seems to me all of my attention was upon Jesus.  I never paid much attention to the priest, except as needed for confession, nor the people who attended Mass.  I never involved myself in Church affairs, church gossip, criticism of priests or bishops or the way Mass was said, or anything like that.  Nothing else mattered to me - I could easily recollect myself in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  I was like that for a long, long time.
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And then I wrecked everything by trying to become a monk and getting involved in the controversies that infect the Church and religious life and the laity.
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I keep trying to figure out how to return to my early love...  to let the dead bury their dead. 

When Bishops Go Wrong: Mexican Bishop and the San Elredo Community

This is what happens.

Saltillo, Mexico, Jun 23, 2011 / 05:48 pm (CNA).- The San Elredo Community, which is backed by Bishop Raul Vera of Saltillo, Mexico, plans to request that civil unions between same-sex couples from now on be referred to as “marriage.”
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Bishop Raul Vera Lopez of the Diocese of Saltillo has repeatedly expressed support for same-sex unions.

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In March of this year, Bishop Vera Lopez published a statement on the diocesan website expressing support for the “sexual, family and religious diversity forum.” The event was aimed at “eradicating what some sectors of the Church believe about homosexuality” — especially the belief “that homosexual acts are contrary to God.” - CNA
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So some bishops aren't faithful to Catholic teaching?
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It is one thing to welcome persons with same sex attraction, and to invite them to full communion with the Church in accord with Catholic Church teaching on sexuality, sin and conversion from sin, but it is quite another to deceive them and affirm such persons in the mistaken notion that homosexual acts are not sinful but good.
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Photo: Bishop Raul Vera Lopez

I'm appalled and disgusted by the holy Roman Catholic bloggutsphere!

Shame, shame, shame !!!
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I cannot believe the infighting, the bishop bashing, and the nasty, corrosive allegations hurled against innocent-until-proven-guilty, priests-run-over-by-buses by the Catholic professional bloggers as well as those rank amateur Catholic blogs which comprise the base of Catholic online news portals.  Trads and Neo-Caths and other bloglodites alike are acting like rabid junkyard dogs.  (I know!)  Why, it is disgusting and debased - their conduct beneath contempt.  Even the highly critical, outspoken Michael Voris is scandalized and disgusted and indignant over the venomous diatribes polluting the one, true holy Roman Catholic Internet.  Like Mr. Voris, I refuse to have anything whatsoever to do with this hateful smear campaign.   
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Hey, remember what Mother Angelica said about her network and the bishops?
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When other bishops tried to gain control of EWTN and stifle her loudly orthodox voice, she famously said, "I'll blow the damn thing up before you get your hands on it." 
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The nerve.  That's right - put those bishops in their place, but don't ever say nothin' bad about... well, you get the point.  Shame!

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn. 

Midsummer's Eve

It is still St. John's Eve, though just past midnight. The night illumined by fires before the Feast of the Baptist. It was a tradition in the early days of Christendom to have a bonfire in honor of the saint who was a "burning and shining light." (John 5:35)  In some places, they still do...

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...  Ah! Reminds me of a play I once saw... the dialog echoes in me mind...
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"But after all, it has only been midsummer madness. Lady Iris, wouid you be good enough to ring for my wrap?"
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" Certainiy, princess!"

" And get rid of those damn cowbells!"

"May I help you, princess?"

" Thank you, Lady Iris... Goodbye, goodbye. I shall always feel a strong attachment to you all. (Let go!)"

"I can't. I'm stuck."

" Let go!"

"It's my bracelet. It's caught on you...

"Bring down the curtain!"


Yes dear readers, I shall always feel a strong attachment to you all... after all, it has only been midsummer madness!




Art: Midsummer Night's Dream by P. D. White.

Fr. Corapi clarifies that he is not leaving the Church.

Vocation was to preach.
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Fr. Corapi's latest statement is interesting, wherein he explains that he is not leaving the Church nor the priesthood - he is simply not going to be ministering publicly as a priest, and only in that sense he will be working outside the Church.  I'll let him tell it.
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June 23, 2011
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I think it’s a bit too easy to arrive at an erroneous conclusion when you base it on a fallacious presupposition. For instance, some very kind and fine people assume that I have “left the Church.” Please, understand this, I have not left the Church. I love the Catholic Church and would not “leave the Church.” I have resigned from public ministry, which is rather anticlimactic to be sure since I was out of it anyhow due to the suspension or “administrative leave,” which is tantamount to suspension. There are elements of this that you don’t know about, and that’s not your fault.
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Once a man is ordained a priest he remains a priest for all eternity. Holy Orders is one of the three sacraments that imprints an indelible mark on the soul. What the Church can give or remove is “faculties”, which authorizes the person to publicly administer the sacraments.
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The leadership of the Church has made it clear to me they don’t want me anymore. They have a right to do that and I have to accept that. So, I’ll do what I can outside of the Church. I’m not leaving the Church. I am simply doing something else in life so that I won’t wither up and die, and so that you can still derive some benefit from my gifts from God. It may not be as good as before, or it may be better. The only thing I know for sure is that I’m not going to disobey the Church and attempt to “minister” as a priest, and I’m not going to lay down and die. I’m not ready to do that just yet. As a matter of fact, you might be pleasantly surprised at what’s in our future. Stay in touch. We may not have the old meeting places anymore, but we have some new ones and I would like to meet you there. - Blacksheepdog
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Doing as the bishops say, but not exactly how they expected you to do it.
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I'm very much reminded of Mother Nadine Brown who has also determined to continue her ministry while remaining Catholic.
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When Brown made her move, she too had consulted lawyers, canonical as well as civil. It seems to me, agree with her or not, she acted within her rights as a baptized Catholic lay person.  Mother Nadine and companions were never excommunicated or placed under interdict, although their Public Association was canonically suppressed and they were dispensed from their religious vows.  (I've been told these were private vows and they were not technically religious.)  As a lay person, Nadine Brown appears to be acting within her rights and is not using the name "Catholic" except to identify the Companions as a group of Catholic laity.  Brown's statement doesn't mean she is not a faithful Catholic either - she did exactly what the Archbishop asked her to do.

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Sadly, neither of these situations inspire confidence in the bishops of the Catholic Church for the followers of these ministries.
 

Fixing a hole.

I don't control the ads.

Priests and political office.

What a Spanish Bishop has to say about it.
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Rome, Italy, Jun 22, 2011 / 03:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Spanish bishop is reminding Catholic clergy that being actively engaged in politics is incompatible with priestly life.
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The comments by Bishop Ingacio Munilla of San Sebastian follow the election of a priest to the city council in Gudina, Spain.
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“The priesthood, as an aspect of parenthood, is the universal father of all,” Bishop Munilla told CNA while on a visit to Rome.
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Fr. Antonio Fernandez Blanco was elected as a Spanish Socialist Party member in the Galician town of Gudina last month. After a suspension from priestly duties and a warning from his local bishop, Fr. Blanco offered his resignation as a local councilor.
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“It’s specific to the laity to bring Christ into public life - political life as well. So it’s the domain of lay people to get involved in politics, but not for a priest, because he has to be a father to people with all political opinions and (this) may reduce the ability to be paternal.”
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The internal law of the Catholic Church – which is called canon law – expressly forbids clerics from running for political office. - CNA
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Fortunately the priest came to his senses, resigned his position and returned to ministry.  See - it can happen.

Fr. Corapi is listening...

And so is God.
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I'm very impressed by the support Fr. Corapi's followers are offering him - adding their good advice as well as their thanks for the role he played in their conversion.  I'm reading the many comments at his website, not what the blogs are saying in his defense, rather the simple pleadings of the countless ordinary people he has influenced and inspired to dedicate themselves to Christ and His Church.  I think such support and the prayers of the faithful can help Fr. Corapi reconsider his decision and not abandon his priesthood.  I have confidence love can conquer every obstacle.
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O Mary, Queen of the Clergy, ora pro nobis!

Healing video for the very, very angry.

The English Martyrs: St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More

Some of my favorite saints are the English martyrs, since they suffered and died for issues not unlike those of our own day; fidelity to the Pope, the Eucharist, the defense of marriage, and so on.  In those days the priests faithful to the Church were forced underground to minister to the faithful; risking their lives to say Mass and administer the sacraments - their singular purpose being the sacred exercise of their priesthood for the salvation of souls.
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Today we commemorate the feast of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, a layman.
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Art:  St. John Fisher.  More images here.

Something about conversion stories... and the danger of relapse.

When you find unchanging peace on your way, then fear; because you are far from the right path by which the righteous go with suffering feet. - St. Isaac the Syrian

Conversion stories are edifying and oftentimes amazing.  Sensational sinners repent and come into the Church and the world stands in awe before the grace and mercy of God.  Frequently they demonstrate the efficacy of prayer and sacrifice, the sacraments, to effect such conversions.  Christ tells us in the Gospel heaven itself erupts in joy over just one sinner who repents.
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We must not be too ready to trust young men who have great devotion; we must wait till their wings are grown, and then see what sort of a flight they make. - St. Philip Neri

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In our times, the idea of conversion sometimes carries with it an expectation of honors - like the Prodigal Son's homecoming - celebrated with parties and gifts and even celebrity.  I sometimes get the impression that some Catholics have adopted the Protestant attitude of born-again Christians as regards the grace of conversion.  Many think you do it once and you are saved for life - and there is some sort of immediate reward, as least something as pleasant as a good 'approval rating'.  Especially when they write a blog or a book about it.  That can be a lot to live up to.
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A virtuous life consists in mortifying vices, sins, bad thoughts, and evil affections, and in exercising ourselves in the acquisition of holy virtues. - St. Philip Neri

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The reality is that conversion is an ongoing process wherein one never is immune from backsliding or relapse - especially when one's sin was habitual and sensual - Philip Neri said sins of sensuality and avarice are particularly hard to cure.  The Gospel tells us, 'how narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life', and that is just the road, the way that leads to life.  Thus one never arrives at some point in one's journey where one can say, "I'm healed and okay now.  I've arrived.  I will not fall back."  For many of us the struggle never ends.  Through the action of grace we may go 'from strength to strength' but we are always dependent upon God's grace and mercy, and we must deny ourselves each day and take up our cross to follow Christ, who was hassled and harried, scoffed at and despised and all of that stuff we think we know about him.
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We must never trust ourselves, for it is the devil’s way first to get us to feel secure, and then to make us fall. - St. Philip Neri

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Moral conversions which involve recovery from substance abuse or sexual addiction are not only hard fought, they can be very difficult to verify.  For example, the penitent St. Margaret Cortona was refused entrance into the Third Order of St. Francis for three years while the friars tested her virtue - and then suspicion of her virtue never ceased to plague her.  Another example, in our day, rarely if ever are moral cures recognized or accepted in the process for the canonization of saints.  This is no more evident than in the cause for Matt Talbot.  Numerous claims of moral cures and conversions (from addiction) are attributed to Talbot, yet none have been accepted as miraculous.  Perhaps a few could be accepted now if it could be established that a person persevered without relapse until death, but I don't know if any such case has been postulated so far.
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All sins are highly displeasing to God, but above all sensuality and avarice, which are very difficult to cure. - St. Philip Neri

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My point is that the devil delights in pulling us back into sin - the more dramatic the conversion, the bigger the convert, the greater the effort to snare him back - to make him 'return to his vomit' so that his 'last sin may be worse than the first'.  I sometimes think that is why the Lord permits some of us to keep falling into our former sins, so that we may become more and more humble, and by repenting, glorify his mercy that never gives up on us, 'for he knows we are but dust', weak and inconstant - our only constancy being our need for his mercy, for our conversion and our salvation is so unstable.  We need patience to do God's will.  Patience involves suffering.  And perseverance.
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He who cannot put up with the loss of his honour, can never make any advance in spiritual things. - St. Philip Neri

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Art: St. Dismas' deathbed conversion.  I have no information on the artist or the painting.

Weiner Dog and the Gay Pride Parade

In 2008 Anthony Weiner along with other NY politicians and celebrities marched in NYC's 2008 Gay Pride Parade.  No surprise there, right? 

However, watching the video of the parade, how can anyone think gay is normal?  And yet St. Cecilia's in Boston intends to host a Mass in celebration of Gay Pride.
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H/T PML  

S. Luigi Gonzaga

"How can a young man remain sinless?"  Asks the psalmist.  St. Aloysius is the answer.
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Art:  The Vocation of Luigi Gonzaga, Guercino.  Narrative here.

Mark Shea on Corapi.

The best analysis and advice yet.
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I would caution any Catholic in his five wits to steer far far away from this guy. Some will (rightly) speak of their gratitude to him for helping them understand their faith better in the past. That is meet and just. But it is one thing to be grateful to him and another to form a faction or schism around him. You must not be of Peter, Paul or Apollos, but of Christ. Dog is not Holy Church. He is not a prophet. He is, rather, Tertullian: a guy with the gift of the gab who is on a trajectory toward complete rebellion against the Church he claims to love and defend. God grant that he repent and come to his senses and that his "fans" not follow him into rebellion. - An Analysis

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Bonus:  Memorable quotes from Corapi.
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201. I am a religious priest.


203. My habit reminds me, I am not home, but I am on my way.


212. Freedom is not being able to do anything you want to do.


226. When we abuse freedom, we step outside the boundary set by GOD, and we suffer the consequences.

273. It DOES matter how we live.


277. Many of us would prefer to take the easy way out.


292. I can't be more Catholic than the Church.


111. Do you run when things become difficult?


141. When a priest tries to lead a worldly life, he dies spiritually.


144. A good shepherd doesn't run off when the predator comes.


183. Unless we humble ourselves, there will be a terrible price to pay.


199. When a priest becomes enamored with this world, he is on a slippery slide downhill and his faith is lost.

219. Except for the grace of GOD, there go I.

[Corapi quotes source: here and here.]
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Corapi responds. 
SOLT responds  +CASE CLOSED+
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Photo: Source

More Corapi Crap.

Why it is important to know what happened.
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First off, why is it important for Catholics to know the details of what went wrong with Corapi?  Because there is a hierarchy within Catholicism and because priests are the ones with the power to forgive sins, to baptize, to marry, to confirm, to direct and counsel and teach - in union with their bishops.  Because if they deceive or seduce us or just one member of the faithful, they weaken the faith of the weakest and repel many of those just beginning to look to the Church for salvation.  Because to know how the wolf got into the sheepfold is to know how to be more vigilant in the future.  And because it looks as if Corapi and his lawyers are not telling the whole story - and setting up obstructions to those who want to do so. 
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Agree with me or not, the stuff coming out now is confirming quite a lot of what critics have speculated since the news broke last Spring.  National Catholic Register has published some key details about the case which reflect negatively upon Corapi's claims. 
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A few important details:
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Father Gerard Sheehan, regional priest-servant of SOLT and Father Corapi’s religious superior in the U.S., confirmed June 19 that the order’s investigation faced complications created by a civil suit filed by Father Corapi against the former employee who had accused him of sexual misconduct.
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“When she left the company, she signed a contract that she would not reveal anything that happened to her while she was at Santa Cruz Media. Father Corapi paid her for this. Father was suing her for a breach of contract,” said Father Sheehan, though he did not specify why Father Corapi had initiated the non-disclosure agreement.
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Obstruction of justice?
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The civil suit against the former employee created a problem for SOLT investigators.
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“In canon law, there can’t be any pressure on witnesses; they have to be completely free to speak. The investigation was compromised because of the pressure on the witnesses. There were other witnesses that also had signed non-disclosure agreements,” said Father Sheehan.
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The investigation was halted after Father Corapi “sent us a letter resigning from active ministry and religious life. I have written him a letter asking him to confirm that decision. If so, we will help him with this process of leaving religious life,” said Father Sheehan.
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He expressed disappointment that Father Corapi chose not to remain in SOLT and to refuse the order’s invitation for him to live in community, leaving his Montana home. Father Sheehan said he had tried to arrange a meeting with Father Corapi before any final decision was announced, but had not heard back from him. Father Sheehan said that SOLT would issue a statement shortly.
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“We wanted him to come back to the community, and that would have meant leaving everything he has. It would have been a drastic change for him,” Father Sheehan said. “We will continue to move pastorally and charitably, taking steps to protect his good name.” - NCRegister, Joan Frawley Desmond
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Links:

So far the best coverage and analysis I have found is here:
The Deacon's Bench
The Anchoress
Te Deum Laudemus
Caelum et Terra

Our friends, the angels.

None are closer.

One last feel-good film-post for Father's Day

Happy Father's Day dads!

Mass Chat: Shaken

When one thinks of all the priests and religious who have fallen...
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The almost famous ones, as well as the nearly hidden ones.  One could compose a list of them I suppose; the EWTN priests, Black SheepDog.com, Mother Nadine Inc, a couple of Cistercian LTD monasteries, local priests - straight and gay, and so on.  What do the saints say?  "I'm more surprised by what sinners don't do than by what they do."  I suppose that means we probably shouldn't allow ourselves to be shaken when we hear of scandals - yet that is what being shaken and sifted does.  It not only knocks idols off their pedestals - it shakes us out of our complacency and self-righteousness.
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On the other hand, the famous, in your face church people:  The dissenters, heretics, whatever you want to call them - no scandal can touch them.  Perhaps because they have nothing to hide - they've no facades to maintain and polish.  The McBriens and Chittisters and Farrows stopped the cover up:  No cloisters, no habits, no rules, no hiding behind religious decorum.  They are way out of the closet with their embrace of all things liberal and all things equal and relevant.  They aren't on any pedestals - they walk amongst us.
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They all scare me.
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And so I keep thinking...
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 'Work out your salvation in fear and trembling.' 
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And, 'the just man is scarcely saved.' 
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And, 'truth has dwindled from the sons of men, falsehood they speak one to another, with lying lips, with a false heart.'
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And, 'Put no trust in princes, in mortal men in whom there is no help.' 
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And, 'The Lord is my help and my salvation, whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life, before whom shall I shrink?  Though father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.'
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"Likewise, you younger members, be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: "God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble."   So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.  Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.  Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour.   Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.  The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.  To him be dominion forever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5
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Things to watch out for: pride, arrogance, vanity, vainglory, asking for donations, secrecy, living alone, no accountability, and self-promotion.
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Photo:  Corapi Dog - before he dyed his fur black.

The Most Holy Trinity

Black Sheepdog Barking....

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That's all.