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The Scandal That Is Eating the Heart Out of the Catholic Church in America
American Life League ^ | March 24, 2014 | Fr. Vincent Fitzpatrick

Posted on 03/24/2014 6:24:52 AM PDT by Arthur McGowan

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To: cloudmountain

Forty years ago, the American bishops were over 90% Democrat. That generation did almost NOTHING to oppose abortion. The Party came first.

The problem still exists. The official position of the USCCB is that Canon 915 should be disobeyed if there is any danger of appearing to support Republicans. (They don’t word it quite like that, but that’s exactly what they meant.)

Believe me, there are many, many bishops out there who, right this minute, would tell you that it has been wise of the bishops to soft-pedal abortion, because otherwise, we might not have Obamacare!


21 posted on 03/24/2014 7:44:28 AM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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To: Calvin Locke

You mean the 19-aughts. As soon as Joe Kennedy got REALLY rich, in the 1920s, he OWNED the Cardinal Archbishop of Boston. The Kennedys still own the Cardinal Archbishop of Boston.


22 posted on 03/24/2014 7:47:43 AM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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To: xone

Then you have a much bigger problem than taking communion unworthingly.


It is very interesting that you would make that one comment the subject.

Do you believe what Paul said when he stated that a man should examine himself, meaning it is up to him and not some one else?

Or are you too cowardly to use scripture to try to prove a point?


23 posted on 03/24/2014 8:11:39 AM PDT by ravenwolf (ost void of pend)
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To: irish guard
Respectfully, I disagree that this is the scandal that’s eating the heart out of the US Catholic Church. Having had a pastor who molested young boys in iur parish and knowing one of the victims, I have to say the church turning a blind eye to this for years is the biggest scandal.

Pastors, Protestants included, are human beings who sin. They aren't ANY better than anyone else in the world. And, boys have been molested by men (priest, rabbis and ministers included) since the beginning of the human race.

HALF/MUCH of the blame has to be on the mother/women of the family who KNEW what daddy was doing to their sons but ignored it for whatever reason. They KNEW and did nothing to confront the abusive father or protect their son.

Back in the 1960's the Catholic Church was glad to receive these new men, homosexuals, into the Church. The Church has always told us to hate the sin, not the sinner.

Unfortunately, homosexuality, bisexuality and asexuality are CHOICES, as we are all genetically heterosexual. Those CHOICES, is seems, are made when children are in their early to mid teens, 13-15 years of age when they really don't have the maturity to envision what their CHOICES entail. (Googled this.)
So those children made their choice NOT to be heterosexual. They also KNEW it was wrong but did it any way. Are they to be held to a lower standard than the rest of us?
They might not have had the wherewithal to resist the impulse at 13-15 but, at 18 and older, they KNEW what they were doing was anathema to EVERYONE in every faith on the planet earth, but let it happen and didn't change it.

We really DON'T KNOW exactly what the Church knew and didn't know. "Turning a blind eye" isn't QUITE what they did. They weren't heavily into the psychology of it all. They are now and filter those men with a fine tooth comb.
You MIGHT say "too little, too late," but that is NOT so for those boys who won't be molested.

Where were the parents/family and friends of that poor molested boy in your parish? Did NO ONE notice his demeanor? No child can hide those feelings very well or for very long. What happened to that priest? How is that victim doing these days? Well, I hope.

I remember an Irish priest in our parish who smelled of whiskey. I smelled it ONLY in the confessional. Father Casey.

24 posted on 03/24/2014 8:12:49 AM PDT by cloudmountain
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To: cloudmountain

Good post.


25 posted on 03/24/2014 8:16:43 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: ravenwolf

The Catholic Church gave the compiled Bible to the world. I believe they know what it says. <sarc off


26 posted on 03/24/2014 8:18:56 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Arthur McGowan

The Church decides morality. Advocacy for something to apply to politicians voting is political.


27 posted on 03/24/2014 8:31:20 AM PDT by ex-snook (God forgives because God is Love)
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To: ravenwolf
Do you believe what Paul said when he stated that a man should examine himself, meaning it is up to him and not some one else?

Yes, a man should examine himself.

Or are you too cowardly to use scripture to try to prove a point?

Cowardly? Why would scripture be used with one who acknowledges that they think scripture is full of personal opinions by some of the authors, that it doesn't contain what the Holy Spirit intended? I'd have to see an approved list of scripture, just the books, that you haven't determined as tainted. And yeah, if one thinks that scripture is full of the human writers' opinions, not the Holy Spirit's intended words, then you do have a bigger problem than your worthiness for communion. The sacrament is in scripture, but perhaps the Lord was misquoted just like the Pope seems to be today.

28 posted on 03/24/2014 8:33:03 AM PDT by xone
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To: Salvation

The Catholic Church gave the compiled Bible to the world. I believe they know what it says. <sarc off


Ha, i should have thought of that.


29 posted on 03/24/2014 8:34:33 AM PDT by ravenwolf (ost void of pend)
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To: Arthur McGowan
Forty years ago, the American bishops were over 90% Democrat. That generation did almost NOTHING to oppose abortion. The Party came first.

Not news. But I REMEMBER that abortion wasn't an issue to anyone at all. It wasn't spoken about. Birth control pills were just coming out. THAT was HUGE.
Sherri Finkbine (sp?) as I recall was the first American woman to have a legal abortion in this country.
From GOOGLE: Sherri Finkbine (born Sherri Chessen in 1932) is an American television actress.
Finkbine was known as Miss Sherri on the local Phoenix, Arizona, version of the franchised children's show, Romper Room. The Finkbine Case began in London, England, in 1961, when her husband was chaperoning sixty-four high school students on a European tour. He obtained some Thalidomide and carried the remainder home. Finkbine took thirty-six of the pills in the early stages of her pregnancy. Neither she nor her husband was aware until July 1962 that the pills contained Thalidomide.

Sherri was pretty stupid...and, IMHO, evil. Why didn't she HAVE the baby and give him/her up for adoption? Oh well. Her aborted baby is LONG PAST with our good Lord.

=============================

The problem still exists. The official position of the USCCB is that Canon 915 should be disobeyed if there is any danger of appearing to support Republicans. (They don’t word it quite like that, but that’s exactly what they meant.)

Now you are the mind reader. I have NEVER seen the "official position" of the USCCB where Canon 915 should be disobeyed. I am Catholic and Republican and have been so, OPENLY, in a very liberal city. Politics are NEVER, EVER, ever mentioned. Not even remotely. Priests are ON MESSAGE with the rest of the world's Catholic Church. Well, that is MY parish.

Canon law is one thing but expecting priests to be mind readers and NOT give communion? I have never seen ANYONE turned away from Holy Communion. I've been to Mass ALL OVER the world...even in Saudi Arabia where my husband worked for ARAMCO, the Arabian-American Oil Company. The company provided "special teachers," that is, Protestant ministers, priests and even an Anglican priest for the six Anglicans on camp. There were about equal numbers of Catholics and lumped-together Protestants.
That is where I started going to DAILY Mass. Imagine, getting the daily Mass habit in a Muslim country.
My co-worked there was an Indian Catholic and he REALLY objected to my taking off 20 stinking minutes to go across the street to the clubhouse room where Mass was held. I went on Sunday mornings because SUNDAY was MY holy day, not Fridays! He (Harry) said that I should go to Mass on Fridays with the rest of the Catholics. He was so angry with me that he went to our Saudi boss to "tell on me."
I remember that VIVIDLY. Our boss said: "Harry, God is number one. There is always time for God. Cloud Mountain (of course, not my real name) can go to pray whenever she wants."
Hah, I don't know WHOSE jaw fell farther or faster, Harry's or mine. So, I WENT to Mass and went daily. I THINK that the Holy Spirit was a huge part of that. I continue with daily Mass these 30 years later.

======================================

Believe me, there are many, many bishops out there who, right this minute, would tell you that it has been wise of the bishops to soft-pedal abortion, because otherwise, we might not have Obamacare!

I don't believe you. Sorry.
We don't get homilies on abortion so it isn't "soft-pedaled" or ever mentioned unless it was germane to the readings.
None of our four priests (or visiting priests) have EVER mentioned Obamacare. Why would they?

30 posted on 03/24/2014 8:48:07 AM PDT by cloudmountain
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To: xone

And yeah, if one thinks that scripture is full of the human writers’ opinions, not the Holy Spirit’s intended words, then you do have a bigger problem than your worthiness for communion.

I did not say that i thought any thing, i just said i did not know, big difference.

1 Corinthians 8:2
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

I don,t know about you but i live by faith, if i knew every thing i would not have to live by faith.


Yes, a man should examine himself.

Then do you believe a priest should have the right to let a man take communion if that is what he wants to do? after all, this is what the thread is questioning.

Does the Catholic Church really believe all scripture comes from God? and do you?

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

In view of what Paul said,Do you agree or disagree with the thread?.


31 posted on 03/24/2014 9:41:47 AM PDT by ravenwolf (ost void of pend)
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To: ravenwolf
Then do you believe a priest should have the right to let a man take communion if that is what he wants to do? after all, this is what the thread is questioning.

Let's change it to Pastor, I'm not Catholic. If the steward of the supper doesn't know that a person is unqualified (for whatever reason)he should not bar access to the Supper. If he does know one is disqualified, He should bar access out of Christian love.

1 Corinthians 8:2 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

Not in context. The 'knowledge Paul was speaking of referred to the existence of idols.

Does the Catholic Church really believe all scripture comes from God?

Most claim to, but considering the Catholic treatment of scriptures, the fruit would say otherwise.

do you?

I believe what scripture says about itself, and by the faith in God that is is His Word.

In view of what Paul said,Do you agree or disagree with the thread?.

What Paul said about self-examination is irrelevant to this situation, he already spoke of people like this, if they don't repent, turn them over to Satan. 1Cor5.

32 posted on 03/24/2014 10:08:49 AM PDT by xone
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To: xone

Let’s change it to Pastor, I’m not Catholic.


Ok.


If he does know one is disqualified, He should bar access out of Christian love.

Where do the scriptures say that?


Not in context. The ‘knowledge Paul was speaking of referred to the existence of idols.

So you think a man is puffed up if he claims to know anything about eating something offered to idols, but he is not considered puffed up if he claims to know everything else?


Paul seems to be irrelevant in so many Churches except where it is something that fits their doctrine or if they can twist it around to fit.


Most claim to, but considering the Catholic treatment of scriptures, the fruit would say otherwise.

I agree.


Do you?

I have already admitted that i don,t know.


What Paul said about self-examination is irrelevant to this situation, he already spoke of people like this, if they don’t repent, turn them over to Satan. 1Cor5.

Talk about irrelevant, and you come up with this? Paul was not talking about communion, he was talking about kicking a member out of the Church.


33 posted on 03/24/2014 11:00:17 AM PDT by ravenwolf (ost void of pend)
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To: ravenwolf
Where do the scriptures say that?

1Cor 11:26-28. The Lord's Supper isn't celebrated in a void, it is a confession of the church. James 3:1.

So you think a man is puffed up if he claims to know anything about eating something offered to idols, but he is not considered puffed up if he claims to know everything else?

Context, can't read what you want in to it. If I am thought of as harsh in my judgement that lack of faith in God's Word is worse that communing unworthingly, reprove me from scripture, don't create an understanding of a verse where that isn't the context. Rom 3:4.

Talk about irrelevant, and you come up with this? Paul was not talking about communion, he was talking about kicking a member out of the Church.

Read the article. The hierarchy isn't following their own canon. To some Catholics, that is worse than not following God's Word. But if these won't relent and repent how is that different the than the unrepentant Paul spoke of? The pro-aborts should be excommunicated publicly. The Catholic church hasn't the conviction to do so, thus the scandal. Paul would have, in light of their unrepentance turned them over to Satan. Just as he would have pushed for these 'shepherds' to repent, lest they get the same.

34 posted on 03/24/2014 11:19:17 AM PDT by xone
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To: Salvation

Have to read it first.


35 posted on 03/24/2014 11:20:55 AM PDT by Gamecock
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To: cloudmountain

Forty years ago was 1974, not 1962.

Canon 915 has nothing to do with mind-reading because it concerns only sins that are “manifest.”


36 posted on 03/24/2014 11:45:53 AM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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To: ex-snook

If a politician behaves or votes in a way that is seriously unjust, that makes him a serious sinner.

A person who is involved in public, serious sin must not be given Communion.

It’s that simple.


37 posted on 03/24/2014 11:51:13 AM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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To: Arthur McGowan

Father,

Why should any of these bishops change their tune when Francis himself allowed the same pro-aborts to receive communion at his inaugural mass?


38 posted on 03/24/2014 1:05:36 PM PDT by piusv
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To: xone

Where do the scriptures say that?

1Cor 11:26-28. The Lord’s Supper isn’t celebrated in a void, it is a confession of the church. James 3:1.


Below is the very verses you named to prove just the opposite.

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
Examine Yourself

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood[a] of the Lord.

28
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.


Himself.

James3
1
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.


Easy to see James is talking about bridling the tongue.


39 posted on 03/24/2014 1:58:52 PM PDT by ravenwolf (ost void of pend)
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To: ravenwolf
Easy to see James is talking about bridling the tongue.

Also easy to see leaders are judged with a greater strictness, cuz it says so.

Below is the very verses you named to prove just the opposite.

How so? Do you take communion at home? Under what conditions do you receive communion? Do you a layman (assumption) consecrate the elements yourself? If non-consecrated, it doesn't really matter nor does it if you are alone.

Himself.

I said a man should examine himself. Have you repented, have you received absolution in a church setting. If you are home administering communion, then it really doesn't matter does it. A faithful (to God)pastor will know his flock. If one is known to be engaged in sin and currently is unrepentant, he has a responsibility to the communicant and the rest of the group to bar the unrepentant who in his folly would eat and drink judgement on himself.

Now if you are a one man army who worships in creation away from any house of God, Heb 10:25 do what you want. The 'sacrament' in that case is worthless.

40 posted on 03/24/2014 2:22:58 PM PDT by xone
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