How Dissident "Catholic" Groups are Trying to Make Gains from the Scandal

Living His Life Abundantly web site ^ | 5/30/02 | Antoninus

[Antoninus]

On EWTN radio this morning, I heard a program called "Living His Life Abundantly" with Johnnette Benkovic. Some of you may be familiar with this program. Johnnette's guest today was Mary Jo Anderson, a business woman and mother who turned reporter in response to attacks on the Church from within. What she had to say on today's show was very disturbing and contained a lot of information I had never heard before. Here's the blurb on the show from the LHLA web site:

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How are dissident groups which claim to be "Catholic" using the current scandal to their advantage? What is their involvement in fanning the flames of attack against the Catholic Church? What types of "reform" are they calling for in the Catholic Church in America? On this eye opening program, guest Mary Jo Anderson discusses the agendas and aggressive tactics that are currently being used by dissident groups who claim to be "Catholic" to forward their own ideas. She also explores the homosexual subculture which has infiltrated some areas of the Church and its direct connection to the abuse scandals. You won't want to miss this informative program!

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Check it out if you have a chance. Ms. Anderson singled out a group known as "Call to Action" which is planning to have a major presence at the upcoming bishops' conference in Dallas. They are apparently 'gay-friendly', pro-priestess, and furthermore are trying to use the scandal to pry open the celibacy issue. Perhaps some area Freepers could show up and protest them. Also, it might not be a bad idea to start barraging some of these people with some "dissent" letters of our own.

I propose that we use this thread as a storehouse of information on such dissenting groups -- who they are and what they're doing. I'll start by posting a little blurb on 'Call to Action' based on some internet research. I encourage others to add what they know.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Excellent news.

[fatima]

Or,it may be that our Father in heaven is kicking them all out.Every week we say a pray at Mass for vocations,God has said yes but first.

[fatima]

How would you know if you don't go to church,come back.

[ELS]

Thanks for the info.

[fatima]

The press and police have been sitting on a lot of really bad things,time has run out for the losers and the press had much they kept until it was time,from what I read they really did not report.I knew stories that the average person does not hear.As far as the press goes and what they report,we are the press.We can start a paper,radio,TV,in our own local area.In the pro-life movement if you can put on a bandage you are the doctor,each one of you can go on locally and if you want info I can help.I would like us to have an online radio program,thats right us.

[fatima]

You did your homework,I have a few Blessed Mother stickers for you,not kidding.Freepmail me

[weikel]

I never really went though.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

My dear, you either are or you aren't. Choose one!

[BlackElk]

Probably Kumbaya means progress, termite-style. We have a family game of making up new lyrics: Lost my mind, Lord, Kumbaya. Lost my soul, Lord, Kumbaya. Lost my faith, Lord, Kumbaya, but I sing meaningless drivel, Kumbaya! etc.

[GenXFreedomFighter]

Don't Forget Catholics for a Free Choice(sic).

You mean that woman with an internet connection and a fax machine?

[Catholicguy]

At a time like this, with kleig lights focused on them, the Catholic Bishops of the United States are going to be staying at the most exclusive hotel in Dallas?

When they came to Florida during the winter a few years back, they stayed on Palm Beach at "The Breakers" where, among other things, they discussed "The Poor." The cost was $400 per room.

[MWS]

What's the difference between a schismatic and a sedevacantist?

A sedevacantist is a specific type of schismatic. Normally sedevacantists are strongly traditionalist groups that believe that the papal office truly exists and that popes possess the charism of infallibility, but that the "seat is empty" at the moment. It is distinguish schismatic groups like that from groups such as SSPX, which believe that John Paul II IS the pope but simply believe they have a right to disobey in non-dogmatic matters.

[ArrogantBustard]

Kumbaya

I am given to understand that the word is derived from some Caribbean pidgin language, and is a corruption of the phrase "Come by here". Thus the song is (or at least may have originally been) a prayer for Divine blessing and guidance, expressed in very simple terms. It falls into the same general category as "negro spirituals". Unfortunately, it has become the international anthem of liberation theology.

AB

[nickcarraway]

Yes, but unfortunately she is able to do a lot with her resources.

[Antoninus]

Yes, but unfortunately she is able to do a lot with her resources.

It's easy to appear like you're doing a lot when the news media is beating a path to your door. They can't get enough of Frances Quisling.

[Catholicguy]

A sedevacantist is a specific type of schismatic. Normally sedevacantists are strongly traditionalist groups that believe that the papal office truly exists and that popes possess the charism of infallibility, but that the "seat is empty" at the moment. It is distinguish schismatic groups like that from groups such as SSPX, which believe that John Paul II IS the pope but simply believe they have a right to disobey in non-dogmatic matters.

It has been said by some that the large number of Europoean sedevacantists within the bosom of the schismatic SSPX is what really prevents Bishop Fellay from seriously negotiating a reunion with Rome. Too many of his schismatic members would queer the deal.

When Lefebvre undertook his schism, one of the men he ordained a Bishop was Richard Williamson who was known as a sedevacantist while at student at Lefebvre's Econe.

[Antoninus]

And here is some information on...

Catholics for a Free Choice

Website: http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/indexengflash.htm

Email address: cffc@catholicsforchoice.org

Physical Address:

Catholics for a Free Choice
1436 U Street NW, Suite 301
Washington, DC 20009-3997 USA
Office: +1 (202) 986-6093
Fax: +1 (202) 332-7995

Key Personnel: Frances Kissling

These people have a very slick, professionally designed web site - the hallmark of a group with money to burn. I wonder where exactly they get their funding? Their web site is built to funnel the media to their op-ed pieces and soundbites. It's worth taking a look at the site if only to get an idea how real Catholic sites could better target the news media and disseminate true Catholic teaching.

Here are some quotes from an interview with Ms. Kissling, the head heretic at CfFC. It may be found on their web site here

Q: Let's start at the very beginning. How did Catholics for a Free Choice begin? What was the impetus for this kind of organization?

Kissling: Three New York women -- Joan Harriman, Patricia Fogarty McQuillan, and Meta Mulcahy, who had been colleagues in the National Organization for Women -- chartered CFFC in 1973, the year of the US Supreme Court's Roe decision.

At the time, little if any active dissent movement existed in the church. The impression was widespread that Catholics followed the bishops unquestioningly. Catholics were still generally perceived as working class, from large families, and as not practicing contraception. This impression was strengthened when the bishops suddenly emerged as the principal opposition to legal abortion in the wake of Roe.

These three women--CFFC's founders--recognized the importance of organized opposition to the hierarchy's campaign. They were motivated by the simple conviction that the bishops did not represent the Catholic people on reproductive rights issues, including abortion. They knew that Catholic women had abortions and that Catholic women and men supported legal access to abortion. Their task was to get that message out to the public.

[Antoninus]

Just to get your blood boiling a bit, here's a news story from July 2000:

Pro-Abortion "Catholic" Dares Bishops To Excommunicate Her

NEW YORK (CWNews.com/LSN.ca) - Frances Kissling, head of the pro-abortion group Catholics for a Free Choice, has written a column daring bishops or the Pope to excommunicate her.

In her article she says that "since no bishop or pope--and I am reasonably sure that these authorities know who I am and what I believe--has chosen either to pronounce me excommunicated or declare that I have automatically excommunicated myself, I am confident that I remain in good standing with the Church."

Pretending to answer those who argue that she has excommunicated herself, Kissling claims erroneously that only those who procure abortions directly are excommunicated automatically. She eggs on the debate by claiming that her advocacy of abortion does not qualify her for excommunication, but nor does "directing an abortion clinic, as I did some 20 years ago." She mentions also that she slips into "churches around the world, receiving Communion, and saying, Yes, I am Catholic."

Despite her claim that bishops and the Pope probably know who she is, it is not likely that they share her view of her own importance. Furthermore, many Catholics do not consider her or her anti-Catholic group to be Catholic in the first place.

[Catholicguy]

In her article she says that "since no bishop or pope--and I am reasonably sure that these authorities know who I am and what I believe--has chosen either to pronounce me excommunicated or declare that I have automatically excommunicated myself, I am confident that I remain in good standing with the Church."

I wonder if Judas had similar thoughts as he ran off to hang himself...