Ten Responses to Catholic Obamites

My previous post described a letter written by a Catholic friend who defended her vote for Obama. The Church with its priests and members must diligently respond to the arguments written in her email. Here are ten suggestions for pastors who encounter such errors.

1. Teach about the devil--don't ever ignore him because he is very real and can be very close.
2. Clearly identify and refute the theological errors, including syncretism and indifferentism, that lead Catholics to deny their faith, either partially or in whole
3. Recognize that "partial Catholics" are no longer Catholic and so must be reconverted; moreover, many have become "China eggs" that will never hatch. It's always easier for non-Christians to become new, staunch, and fervent Catholics because they have never rejected the grace of Jesus Christ and his teachings
   
4. Insist, by example if necessary, that Catholics act militantly in response to Christ's commission to live and promote the truths of the Catholic Church.
   
5. Explain that both contraception and abortion are part of the devil's plan to destroy humanity--physically, morally, economically, etc., and eternally.
   
6. Note that human sacrifice of innocent lives has always been associated with past ages of Satanic worship. Give a 'Wiki' lesson on the history of child sacrifice to false gods
7. Forcefully teach that God will not be mocked by arguments that appeal to economics, the environment, etc. to justify voting for human sacrifice
   
8. Identify and promote Saints who fought in the past against similar heresies and evil practices
9. Recruit key individuals to respond to religious, political, and moral evils with their prayers, good works, and direct Catholic action.
10. Challenge Catholics to become MORE CHRISTIAN than Democrat, Republican, or any other identification.
    

Obama and the Catholic Vote

Since November 4, I've wondered how Barack Obama could have gotten so many votes from Catholics. It is clear that the President-elect is totally committed to a woman's right to abortion--even if it means that the baby is born alive. He also believes his own two daughters, if they became pregnant, should not be "punished" with unwanted pregnancies. [ For details, see Obama's address before Planned Parenthood--Obama video or transcript of his 30 minute speech.

As was pointed out by Catholic culturist, Phil Lawler, "in the past few weeks, different American bishops have issued radically different statements on the moral responsibilities of Catholic voters." Lawler's article notes that between 53 and 54% of American Catholic voters cast their ballots for Barack Obama, while 54% of Protestants voted for McCain who has consistently voted pro-life in the U.S. Senate. Lawler adds:

In 7 [of the 50] states, Catholics make up more than 30% of the population. Obama captured all 7 of those states on Election Day. In 8 states, Catholics account for less than 5% of the population. Seven of those states swung for McCain, and the 8th, North Carolina, is still listed as "too close to call"....

Phil Lawler then asks, "re those states [that voted for Obama] hotbeds of liberalism despite the heavy Catholic presence, or because of it?"

Here are some other observations of Lawler:

Dozens of American bishops issued strong public statements reminding their people of their moral obligation to vote in defense of human life. Those statements varied in candor and in quality, but their overall impact was remarkable. The 2008 campaign produced a seismic change in the attitude of the American hierarchy; the bishops as a group were far more outspoken, far more explicit, than in any previous election.

Lawler continues:

Among Catholic voters who attend Mass weekly, McCain won majority support: 54- 45%. Among those who do not attend weekly Mass, the margin for Obama was an overwhelming 61- 37%. Thus Obama drew his support from inactive Catholics. And unfortunately, most American Catholics are inactive.

This year, at last, the American bishops were clear and forthright in their teaching. Yet on Election Day it became evident that millions of American Catholics weren't listening.

The political scene in Massachusetts is dominated not by Catholics but by ex-Catholics, thoroughly hostile to the teachings of the Church. Are Catholics in other states following the same trend? ...Regrettably, I see the same forces that corrupted Catholicism in my native state now active all across the nation.

I believe Lawler is correct, except that a 45% vote for Obama among regular Mass-goers is intolerable.

Yet where Catholic truths are firmly taught and accepted, the people did not vote for Obama. If an angel were to have stood on the head of pens in Kansas City voting booths, they would testify that virtually all traditional Catholics who attend the old Latin Mass voted against Obama.

One lady that I know well attends the local Novus Ordo (English language) parish and voted for Obama. She argued (please remember that normally she does not misspell so many words) in the following email:

Please do not send me any political stuff, I am sick of this whole campaign. Some of you don't, but after receiving a lot of things on line, this is my opinion, which I feel I have a right to state, after reading all the e-mails.

I know Obama is pro abortion, but there are bigger things to take care of like our young guys at War who are losing their lives and what their families have gone through. Aren't their lives ilmportant too.

I know the Priests, ect. are indirectly telling us to vote for McCain, which I resent very much. The economy is a mess, what about the people who are losing their jobs and homes, isn't their lives important too. What about our enviorment, are we going to let our familes inherit this earth full of polution, their lives are important too.

On taxes, no matter who gets in we will all pay taxes. Healthcare is a big priority, aren't the people without any insurance important too.

On the abortion issue I am against it. However I ask myself why there are so many with all the different birth control stuff out there. We have all signed petitions at our churchs against abortion over the years, but what actually has been accomplished. Maybe parents aren't doing their jobs, they can't always rely on the schools or churches to do it.

I look at both candidates and I see one family man who is married once and one that has been married three times. I see a wife that is a smart intelligent woman who is an attorney and then I see a bleached blonde who races cars in her spare time.

The candidates for vice president, one is a mature man who lost his wife and has more experience than anyone and I believe he is remarried, although I am not sure of the later. Then I see the other candidate and think of the gal that was in the movie "Fargo", who I would be very afraid to have as a president.

My friends, there is a lot of things at stake here and more to consider than the one issue of abortion, although I am against abortion, we are voting for the person who is for the poor and working class who will probably end up paying the burden of the taxes again.

The 70-ish lady who wrote the above has probably sent me at least 15 emails on Jesus. She also goes to Saturday evening Mass regularly at the local Catholic Church. She has only two children, one teenage grandchild, and clearly believes (as shown above), that contraception should be the solution to abortion. She seems to believe that church petitions should have stopped abortion.

The woman argues that the war, economy, health care, pollution, etc. are of combined greater importance than abortion. She also believes that the evils espoused by one candidate are acceptable because of the moral weaknesses of the opposing candidate.

How should Catholic sermons/homilies/newspapers/blogs respond to this lady's arguments? My next post will address responses of the Church and its Catholics.

Old St. Patrick's is Almost Finished!

In the midst of election news, I have delayed reporting on Old St. Patrick's Oratory! This renovated Catholic Church in downtown Kansas City Missouri is a wonderful combination of new and old--exactly what the CATHOLIC CHURCH IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE!

The church building took almost three years of renovation work before it was suitable again for the worship of God through the old Latin liturgy. Bishop Finn offered the dedication Mass on October 26, 2008 and reconsecrated the church because it had been unused for many years. All Masses and liturgical ceremonies have now been moved from Our Lady of Sorrows church, where the old Latin Mass has been offered since 1990, to the beautiful new/old Oratory.

For more information, see here. Better yet, obtain the complete insert in the current Catholic Key by getting a paper copy. Great stuff!

Proposition 8 Wins in California

The second most important election result in the nation occurred in California where Proposition 8 won on November 4, 2008 to deal a huge blow to the gay rights movement. The painful loss (to homosexuals) marked the first time that voters rejected same-sex marriage in a state where it was already legal (because of imperial court decisions).

Over $75 million dollars was spent on this vital vote to stop California from redefining marriage and recognizing same-sex couplings. Opponents of the measure included the rich pro-homosexual community that out-fundraised conservative proponents of Proposition 8 by more than 5-to-1.

The fight to pass Proposition 8 was led by ProtectMarriage.com with a 4-member Executive Board that included: campaign chairman Ron Prentice; Edward Dolejsi, executive director of the California Catholic Conference; Mark Jansson, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Andrew Pugno, a lawyer for ProtectMarriage.com.

The Mormons were given credit by NPR as contributing nearly half the money to support Proposition 8 and more data on their personal contributions are given here. The good Catholic Knights of Columbus are on record as donating $1M. Catholic Bishops in California endorsed the measure through the California Catholic Conference by strongly encouraging members of the faith "to provide both the financial support and the volunteer efforts needed for the passage of Proposition 8."

An interesting story of this victory for traditional marriage is told from the perspective of a disappointed opponent of Proposition 8:

This is not a misprint: As California's Proposition 8 to ban safe-sex marriage headed for defeat, the Associated Press commissioned a poll rooted in age groups. Senior citizens were slightly in favor of permitting gay marriage among consenting adults, but the age 30-and-younger group was strongly opposed.

No, we don't have it backwards. This is a case where older people are the most sympathetic and tolerant toward personal freedoms and individual rights, than are people in the up-and-coming generation. Isn't the reverse supposed to be typically true?

Furthermore, this ballot initiative is an amendment to the California State Constitution. Based on the attitudes of California's 30-and-younger population, it seems that Proposition 8 will remain embedded for generations to come.

What ever happened to free thinking among younger folks? How does this California anti-gay outlook manifest itself in comparison to the passion for "change" that was embodied in Barack Obama's campaign, which historically drew millions of young adults into political and social action for the first time?

These poll results are puzzling, but the Baltimore Sun --- which conducted the survey for the Associated Press --- is among the most respected and professional news operations in the nation.

The gay rights movement and same-sex marriage were also dealt a severe blow in Florida and Arizona where majority votes now protect the traditional definition of marriage.

The Antichrist

An older Catholic book, The Antichrist, was written by Jesuit Fr. Vincent P. Miceli and published over 25 years ago (1981) . The "Preaching of the Antichrist" by Luca Signorelli (1499-1504) was used on the front cover.

Even though a scholarly volume, the book went through at least five reprintings, including the copy that I have which was issued in 1987. The flyleaf comments seem contemporary with respect to the discussion on Obama's religious background and beliefs.

Fr. Vincent P. Miceli attempts to relate the prophecy of the Antichrist to the major disaster of our times--the nightmare, admitted by all now, of the world-wide collapse of Christianity. Has St. Paul's prophecy concerning the coming of the "general apostasy," as prelude to the lawles one's arrival, been fulfilled in our generation? Has the fall of the three major messianic utopias--the American dream, the Socialist welfare fantasy, the Marxist revolutionary paradise--produced the sufficiently Godless, disillusioned, diseased womb of society from which 'the lord of this world' will be born?