Shakedown and Shake Up

One recent late afternoon while looking at TV weather, a commercial interruption caused me to scan other channels, one of which was in the middle of an Oprah Winfry interview of Dr. Alvin Poussaint and Dr. Bill Cosby (yes, he has an earned doctorate). I've always liked Bill Cosby and he and Dr. Poussaint were being asked about a controversial feature of their recent book, Come On, People: On the Path from Victims to Victors--a home shakedown.

In a later Meet the Press interview with Tim Russert, Cosby and Poussaint expanded on how to protect black children from drugs, guns, and other modern evils. I was intrigued about the recommendation of random parental room "shakedowns" for both black and white children. See this clip of Cosby's discussion.



Did I ever thoroughly go through my childrens' rooms while they were growing up over 20 years ago? No, but my husband and I would probably perform an occasional shakedown today, especially if we saw unwelcome behavioral changes in the child. If we saw a gun, evidence of drug use, pornography, signs of immoral behavior, etc., then we could not avoid confronting this evil in our home.

Our first goal would be to "shake up" the child (yes, he is always my child and I will always want to protect him from being injured or killed--either spiritually or physically). He (or she) would be told in clear and forceful words that no material of a wicked nature is ever allowed in our home that is consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. And the bad material would be publicly destroyed in front of the young person to clarify we meant business! Obviously, this would be only the first step--but this action is where we would have to start.

Christian Modesty

Christian modesty usually seems to refer to dressing decently and avoiding arousing the sexual instinct, unless married. Another form of Christian modesty is likely even more important and deals with hiding our gifts so that not even the right arm knows what the left arm is doing.

A couple of weeks ago, a friend told me about some of the wonderful things she does for others. Later she sent me this email explaining that she should have been silent about her good works, and also quoted a recent email she herself had received from a second friend.

I received the below email from a dear friend. It was most certainly meant for me to hear because when we were talking several nights ago I errored in revealing that I had helped other people when i should have kept it to myself. Her thoughts reflect mine, she just states it so beautifully. The woman who wrote converted to the Catholic Faith at Easter, 2007. She has a depth of holiness that is exceptional.

Signed: FRIEND

Dear FRIEND,

I want to apologize to you for having told you yesterday about giving out those prayer books to Fr. X’s laity……first of all, it wasn’t right for me to tell anyone about what I’m doing, because by doing that, I am seeking praise from others, which doesn’t belong to me. It belongs solely to God. I should only be concerned with pleasing God and I should keep things like that secret from everyone else. The second thing I want to apologize for is that I didn’t give glory to God when I told you about this yesterday…..He’s the one who’s blessing the laity; He’s just using me as an instrument to distribute the books, that’s all. I’m ashamed for having taking God’s glory of goodness away from Him yesterday. I know better than that.

I want you to also know that I’m not writing this letter to seek any more praise, but to let you know that I feel bad for what I did. Please accept my apology.

Signed: SECOND FRIEND

Letter to a Fallen-Away Goddaughter

Dear _______,

Your Mother told me she was very concerned about your physical danger and asked for prayers. It's very good news to know that you are all right.

My prior email that referred to the Didache, describing the way of Life and the way of Death, dealt with embracing truth or deceit. Truth means knowing God, knowing ourselves, distinguishing friends from enemies, and then learning about the rest of the world--in that order. Deceit means lying to ourselves and living in a world of spend-and-consume materialism and self-indulgent "feelings," which my husband contends are the bases for most social and spiritual problems.

You grew up in and were affected by the "If it feels good, do it!" world publicized by Jerry Rubin and Woodstock that advocated indiscriminate sex, the use of illegal drugs, and the abandonment of self-discipline and restraint. Worse, your Catholic education was an unfortunate byproduct of accepting portions of the "feel good" focus on one's self. The resulting societal evils that now challenge our younger generations are well described by a Catholic acquaintance of mine, Jack Cashell, who was interviewed extensively on TV yesterday evening. He penetrates and analyzes the always-advancing-to-the-pit California in his new book, What's the Matter with California. [Definitely read the extensive rebuttal to the Publishers' Weekly review comments--much further down the Amazon page.]

Until this past month, you were only being prayed for but not contacted. However, as you approach half your lifespan, you will likely begin to review your past life and may try to project your future. A "reality check" is a good basis for beginning the second half of your life.

Your mother, _______, and we pray almost daily for you to find a new life in Jesus Christ. He claims He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." So either Jesus is God (He says He is "I am Who am") or He is a liar. He can't be both. His Way and Life of truth and charity are either good or they are bad. Picking and choosing (cafeteria-style) what to believe and follow from His teachings pretends we have two masters--Jesus and ourself.

Living my life in imitation of Christ (or at least trying to most of the time) has given me so many good things that I often say to myself that "I am the most blessed and gifted person in the entire world!" That is what I want you to be able to say someday.

Love, Your Godmother (dustiam)

[The above email is sitting in my DRAFTS box. I'd appreciate reader comments before I send it to a beloved, fallen-away Catholic.]

Standing Outside in Tornadoes

My husband grew up in a rural farming community where his family's house had a nearby "cave" or root cellar buried in the ground. The two wooden doors to the sod-covered "cave" lay at an angle and could be lifted to either side, then pulled back down from the inside and latched during a storm.

Stone stairs led into a dark interior with a slightly arched ceiling and rock walls. The dirt floor was cool and damp. It was a good place for spiders when it was infrequently used. During my husband's early years, potatoes were normally stored there and retrieved on almost a daily basis. During warm months, the "cave" was the cool repository for milk because electrical or ice refrigeration was not available.

The "cave" also served as a storm shelter for the family. My husband's dad would keep his eyes to the southwest to track potential severe storms. Quite a few times, he would yell, "Time to go to the cave, boys. Hurry!" And lots of kids would run outside the house, often in their pajamas, to descend into the dark protective environment of the "cave." No one wanted to stand outside in a tornado.

The past 40 years have been similar to living through tornadoes. Severe storms have weakened the structures of the church and society, and families have had to protect themselves by going into "caves." This situation still prevails today.

So what is the modern equivalent of a spiritual "cave" or catacomb? Homeschooling and private, parent controlled schools are spiritually protective environments that are used by many families. Isolated Latin Mass communities are also "caves", although they have a much wider purpose and important future in the Church.

The most important "cave" is the family home itself. Shed of secular media such as TV, popular magazines, and rock music, the home is the protected nursery for the future generation of solid and productive citizens who understand God's purpose in creating them and try to follow His laws.

What happens if you try to stand outside in a spiritual tornado and withstand the modernist whirlwinds? The past 40 years is filled with large numbers of parents who tried to do this and their children were blown away! Sometimes all of them. Even well-formed parents were lost to the storm. They thought they could stand outside in a tornado.

I tell my grandchildren that they are the descendants of "old country" people who were smart enough to leave their homes and go to "caves" to avoid storms that could destroy them--either spiritually or physically. Our family knows well that several of their male ancestors came to this country to avoid the destruction of European wars. Their "cave" was a "new country," the United States of America. Our ancestral young potential draftees required by European armies avoided having their genetic links to the future being destroyed. That's the reason our family members now exist.

KU Latin Mass

The Lawrence Journal World has an article on the Revival of the old Latin Mass offered last Sunday at the KU Catholic student center. Fr. Steven Beseau, the Catholic Chaplain, is quoted:

It’s certainly more of a transcendent experience,” Beseau says. “There’s something mysterious, a greater contact with the divine in the traditional Latin Mass. That’s not to say that doesn’t happen in the new Mass, but the focus is more about a community gathered and not on God.”

Beseau says the Mass may become a regular occurrence, if there’s enough interest.

“Most older people have an aversion to the Latin Mass. They see it as a reversion to their childhood,” Beseau says. “Young people are very open to it. They’re very curious.”

China and "Trajan's Rescript"

My last post on Christianity in China indicated that a new "Trajan's Rescript" might "mark the end of China's old system of uncompromising hostility to the Church." To clarify, "Trajan's Rescript" from the old Roman Empire was not favorable to the Church, as is detailed in this short discussion taken from NETBible. Rather it was a moderation of severe Roman persecution of Christians, similar to the somewhat lessened persecution of the Church by Chinese officials of the past few years, including the recent announcement that China will provide places of Catholic worship at the 2008 Olympic Village.

On the death of Domitian peace was restored to the Christian church which lasted throughout the brief reign of Nerva (96-98) and the first 13 years of Trajan. It is a curious fact that some of the best of the Roman emperors (Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Decius and Diocletian) were harsh to the Christians, while some of the worst (as Commodus, Caracalla, Heliogabalus) left them in peace (see PERSECUTION, 17). Christianity had been rapidly spreading in the interval of tranquillity.

Pliny became governor of Bithynia in 111 AD and found, especially in the eastern part of his province, the temples almost deserted. Some Christians were brought before him and on established precedents were ordered to be executed for their religion. But Pliny soon discovered that many of both sexes and all ages, provincials and Roman citizens, were involved. The Roman citizens he sent to Rome for trial; but being of a humane disposition he shrank from carrying out the wholesale execution required by a consistent policy.

He wrote to Trajan telling him what he had already done, rather covertly suggesting tolerant measures. Should no distinction be made between old and young? Should pardon not be extended to those who recanted and worshipped the emperor's image and cursed Christ? Should mere profession (nomen ipsum) be a capital offense if no crimes could be proven, or should the crimes rather be punished that were associated with the faith (an flagitia cohaerentia nomini)?

He then explains his procedure: he gave those who were accused an abundant opportunity of recanting; those who persisted in this faith were executed. He considered their "stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy" (pertinaciam certe et inflexibilem obstinationem) as in itself deserving punishment. But the administration having once interfered found plenty to do. An anonymous list of many names was handed in, most of whom, however, denied being Christians. Informers then put forward others who likewise denied belonging to the faith.

Pliny was convinced their meetings were harmless, and on examination of two deaconesses under torture discovered nothing but a perverse extravagant superstition (sup. pravam immodicam). Trajan replied that no universal and definite rule could be laid down, apparently confirming the correctness of Pliny's action and perhaps disappointing Pliny in not yielding to his humane suggestions.

Nevertheless, the emperor made three important concessions: (1) the Christians were not to be sought out by the police authorities, but if they were accused and convicted they must be punished; (2) anonymous information against them was not to be accepted; (3) even those suspected of flagitia in the past were to be pardoned on proving they were not Christians or on renouncing Christianity.

Some regard this rescript of Trajan as the first official and legal authorization to proscribe Christianity; but we have already seen that Christianity as such was proscribed as a result of the Neronian investigations. Besides, there is not the slightest trace of any new principle of severity, either in the letters of Pliny or in the rescript of Trajan. The persecution of Christianity had been "permanent" like that of highwaymen, but not systematic or general. Neither was Trajan's rescript an edict of toleration, though on the whole it was favorable to the Christians in minimizing the dangers to which they were exposed. The question was as yet purely one of administration.

Trajan initiated no procedure against Christians--in fact rather discouraged any, asking his lieutenant to close his eyes to offenders--and Pliny consulted him in the hope of obtaining milder treatment for the Christians by putting in question form what he really wished to be approved. Trajan's rescript "marks the end of the old system of uncompromising hostility."

Is China still persecuting the Church? Yes, there are many underground Bishops and priests still under arrest, religious pilgrimages are still forbidden and attacked, and living a good and open Christian life is very difficult in most of China, especially because of their "one child" policy.

However, an even more important issue might be that no Bishops have been permitted by the Vatican to be ordained in many years for the underground Church in China. The September 2007 newsletter of the Cardinal Kung Foundation points out a potential consequence of a very risky Papal venture:

The underground Church is rapidly to become extinct because the Holy See has not appointed any new bishops in the underground Church for the last 10 years or so. Currently, only approximately 31 underground bishops remain. Of the 31, 20 are more than 80 years old, and 6 are between 70-80 years old. There are only 5 underground bishops who are under 70 years old! Obviously, without the ordination of any new underground bishops, within the next five years, in keeping with standard mortality statistics, few underground bishops will remain. Thus, the Pope’s emphasis on unity will ring hollow when within 5 or 10 years, there will be a single-digit number of underground bishops. By that time, there will be only the official Patriotic Church’s bishops shepherding the Catholic Church in China. With whom does the Holy See wish the official CPA-controlled Church to unite?

Without the appointment of new bishops in the underground Church, the suffering underground Roman Catholic Church, whose members will have by then experienced more than 60 years of severe persecution for their Faith to God and for their total obedience and loyalty to successive Popes, will finally be de-facto eliminated, not by the Chinese communists, but by the Holy See itself by virtue of its refusal to appoint any more underground bishops. Rome would possibly lose the loyalty and obedience of tens of millions proven faithful in China who have suffered immeasurably for the Successor of Peter.

The entire issue of the Cardinal Kung Newsletter needs to be read to understand the difficulties of the Catholic Church in China. So does a current article in AsiaNews that focuses on Hu Jintao's "harmonious society." We need to pray for Pope Benedict XVI as he tries to obtain increased freedom of the Church to operate in China. Undoubtedly, we do not know all that he knows, but I suspect he understands that China will be the next Roman Empire with its economic and military might. Consequently, China's conversion to following the one true God and His Church is absolutely required for our future world and civilization.

Pope Benedict XVI and Chinese Premier Hu Jintao

I listened on TV to President Hu Jintao's long opening address at the 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party on October 15, 2007, [full address] and observe some similarities between the situations of Pope Benedict XVI and Chinese Premier and President Hu Jintao. Is there is a real sea change in progress for Chinese society and their government? I hope so, even though I also am reminded that past Soviet leaders and Cuba's Fidel Castro at times made somewhat similar statements that looked good on the surface, but which roots originated in the false view of our relationship to God.

The similarities that I see between Benedict XVI and Hu Jintao mostly revolve around their dealing with the aftereffects of serious mismanagement of their Church and country. Hu said Mao's theory of class struggle was an erroneous theory, and that Marxism must be adapted to the culture of China. [These comments, by themselves, represent a real break with Chinese communism over the past 60 years!] In contrast, Benedict XVI is dealing with the error of Modernism. However, both men are aware they could lose command by going too fast in overcoming past errors. Another similarity is that both rely, more than recent past leadership, on the strong historical foundations of their organizations--China's history for Hu, and the Church's tradition by Benedict XVI.

Both leaders have shown in the past they are capable of dealing effectively with rebellious elements to maintain the security of their respective organizations. Both clearly point out problems caused by recent leaders, yet still acknowledge and even praise those former leaders--probably so as not to lose the historical credibility upon which their own authority stands.

Here are some of Jintao's words that caught my attention:

• Continue and expand China's opening-up program
• "Socialism with Chinese characteristics..." [Seeming to imply that the prior understanding of socialism was not reflective of China. Yet, take this with a grain of salt because he continued to reference Marxism and Leninism.]
• "expand people's democracy and ensure that the people are the masters of the country" [the word 'democracy' was used 60 times during the speech, often with illustrations.]
• insure the "rule of law" [used quite a few times, including "In principle, public hearings must be held for the formulation of laws, regulations and policies that bear closely on the interests of the public." Also apparently refers to governmental checks and balances.]
• "... improve institutions of democracy, diversify its forms and expand its channels to guarantee people's rights to information and participation." [Does this refer to internet access?]
• "Power must be exercised in the sunshine to ensure that it is exercised correctly." [That would be a definite change, but can it happen in a communist government?]
• "As an important part of China's overall reform, political restructuring must be constantly deepened along with economic and social development to adapt to the growing enthusiasm of the people for participation in political affairs." [This also may refer to an improved governmental system of checks and balances.]

Surprisingly, Premier Hu Jintao promised to appoint more non-communists to high level positions within the Chinese government. Perhaps more importantly, he also stated "Promoting harmony in relations between political parties, between ethnic groups, between religions [???], between social strata, and between our compatriots at home and overseas plays an irreplaceable role in enhancing unity and pooling strengths." The phrase "harmonious development" appears consistently in Hu's speeches, so much so that Chinese Catholics now insist that Christianity contributes a good basis for "harmonious development" of their nation. Perhaps they understand that their new "Roman emperor" could be more favorable to Christianity than past leaders, and that a new Trajan's rescript could mark the end of old system of uncompromising hostility to the Church.

SCIENTIFIC MATERIALISM still seems to be the greatest error as China's market economy expands under a revised Marxist socialism. Premier Hu Jintao promised a lot of bread to the Chinese people on October 15, 2007 in his 5-year report to the Communist Party of China. Bread to the people, as Nero promised to the Romans!

As background, Hu always emphasizes his list of "Eight Honors and Disgraces."

Love the country, do it no harm;
Serve the people, never betray them;
Follow science [the Word of GOD!], discard superstition;
Be diligent, not indolent;
Be united, help each other, make no gains at other's expense;
Be honest and trustworthy, do not sacrifice ethics for profit;
Be disciplined and law-abiding, not chaotic and lawless;
Live plainly, work hard, do not wallow in luxuries and pleasures.

As can be seen above, only one word needs to be changed to make it a reasonable list of natural virtues. Perhaps Hu can someday redefine science as the "Word of God" just has he seems to have redefined Marxist socialism.

Exercise and the Outdoors

I need outdoor exercise to give me the mental and physical boost that I need when I feel tired of being indoors. I always feel so much better after I've walked, gardened, or played a sport. The exercise reminds me of past days spent playing softball, volleyball, horseshoes, and running. Exercise even makes me feel younger than I am, especially if I don't overdo it and injure anything! At my age it just takes too long for an injury to heal.

One of our daughters and her husband recently went on a bike ride in rural Missouri. The farmland was mostly flat with gravel roads laid out on mile by mile squares. Missouri streams occasionally cut through adjacent pasture land and swampy areas. The day started out sunny and refreshing.

I found an extra bicycle found in their large garage, even though I haven't ridden for several years. When my husband saw what I was contemplating, he decided to ride too. So grandparents, parents, and grandchildren criss-crossed several gravel roads for one to two hours. I saw only two farm vehicles during the entire time.

The weather quickly turned warm and windy, and I got very thirsty. Leaving the others, I returned home the first. Loading the car with cold bottles of water, I hosted a popular "Sag Wagon" of refreshment so the rest of the family riders could complete their tour comfortably.

I'm really going to miss these wonderful and warm days in the coming winter months. That's when I'll look at the computer screen to be tempted by ads for travel to New Zealand and Australia!

Catholic Traditional Latin Mass

The old Latin Mass will be offered by a priest of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest on Sunday, October 21, at 12:30 pm on the campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. Fr. Steven Beseau is director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Center and has invited the Missa Cantata to be sung in the chapel by Fr. Denis Buchholz of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. Fr. Buchholz is the current rector of the old Latin Mass community at Old St. Patrick Oratory in Kansas City.

The University of Kansas was the site of many traditional Catholic vocations to the priesthood and conversions to the true Faith while Dr.'s Senior, Quinn, and Nelick taught their Pearson Integrated Humanities Program in the 1970's. In fact, there would be no Clear Creek Monastery in Oklahoma without the conversions and priests engendered by the Pearson Program. The current Bishop of Salina, KS also attended the program, as did certain priests of the Kansas City, MO, Kansas City, KS, and Wichita dioceses. In addition, more than a few alumni of the Pearson Program became priests and monks in old traditional Catholic monasteries and convents in France.

I heard Dr. John Senior give an address at a Catholics United for the Faith meeting at a parish in south Kansas City during the mid-1970's. The thin professor who had himself been a convert to the Catholic faith, and appeared to me to walk a difficult spiritual path few mortals take. He was well known for his support of the old Latin Mass, and so it is appropriate that Kansas University is the location of one of the first archdiocesan Masses offered in the 1984 Latin rite under Summorum Pontificum.

I remember hearing that the three professors were very good at embedding a desire to search for, and find and love truth, in their students. Once I watched Dr. Senior and Dr. Quinn (or perhaps it was Dr. Nelick?) argue vigorously in a large auditorium. I'm not sure of the subject but it was undoubtedly about a position relating to the foundation of Western Civilization that was also debated by ancient peoples.

In the debate I heard, Dr. Senior took the affirmative position and Dr. Quinn took the negative position. All the possible views of the subject seemed to be explored. The 45-min exploration easily demonstrated to listeners the errors of particular points and the truths of others. Consequently, even though Catholicism was never advertised, the students eventually wondered about the personal beliefs of the genial, yet stalwart professors. When students asked questions, answers were given, and I remember hearing the program was responsible for keeping a convert class conducted by old Fr. Moriarity full with at least 40 students each semester.

Things went along fairly well in the first couple of years, but then some parents, rather powerful, realized that more than a few of their children were embracing the Catholic faith. Years later, one of the priests who came from the Pearson Program came back to Kansas City to say Mass at a local parish. He had been estranged from his Jewish family for many, many years, and his sister had agreed to meet him after the morning Mass. I won't forget the woman who came up to me as I was leaving the church and asked, "I'm looking for my brother. He's DRESSED LIKE A CATHOLIC PRIEST."

The University, betraying its liberality, caused the program to die in about 1979. A key element of the betrayal was to deny the Pearson Program access to the names and addresses of entering freshmen. But other roadblocks were also successfully used by the University. Yet so much had been accomplished in the very short eight years of the Program that a book would be required to describe it all. May the Church eventually acknowledge the sanctity, love, and courage exhibited by Dr. John Senior during the worst time of the Devil's Playground in the Church of the 1970's.

Piero Marini's Departure; Guido Marini's Ascendence

"Monsignor Guido Marini will replace Archbishop Piero Marini as the pope’s Master of Ceremonies, meaning the official in charge of how the pope celebrates the Mass and the other rites of the church"

reports John L. Allen, Jr. of NCR Cafe. Yes, I loathe the newspaper, but not Allen. Check out Allen's full article which does an excellent job of explaining why the Pope's Masses in different parts of the world have been full of outrageous behaviors. You won't be too surprised once you find out the the departing Archbishop Piero Marini used to be the

"personal secretary to Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, head of the special Vatican commission that oversaw liturgical reform."

Madonna's Conversion

For quite a while, I've prayed that the singer, Madonna, would have a conversion and return to the Catholic church. It would seem to be a great conversion story. However as the years have passed, I've come to realize that if she did convert, no one would believe her. Especially because her notoriety is based on shocking change after change to engender additional publicity.

Madonna's mother died of breast cancer when she five years old, leaving six children. Did Madonna grieve? I'm sure she did, but her personality is such that I would bet that very quickly she became angry--ANGRY at God for taking her mother. Children can make promises at a very young age. Did Madonna tell God that she would be His adversary because of her Mother? I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised, considering the life Madonna has led.

Madonna's anger might have resembled that of a nice young man of about 17 years, Justin, who told me recently his favorite Grandpa had died about three months ago. Justin said he had stopped going to church because God took his Grandpa. Fortunately, an older man has talked to Justin about God's providence and wisdom, even in death. Justin said he has let go of his anger and returned to worshiping God.

So, what if my prayers are not answered and Madonna dies while still angry with God (if she actually is angry). I believe God gave his grace (perhaps a little because of my prayers), to another public person who would have a much more profound religious conversion, John C. Wright. I've mentioned this well-known author before because he is well-read and knowledgeably combats the relativism, hedonism, and atheism of today's world in posts that are interspersed with writing about science fiction. Frankly, Wright is a much better catch for God than would be Madonna. If you haven't visited Wright's daily journal (blog), please check it out. He isn't all there, yet, but seems to be following much the same path as C.S. Lewis once did.

BTW, I'll still continue praying for Madonna's conversion, even if an actual change of life cannot be believed as being genuine by anyone.

Alas, Rich Curmudgeon!

Been gone for a while, and I see Curmudgeon is back, including his story of winning the lottery and building a dream town of traditional Catholicism in North Dakota. I'm not sure an enclave is the answer because it is a clear target for enemies to come, as Curmudgeon points out.

If safety no longer exists for a political or religious group, it might be best to become invisible or hidden. Witness the Japanese Catholics who secretly maintained their faith for a couple of hundred years. Should things ever get really bad in the U.S., most people believe hiding is the answer--in isolated places such as the desert or the mountains or the far north. Personally, I think it might be smarter to become the poor janitor or car washer in the worst part of town and learn street smarts to protect yourself and your family.

I once visited a black Catholic friend who lived in one of the worst neighborhoods in the city--highest crime rate, weedy lots, and houses seemingly ready to be torn down. She had iron bars on her apparently run down house, but when I entered, what a surprise! Her house was clean and tastefully furnished--beautiful! When she saw my obvious shock at her home's interior, she said that it was wise for her house to look like the others on her block. She protected herself and her family by appearing poor and downtrodden.

"I Don't Pay Attention to the Pope!"

That bad attitude is reflected in the September 9, 2007 bulletin of St. Joseph Church, Springfield, MO. That's the diocese where a strong and active contingent of traditional Catholics are asking Bishop John Leibrecht and his priests for a traditional Latin Mass according to Pope Benedict XVI's Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum. Well, you can see how far these Catholics are getting by reading the "Pastor's Reflection" in the bulletin. I was going to quote a few of the pastor's sourpuss comments here, but they really need to be read in their entirety to see and feel the hateful spite being spewed at traditional Catholics.

Catholics in southwest Missouri have practically given up hope of working with Bishop Leibreicht and now believe the only place he will ever let an old Latin Mass be offered is in a small out-of-the-way place--in the "boonies." I profiled the liberal Bishop Leibrecht in an earlier post, and he has still not been replaced. Even though he was required to submit his resignation over two years ago at the age of 75!

I heard from a woman and her husband who recently moved from the liberal Springfield diocese to the more Catholic diocese of Wichita, KS. They say the move was well worth it because they now have a good Catholic parish, with only a few of many spiritual advantages listed below:

1. Pro-life activities
2. Good grade school
   
3. Apologetics classes--in high school
   
4. Joint religion classes [Generations in Faith Together] for adults and children where rosary kits were given out (600 people showed up!)
5. Reminders of traditional Catholicism (e.g., written prayers, small flyer--"Have you visited these Shrines?", color pictures of saints, )
6. Morality Plays
7. Wonderful young priest
8. Beautiful large Catholic church
   

China Catholics

The BBC reports today on the large attendance at the Catholic Cathedral in Beijing, China. The new "primate" of Catholicism in China is now Bishop Giuseppe [Joseph] Li Shan who was elected by his Catholic population, appointed to the post by Communists, and is unopposed by the Vatican. [See the background stories dated September 20 from the International Herald Tribune and dated September 21 from AsiaNews. Also see an earlier AsiaNews report. For comparison, also see the official China Daily report on the Bishop's ordination.]

At Sunday morning Mass, the church is overflowing with worshippers. Those that cannot squeeze in sit on benches outside.... The solid-looking brick cathedral, founded in 1605 by Jesuit Matteo Ricci, is the base of newly-appointed Beijing Bishop Father Joseph Li Shan. Father Joseph, whose appointment was approved by the Vatican, is in charge of one of China's main dioceses. It has a flock of at least 50,000 people.

A 24-year old teacher attending morning Mass at the Cathedral with two friends said she also attends unofficial, underground Catholic churches in Beijing, often held in people's homes. Pointing to the Southern Cathedral's towering facade, she said:

This kind of church is government-controlled and has no power. The underground church is more traditional."

The BBC report quotes a Sister Yu:

"There are many Chinese people who are not Christians, but they go abroad and meet believers who they respect. When they return home they become Christians themselves."

At this point in my elderly life, I look back regretfully and wish I had not failed to do [or at least attempt] certain things. One of my most serious failures was to fail to search out and be friendly to Chinese students to whom I had fairly easy access for a number of years. If I had not failed, would there now be two or three more Catholics in China?

Frankly, China is destined to be the number one power in the world within a relatively short time frame. If they remain atheists and persecutors of the Church, I fear for our country and the rest of the world. However, if sufficient Chinese leaders become Christian [and reject their anti-life programs], China could bring great gifts to the world. [See possible example for East Timor.] Especially if intelligent and hard-working Chinese citizens do not become addicted to materialism.

What kind of gifts could China bring to the world? A right order, for example, where freedom does not mean license. A strong sense of family bonds, with a rejection of "free sex". A respect for hard work and loyalty. Indeed, if China were to embrace the ten commandments and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, it could become a truly great world power--perhaps with a lifetime of as much as a thousand years.

In a related International Newsweek story on North Vietnam dated October 1, 2007, South Korean Christian Protestant missionaries are making good headway in North Vietnam. Take a look at this extensive report.

A Sense of Urgency--Business and Spiritual

This morning should be the last issue of The Kansas City Star newspaper that we receive, due to their support of abortion and other social causes (e.g., homosexuality, fetal stem cell research) to which we are opposed. I would have canceled years ago but my husband believed it was important to keep track of what was going on and the Star is really Kansas City's only major newspaper. That is typical of how my husband acts--with deliberation and caution--for which I am mostly (but not always!) thankful.

That said, today's Star has an article that describes a successful entrepreneur, Cliff Illig. The co-founder of Cerner Corporation, one of KC's largest businesses, is quoted:

If patience is your greatest virtue you’ll make a lousy entrepreneur. Impatience is a virtue. Have a constant sense of urgency.

I think Illig's advice is particularly applicable to changing one's life and following the path to sainthood. A sense of urgency is needed because we don't know how long a time the Lord will give us. It's easy to say I'll enjoy today and begin to sacrifice tomorrow. Or, I'm too busy to pray today, and I'll make it up tomorrow. Or, I'll eat the whole thing today and begin to diet tomorrow. Those are excuses--not signs of patience--and they simply don't work!

I would bet that most of the great saints had a well-developed sense of urgency. Relying on God's help through many prayers, they were quick to move to accomplish goals. St. Francis Xavier is probably the best example and he is said to have converted more people to Christianity than anyone since St. Paul. Mother Angelica also had a sense of urgency in creating EWTN to build a critical Catholic media for these times.

A century ago, St. Philippine Duchesne had a sense of spiritual urgency. A very short review of her dramatic life is found at Catholic Forum. Especially interesting is the fact that she only left France to be a missionary to the Indians in the Louisiana Purchase at the age of 49--not a young age to begin this kind of work!

A pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne will start on Saturday, September 22, 2007 with 10 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Mound City, KS. Afterwards, pilgrims will walk (good shoes needed!) to the outdoor Shrine for lunch (bring your own, including drinks). This annual event will end with Stations of the Cross and is sponsored by the Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne at Blessed Sacrament Church in Kansas City, KS. Directions to Mound City from Kansas City: South on 69 Hwy to 52 West, then 5 miles west on Hwy 52.

The Baby Snooks Show

In the 1940s I enjoyed sitting on the floor and listening to the radio with my parents and siblings. One evening program that I especially liked featured a mischievous little girl who, with a lot of imagination, constantly drove her father crazy. She told "stories", always asked "why", and tried to change the subject when she knew she had done something wrong.

When Baby Snooks got into trouble, she would make the wildest of excuses, or pretend she didn't know why her father was mad at her. Sometimes, the program would end with her bawling because Daddy had to spank her.

I remember laughing a lot when the program began and I heard the tiny child's voice of Baby Snooks, who was played by comedienne, Fanny Brice. The actress was actually over 40 years older than the character she portrayed, and she even dressed in a child's clothes when she appeared at the microphone. When Brice died suddenly, my Mother told a very disappointed young girl (me!) there would be no more Baby Snooks Shows.

Until today, I didn't know that it was possible to re-listen to some of these wonderfully funny episodes. [One of the writers of Baby Snooks was Jess Oppenheimer, later the producer and head writer of I Love Lucy]. If you have nine minutes to smile and laugh, listen to "Missing Dollar" or "New Car" or one of the other recordings of Baby Snooks Shows made during 1940-1951.

Outside the Church, There is No Salvation

Erick asks that I publish a post on the Catholic teaching, "Outside the Church, there is no salvation" [Latin: 'Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus' (EENS)]. My original post, What Catholics do NOT Believe, recommended an EWTN website that republished seven points written in 1884, including:

7. Catholics do not believe that Protestants who are baptized, who lead a good life, love God and their neighbor, and are blamelessly ignorant of the just claims of the Catholic Religion to be the one true Religion (which is called being in good faith), are excluded from Heaven, provided they believe that there is one God in three Divine Persons; *that God will duly reward the good and punish the wicked; that Jesus Christ is the Son of God made man, who redeemed us, and in whom we must trust for our salvation; and provided they thoroughly repent of having ever, by their sins, offended God.

I'm a little confused on why there is a question on whether baptized Protestants are excluded from heaven, especially when there is a clear statement that they repent of having offended God. Moreover, baptism can be administered by anyone without regard to age, sex, religion, etc., so long as the matter (flowing water), intention (to do what Jesus and His Church intends), and form ("I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit") are correct.

Erick continues his comment:

So most importantly, I'd like to hear from educated parties as to what the position of the SSPX is on EENS. Why? Well, because the long-awaited Motu Proprio on the Tridentine Latin Mass has finally been published, and many folks throughout the world are expecting to see a proclamation of some kind regarding the canonical status of the SSPX folks within the Catholic Church. I believe that the SSPX's views on EENS will be key to any further discussions and/or publications from the Holy Father regarding the SSPX.

So, I've been reading many SSPX publications lately, given this prospect of new discussions between Rome and the SSPX. And within the SSPX's publications, I have read what appear to be extreme views on EENS; to the effect that only Catholics within the Holy Roman Catholic Church may be saved. Now, I am well-versed on the concept of EENS and its history within the Catholic Church, and I would like to use your forum to clear up for me whether or not the SSPX holds to an extreme position on EENS. I particularly welcome comments from SSPX folks themselves on this issue, should you agree to start a post on my suggested topic here.

I don't know what Erick has read, but the SSPX clearly refutes Fr. Leonard Feeney's challenge to the traditional Catholic understanding of three types of Baptism. [Fr. Feeney and his condemned teaching on baptism is described here.] An even more thorough presentation by the SSPX can be found in The Three Baptisms. The SSPX believes and teaches that Baptism can be instituted through water, desire, and blood. Archbishop Lefebvre would turn over in his grave if his SSPX did not accept the three means of Baptism.

The Three Baptisms published by the SSPX specifically notes that a person can be baptized by desire:

Saint Augustine, who held it because he once heard a sermon of Saint Ambrose, "On the Death of Valentinian" in which the saint states that the unbaptized 20-year-old emperor, who was murdered in the Alps while on his way to be baptized by Ambrose, had saved his soul because of his ardent desire for baptism and his supernatural virtue. In that sermon written by Saint Ambrose, he writes:

"But I hear that you mourn, because he did not receive the sacrament of baptism ... Does he not have the grace that he desired; does he not have what he asked for? Certainly what he asked for, he received. And hence it says ‘But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest’’ [Wis. 4:7] (PL 16, 1374).

Very few have challenged St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Alphonsus Ligouri, and St. Robert Bellarmine on baptism of desire. The current problem that Erick is referring to likely involves modernist interpretations of "baptism of desire" that allow the flimsiest understanding of a person's desire to be baptized.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the traditional meaning of baptism of desire:

For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament. (1259)

Things get hazy when "desire" can be considered as implicit, rather than explicit. I am concerned when "implicit" desire is used to say that a cannibal, who "following his conscience" in "invincible ignorance" kills, roasts, and eats his enemies, can attain heaven. Sorry, but I am not persuaded.

Yes, I know that St. Thomas Aquinas states that the desire for Baptism can be either explicit or implicit, but he defines "implicit" as "contained" in something else (and I don't think he meant "contained" in a false religion!).

"Properly speaking, that is called IMPLICIT in which many things are CONTAINED AS IN ONE, and that is called explicit in which each of the things is considered in itself.” (Of Truth 14, 11)

I read Gary Potter's fairly objective book, After the Boston Heresy Case, in the late 1990s. The book is helpful in showing the confusion and errors associated with a modern understanding of an "implicit" desire to be baptized.

Arguments with a Philanderer

John C. Wright is in the middle of the fray again and takes on an excuse-making philanderer in a question and answer format. A few explicit words, but they are rightly used. I suspect that some blog writings of ex-atheist Wright may become a new book of apologia for Reason and Reality that will emulate the writings of St. Augustine, John Henry Cardinal Newman, and C.S. Lewis. Wright will have the advantage of hearing the pro and nay comments of many of his listeners before the final script is written, including 87+ responses on the current post. Here's an extract:

The problem is that ideas have consequences: one cannot approve of philandering without disapproving of chastity; and one cannot disapprove of chastity without coming to disapprove, sooner or later, of innocence; and one cannot disapprove of innocence, without, sooner or later, coming to disapprove of children, motherhood, patriotism, wholesomeness, beauty in art and logic in philosophy, and eventually all the other good and natural things in life.

The same argument you give to excuse philandering can be used, word for word, to excuse cowardice, cannibalism, opium-smoking, bear-baiting, suicide or any other vice or injustice.

My Favorite Prayer

When I was younger, my favorite prayer was the ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS. My parents, siblings, and I used to recite this prayer every Thursday evening at the weekly Novena. I continue to like it especially because of the detailed invocations for redemption of the enemies of Christ and His Church.

Catholic Online says the prayer was authorized by Pope Pius XI, which is consistent with Fr. Lasance's footnote in Let Us Go to Jesus. The small vest pocket prayerbook notes this particular Consecration to the Sacred Heart was

"issued on October 17, 1925 by His Holiness Pope Pius XI, for the annual consecration of the human race to the Sacred Heart on the feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King, the last Sunday of October."

As I get closer to the end of my life on earth, my favorite prayer has become "HOPE AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD." Even though I appreciate the saintly paths of individuals who guide us by their example and teaching, I know Jesus came to save sinners. Consequently, hope in the incarnate Savior, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, is paramount in my life.

HOPE AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD

My God, I believe most firmly that Thou watches over
All who hope in Thee,
And that we can want for nothing when
We rely upon Thee in all things;
Therefore I am resolved for the future to have no anxieties,
And to cast all my cares upon Thee.
"In peace in the self-same I will sleep and I will rest;
For Thou, O Lord,
Singularly hast settled me in hope."

Men may deprive me of worldly goods and of honors;
Sickness may take from me my strength
And the means of serving Thee;
I may even lose Thy grace by sin;
But my trust shall never leave me.
I will preserve it to the last moment of my life,
And the powers of hell shall seek in vain
To wrest it from me.
"In peace in the self-same I will sleep and I will rest."

Let others seek happiness in their wealth, in their talents;
Let them trust in the purity of their lives,
The severity of their mortifications,
To the number of their good works,
The fervor of their prayers;
As for me, O my God, in my very confidence
Lies all my hope.
"For Thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope."
This confidence can never be in vain,
"No one has hoped in the Lord and has been confounded."

I am assured, therefor, of my eternal happiness,
For I firmly hope for it,
And all my hope is in Thee.
"In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped;
Let me never be confounded."

I know, alas, I know but too well
That I am frail and changeable;
I know the power of temptation against the strongest virtue.
I have seen stars fall from heaven,
And pillars of the firmament totter;
But these things alarm me not.
While I hope in Thee,
I am sheltered from all misfortune,
And I am sure that my trust shall endure,
For I rely upon Thee to sustain this unfailing hope.

Finally, I know that my confidence cannot exceed Thy bounty,
And that I shall never receive less than I have hoped for from Thee.
Therefore, I hope that Thou wilt sustain me
Against my evil inclinations;
That Thou wilt protect me
Against the most furious assaults of the evil one,
And that Thou will cause my weakness
To triumph over my most powerful enemies.

I hope that Thou wilt never cease to love me,
And that I shall love Thee unceasingly,
"In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped,
Let me never be confounded."

Catholic Bioethics

One of my children sent me an email with news from The Guardian that "Britain's leading scientists have made a final plea for the right to create the first animal-human embryos for medical research using eggs taken from dead cows." The genetic material from the cow egg is removed and DNA from a human cell is inserted. The article continues:

The Catholic Church has made clear its opposition. Bishops told the parliamentary committee scrutinising a draft bill to allow the research to go ahead, that they opposed the creation of any embryo solely for research - they believe that all life begins at conception. They said they were also anxious to limit the destruction of such life once it had been brought into existence.

In a submission to the committee, they said: 'At the very least, embryos with a preponderance of human genes should be assumed to be embryonic human beings, and be treated accordingly.'

Bioethics is an increasingly important subject for study and decision-making within the Catholic Church. The life issues of contraception, abortion, suicide, euthanasia, stem-cell research, and cloning have been reasonably well addressed, but other scientific developments affecting the initiation of a human (or semi-human) life will need to be dealt with. It seems that the Bishops of Britain, in commenting that "a preponderance of human genes" is sufficient to classify the organism as human may need additional bioethical arguments.

Synthetic biology is dedicated to the development of non-natural living beings, and once long DNA sequences can be cheaply designed and built, this technology will be transformed into a tool with enormous profit potential. DNA sequences (genetic instructions) are designed to accomplish a specific purpose and are inserted into cells that can replicate. Coded sequences of the DNA letters A, T, C, and G can instruct the organism to make a pharmaceutical or a fuel--or do other things. [However, the insertion of a genome into an egg is a different matter for bioethical consideration, if either the genome or the egg originates from a human being.]

Perhaps it is time to quickly review recombinant DNA, DNA constructed from two or more sources (e.g., animal and plant, human and animal, plant and human) and incorporated into recombinant cells that can reproduce. The Catholic Church has not objected to recombinant DNA technology when it is used to manufacture "drugs" in a pharmaceutical "factory," even though the factory uses recombinant E. coli, mammalian cells, and yeast to manufacture many human proteins. Examples include:

* insulin for diabetics
* factor VIII for males suffering from hemophilia A
* factor IX for hemophilia B
* human growth hormone (GH)
* erythropoietin (EPO) for treating anemia
* three types of interferons
* several interleukins
* granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for stimulating the bone marrow after a bone marrow transplant
* granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for stimulating neutrophil production, e.g., after chemotherapy and for mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood. * tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) for dissolving blood clots
* adenosine deaminase (ADA) for treating some forms of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
* angiostatin and endostatin for trials as anti-cancer drugs
* parathyroid hormone
* leptin
* hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to vaccinate against the hepatitis B virus
* C1 inhibitor (C1INH) used to treat hereditary angioneurotic edema (HANE)
[Above list from here.]

Some have argued against human DNA being inserted into plant cells. I'm not sure if there is any moral difference between a technology that manufactures human proteins using animal cells and another technology using plant cells. If one technology is good (or evil), then the other is too. The question of good or evil is a bioethical one that needs much further discussion in the Catholic Church.

I recognize that genetically modified plants in the open environment will spread into the environment more quickly than modified E. coli recombinant cells grown in fermentation vats in controlled laboratories. This is a critical issue if certain recombinant cells were to be manufactured by terrorists to kill people, their sustenance, or livelihoods. That's why our country spends a huge amount of money on biological defense. Google "agricultural bioterrorism" and you'll be able to imagine a lot of nasty scenarios.

With regard to constructing specialized plant and animal organisms, I personally am more worried about the potential loss of certain plant and animal populations because poorer types will no longer be grown and the diverse genetic pool will be diminished. [Of course that has already happened with selecting the most suitable seeds and animals for human nutrients, and multiple copies of genetic libraries might be able to deal with this issue.]

New bioethical issues will hopefully be addressed properly by the National Catholic Bioethics Center. The NCBC "conducts research, consultation, publishing and education to promote human dignity in health care and the life sciences, and derives its message directly from the teachings of the Catholic Church." Ethics & Medics is a monthly commentary on ethical issues in health care and the life sciences published by the NCBC. I haven't read any issues, but the web masthead states:

The Center's staff consults regularly on life science issues and medical issues with the Vatican, the U.S. bishops and public policy-makers, hospitals and international organizations of all faiths. Vatican agencies including the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pontifical Academy for Life and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers consult with the Center to help formulate magisterial teaching.

The primary NCBC contributor to discussions of bioethical issues is a relatively young priest (from his photo), Father Tad Pacholczyk, Director of Education. I've read a couple of his monthly columns and have been mostly impressed that he has the Catholic faith and scientific knowledge to adequately and correctly instruct others on Catholic bioethics. The priest contends that "Bioethics is an exceedingly important discipline for the future of our society, addressing critical issues in science and life. This discipline cannot afford to compromise its integrity as new controversies arise, selling its soul to the highest bidder or playing to powerful special-interest groups like universities or biotech companies."

I hope the NCBC expands its work to assess recent scientific efforts to create new and adapted organisms that combine genes from human beings, animals, and plants. Mostly, I hope they are guided by the Holy Spirit to be correct in their guidance to others in this critical endeavor.