Looks as if I may be wrong about the 'victim soul' mentality Michael Voris spoke to in yesterday's post.

Evidently the term victim soul works for some Catholic men and women with SSA, and it is bolstered by the in depth analysis of Dr. Jeffrey Mirus who writes at Catholic exchange, and maybe influenced the Michael Voris take on things.  Dr. Mirus seems to support the Eve Tushnet conviction that "same-sex-attracted Catholics face challenges that single laypeople or clerics do not face in living chastely."

 Dr. Murius supports that theory here:

But a person with homosexual inclinations faces an even greater challenge. He or she must not merely integrate, control and channel sexual inclinations, but must largely deny them altogether, not only in their physical expression, but also in a far broader range of affectivity which is conditioned even in small ways by sexual interplay: Heightened interest, a sense of romance, a special tenderness. It is true that a celibate priest must be very careful of what we might call sexually-tinged affectivity, on the altogether sound theory that one thing leads to another. But the person with persistent homosexual inclinations must suppress or redirect such inclinations to an even greater extent. This is an enormous challenge. 

Now consider such a person in a culture which is pressing full tilt for the embrace, approval and even glorification of this same affectivity which he is called by Christ to suppress or redirect. And finally, consider him (or her) in a subculture of chastity in which he must constantly hear arguments against the positions of gays (i.e., those who advocate a specifically homosexual lifestyle), arguments which are sometimes clumsily expressed in ways which denigrate “homosexuals” generally and which, even if they are not clumsy, keep his conflicted sexual inclinations ever before his mind. In this subculture of chastity—hopefully a Christian subculture—others may find relief from their long, wearying preoccupation with their sexual defenses, but not he. - Homosexuality: A Special Call to the Love of God and Man        

To read the rest is to pretty much read what Voris said in his video on the subject of gay people being specially chosen and even victim souls.    Mirus writes:

The Catholic tradition is rich in understanding of victim souls, those who seem to have been put on this earth primarily to suffer physically, perhaps being ill or even paralyzed their whole life long, yet embracing a mission of love for souls, and growing into an intense and fruitful union with God. All of us, of course, are victim souls in smaller ways in that we each have our own crosses, which are so many opportunities for spiritual growth and cooperation with Christ: “In my flesh,” says St. Paul, “I make up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His body, the Church” (Col 1:24). So must we all, if we are Christians, and we should rejoice in the opportunity. Nonetheless, it is clear that some souls are singled out for a particularly obvious mission of redemptive suffering.  

Homosexual persons, by the very nature of their particular cross, must raise chastity to a special height, dealing not only with physical temptation but with the broad range of their own human affectivity. It follows that those who must suffer this disorder throughout their lives have been chosen by God to give a particular and exalted witness to the virtue of chastity. This is vocation as beautiful as it is arduous, and it is doubtful that its importance to our sex-saturated age can be overestimated. - ibid  

If you read the entire article I cite and link to above - you will see very clearly where Voris is coming from in his video presentation on the subject.  There is essentially nothing wrong with the article - it is well stated and very compassionate.  I simply object to the implication that homosexual persons are to be treated as a special category within the Church.  That there is a special order as it were, just for gay people.  maybe my exchange of emails with the friend who alerted me to the Dr. Mirus will be self explanatory enough:

I take exception with something you’ve said.

You state persons with SSA are no different than heterosexual persons striving to live chaste lives. That’s not entirely true.

Persons with OSA don’t have to check their affective and sexual inclinations at the door, so to speak. While they may be disordered to an extent, they are essentially still ordered to an “acceptable ‘other’.” That is NOT the case for the person with SSA. The person with SSA must not only be physically chaste, but also work on re-ordering their affective and mental life, as well … something that persons with OSA can “play” with and delight in to an extent (read: legitimate flirting).

Dr. Mirus does a much better job describing this than I do. Please take the time to read his article here:

http://catholicexchange.com/homosexuality-a-special-call-to-the-love-of-god-and-man/

Fair enough.  So I replied:

Perhaps I'm being a bit myopic in looking at the question of speciality in the suffering of homosexuals - I tend to side with Harvey on his caution not to exaggerate the sufferings of the condition, or create a specious spirituality for it. I still think that it is extremely unfair to divorced Catholics, and others, who for one reason or another cannot have a relationship, then to exalt the sufferings of gay people as something more extreme.  Gay people are not only expected - as everyone else - to live chastely, but to dedicate their lives - their celibacy - to the service of others, either by works and/or prayer and penance. If gay Catholics  want to claim for themselves the title of victim soul - more power to them; although truth be told, many seem to have spent most of their lives complaining society has already victimized them through bullying and discrimination for being different, and the denial of marriage benefits.  It seems to me that for many it is the being different they want to cling to, chaste or not.

I sometimes forget myself and marvel at the selfish sensuality and narcissism which persists in us even after we conclude our way of life is in opposition to the Gospel and decide to take up our cross and follow in his footsteps. I'm always astonished by the gay persons seemingly insatiable need for approval 

Anyway, I appreciate your forwarding the article, I reviewed it quickly and will return to it and probably post my comments later, perhaps even softening my stance on the subject, but I can see right now, gay Catholic is the new term and has become a niche category in Catholic spirituality.
 

Pray for the suffering souls in gay Catholicism.  I wonder if there are indulgences attached for that?  Oh!  Oh!  And if gay is so normal, why does it need special consideration in the first place.  I'm being sarcastic - don't answer that.

Gay Catholics

It seems to be the preferred term now.

Queer theory, queer theology, queer spirituality is taking root, just as I said it would some years ago.  Developing a gay spirituality is in process by gay Catholics.  I'm not speaking of the active-gay-Catholics who dissent from Catholic moral teaching regarding marriage and homosexual acts, I'm speaking of 'faithful' Catholics who choose to retain gay as part of their identity, yet embrace chastity and pretty much the teaching of the Church - depending on what the definition of 'is' is.  And what I mean by that is, some authors are intently studying and debating such things as, what objectively disordered really means.  Nothing wrong with that - but their conclusions are often more ambiguous than the original text they seek to interpret.  Perhaps I will write more about this when I have time - but I'm not sure it is even worth my time to do so.  The new thinking on the subject is becoming quite popular and seems to be following its own trajectory, and my POV, as well as that of Courage apostolate seems to be as unpopular as ever.  (BTW - I do not say Courage is the only way for a person with ssa to live a faithful Catholic life, but so far it seems to be the best support system the Church has to offer.  Nevertheless, one is not obliged to join the group or any group.)

That said, in the case of Courage, I believe many younger 'gay Catholics' reject aspects of the apostolate, in part, because the apostolate rejects the use of the essentially political term, 'gay'.   Fr. John Harvey considered the term indicative of not only the homosexual orientation of the person, but also indicative the person accepts or approves of homoerotic behavior, as well as the homosexual lifestyle.  The Church considers the modern age terms 'heterosexual' and 'homosexual' more or less as novel forms of identity, when in fact the person's fundamental identity is as God's creation, and by baptism, the child of God and coheir with Christ - and thus, a new creation in the image of the Redeemer.  This is one reason why the term same sex attracted, or ssa is used in place of gay.  Some authors argue that the term precludes any possibility of opposite sex attraction, yet that is simply an exaggeration, an absurd notion easily corrected.  (I also understand that it is common parlance in use these days, but I myself continue to consider the person using the term 'gay Catholic' to be either an active homosexual or one who endorses the lifestyle.)

The other reason Courage is rejected is because of the perception the apostolate is aligned with NARTH and therefore promotes reparative therapy to 'get over being gay' - making gay people straight.  Many gay people find the very idea repellent.  It is an obstacle for some people, although the Church does not expect people to seek a cure, but rather to sanctify themselves, and they do this by embracing chastity according to their state in life - this means no homoerotic behavior, no masturbating, no porn, and so on.  Neither does Courage require a person to change his/her orientation, but rather to embrace a life of continence.  If a person with unwanted same sex attraction seeks therapy and has the conviction and will to work through reparative therapy, Courage provides a link to such resources.  Therapy is expensive, and not always reliable, and not all would or could be able to afford it.  Unfortunately today, in some cases spiritual directors are now charging 'clients' for their services, which can also be a deterrent.  Thankfully, Courage is a free support system, a ministry of the Church.

The gay marriage debate in this country is bringing many novel queer theories to the forefront - and it is amazing how popular some of these are becoming.

The human person, made in the image and likeness of God, can hardly be adequately described by a reductionist reference to his or her sexual orientation. Every one living on the face of the earth has personal problems and difficulties, but challenges to growth, strengths, talents and gifts as well. Today, the Church provides a badly needed context for the care of the human person when she refuses to consider the person as a "heterosexual" or a "homosexual" and insists that every person has a fundamental Identity: the creature of God, and by grace, his child and heir to eternal life. - CDF

"Every one living on the face of the earth has personal problems and difficulties, but challenges to growth, strengths, talents and gifts as well."

[This] sentence in section 16 [of the Letter to the Bishops] cautions the homosexual person not to exaggerate the suffering that his condition brings to him: Every one living on the face of the earth has personal problems and difficulties, but challenges to growth, strengths, talents and gifts as well.  I see this as a reference to the tendency found in many homosexual persons to indulge in self-pity, to feel that 'no one else has to suffer the way I suffer.'" - The Homosexual Person, Vatican Document, John Harvey

Not a few are buying into that self-pity, claiming the homosexual person is special and unique, and their sufferings are unlike others' sufferings.  By doing so, you are queering the Church.

Feast of Mary, Help of Christians

And so was I established in Zion, and in the holy city likewise I rested; and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God, His inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of Saints. But Thou, Lord, have mercy on us.

R. Thanks be to God.
R. Blessed are you , O Virgin Mary, who bore the Lord, the Creator of the world: You were the mother of Him Who made you , and you remained a pure virgin forever.
V. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you . You were the mother of Him Who made you , and you remain a pure virgin forever.

One-a-Day: Greatest hits.

Can't say nothin' more ...

It is right and just...

H/T Mark Shea

Editor's note - disclaimer:  This Michael Voris video is nicely done.  Like all of his reports, it is his point of view or opinion in the light of Church teaching.  It is certainly compassionate, and therefore a welcome change in attitude towards persons with homosexual inclination.

I disagree that the sufferings of the ssa person are all that different from the single, heterosexual person for whom chastity may be a difficulty.  There are many heterosexual persons unable to marry because of moral or physical impediments, the homosexual impediment is not any worse than other impediments in todays culture.

Michael inadvertently suggests a 'special' spirituality for the homosexual condition, offering a component of victim soul spirituality for the chaste person who deals with same sex attraction.  Naturally, there is nothing wrong with offering one's spiritual trials to God as a sacrifice or penance for the conversion of sinners.  In fact, to abstain from sin is a sacrifice God expects from all who approach him.  Nevertheless, it is no more unusual or unique a requirement than what is expected of all Christians.  Subsequent temptations and trials, especially those associated with loneliness and feeling different or alienated, are not unique to the homosexual person. 

There is a danger, due to the general acceptance of homosexuality as a natural variant in human sexuality (which it is in so far as fallen human nature or concupiscence is concerned) to promote a unique, specialized spirituality just for gay people.  That in itself strikes me as contrary not only to tradition and Catholic moral teaching, but it is also contrary to scripture.

"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3: 27-28

How we say things today is very important.

And he just keeps saying stuff...

What?

It bears repeating.

Some change - yet the the wound remains..
More importantly, Fr. Livingston shines light on the fact that some people just might not be able to 'pray the gay away' - that they find themselves burdened with a very real cross, a wound in the flesh, as it were. Father explains:

But what about the nerve root question that Bates addresses? What do you do when the "gay" just will not go away and your religious standards and traditions just seem to accuse, to point out what you can never do or be? Are the choices limited to either living in shame or just pitching the moral code out the window?
.
Many of us can relate in our own way. You were unfaithful and your spouse will not allow you to forget; you have a prison record that shows up every time you try to get a job; you have a weakness for alcohol or spending or food and your life is unmanageable.
.
Add your own weakness to the list. Regardless of how it got there, you want to move beyond it, but you can't. Who among us is righteous and qualified to cast the first stone?
St. Paul confided in a letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor 12:7-10) that he had a "thorn in his flesh" that wouldn't go away. What God said to him was not "you're going to hell" or "you are disordered."
.
He said, "My grace is sufficient for you." In the midst of his weakness, Paul found both steady direction and contentment in his friendship with Christ.
.
My point is this: Whoever you are and whatever insurmountable problem you have, don't jettison your moral compass. Find friends who will support you in truth and virtue. 

Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, "Does anyone here condemn you? Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more" (John 8:10-11). Minnesota citizens, you can support traditional marriage and be a friend to persons with same-sex attractions. It's not an "either/or" issue. - StarTribune

Fr. James Livingston is a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul Minneapolis.  I reprinted this from an earlier post titled: Faith In Action. 

One-a-Day: Greatest hits.

This is the best version of one of the greatest songs ever made.

In memoriam...

This is so real...

Kat wrote a post.

Art: Blessed Angela of Foligno, penitent.  The Blessed Angela was married and had a family and by her own admission lived a rather vain and frivolous life. At one point she committed a sin so shameful to her that she avoided confessing it. We do not know what the sin was, but I have speculated it could have been the sin of abortion - just conjecture however.  (But I'm often right.)

Rita of Cascia

St. Rita is a very popular saint, considered a saint of the impossible or lost causes, she attracts many devotees, and apparently never disappoints any who confide in her.  Interestingly, most of her life was filled with bitter trials. 

That caught my attention today - a life of bitter trials.  Her husband, who was ill-tempered and ill-behaved, was eventually murdered.  Her sons were like the father.  After her husband's murder she sought entrance to the Augustinians but was rejected.  Later she was admitted through miraculous circumstances - but the holy widow never really found acceptance amongst the other nuns.  She suffered the stigmata of a thorn in her forehead, yet she was still rejected by the community because of the stench the wound exuded.  Such a holy woman 'suffered bitter trials throughout her entire life.'  (Magnificat)  Her obvious holiness never made her popular, she was neither celebrated in the monastery nor outside the enclosure.

"What did you go out to the desert to see?" - Luke 7:24

"When you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials." - Sirach 2:1

A New Feature: One-A-Day Posts of My Greatest Hits - or, Should I Say, My Favorite Songs.

Will Smith slaps reporter... does that mean he's homophobic?

"It's just a kiss, it wouldn't kill you!" - Basil Fawlty to Manuel when he refused to work with, and let Kurt the Greek Chef kiss him.

Funny as a same-sex kiss can be in a sitcom or a film, and maybe even now in the Will Smith situation - I think the reporter trying to kiss Smith demonstrates just how weird the gay thing really is.  I know some people will say I'm making a big deal out of nothing - but I think they would only be disagreeing with my statement pretty much for the same reasons Basil Fawlty tried to convince Manuel nothing is wrong with allowing Kurt to kiss him - out of self-interest.  They can't imagine why a heterosexual would think it strange to have a man kiss him.

Obviously, Will Smith is not a homophobe - he just recently came out in support of gay marriage.  The reporter who kissed him has a reputation for kissing all the celebrities he covers, thus it can be argued it wasn't even a gay demonstration on his part.  Or was it?  Knowing the Russian condemnation of all things gay, I wonder if the journalist had other, more political motives?  Either way - Will Smith acted appropriately - err, normally.

It's just a kiss...

I hate kissing strangers - gratefully the social kiss has long turned to air-kissing - I hate that too.  It's so phony.  But I digress.  My point is that men do not want to be kissed by other men.  Most men are repulsed by such things.  Will Smith's candid, spontaneous reaction demonstrates that.  So, know your place boyz and respect the boundaries of social convention.  If that's homophobic, then I'm homophobic too.  In fact, I don't think homophobia is a disease at all - rather, I think it can be something of a healthy safeguard. 

I had some friends who wanted to kiss me - and all of their guests - whenever anyone visited them; it happened when I arrived and when I left.  First it was a tres continental embrace with a peck on each  cheek, then it evolved to trying to kiss me on the lips.  I was able to dodge it by continuing to talk or just by bowing my head.  I hated it.  It wasn't quite so weird for me to encounter, probably because my dad kissed everyone on the lips too.  I know!  Oh well, he was a drunk.

People need to learn manners and respect the personal space of others, and definitely, practice discretion.

Anyway - Kudos to Will Smith for acting like a man.

Does God ignore some prayers for healing?

Never.  Instead, I have come to believe He may not answer our prayers in the time frame, nor the manner we expect however.  I think sometimes He leaves us 'unhealed' as it were, though able to cope, lest after being healed, we fall into a greater sin.  Moreover, I think He may grant us a great freedom of spirit, though we retain that thorn in our flesh, which helps us to remain humble and dependent upon His mercy.  In the Gospel, Christ healed persons who had been afflicted with ailments they suffered from for many years, which says to me we must never lose hope.  I was encouraged after reading the following from the gentle Pope Benedict XVI:

THERE IS NO HUMAN CRY THAT GOD DOES NOT HEAR

"Many times", the Pope said, "we ask God to deliver us from physical and spiritual evil ... however, we often have the impression that He doesn't hear us and we run the risk of becoming discouraged and of not persevering. In reality, there is no human cry that God does not hear. ... God the Father's answer to His son was not the immediate freedom from suffering, from the cross, or from death: through the cross and His death, God answered with the Resurrection".

Finally, "a believer's prayer, if open to the human dimension and to creation as a whole ...does not remain locked in on itself. It opens itself to share in the suffering of our time. It is thus converted into ... the channel of hope for all of creation and an expression of God's love that is poured into our hearts by means of the Spirit". - Vatican Information Service

  Art:  Madonna di S. Luca, Bologna, Italy.  Prayers for the victims of the earthquake.

This is very good...

What Radical Gays Really Want. - Bonchamps

Since “gay marriage” is all the rage, especially since Biden and Obama decided to make public statements on the matter, it is virtually all I have been hearing about in my own online networks. Debates are raging, friendships are being tested, hostility is everywhere. One thing emerges out of this chaos more clearly than anything else: the gay agenda, which I define as a radical political program with the aim of legitimizing homosexuality in all spheres of human existence, is based on the hysterical repetition of outrageous lies. It is not unlike the completely fraudulent “war on women”, a war that was supposedly declared when a number of Americans publicly resisted the idea that they ought to pay for other women’s birth control.

In the case of “gay marriage”, the big lie is that there is some desire on the part of conservatives and Christians in this country to actually deny some right, some liberty, some freedom to people who identify themselves and live as homosexuals. As abhorrent, disordered and immoral as I find the “gay lifestyle” to be, the truth is that – and here I speak for virtually every conservative Christian I know or have read – we really are not the least bit interested in micro-managing the sex-lives of our fellow citizens. We have absolutely no desire to have uniformed gendarmes kick in your bedroom doors to make sure no acts of sodomy are taking place in the middle of the night. The only thing more repugnant to me than such acts would be the prospect of becoming comfortable with the sort of routine invasions of personal privacy that would be required to ensure that no one was living out their life as a homosexual.

To reiterate, this time specifically to the radical homosexual: on all the issues that concern the consenting adults only, we don’t care. Of course we care in the abstract that you are leading lives of grave sin in open defiance of God, but then so do millions of “heterosexuals” who fornicate, commit adultery, use artificial contraception, sterilize themselves, and so on. Not every sin can or should be a matter for the state to concern itself with, and we are content to let God judge in these matters; but no sin, and this brings us closer to the main point here, can ever be called a virtue, no evil can ever be called a good, by any Christian with a conscience, or by any citizen who cares about the integrity of society. - Bonchamps

It is a long, beautifully written, articulate post - and I completely agree.  I believe it is just the right attitude.  Mark Shea links to the piece as well, and also agrees.  I say that because I came across Shea's post first.  Shea highlights a certain point I think is especially important for every one to note,  Bonchamps makes that point here:

You can live as you want, engage in whatever sort of contracts you like, conduct any sort of ceremonies you please. But there is one thing you cannot have, and it is the one thing you seek through this radical political agenda, these hysterical protests and complaints about Christians: our approval. - Bonchamps

That's it!  Approval.  Not just tolerance.  Not simply acceptance.  But full-blown approval.  The agenda is all about approval - and it is exactly that which the Christian can never give.  There may come a time when the approval is forcibly demanded - thus it is important for the Christian to understand, such approval is not theirs to give.

From Mark Shea:

Yep. That’s exactly what this is about: Narcissism (and homosexuality and narcissism are like peas and carrots) rankles under the awareness of the immovable disapproval of those who know that homosex is disordered and who know what marriage actually is. The hope of the radical homosexual is that somehow that approval can be forced. When it becomes clear that it can’t be, and the might of the state is made available to enact vengeance on the intransigent, it will be, unless God somehow intervenes.

And even if persecution and punishment for failure to approve are meted out, the approval will not be given, because homosex is a sin and gay “marriage” is an ontological impossibility and a good number of people will never back down on those facts.

It’s ironic really. The draconian demand for approval that cannot settle for mere tolerance shows that, at some level, that the gay “marriage” movement which holds Christians in such deep contempt hungers–with the hunger of a child eager to hear a word of praise from her Father–to hear praise from exactly the people that movement claims to despise. And above all, it seems to me that this, in turn, demonstrates that such folk hunger to hear a word of love and welcome from God (as do we all).

We Christians, it seems to me, need to find a way to communicate that the homosexual is loved and welcomed by God–just not the sin of homosex. But that requires that both we and they regard them as something more than their appetites and grasp that they are not identical to or co-terminous with those appetites. - Mark Shea

Seeking approval for coming out and then, for coming in.

Both writers say it well and are in agreement with Catholic teaching - it accords with my personal point of view and perception as well.  I would just add another consideration to the discussion.  The seeking for approval doesn't usually automatically dissolve or go away at conversion - not for the ssa any more than it does for the former prostitute, profligate, or prodigal.  It is not uncommon for the recovering ssa person to continue to desire an inordinate degree of approval - only now as a ssa/gay Catholic back in communion with Catholic teaching - still ssa, and sometimes still needy. 

I often bring this subject up in my posts because there is a natural tendency to expect immediate and total acceptance and approval by every one - considering "all heaven rejoices over one repentant sinner."  So it is not unusual for some  converts to continue to want to be the center of attention.  Some may crave the admiration, or approval of fellow Catholics, and some even expect to be regarded as the authority on same sex issues everyone needs to consult.  Some want to be best friends with non-ssa men who just aren't interested in ssa emotional problems and sexual struggles, and frankly, just aren't comfortable with someone who always needs to reference it.  I know some readers will object to what I say here - my apologies - but it is something to watch out for.

"For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 2:21

Whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ.  More than that, I consider everything as loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. - 3 Philippians 7-11

 Seek your praise from God.

What does the Church teach? Link:

Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions between Homosexual Unions, Congegation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Random

I'm really having a hard time taking any of this seriously today.

Brooke Shields is going to star in The Exorcist.

She's going to play Regan, the little girl who was possessed.  The original film was billed as a drama/horror flick, but this time around it will be switched up to a musical comedy since Shields refuses to play older women characters, and wants to show off her dance/singing talents for the role.  Sources close to the actress say she got the inspiration for the part after watching Nicki Minaj's performance at the Grammy's.

What?  No, I did not read the article - but I still think she can pull it off.

Original story here. 

The Novena for Pentecost.

Come Holy Spirit!

It's already in progress - no matter when you observe the Ascension. 

Obama was born in Kenya!

Blackman!  Where do you come from?  - Bernice from Designing Women

Does this make his marriage to Michelle invalid? 

Was Andrew Breitbart going to break this news right before he 'died'?

What if the President is an illegal alien?

Was Jeremiah Wright?  (Get it?)

Just asking.

The 'new' atheism and how to deal with it.

Surrounded by athiests.

It's a popular topic these days, as most blogists know.

So what else is new?

Has anyone stopped to consider that this just might be the advent of the general apostasy Scripture tells us about?

Respectable Catholicism.

Another popular topic lately.

Catholics seem to be finally waking up to the understanding that being Catholic should never, ever be concerned about human respect... much less the number of followers a cardinal gets on Twitter, or his rank on Time's 100 list.

When Elizabeth Seton entered the Catholic Church she became an outcast to the New York social scene at the time.  She never worked to be hip or included back 'in' her former high society circles.

Since Mother Seton's time, the Church in the U.S. often bent over backwards not to be too Catholic and to be accepted as 'fellow Americans'.  Cassocks were pretty much relegated to be worn on Church property only, and the clerical suit took its place.  Nuns at baseball games, and indeed, playing baseball became the image of religious life, almost as if to prove they were just like everyone else, except for the weird clothes.  Those were soon discarded in order to assimilate even more into society - thus almost disappearing all together.  The Catholic Church in the United States has a long history of trying to be respectable.  Not all Catholics of course, but a fairly large majority of them - until Civil Rights in the '60's, but then that was simply a paradigm shift, which made way for a new establishment.

Anyway, the attacks and disrespect against Catholicism in society today just might be the chastisement we all need to become holy and take our religion seriously - with or without the externals.  Oh, and damn the polls.


Just a couple of thoughts during siesta.

Hey Catholic Tabloid editors and readers...

You don't have to sensationalize everything.

The priests pictured here are NOT former priests, they are retired priests, and as far as I know, still in good standing, even though they have liberal opinions and wrote a letter to the editor supporting gay marriage.  (I'm against it.  Gay marriage, I mean.)

Photo: Retired Catholic priests Fr. John Brandes, Fr. Timothy Power and Fr. Thomas Garvey, left to right, wrote a letter to the Star Tribune expressing their opposition to a constitutional marriage amendment that would deny same-sex couples the right to marry. - Full story about the 80 former priests who spoke out against the Minnesota Marriage amendment here.

Just for fun, read some of the ridiculous comments on this story here.

This is News: Highly Educated Women With PhDs Are Having Kids.

Breeding the new elite.

I know!  It's because the wrong types are having all the kids, and so now really smart, respectable, pedigreed women are giving it all up to bear smart kids who can rule the ignorant masses... 

Many people I talk to are worried that it seems to them that the ‘wrong’ sort of people are having all the babies – those who are not in stable relationships or who are, rightly or wrongly, perceived to have lower morals and to be less educated.

Bruce Weinberg, co-author of the study and professor of economics at Ohio State University comments in the article that:

“One of the major economic stories of the second half of the 20th century was that highly educated women were working more and having fewer children. It is too early to definitively say that trend is over, but there is no doubt we have seen fertility rise among older, highly educated women.”

It is not clear from this research whether women are actually leaving their jobs to have children or are employing childcare, but it is clear that they are increasingly opting to have a family – and that’s surely positive for the future of our society.

“For the less educated women, it is more a story about the timing of their fertility. They are having their children earlier now than they used to, but they are not having any more children overall.” - Crisis

 I once read a trad blog where the readers were arguing about the merits of educating women in the first place - sending them to university and all of that, especially to earn degrees in nonessential fields.  Many comments seemed to favor the notion that a woman's vocation is either to religious life or to be a wife and mother, therefore a higher education would be a waste of fertility time and money. 

I didn't say anything of course.

Today is Blessed John Paul II Birthday.

John Paul II in 1982 at Fatima.

This is nuts news:  SSPX priest tried to kill John Paul II in 1982.

The late Pope John Paul II was wounded in a 1982 knife attack a year after an assassination attempt, but kept the injury secret, a top aide to the pontiff has revealed in a new documentary film.  

The attack occurred on May 12, 1982, when Juan Fernandez Krohn lunged at John Paul with a bayonet during a ceremony in the shrine of Fatima in Portugal.

John Paul went to the shrine to give thanks for surviving a gunshot wound from Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981.

The Pope's bodyguards immediately tackled and arrested Krohn, an ultra-conservative priest from Spain. - CBC News

I did not know that!  He surely was the Pope of the Third Secret, wasn't he. 

Here’s an anniversary that will live in infamy: On May 12, 1982, Father Juan María Fernández y Krohn, a priest of the Society of St. Pius X, attacked Pope John Paul II with a bayonet during the pope’s visit to Fatima. 

During his trial, the priest testified that he opposed the reforms of Vatican II, and that he believed Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre was too weak in his opposition to the pontiff. He believed, in fact, that the pope was a “secret Communist agent” who was trying to corrupt the Vatican. - Seasons Of Grace

I wonder if the guy has a blog now?

Juan Fernandez Krohn

(I wonder if he is related to Kat? She has those eyes.)

One handle quickly getting bloggered...

Make a list.

Everyone is doing top 10 lists or some other numeric punch list style post these days...

10 things Catholics do to attract attention to themselves.
4 ways to make people think you are perfect.
3 little piggy things to do at coffee and donuts.
13 things I did before my conversion that I think are still kinda cool.
7 dos and don't for making an impression at the March for ______.
15 ways to monetize your parish Facebook page and pocket the $ yourself.
3 ways to tell if your wife is in that NFP kinda mood.
5 things to do to your non-participating Do the Red Say the Black pastor.
50 ways to leave your lover and come back to the Church.

It's all the rage.  Actually it's more Ladies Home Journal cover copy than anything.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Flight Delayed

In my Archdiocese, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is transferred to Sunday.

Not to worry though - He's already there... in Heaven, I mean.

Donna Summer

RIP

Big News: New York Times Scoop - Secret Catholic Same-Sex Unions.

You think?

A big deal is being made about one uncorroborated sentence in a news story, claiming "This is a major news story, buried deep in a related news report.":

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that homosexual behavior is a sin, but there are Catholic priests who secretly bless gay unions.* - Source

Holy s--t hit the fan. 

For decades there have been Catholic priests approving of sexually active homosexuals, actively contracepting married couples, as well as priests giving the green light to the sacraments for divorced and remarried Catholics, and not just the Kennedys either.

So, does it really surprise anyone that a gay priest just might bless a same-sex union in defiance of Catholic teaching?  I can't prove that it ever happened - which is pretty much the point of the Matt article, but I'll bet it has been done.  If it has happened, it doesn't make it licit or valid BTW. 

What could you do if it was your pastor?

1.  Talk to him about it - if you have proof - but he won't listen.
2.  Report him to the proper authorities - if you have proof - like his bishop.
3.  Report him to the Vatican dicastery in charge of that stuff - if you have proof.
4.  If, after all of that, he remains as pastor you can: Continue to attend Mass and sacraments because these remain valid despite the sins of the priest.  Or maybe just look for a new parish.
5. After you get over the shock and awe and anger, pray for the conversion of sinners - if you can't bring yourself to pray for the priest or the deluded couple, praying for the conversion of sinners should cover it.

 *To be fair, the author is taking issue with the NYT for not verifying its sources when publishing the information.  I'm addressing the irony that Catholics would be surprised by the 'news', considering how in these days we have pro-choice women religious and Catholic politicians, while Catholic women attempt ordination to the priesthood, priests father kids out of wedlock, and so on.  That said, I wouldn't look to the New York Times for accurate coverage of Roman Catholic - ever.

On Prayer

“In our prayer, the Holy Spirit grants us the glorious freedom of the children of God, the hope and strength to remain faithful to the Lord amid our daily trials and tribulations.” - Benedict XVI, Wednesday Audience

Art:  St Paschal Baylon, Feast May 17

Poodle Mass of the Good Shepherd

H/T Adrienne
Photo source: Rorate

Be prepared!

Action alert!

A successful EMP would send the United States spiraling back to the 18th century.

For those of you who are perhaps out of work, you should continue to invest in missile defenses to protect against ballistic attacks aimed at achieving high-altitude nuclear detonation or EMP attack.

People may have to start thinking about security and security systems...

What does he know we don't?

First they came for the LCWR,

and I said nothing because I wasn't a nun...

While looking for photos of a priest in a tin foil biretta, I came across this...

The gayest administration in history.

This is an oldie.  H/T to Creative Minority.

Homosexual Attraction, SSA, Gay, Queer... or just a guy?

Heterosexual single people have to live chaste and celibate lives too, you know.

Lately I've come across a few really good comments on other blogs suggesting that single heterosexual men and women are called to the same sort of chaste life as people with homosexual attraction are called to.  Many would like to be married and have children, and may have tried to find a mate to do so, but never found the right guy or gal.  So what's so special about 'suffering from ssa' then? 

I know, I know - it's not all that simple - but after you get over yourself, it kind of is.  Really - it gets better if you can snap out of it.  All rightey then.

I'm being extremely simplistic precisely because everyone complicates the issue of ssa way out of balance with the real world.  Ask any sexually, politically active gay man worth his fashionable weight in Dolce and Gabbana, and if they are honest, they will tell you they love being unique and special and the center of what's happening.   Gay is soooooooooo hip.  So yeah, anyone 'leaving the lifestyle', the 'identity,' has work to do, as well as prejudice to face - which may differentiate them from heterosexual singles in that respect - but in actuality, opting for a chaste and celibate life can't be any worse than what all single men and women go through.  Can it.  That wasn't a question.

Anyway, I discovered a new blogger, Marc Barnes of Bad Catholic.  I guess he's been around for a long time, but I never read him before he went online with Patheos, see what good comes out of Patheos?  That said, Barnes seems to cover this issue very well.  My comments here might have been written in response to his post, Our Godawful Objectification of Men With Same Sex Attraction,* but I decided to write my own post instead of leaving another comment to clog up his over-active combox.

Anyway - this from Bad Catholic on our Godawful Objectification of you-know-whosits:

If the names come from the super-with-the-times gay rights activist, then they’re incredibly worse, though admittedly more subtle. The Activists are forever encouraging men with SSA to “accept your identity!”, “come out!”, and to otherwise claim the title of Gay Man. It’s just another brilliant form of objectification.

Because the last time I checked, the unique identity of man is not defined by where he wants to put his penis. Identity is not gained, nor will it ever fulfill, if it is no more than a great narrowing of the human person to a single characteristic — in this case his sexual characteristic. Gay Man? Really? No one demands heterosexuals to “accept their identity” and define themselves as Straight Men. Such a thing would be a grave insult to the fantastic complexity of their being. Yet this is the modus operandi of the Activist, and the end goal given to the high-school kid with same-sex attraction — to come out of the closet and love himself for Who He Is.

Which leads to the next insidious bit of patronizing objectification slapped on men with same-sex attraction: Media Portrayal. According to Hollywood, gay men are not allowed to be screw-ups. Gay men are, well, just fabulous. You can hardly turn on a sitcom or cartoon, read a novel, or watch a movie without seeing the Media running their fingers through the hair of the Gay Man Abstraction, telling the world that, “Oh my goodness, well (Gay Man) here is incredibly funny, cute, kooky, has great taste in clothes, and will always solve (straight female protagonist)’s problems by the end of the episode, like the fantastic little helper he is!”

So what's the point?

The reason we so easily grow weary of the Culture War is this: It is a war of opposing abstractions. We bear witness to the great clash of The-Protect-The-Lord-Jesus-Christ’s-Plan-For-Perfect-Problem-Free-(Civil)-Marriage-From-The-Threat-Of-The-Evil-Pederasts-Horde vs. The-Gay-Men-Are-Superhumanly-Perfect-And-Conform-To-What-We-Want-Them-To-Be-And-If-You-Oppose-Their-Marriage-Then-You-Are-Filled-With-HATE-BURNING-HATE-Army. Any worthwhile dialogue is destroyed, for it is a battle of ghosts and whispers, with men on all sides running to the defense of shadows. It’s far easier than treating them as human beings, this objectification.

So let’s refuse. Let’s argue for the ultimate good of the human person, not for the minor good of a ghost. To be clear, and as you’ve probably guessed, I don’t think the ultimate good of a man with same-sex attraction can be achieved by the normalization of the actively homoerotic lifestyle via redefined civil marriage. But this is a view I can only defend if I defend the Man, and throw all abstractions to the wind. - Read the entire post here.

How true.


*BTW - did you know same sex attraction is normal?  Yes.  Ordinary men and women often appreciate the good looks and charming personalities of their same sex friends, and are attracted to them - just not in a sexual/romantic, OCD way. 

Photo:  An old cemetery near Chicago.  Just a reminder that we are all going to die and no one will be having sex after that.

A Jesuit asks: Where is the outrage? "Now that the President and Representative Pelosi have brought religion into the realm of the state vis-à-vis the question of marriage and what constitutes marriage..."

Robert John Araujo, S.J.

In response to the President and Nancy Pelosi dragging religion into the issue of Same-Sex Marriage.

Pelosi says: "My religion compels me..."

Jesuit says: "No it doesn't..."

President Obama and Vice President Biden both brought their religious faith/views to bear in their decision making process regarding approval of same sex marriage...

Jesuit says:  "Now that the President and Representative Pelosi have brought religion into the realm of the state vis-à-vis the question of marriage and what constitutes marriage. I wonder if we shall see Americans United for Separation of Church and State launching their latest legal crusade against such unconstitutional establishment, knowing that if Bishop Jenky should not bring religion into public policy issues, why should public officials be permitted to do this without objection?"

In his essay, Fr. Aaujo goes on to address the issue of discrimination, stressing that the Church only bans 'unjust' discrimination.

The first point is that the Church to which she and I belong does not condemn “discrimination of any kind” but, rather, it condemns unjust discrimination. If I interpret her statement correctly, she asserts that the Church is “against discrimination of any kind.” As she says, her religion “compels her” to be “against discrimination of any kind.” But even Rep. Pelosi discriminates, and her discriminations for the most part are probably not unjust—some may even be objectively reasonable and, therefore, perfectly acceptable and be in accordance with American and Christian values. For example, when she chooses a clothing ensemble, by selecting a red, or blue, or tan outfit, she discriminates. When she contrasts the policies and platform of her party and distinguishes them from the opposition party, she discriminates.

Of course, some who claim the office of theologian say that the Church and her bishops are wrong on the issue of same-sex marriage initiatives by opposing them and argue that the Church’s position on this subject is “not really an argument that has theological justification.” [HERE] Really? How remarkably astonishing! What is all the more surprising is that one of the theologians quoted in the link just cited argues that the bishops “are misrepresenting ‘Catholic teaching,’” and are “trying to present their idiosyncratic minority views as the ‘Catholic position,’ and it is not.” To ask again: Really? The justification upon which this person relies seems to be polls as he indicates by referring to “most Catholic theologians”, so if fifty-one percent of the Catholics in this country were ready to bring back slavery or mandatory sterilization of “imbeciles”, would that make the Church’s teachings against these policies additional “idiosyncratic minority” views? Another theologian who is quoted in the previous link claims that the Church’s position on marriage and the institution of civil marriage are distinct (but he fails to acknowledge that Catholic priests and deacons perform marriages which are recognized by the civil authorities), so the Church should declare: “It’s none of our business.” But if it is not any of the Church’s business, why does this Catholic theologian have on or around his office door (at a Catholic university) posters endorsing same-sex marriage? He might argue that this is his personal view. But if it is, why is he, who has influence over the intellectual and moral formation of young Catholics, underscoring his support to his students and anyone else who passes by his office at a Catholic university? Maybe that’s one reason why younger people who claim to be Catholic are increasingly inclined to support same-sex marriage: they haven’t been exposed to reasoned views to the contrary in institutions which claim the moniker “Catholic”. - Finish reading at Mirror of Justice

It's a must read from a priest who knows what he is talking about. 

God love the Jesuits!

H/T Campus Notes and Pewsitter

Compromised: Michael Voris exposes Bishop Martin Amos of Davenport.

A feel-good story.

It's almost Disneyesque.  Studious kid in Catholic High School can't afford college, applies for a scholarship, backed by students and letters of recommendation by teachers, student wins scholarship only to be told no, no, no by the bishop of the place.  The kid, the school, indeed the nation are sad and all seems lost, when suddenly, the bishop does a complete turn-a-round and permits the graduation ceremony to go forward pretty much as planned.  The kid is not only okayed to receive the scholarship at his graduation, but a representative from the diocese is going to read the commendation by the scholarship board to the kid - at the ceremony.  It's just how it turned out for Howard Brackett.

(Did I mention the kid is gay and he also brought his boyfriend to prom at his Catholic high school, which seems kind of odd in the first place, huh?)

Deep shoulder shrug and silly smile.

I knew it.

Fr. Thomas Williams

A high-profile American priest in the Legionaries of Christ has acknowledged having had a sexual relationship with a woman and fathering her child, adding another chapter to the growing scandals surrounding the controversial religious order. - Story here

When you are that good looking, chastity is extremely difficult.

It happens.

Appeal and Repeal... Remember Anita Bryant?

She was only following her conscience.

Anita Bryant was the outspoken pop-singer, spokes model for the Florida Orange Juice industry, former 2nd runner-up Miss America, Christian fundamentalist wife and mom from Florida who began a campaign to repeal a Dade County ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.  She won the campaign and the ordinance was repealed, but she lost everything in the process, and together with Jerry Falwell and the Silent Majority, inadvertently did more for gay rights and same-sex marriage than anyone could have imagined. 

Anita Bryant's career and private life was essentially destroyed because she opposed 'gay power'.  She became the butt of jokes and derogatory sit-com dialog, and after divorcing her first husband, she found herself rejected by her church.  If you look at what she said however, it isn't all that different from what we who oppose gay marriage say today:

"What these people really want, hidden behind obscure legal phrases, is the legal right to propose to our children that theirs is an acceptable alternate way of life. [...] I will lead such a crusade to stop it as this country has not seen before." - Source

Bryant's campaign brought the libs out in droves in support of gay rights and equality; pop stars, movie stars, politicians, business, academia, liberals of all stripes.  Anita Bryant represented the repressive Bible-banger religious right, Good Christian Bitches  (that show was just cancelled BTW) pop-culture loves to hate.  It is simply ingrained in us to reject their 'hypocrisy' in favor of the down-trodden and oppressed who simply want a place at the table with the Harper Valley PTA.

Repeals happen.  Don't Ask Don't Tell was repealed.  Rumour has it Obama is discussing the possibility of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, not that it is up to him to do.  Of course he used to be for it, just like he was against same-sex marriage at one time.  But politicians only go where the wind blows:

Supporters of the Democratic Party will credit Obama as a fighter for LGBT equality, but the real credit belongs to the tireless efforts of advocates and activists for LGBT rights over the years, as well as the bravery of millions of LGBT people who have come out to family, friends and coworkers, and who have spoken up against discrimination. - Source

Media and lefty-celebrities and pop-culture run the show.  I think Obama was on The View this week.  Maybe Glee will be his next stop.

BTW:  Anita Bryant deserves an apology.

Another Holy Fool: Peter Maurin

Peter Maurin died on this date in 1949.

Maurin was co-founder and co-worker with Dorothy Day of the Catholic Worker.  Dorothy Day considered him the holiest man she had ever known, as well as something of an eccentric.  Nothing wrong with that.

When Peter Maurin died on May 15, 1949, the New Deal order of welfare capitalism was ushering in an unprecedented period of prosperity that promised to satisfy every imaginable material desire. Catholics benefited materially from their support for this order, yet lost the family stability and communal solidarity that had marked them as a people apart in an earlier era. Twenty-five years later, when New Deal “statism” could no longer deliver the goods, many Catholics simply changed partners and danced to the tune of modern materialism’s other siren song, capitalism At present, we appear to be at the end of this second cycle of prosperity. As we ponder our next economic option, we might consider why it is that family and community structures that endured through centuries of material poverty have not been able to survive two generations of material prosperity. Which is more foolish: to think that social stability requires the subordination of material to spiritual ordering principles, or to affirm that social stability and spiritual renewal are compatible with the constant expansion of opportunities for material self-advancement? In reflecting on this question, few guides could be more reliable than Peter Maurin. - Peter Maurin:  A Fool for Christ

I think Pope Benedict would very much approve of Peter Maurin.  This past weekend while visiting Arezzo, and the Franciscan Shrine of La Verna, the Holy Father called on Catholics to show solidarity with the poor and 'to go beyond the purely materialistic ideologies that often mark our age and end up clouding our sense of solidarity and charity.' 

“Since the remotest times, attention to others has moved the Church to show concrete signs of solidarity with those in need, sharing resources, promoting simpler lifestyles, going against an ephemeral culture which has disappointed many and determined a profound spiritual crisis,” he said. - VIS

Boswellian errors...

More on Professor John Boswell's claim for Same Sex Unions in Pre-Mordern Europe.

One of the advantages of being around for a long time is that I've read just about everything that is being regurgitated today as serious studies on same-sex relationships and evidence such unions were approved and accepted by the early Church right up to Medieval times.  Swallowing that, one must accept the conspiracy theory that the Church destroyed all the evidence, suppressed by the wretched hierarchy over time, just as they did away with women priests and deacons.  Conspiracy theorists know it all - and then they write their books.  When the books are published, they are immediately accepted as absolute truth while scripture and doctrine are thrown by the wayside, only to be rewritten according to the newly discovered data.  These days when everyone is a philosopher and theologian, we prefer to depend upon our own scholarship and academic expertise, rather than trust what the Church teaches. 

Lately I've complained that the Church's documents on homosexuality, which go beyond the Catechism - are frequently ignored or overlooked when it comes to its understanding and teaching on homosexual matters.  I end up referring people back to the often ignored, and or dismissed documents from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.  A friend often complained to me, "The Pope hasn't really addressed himself to the issue of homosexuality, I'm waiting for some sort of letter addressing the issue."  Hello?  The Pope as Cardinal Ratzinger did that already as head of the CDF, principally in the 1986 document, On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons.   The Pope, the Church has spoken.  Was anyone listening?

Similarly, I'm beginning to think Fr. John Harvey's work will get to be overlooked, or simply ignored and dismissed as 'out-dated'.  Gay activists already dismiss him and Courage, focusing their objections on the issue of reparative therapy, claiming Courage requires SSA persons to seek to change their sexual orientation.  That is false of course, since Courage was founded as a spiritual support system for SSA individuals striving to live chaste lives in accordance with Church teaching, and as means to sanctify themselves through friendship, prayer, and the sacraments.  I've come across a couple of faithful SSA writers who have voiced reservations regarding Harvey's conclusions.  I'm not saying he is above questioning, or that Courage is the only way for SSA Catholics to sanctify themselves, yet the fundamental research Fr. Harvey accomplished remains valid, current and very important to any discussion regarding contemporary homosexuality.

In his 1996 book, The Truth About Homosexuality, Fr. Harvey examines the outrageous claims of John Boswell work in favor of same sex unions/marriage, and his so-called evidence for Christian acceptance of it.  Fr. Harvey cites other scholars and critics of Boswell's flawed research and outright manipulation of ancient texts Boswell employed to suit his personal agenda.  If priests and lay spiritual directors (I don't recommend lay spiritual directors BTW) do not have this book as a pastoral care resource, they need to get it.  In Chapter 9, A Catholic Perspective On Same-Sex Marriage, Harvey covers just about everything the faithful Catholic needs to know on the subject.  I can't take a lot of time on this subject, however, I will copy a couple of remarks made by two experts Harvey consulted.

"Boswell's argument stands or falls on his interpretation of a series of documents relating to a singular ritual practiced in the Christian church during antiquity and the high middle ages, principally in the lands of the eastern Mediterranean.  The bonds that are confirmed in these church rituals are cautiously (and a little coyly) labeled by him as 'same-sex unions'.  For his arguments to have the force that he wishes them to have, the words, 'same-sex' and 'union' must be construed  to mean 'male homosexual' and 'marriage'.  If they signify other sorts of associations that happened to be same-sex in gender, or unions that were meant for purposes other than marriage, or a permanent affective union, then his claims fail." - Brent D. Shaw, A Groom of One's Own

"... neither Boswell's reconstruction of them [the medieval texts] nor his method of argumentation can possibly support the interpretation that he proposes: first, it is highly implausible that homosexual unions either in antiquity or in the Middle Ages would have been blessed by a religion that promoted ascetic devotion to the kingdom of God rather than that condition which contemporary Americans understand as the healthy expression of erotic drives... Furthermore, early Byzantine law codes contain extremely harsh punishments for homosexual intercourse." - Robin Young, Gay Marriage: Reimagining Church History

Fr. Harvey notes: 

"It is astounding how Boswell 'reconstructs' early Christian history, downgrading marriage, distorting the historical meaning of Christian celibacy, asserting that Christianity did not focus on the biological family until a thousand years into its existence.  Young points out that, in addition to patristic concern for the religious life and celibacy, the Eastern fathers gave due emphasis to the family as 'the primary way for Christians.'" - John Harvey, The Truth About Homosexuality

 Anyway - check your sources, and recheck them again.  Much of the work refuting these false claims in support of same-sex unions has been done for us already.  Trust the Pope and the bishops in union with him...  The Magisterium.  The Church does not lie.

Countess Veruschka von Lehndorff

She was the model in Antonioni's Blow Up (1966).  For nearly as brief a time as her performance in that film, she was Vogue.  Today is her birthday.

A woman I worked with way back when, discouraged my admiration for Verushka, proclaiming her condemnation of the model, she scolded me: "She is completely amoral!  Bear!  How can you possibly like someone like that?"

And yet, Verushka's detractor went on to earn a similar reputation herself.

"Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned."



Bio

On prayer...

It is only after three or four hours of prayer that the great lights come. - Cardinal Mercier

Anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady of the Rosary at Fatima, 1917

At each apparition Our Lady said:  "Pray the rosary every day..."

If today were not Sunday, it would be the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.  My devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel expanded under the influence of the Fatima message.  I was four or five years old when I first became attached to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel through the scapular devotion, and I suppose in first or second grade, when I learned how to say the rosary.  I learned about Fatima around the time of my First Communion, and was deeply impressed.  I remain devoted to Our Lady of Fatima today. 

I must admit, I've never been comfortable with Fatima devotees however.  I attended devotions, all night vigils, and so on, but kept to myself.  While in Fatima, I also kept very much to myself.  For some reason, I could never sustain an interest in the sensational aspects of the Fatima call, or the fear mongering and condemnations leveled against... well pretty much anyone not devoted to Fatima.  When I was little, I was intrigued to know what the Third Secret was all about, but after the Holy Father decided in 1960 it wasn't to be revealed to the public, and the world didn't end, it made little difference to me.  The other secrets were always enough for me to try and live up to.  They remain so now when I am older.

Similarly, I'm still not fond of Fatima cultists.  Unlike many of them, I actually believe all of the secrets have been revealed and that the consecration Our Lady requested has been accomplished.  That said, I'm not sure every aspect of the secret has been fulfilled - in fact, I think it unlikely.  Not to worry however, as Our Lady promised Lucia:

"My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God ..."