The Death of Catholic Culture and the Election of Barack Obama (Catholic Caucus)

LifeSiteNews.com ^ | November 21, 2008 | Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer

[voiceinthewind]

The Death of Catholic Culture and the Election of Barack Obama

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

November 21, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - It is impossible to speak of a "Catholic culture" in America any longer. A whole segment of the populace who call themselves "Catholics" do not feel bound by any standard of Catholic orthodoxy or sanity. In fact, it is impossible to even speak of a Catholic culture in most parishes!

At a recent "ministry faire" of a large Catholic parish in south Florida, the Respect Life ministry of the parish displayed its pro-life materials next to the table of the "social justice" committee of the same parish. Any commonality between the two ministries was simply in the space they shared. Their worldviews could not have been further apart, but they both call themselves Catholic.

In fact, the "social justice" people were positively aglow about the election of their new messiah, Barack Obama. Several of them were speaking of their plans to attend the Inauguration and were utterly unaware that there would be 100,000 people marching on the nation's Capitol two days later for the right to life of unborn Americans which they had just voted into irrelevancy by electing Obama to the highest office of the land. One of them even expressed shock at the provisions of the upcoming Freedom of Choice Act until he was confronted with the nasty little fact that his messiah had been a sponsor of that pernicious bill in the last Congress. True to form, he steadfastly refused to allow that truth to have any effect on his euphoria. His mind was made up, and he would not let himself be confused by facts. Needless to say, the orthodox, practicing, believing Catholic pro-lifers will not be attending the Inauguration.

How can these two groups sit side-by-side in the same pews and display their ministries in the same space at the same Catholic parish? Simply because this contradiction has been tolerated for years by those in charge of our Church. In this election season neither of these two groups received any guidance about voting according to Catholic principles because, as per usual, there was silence from the pulpit on the issue. The absolute failure of our church leaders to define for us what membership in the Church means - and then to enforce it - has led to the degradation of Catholic culture and the loss of meaning for things that are sacred. When Christ and Belial are considered equal partners in the sanctuary, then nothing in the sanctuary means anything any more and no meaningful standard exists to distinguish a true Catholic from a false Catholic.

The degradation of Catholic culture is largely, but not exclusively, the fault of the clergy. For four decades in the Catholic Church in America we have seen:

1) Liturgical abuses run rampant, aided and abetted by those in charge 2) Two or three generations of Catholics left un-catechized or taught with flimsy, Protestantized fluff passed off as Catholic education 3) Sexual abuse by clergy excused and unaddressed by the hierarchy 4) A blind eye turned to high profile dissent and political class heretics 6) Wholesale attacks on sacred teachings that receive virtually no response from our pastors (and if it weren't for Catholic Answers, EWTN and the Catholic League we would have no defense whatsoever) 7) The succumbing of our Catholic institutions of higher education to the ravages of political correctness, and the list goes on.

In the face of all this, should we be surprised that 54% of "Catholics" voted for Barack? Hardly.

The battle for Catholic culture begins with us, and there is no time like the present to don the armor of spiritual warfare. We either believe and practice what the Church teaches or we live as part of the shadow church, falsely trading on the Name Catholic for its benefits without at the same time shouldering the crosses that this entails.

There is, however, great hope for the future because the battle has already been engaged: new Catholic colleges are springing up to replace the old decrepit houses of heresy, new religious orders with abundant vocations and orthodoxy have arisen, home schooling families and strong lay movements are abundant now. Only when we take back our beloved Church from the false Catholics and clerics will our Church be able to stand up and rebuke the storm winds of paganism that are building faster than we care to admit.

This project is not without its price, however. The cost of being a true believer will undoubtedly be much higher than ever before in our lifetime. Starting now and into the next generation we as Catholics will have to show the world not only what we believe but that we are willing to lay down our lives for it as a witness to the truth.

[JaneNC]

Why the surprise here?
Isn’t Massachusetts largely Catholic?
Don’t they elect John Kerry and Ted Kennedy?
Isn’t Pa made up of mostly Catholics?
Don’t they also vote pro abortionists?

Yes

[Ann Archy]

Sad....very sad.

[Natural Law]

I completely disagree. The election of Obama, preceded by the selection of Benedict XVI, is not the death but the resurrection of the Catholic Culture.

[Tax-chick]

As always, Fr. Euteneuer has very cogent comments. However, I’m always a little dubious about stories of a time when “Catholic culture” had everyone living devout and virtuous lives.

Catholic writers often seem to believe the 30’s or 40’s were a Golden Age, but in those days of my parents’ childhood, a Protestant could ask a Catholic, “Why are you doing ‘this’?” or “Why do you believe ‘that’?” and get an answer, “My parents said so.”

[St. Louis Conservative]

The Catholic church has been complacent for far too long on the issue of abortion. They have allowed militant pro-abortion politicians to advocate in favor of abortion for decades and they have faced no consequences. Catholic elected officials who advance the abortion agenda should be excommunicated. End of story. I commend the church for being so pro-active at this time re: Obama and the FOCA, but they should not have tolerated such deviation from the culture of life within its ranks for this long. You have to start somewhere though, and there is no time like the present. Nancy Pelosi, Kathleen Sebelius, Claire McCaskill, the Kennedys, and any other pro-abortion Catholics should be excommunicated immediately. The church needs to stand strong on this and not waver as they have.

[wintertime]

Far too many bishops, priests, and Catholic educators worship Karl Marx instead of God. So?.....If these leaders preach the gospel of Marxist Liberation Theology and “Social Justice” is any wonder that Catholics are duped into voting for a Marxist Obama thinking that he is god on earth?

Thankfully, there are many God-fearing Catholics left in this nation. I wish we had a nation full to the brim with them. Reform of the Catholic Church will be because these faithful Catholics are demanding more than they are currently getting from their Catholic leaders.

[Petronski]

It is impossible to speak of a "Catholic culture" in America any longer.

Got hyperbole?

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

The death of the Catholic Church has been greatly exaggerated.

The death of the Catholic Church’s impact on our culture has been greatly exaggerated as well.

[St. Louis Conservative]

With the right leaders in place in the church, one’s that do not tolerate deviation from the culture of life, you could very well be right. I certainly hope and pray that is the case.

[NYer]

Catholic ping!

[SMCC1]

The Catholic Church traces it’s roots back to St. Peter. I highly doubt the election of American-Idol candidate for a 4-8 year term is going result in the destruction of the RCC.

[realcleanguy]

Jesus said this would happen in the Last Days. We see the church, or member, being Apostates. They lust after the flesh, and forsake God

[voiceinthewind]

My reading of the commentary is that Fr. Euteneuer believes that the time for turning a blind eye is gone and we have to step up and live Catholic lives, not CINO lives. I’m happy that he holds the clerical feet to the fire and not just us Joe Catholics. A smaller Catholic church, but stronger?

Sorry to post and run, but toddler grandson is here, and I have to stay a step ahead of him. He wants to help paint the living room...

[RGPII]

There was a good show from Father Pavone and Priests for life last night on EWTN. People should watch for this.

As to the article, a number of Catholics are lukewarm. It is grotesque to vote for some of Obama’s platforms. So many Catholics I believe, even with the statements by the Bishops just went on their way as if they are uninformed of the Church’s pro-life stance but this seems to be a backlash and many will take note of this outrage.

[TASMANIANRED]

Leadership flows down from above.

And dross flows the same way.

I’m praying the cleaning of the stables continues.

[quadrant]

The gossip I hear from my Catholic friends is that any politician who votes for the FOCA when it comes up again will be excommunicated. If true, I think this decision is aimed at one man, Sen Edward Kennedy. He is an old sick man who may not live much longer - and he's being warned that if he wants to end his life in the Catholic Church, he will have to vote against FOCA. Excommunicating Edward Kennedy would send a powerful message that the Catholic Church will not tolerate supporting abortion by anyone, regardless of how prominent.

[St. Louis Conservative]

There are a LOT of Catholic Democrats besides Kennedy too. Pelosi, Biden, McCaskill just to name a few.

Voting for FOCA should result in immediate excommunication. I think that goes without saying.

[The Ignorant Fisherman]

This country was founded on Judean/ Christian values. These values have been wiped out beginning in 1963 when they removed prayer from schools. It is the secular Lefts agenda. Many professing Christians say they are but in their actions and deeds show that they are not (Sheep in wolf) clothing etc.....

[littlehouse36]

A Catholic pro-abort politician excommuicates himself automatically, so I’m not sure what the church could do except reprimand the priests who give them communion. If the politician then makes a confession, the “list” would have to be publicly altered. I think it’s easier said than done.

[St. Louis Conservative]

If they are excommunicated, I haven’t that happen in practice. I’m pretty sure Pelosi, Kennedy, Biden, Sebelius, McCaskill, et al still attend Mass and likely receive communion. I know for a fact that they all still consider themselves Catholics in good standing.

Although here in St. Louis, Archbishop Burke (back when he was archbishop) refused to let Claire McCaskill speak at her daughter’s graduation because of her pro-abortion stance. McCaskill’s daughter attends St. Joseph Academy here in St. Louis. The Catholic church needs a lot more people like Raymond Burke.

[littlehouse36]

I completely disagree. The election of Obama, preceded by the selection of Benedict XVI, is not the death but the resurrection of the Catholic Culture.

I like your attitude.

[Desdemona]

Although here in St. Louis, Archbishop Burke (back when he was archbishop) refused to let Claire McCaskill speak at her daughter’s graduation because of her pro-abortion stance. McCaskill’s daughter attends St. Joseph Academy here in St. Louis.

And the St. Joe sisters out on Lindbergh didn't cross him. Hmm.... Interesting. Although, the worst of the lot aren't living there anymore.

We need bishops along the line of Chaput and Fulton Sheen before Burke. He was fantastic one on one, and supported a lot of great things, but he had zero town bronze and diplomatic skills. The night St. Alphonsus Rock was struck by lightening and burned was a case in point.

[Desdemona]

So long as there are people willing to live by the tenets of the Faith, Catholic Culture is not dead.

[St. Louis Conservative]

Personally, I don’t know why the Catholic bishops waste time by debating these pro-abort politicians. It should be clear cut in my mind. If you support abortion as a politician and push pro-abortion legislation, then you are excommunicated - end of story. They are free to support abortion if that’s what they feel is appropriate, but they cannot consciously support abortion and call themselves Catholic. This kind of parallels with the RINO situation. The more and more the Catholic church (or the GOP) allow themselves to be diluted, then they risk losing their identity.

[Desdemona]

Personally, I don’t know why the Catholic bishops waste time by debating these pro-abort politicians.

Because as part of their jobs, they have to be pastoral in nature. That means instructing and giving the heretic the chance to amend their ways. I think of it like the "reach, throw, go" sequence of rescuing we were taught in lifeguarding class. So many people want to go straight to go, diving in for the rescue (in this case, reprimand), and bypass the pastoral methods.

That being said, I've also found it instructive to know that there is a great fear among the bishops of overusing the tool of formal excommunication as it was overused for political purposes in the 16th and 17th centuries. I doubt there is any sort of danger at this time on history of overusing the formal measures, but that's a reason being given. There would be accusations of playing politics, but that might be what it takes to get the point across.

[bradthebuilder]

The times they are a-changing. Flip a coin as to whether the CINOs are going to get religion or get out. We are getting our Church back. The Pope made it clear he envisions a smaller but more vibrant Church. Maybe it is the coming persecution from the new caesar that will force things. Pray for faith in the coming times.

[quadrant]

Given the prominence of the Kennedy family and Sen Kennedy, I believe the Vatican wants to demonstrate that no family or no individual can flout doctrine and remain in the Catholic Church.

[Salvation]

~ PRAYER ~

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

Holy Michael the Archangel (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)

The Chaplet of St. Michael

How The Prayer of St. Michael Came to be Written

THE THREE ARCHANGELS: [St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael] Explanation of the Prayer of Saint Michael [Father Robert J. Altier]

Feast of St. Michael the Archangel

Apologies to St. Michael

The Story of Michael

Act of Consecration to St Michael the Archangel (for the Feast of St Michael, September 29)

[Salvation]

**At a recent “ministry faire” of a large Catholic parish in south Florida, the Respect Life ministry of the parish displayed its pro-life materials next to the table of the “social justice” committee of the same parish. **

Our “Respect Life” ministry leader told the social justice committee that she was leaving because everything they were talking about was too Democratic party propaganda.

[RobbyS]

I wonder. Many Catholics who hold high social and economic positions stand to lose a lot by keeping the faith. That including bishops as well as laity.

[RobbyS]

Giving fair warning should be enough to satisfy the pastoral obligation.

[quadrant]

I'm speculating, of course, but I believe that Benedict XVI is serious about dealing with Catholics who profess the faith yet act against the teachings of the Church.

[hope4all]

I’m with St.Louis Conservative on this issue. We as Catholics have sat back for too long. We are moving now becuase the heat is turned up and we are “feeling” the pain of luke warm faith all around us. Mother Angelica on EWTN spoke a few years ago on moral blindness- a dismal state of darkness when you no longer see wrong as wrong. When evil becomes intrinsic to the human soul we are in trouble. This is the only reason for 54% of Catholics voting for Obama! I am still in schock. I personally think there are going to be tough times ahead not only in terms of the economy but in how we begin to respond as vigilant Catholics. We unfortunately have many bishops in our country who do not see it as wrong for Catholics to have voted for Obama. We must remember the power of prayer and the weapon of choice—the Rosary! We will need a lot of help on this one. May God’s mercy be upon us and may the Holy Spirit move the souls of the faithful to be strong and remain convicted in true Christian ideology and the tennants of our faith!

[onedoug]

Faith and Culture, EWTN bump!

[Campion]

Sebelius has been formally asked by her bishop to refrain from receiving communion. It’s not clear that she’s honoring that request, so a real excommunication may be in her future.

[Campion]

Re-read the parable of the wheat and the tares, because I don’t think you understood it the first time.

[voiceinthewind]

“Caucus threads are closed to any poster who is not a member of the caucus.For instance, if it says “Catholic Caucus” and you are not Catholic, do not post to the thread.”

You did see the Caucus designation in the title, right?

[Petronski]

Now maybe you should re-read the parable...

And now maybe you should re-read the thread title: (Catholic Caucus)...

[RobbyS]

No doubt. But he knows he is facing a wall of opposition from many bishops and clergy and staffs. They are still hoping to get a pope like Martini.

[quadrant]

By he, I assume you mean Benedict XVI. If they thought that they would get a pope such as Paul VI, I believe they are sadly mistaken. Benedict XVI is a determined man, as was his immediate predecessor. What will come of this, I don’t know.

[trisham]

The Catholic Church traces it’s roots back to St. Peter. I highly doubt the election of American-Idol candidate for a 4-8 year term is going result in the destruction of the RCC.

******************

Agreed. I believe that this is a turning point for our Church.

[Judith Anne]

Sebelius has been formally asked by her bishop to refrain from receiving communion. It’s not clear that she’s honoring that request, so a real excommunication may be in her future.

I didn't know that, and I'm very happy to hear it. She supported the abortionist "Tiller the Killer" when he was about to be prosecuted, and if I recall, she also supported Planned Parenthood when they were in trouble for not reporting child pregnancies to the prosecutor.

She is one of the worst CINOs, deeply loved by dems.

[giotto]

One of them even expressed shock at the provisions of the upcoming Freedom of Choice Act until he was confronted with the nasty little fact that his messiah had been a sponsor of that pernicious bill in the last Congress. True to form, he steadfastly refused to allow that truth to have any effect on his euphoria. His mind was made up, and he would not let himself be confused by facts.

As Michael Crichton said, "One of the defining features of religion is that your beliefs are not troubled by facts." The question to ask these confused Catholics is, "Which religion do you really believe in, Catholicism or liberalism/Obamism?" A man can't serve two masters. Either he hates the one and loves the other, or he loves "The One" and hates the other (God).

[RobbyS]

They are hoping that the pope does not live long long and that he be succeeded by a Liberal like Cardinal Martini, or somene a bit muddled like John XXIII.

[RobbyS]

I would disagree with Crichton. A man of faith is more likely to yield to plain evidence than a man of ideas.