http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/catholicchurch/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:01:57 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418625/posts It's not only a new year and new decade, but 2010 will no doubt prove to be a time of both heroic sacrifice and horrific decadence in the struggle to save our Church and country. With this prediction in mind, and with the determination to fight on the side of the saints, I resolve in 2010, along with my 25th consecutive resolution to become a better husband and father (hopefully this is the year I finally get that one right) to write the book exposing "The Ten Big Lies about The Catholic Church (in America)" in an attempt to enlist... Fighting Irish Thomas http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2418625/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:01:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2409774/posts An unholy row has broken out in New Zealand over a church billboard aimed at "challenging stereotypes" about the birth of Jesus Christ. A dejected-looking Joseph lies in bed next to Mary under the caption, "Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to follow". St Matthew-in-the-City Church in Auckland, which erected the billboard, said it had intended to provoke debate. But the Catholic Church, among others, has condemned it as "inappropriate" and "disrespectful". Within hours of its unveiling, the billboard had been defaced with brown paint. The church's vicar, Archdeacon Glynn Cardy, said the aim of the billboard had been... bbc http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2409774/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:06:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398322/posts On Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, the “Vital Voice newspaper”, which claims to “provide a diverse and independent voice for the St. Louis Community”, ran a story by Colin Murphy entitled “Hundreds Protest Outside of St. Louis' Cathedral Basilica.” The story was an example of fringe homosexual advocacy that has as its goal a Cultural Revolution.... What occurred on the first Sunday in Advent in front of that Church will continue throughout Advent and perhaps beyond. It may become a regular experience for those who want to go to Mass to have to walk around protest signs. It may also spread... Catholic Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398322/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 12:13:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2389616/posts ...George Soros, an avowed atheist, has been channeling money to certain Catholic groups via his Open Society Institute. The groups receiving funds from Soros have been groups of progressive Catholics who have been on the forefront in the Obamacare debate and the debate on amnesty for illegal aliens. The Right Stuff http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2389616/posts#comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:29:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385538/posts The D.C. City Council took one step closer to allowing same sex "marriages" in the District of Columbia on Tuesday when they voted the legislation out of the Committee on Public Safety & Judiciary. The panel refused to include protections for religious organizations--putting at risk the numerous churches in the region that provide goods and services to the needy who would have to decide between their faith or compliance with the city's commands. One of the largest area provider of relief services, the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, took a stand yesterday, just as their counterparts in Massachusetts's had done in... Tony Perkins' Washington Update Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385538/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:57:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385296/posts Allison Kilkenny, a self-styled “political humorist,” ripped the Catholic Church on the Huffington Post on Thursday for threatening to pull the plug in its social services in Washington, DC if same-sex “marriage” is legalized there. Kilkenny labeled the Church the “Inexplicably Evil Organization Most Disconnected From Real People,” and bashed Pope Benedict XVI as a “decrepit former Nazi youth.” The “humorist” (pictured at right, courtesy of Wikimedia) began her screed, titled “Catholic Church Threatens to Stop Feeding Homeless Over Gay Marriage,” by comparing the Church to Goldman Sachs, and used her “evil” label only after three sentences (perhaps showing a... Newsbusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385296/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:20:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359435/posts One day after the White House contradicted an assertion by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that all current versions of the health-care bill permit funding of abortion, the Catholic bishops declared they would “vigorously” oppose the bill if it was not changed to include language to prohibit abortion funding. On Sept. 30, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which represents the approximately 300 active bishops in the United States, sent a letter to members of the U.S. Senate in which the bishops said: “So far, the health reform bills considered in committee, including the new Senate Finance Committee... cnsnews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359435/posts#comment Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:32:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359430/posts The nation’s Catholic bishops have drawn a line in the sand over the Democrats’ refusal to include strong language excluding abortion from coverage under healthcare reform. The three key bishops heading up the church’s healthcare reform lobbying efforts ? Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia; Walter Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., and John Wester of Salt Lake City, Utah ? told Congress in a letter Thursday that the church has no choice but to oppose the healthcare reform legislation as it stands. Spurring their renewed opposition were committee defeats of several amendments that would have prevented abortion from being. On behalf... newsmax.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359430/posts#comment Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:28:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2346284/posts This is a good news/bad news story. First the good news: The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) cut off all funding to ACORN at some point in 2008, after revelations of the embezzlement of nearly $1 million dollars by the brother of Wade Rathke, the founder of ACORN. What's not such great news is that the Catholic Church, through the CCHD, was funding ACORN in the first place. Catholic News Service (CNS) carried an article on October 16, 2008: CCHD ends funding to ACORN over financial irregularities. According to the article: ...CCHD funded more than 320 ACORN projects with... The American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2346284/posts#comment Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:29:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2329487/posts "And not just atheists," said Bill Donohue during an August 31st Fox News interview. "I’m talking about people who are disaffected Catholics and Protestants who are mutineers within their own religion, trying to change things." It wasn't just "militant, dogmatic" atheists and "disaffected" Christians that the Catholic League president complained about either. Donohue also had a few choice words for magicians Penn & Teller whose Showtime series, Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t!, just ran an episode on the history of the Catholic Church. "This was the most Nazi-like assault,” Donohue said. “The most unrelenting half an hour of bashing I’ve ever... Examiner.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2329487/posts#comment Tue, 1 Sep 2009 16:14:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2329399/posts This heroic man stood up against the “gates of hell”, doing what all Bishops are supposed to do, guarding the flock of God against the wolves. The Bishop was correct to challenge the poor judgment of Misericordia University, a Catholic College in his Diocese which sponsored, through its scandalous “Diversity Institute”, an advocate/activist of the movement among some practicing homosexuals to obtain a legal equivalency between homosexual paramours and those who are married. ... ...His heroic defense of the dignity of every human life during the last Presidential campaign was inspired and refreshing! Some, even in the Catholic press, have... Catholic Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2329399/posts#comment Tue, 1 Sep 2009 14:47:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2328432/posts Changes are coming to the Catholic English-speaking world in the form of a new translation of the Mass. The Roman Catholic liturgy, which has been said in English for over 30 years, will undergo a significant revision. English-speaking bishops will vote on final portions of the new translation in November. The translation will bring a new translation of the Mass to the United States, Canada, the U.K., Australia, and the rest of the English-speaking world. The book with the translation, known as the Sacramentary for the past 30 years, will be known again by its original name, the Roman Missal.... The Bulletin http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2328432/posts#comment Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:48:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2317353/posts The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) supports the proposed current health care reform provided it includes conscience protection clauses and specifically prohibits abortion funding. But although the USCCB has made statements about "respecting life from conception until natural death," the Conference fails to mention any specific concerns about health care rationing. The Catholic Church's opposition to euthanasia (an act just as evil as abortion) is clearly stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2277: Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2317353/posts#comment Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:40:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2310410/posts CatholicsComeHome.org was the brainchild of Arizonan Tom Peterson, who, according to the group’s website “while on a Catholic retreat in 1997… had a profound reversion experience.” Now Peterson speaks at Catholic and pro-life events around the country. Among those serving on his Theological Advisory Board are Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs, Scott Hahn, and Peter Kreeft. Three award-winning videos which have a 2008 copyright have now been made into a CD to share with others. The first, called “Epic,” details the contributions of the Catholic Church over the ages:... California Cathollic Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2310410/posts#comment Fri, 7 Aug 2009 12:26:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2294310/posts The interior of the Cathedral of the Assumption in Kathmandu Rome, Italy, Jul 16, 2009 / 12:37 pm (CNA).- Following the recent bomb attack on the Cathedral of the Assumption, which was attributed to the Hindu group Nepal Defense Army, extremists are now threatening priests and religious in Nepal with death if they do not leave the country “within one month.” The Apostolic Vicar of Nepal, Bishop Anthony Francis Sharma, said the threats were made to the associate vicar, Father Pius Perumana.  L’Osservatore Romano reported that the police have beefed up security at the diocesan chancery in Godavari, where Father... cna http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2294310/posts#comment Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:26:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2288031/posts Today the much-anticipated social encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate (Truth in Love) was released, after being delayed for a year due to the global economic crisis. The encyclical includes several passages of great interest to those involved in the pro-life movement. The most pertinent and striking passages dealing with the life issues are reproduced below. To read the complete encyclical click here. Lifesitenews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2288031/posts#comment Wed, 8 Jul 2009 14:47:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2275326/posts First, the lie is spread around with a press release headline: Ohio Catholic Priest Comes OUT as a Drag Queen with a Billboard Dance Hit. Then it builds with more sensationalism in the press release itself: "In celebration of Gay Pride Month, Big Mama Capretta reveals the surprise truth about her identity. By day, Capretta is none other than Father Anthony, a proud practicing Catholic priest from Columbus, Ohio! Big Mama Capretta's new hit single 'Big Mama's House' is currently #25 on the U.S. Billboard Club Play dance chart." Next, the Advocate, an "award-winning LGBT news site", basically copies down... American Papist http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2275326/posts#comment Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:48:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2267882/posts A hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, in an appeal by the Archdiocese of San Francisco of an attempt by the City and County of San Francisco to levy up to $15 million in property taxes against the archdiocese. A three-member board made up of the city treasurer, the city controller and the head of the city’s real estate division will hear the archdiocese’s appeal. Two of the three appeals board members – Treasurer Jose Cisneros and Real Estate Division head Amy L. Brown – have been active supporters of same-sex marriage. Cisneros is a member of the... California Catholic Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2267882/posts#comment Tue, 9 Jun 2009 12:22:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2263156/posts WASHINGTON —Speaking on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, expressed profound regret upon learning of the shooting death of abortion doctor George Tiller. "Our bishops' conference and all its members have repeatedly and publicly denounced all forms of violence in our society, including abortion as well as the misguided resort to violence by anyone opposed to abortion," Cardinal Rigali said. "Such killing is the opposite of everything we stand for, and everything we want our culture to stand for: respect for the life of each... United States Conference of Catholic Bishops http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2263156/posts#comment Tue, 2 Jun 2009 19:44:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2261411/posts A popular U.S. Roman Catholic priest photographed frolicking with a woman on a Florida beach announced Thursday he had joined the Episcopal Church to pursue the priesthood in a faith that allows married clergy. "I've seen with my own eyes how many brothers of mine serve God as married men and with the blessing of having their own families," said Father Alberto Cutie, whose removal from his Miami Beach parish prompted public debate about the Catholic Church's celibacy requirement for priests. The charismatic 40-year-old is a well-known religious leader in Miami who dispensed relationship advice on Spanish-language television shows, church... news.yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2261411/posts#comment Sun, 31 May 2009 00:02:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2260037/posts A reporter for a small newspaper was forcibly removed from a press area near Air Force One shortly before President Barack Obama arrived at Los Angeles International Airport to depart California early Thursday. Airport security officers carried the woman away by the feet and arms as she protested her removal. She later identified herself as Brenda Lee, a writer for the Georgia Informer in Macon and said she has White House press credentials. The newspaper's Web site says it is monthly publication a Brenda Lee column is posted on it. Calls to the newspaper and the White House press office... NBC/LA News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2260037/posts#comment Thu, 28 May 2009 19:37:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2255382/posts The newspaper published by the Vatican, L’Osservatore Romano, has created more than a little mischief recently, featuring essays by ill-informed European journalists who imagine that they understand American history, the American political scene, and the grave moral issues being contested in these United States. Pro-administration American journalists and activists have leaped with barely concealed glee on several unfortunate articles in this genre, claiming that they demonstrate that “the Vatican” believes the U.S. Catholic bishops overreacted to Notre Dame’s award of an honorary doctorate of laws to President Obama, and that “the Vatican” is taking a wait-and-see, so-far-so-good attitude toward Obama... National Review Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2255382/posts#comment Thu, 21 May 2009 12:27:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2254757/posts DUBLIN – A fiercely debated, long-delayed investigation into Ireland's Roman Catholic-run institutions says priests and nuns terrorized thousands of boys and girls in workhouse-style schools for decades — and government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rapes and humiliation. Nine years in the making, Wednesday's 2,600-page report sides almost completely with the horrific reports of abuse from former students sent to more than 250 church-run, mostly residential institutions. It concluded that church officials always shielded their orders' pedophiles from arrest to protect their own reputations and, according to documents uncovered in the Vatican, knew that many pedophiles were serial... Yahoo/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2254757/posts#comment Wed, 20 May 2009 16:26:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2254736/posts DUBLIN — A fiercely debated, nine-year investigation into Ireland's Roman Catholic-run institutions says priests and nuns terrorized thousands of boys and girls in workhouse-style schools for decades — and government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rapes and humiliation. High Court Justice Sean Ryan on Wednesday unveiled the 2,600-page final report of Ireland's Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse, which is based on testimony from thousands of former students and officials from more than 250 church-run institutions. More than 30,000 children deemed to be petty thieves, truants or from dysfunctional families — a category that often included unmarried mothers... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2254736/posts#comment Wed, 20 May 2009 15:59:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2253328/posts Managua, Nicaragua, May 18, 2009 / 12:59 pm (CNA).- The president of the Latin American Bishops’ Council (CELAM), Archbishop Raymundo Damasceno, said during a press conference last week that celibacy “is not up for debate” at CELAM’s 32nd assembly nor “in the Church in general.” The archbishop made his comments in the wake of the questions raised about celibacy by Father Alberto Cutie of Miami, who has been romantically involved with a woman. He told reporters that celibacy “is not up for debate at this assembly nor in the Church in general, and so the priest who is ordained also... cna http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2253328/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2009 18:15:06 GMT