Somebody get me out of here…

I can’t believe I work here. And, though I am well aware that this is not an original thought, I think Britney Spears does more to singlehandedly threaten the “sanctity of the institution of marriage” than a million homosexual couples ever could.

And to think, having just visited with and interviewed with our fair city’s very own answer to Mother Teresa, I was feeling all warm and fuzzy about Catholicism…

Catholic Bishops Strongly Urge The U.S. Senate To Support The Federal Marriage Amendment WASHINGTON (July 6, 2004) -Saying the institution of marriage is”under serious attack,” the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) strongly urged the Senate to vote in favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment after turning back any attempt to prevent consideration of the measure.

“Recent actions in various state courts and courthouses have placed the institution of marriage under serious attack and in grave danger,” (Grave Danger? Is there any other kind?) said Bishop Wilton D. Gregory in a letter to the Senate urging support for S.J. Res. 30, the Federal Marriage Amendment. “The Catholic Bishops of the United States strongly believe that marriage is a basic human institution and that, though it is regulated by civil laws and church laws, it did not originate from either the church or state, but from God. Accordingly, the Bishops believe that neither church nor the state can alter the basic meaning and structure of marriage.”

S.J. Res. 30 would amend the United States Constitution to define marriage as consisting only of the union of a man and a woman. The Senate Majority leader has announced his intention to bring it before the Senate in mid-July. Bishop Gregory noted, however, that opponents may mount a filibuster that could prevent consideration of the measure.
“The Catholic Bishops of the United States strongly urge you to vote against any effort that would prevent the Senate from voting on this important measure, as well as to vote for the measure once the Senate takes it up,” said Bishop Gregory in the July 6 letter.

“Our concern for preserving marriage as the union of a man and a woman is not simply a Catholic concern,” the Bishop said. “We share it with believers and non-believers, Christians and non-Christians alike, simply because this understanding is part of the common moral heritage of humanity.”

“It is precisely this moral heritage that must be protected today from a small but vocal minority that would alter the definition of marriage by making same-sex unions the legal equivalent of marriage,” Bishop Gregory stated. “A same-sex union is not equivalent to marriage. It is not based on the natural complementarity of male and female; it cannot cooperate with God to create new life; it cannot be a true conjugal union.”

“Marriage, as properly understood, is more than a lifestyle choice,” Bishop Gregory said. “It is an interpersonal relationship with public significance,” he continued. “It makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the common good of society when it fulfills its natural, God-given purposes, namely, to bring children into the world and care
for them and to provide a way for a man and a woman to seek each other’s good in a committed, lifetime relationship.”

“The institution of marriage has been weakened and eroded by many forces,” Bishop Gregory told the Senate. “The social cost is already too high. The Catholic Bishops of the United States urge your support for amending the United States Constitution to preserve and protect this vital institution that undergirds the well-being of spouses, children, families, communities and society itself.”

The USCCB has longed worked on the marriage issue, supporting efforts at the state level to preserve marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Last September, its Administrative Committee called for efforts at all levels of government, including support for a federal constitutional amendment. Since then, the Bishops’ Conference has been engaged in educational activities across the country, and has submitted testimony to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

On June 24, Bishop Gregory wrote to all Catholic Bishops asking them to personally urge their Senators to support the Federal Marriage Amendment, as well as to generate additional support through pastors from the larger Catholic community. He also directed Conference staff to send out this appeal through their diocesan counterparts.

The Conference statement Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers about Marriage and Same-sex Unions can be found on the Conference Web site at www.usccb.org/laity/marriage/samesexunions.htm.

I propose an amendment to prevent skanky pop stars from marrying. We can no longer afford to do nothing.

Burn him!

Oh, boy. This has to be among the most ridiculous things I’ve read lately:

Kerry cited in Catholic heresy case

Heresy? Heresy? Good Lord, let’s just bring back the inquisition.

Thanks to all things jen(nifer) for bringing this one to my attention.

And since I’ve brought up a presidential candidate, allow me to wax philosophical on politics for a moment. (I don’t do this too often…) I don’t think of myself as a very “political” person. I have a good idea of where I stand on most issues. I slant liberal on a good many issues, including education, health care, and most social issues (ie, gay marriage). I am woefully underinformed on economic issues and foreign policy.

In general, I dislike politics. This is why…because people tend to be so blinded by partisanship that they can’t even listen to each other. All that seems to matter is being right, and making the other side wrong. The fact that it was such a big deal in the press that Kerry and McCain are (gasp!) friends was a great source of irritation for me. Why is it such a big deal to be friends with someone in the opposing party? Those in office are often so corrupted by the special interests that got them there that they lose sight of what they’re there for…to represent the people who elected them. Once elected, all that matters is reelection.

I know what I believe, but I like to think that I’m open minded enough to listen to other opinions without calling anyone names. Is it so hard to say “I disagree with you, but you make some good points”? We attack people for “flip flopping” or being “wishy washy,” but I think I would prefer to have someone in office who is reasonable enough to listen to arguments on either side of an issue and be open minded than to have someone who is so dead set in his opinions and beliefs that he cannot be budged, even if he’s wrong. Sometimes, you have to be willing to meet in the middle in order to accomplish anything.

On the other hand, some convictions need to be stuck to.

As far as the upcoming election goes, I’ll definitely be voting for Kerry…but for once in my life, I’d like to be inspired by a candidate. I’d like to vote for someone, instead of against the other guy.

Is that too much to ask?

Now where did I put that soapbox?

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve been on a good church rant, eh?

Catholic Listserv to the rescue!

In my inbox today was this story (yes, the Albany saga continues) with the subject line:

Albany-Homosexual environment noted.

Oh, boy. Here we go again.

This time, the attorney actually did mention the problem, as he sees it:

“I don’t have a problem with anyone being a homosexual, but in the diocese it’s a problem because the gay priests are afraid to tell on the pedophiles out of fear of being outed by them,” he added.

Indeed, that is a problem.

But why don’t we get down to the real problem?

The Church insists on hanging on to this archaic notion that celibacy is a good idea. It’s not. I daresay it’s unnatural.

And can we please stop pretending that has anything to do with holiness or one’s relationship to God, and admit that it’s about money and land ownership? Or at least it was…

I don’t think I need to say again that gay DOES NOT EQUAL pedophile. So many people can’t seem to grasp that concept…but that’s not the point. I do however, have this theory about people with what might be considered “unnatural” or “perverse” sexual inclinations (to the Church, homosexuality…to, well, pretty much everyone, pedophilia) being drawn to the priesthood believing that they can hide or quelch their desires.

Yeah. Like that’s going to work.

So you put together the Church’s utter inability to change or admit mistakes with a massive priest shortage, and what do you get?

Cover-ups. Scandal. Really, really bad shit.

And ever-so-timely to my latest rant is this article from the Buffalo News about celibacy and the priesthood. I haven’t given it a careful reading yet, but it talks about a number of Catholic men who were drawn to a life of service to God, but still wanted to marry and have families.

So they became Episcopalians.

I think this is a trend that is not only going to affect potential priests, but parishioners in general. The Catholic Church needs a serious wakeup call. It is no longer a world power. How many young priests do YOU see?

Ordain women. Drop the celibacy bit. Otherwise, quit the whining about the lack of vocations. And for crying out loud, get rid of the pedophiles and those who helped them get away with it. Without giving them jobs in Rome…

A cause that will not get any of my imaginary money…

more fun with Catholic listservs, brought to you by erin-go-blog!

I have been to Congress for you – testifying before members of the House of Representatives. There, I saw firsthand what is happening …

THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE IS IN DANGER AS NEVER BEFORE.

So we are launching a new push to see the U.S. Constitution amended to protect marriage. And we need your immediate financial help.

http://www.aclj.net/ACLJ/donate.cfm?dn=1008&commid=94207896&id=20384

I know that many members of the ACLJ like you have already spoken out in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment to the United States Constitution.

In fact, almost 300,000 people have already signed our Petition to Preserve Marriage.

But despite this overwhelming response, the amendment legislation is stalled in the committees and back rooms of Congress. It’s going nowhere. Without further action, this movement is doomed.

Lawyers for same-sex marriage proponents are fighting this effort at every step with incredible financial resources. And now that the Massachusetts high court ruling favoring same-sex marriages has gone into effect, they are vowing to see legal homosexual unions in every state.

The executive director of gay rights group Lambda Legal said, “We can’t and we won’t stop until we have equality in marriage nationwide.” He said courts in California, New Jersey, New York, and Washington are considering lawsuits seeking same-sex marriage rights.

We must launch a new campaign – a renewed effort – to get the Federal Marriage Amendment out of the committees and on to the floor of the House and the Senate for an immediate vote.

To make it happen, we need you to make a generous tax-deductible online gift today.

http://www.aclj.net/ACLJ/donate.cfm?dn=1008&commid=94207896&id=20384

Your contribution will help us:
* mount a nationwide campaign to push Congress into action,
* mobilize as many concerned citizens as possible, and
* continue our ongoing efforts to preserve the federal Defense of Marriage Act and “Defense of Marriage” laws in various states of the Union.

To preserve the family as God designed it, we must preserve the institution of marriage. If marriage can be re-defined simply by a change of a few words, its meaning evaporates!

Enabled by you and other members of the ACLJ, through your prayerful giving, WE WILL KEEP ON BATTLING to preserve the institution of marriage in this country on every possible front – all the way up to the Supreme Court of the United States.

But we cannot fight this battle without you.

Please stay faithful to this important cause with your very best secure, online gift today.

http://www.aclj.net/ACLJ/donate.cfm?dn=1008&commid=94207896&id=20384

Your support today will help us preserve marriage and continue all our efforts to protect your freedoms.

For some intelligent reading on the subject, please see Dahlia Lithwick’s column on Slate.com.

Sick of me yet?

Too bad. 🙂

I wouldn’t say that I’m John Kerry’s biggest fan or anything, but I have to say that I admire the way he’s handing the flak he’s getting from the Catholic Church. A quote from Senator Kerry:

“What I believe in personally as a Catholic as an article of faith is an article of faith…(But it is not) appropriate in the United States for a legislator to legislate personal religious beliefs for the rest of the country.”

Amen, brother.

I am so tired of the Church trying to dictate policy, by telling people how to vote, and doing so on a single issue. This is a huge debate. No one is ever going to win it. Period. So in the meantime, you’d rather Americans vote in their leaders based on this ONE thing, as if nothing else matters. (or at least doesn’t matter as much…)

George Weigel writes that “not all issues are equal…the bishops of the United States in a 1998 pastoral letter made unmistakably clear that the pro-life issue carried more weight than other issues because it involved the moral foundations of American democracy.”

So let me get this straight…I agree with where a candidate stands on ALL issues, but the candidate happens to be pro-choice. On the other side, I have a candidate with whom I vehemently disagree with on all other issues, but who is pro-life. I’m “supposed” to vote for the pro-lifer? Or face eternal damnation? What a completely preposterous idea.

And let me just say again, for the record…I am in no way, shape or form in favor of abortion. It’s not a choice that I would ever make. However, I am grateful that, as an American woman, I have a right to MAKE that choice.

(Boy, this soapbox is getting an awful lot of use lately…)

Being a Catholic reporter=good blog fodder

The letters to the editor going in our next issue are the most annoying things I’ve ever read. I’m not kidding.

“Do we want our children thinking same sex ‘marriages’ are OK, and the possibility of more and more children growing up to be homosexuals?”

Oh my God. I’ve been over and over this one. Just shut UP, stupid person.

And then there’s three about abortion and the election. (I’d better be careful here. I may be excommunicated) Okay, first off, the way that pro-lifers paint anyone not violently opposed to abortion (no, wait, that’s wrong…not violently opposed to LAWS which allow abortion) as “pro abortion” or “pro death” is ridiculous. How many people do you know who love the idea of abortion? who say “yeah, let’s kill babies. it’s great!”

Why is it that so many people see fit to appoint themselves judges of the moral fiber of society?

[Jesus wail]If your slate is clean then you can throw stones…[/Jesus wail]