Abbey-Roads2

It’s an acronym for Freedom of Choice Act.

Never heard of it?  You are not alone.  It hasn’t been discussed much in the media - although at least two American Catholic Bishops have called urgent attention to the proposed bill.  Friends of mine, university educated, albeit non-practicing Catholics, told me they thought they had heard of FOCA, but they were not sure what it was about.  Most of them had no idea what partial birth abortion entails, or what is done with born-alive infants of a botched abortion either.  They told me I was making it up and that I had fallen for pro-life extremist scare tactics!

Infanticide happens.

Recently, Bishops have been comparing abortion legislation to the eugenics policies of Nazi Germany (Here and here).  Pro-life activists have been saying the same thing for years, while average Americans have chosen not to listen.  The information has been out there, yet people have willingly remained ignorant of what has been happening.  They focus upon “the right to choose” in the interest of women’s rights  - ignoring the consequences for innocent human life.

Vincible ignorance.

“The sin of ignorance is that which springs from voluntary and culpable ignorance, called vincible ignorance.” - Three Ages of the Interior Life.

It is the duty of every man to overcome ignorance by a continuous, deliberate, and systematic application to study, since we have been endowed with an intellect and understanding sufficient to bring us to know truth.  This is especially true in matters pertaining to our eternal salvation.  Nevertheless, we have a duty to study branches of knowledge related to the duties of our state in life.  Therefore to claim ignorance concerning the regulation of birth and abortion seems to me to come under the heading of vincible ignorance, and I would be very worried it could be a mortal sin of omission.  At best, it would be irrational to support a woman’s right to choose without knowing what FOCA stands for, or what partial-birth abortion and born-alive abortion procedures really are.

Important links:

Freedom of Choice Act:  What is it? 

The absolute right to choose prior to fetal viability.

“The bill flatly invalidates any “statute, ordinance, regulation, administrative order, decision, policy, practice, or other action” of any federal, state, or local government or governmental official (or any person acting under government authority) that would “deny or interfere with a woman’s right to choose” abortion, or that would “discriminate against the exercise of the right . . . in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information.” - Source

Cardinal Rigali’s warning.

Writing to all members of Congress on September 19, Cardinal Rigali warned that the enactment of the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would “deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry.”

“Despite its deceptive title,” he wrote, “FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars. And FOCA would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government to reduce abortions in our country.”  - Source

Archbishop Nienstedt’s warning on FOCA.

Archbishop John Nienstedt of St. Paul-Minneapolis affirmed this in a Wednesday article in the Catholic Spirit newspaper.

“If enacted, this would become the first time in our nation’s history that abortion is established as an ‘entitlement,’” the archbishop warned. “This, in effect, would move our country beyond even the Supreme Court’s decision of Roe v. Wade.

“Legal experts say it would likely invalidate informed consent laws, parental notification laws, laws promoting maternal health — if they result in an increased cost for abortions, abortion clinic regulations — even those designed to make abortion safer for women, laws prohibiting a particular abortion procedure — such as partial-birth abortion, and laws requiring that abortions only be performed by a licensed physician.” - Source

Students for Life Video

End Note:

Pope John Paul called abortion a “legal extermination” and compared its institution with the German laws which declared the Jews non-persons and allowed them to be murdered by the state. He wrote, “It was a legally elected parliament which allowed for the election of Hitler in Germany in the 1930s.” - Source

Sarah Palin.

Alec Baldwin referred to Palin as “that awful woman” in a skit on Saturday Night Live a week or so ago.  That was actually rather polite compared to how other liberals refer to her.  Celebrities such as Madonna, and most recently Grace Jones, publicly proclaim their hatred for Sarah Palin.  Not that long ago Sandra Bernhardt suggested Palin ought to be gang-raped.  Nice language, coming from a dyke who probably marched in her share of “Take back the night” demonstrations against rape and violence against women.  A day ago Sarah Palin was hanged in effigy in West Hollywood, also known as the predominately gay area of the city.  These are just a few examples of Palin bashing that has persisted since she was chosen by John McCain.  Why do these people hate her?

Hating “normal”.

I believe one reason for such contempt is a deep seated hatred in popular culture for what has long been considered “normal” or ordinary life.  Especially traditional family values embraced by heterosexual men and women who are in turn mocked as breeders, precisely because they neither contracept nor abort their children.  Those who live disordered lives are intolerant of people like Sarah Palin who adhere to ethical and moral principles guided by religious belief.  Without doubt, Sarah Palin, in all of her simplicity, represents Christian morality, which is hated because it exposes their shame. 

And the contrast is stunning.        

Obama set a precedent last night.

Yep.  I watched it - I kind of felt obligated to do so.  No candidate has ever done this before - that is, paid for a 1/2 hour in prime time to take his campaign right into our living rooms - in my case, the kitchen.  Obama set a precedent.  In some countries, such as Cuba, Castro would commandeer the media for hours to present his political agenda and ideology. 

I thought of that while watching Obama’s very slick presentation, which was a great deal more - or less - than a speech on definitive policy.  Motivational and emotional it was;  when Obama speaks - even about nothing - he is persuasive;  he makes you like him.

That said, I kept reminding myself of his abortion rights campaign, his support of FOCA, his position on born-alive infants (leave them to die), his support of the gay agenda, and so on and so forth.  He talked about “hope” for the future - nothing so substantive as killing babies or the recession and his plan for economic recovery.

Friends of mine were actually moved to tears by Obama’s presentation.  I think they would probably agree with Louis Farrakhan that he is almost messianic.  The last person in my living memory to have such an effect on the masses was John Paul II.  Nothing against our sainted Holy Father, but I don’t like celebrity cults - good guys or bad guys - I just don’t trust popular opinion, although with JPII he was clearly for all that is good.  Obama has captured the imagination of popular culture… and in this case, it is clearly identifiable as the  ”culture of death”.

Not good.

What is more important?

Last weekend at Mass the pastor kicked off a Stewardship Campaign - to raise money to pay off the church debt.  I know!  In the middle of the depression.  The other part of this stewardship thing is the drive to sign up for time and talent donations.  Now this is all fine and good, but all the emphasis is put on activities, community involvement - busy-ness.  Committee after committee, busy ladies and gentlemen and youth groups - lots of noise, and so on.  Exciting liturgies and concerts in church with lovely “environment” decor - Not lovely, really, not lovely.

You get the picture.  So at my parish we have Eucharistic Adoration one day a week - on Wednesdays, from 9AM to 4:30PM.  One day.  Yet we can hardly get anyone to come - just a couple of old people - 1 per hour - if we are lucky.

Be someone in the parish!

Get noticed because you donate money, time and talent to create an active, dynamic parish that is fun to belong to - but no one can spare 15 minutes to an hour for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament?  Stay at home moms with kids?  Old retired guys?  Unemployed people?   I know there are people out there - it doesn’t cost a dime to spend a little time.  It is called devotion. 

People can be as active as they want, but if you don’t have devotion, you are just a noisy, busy, body. 

Knowing the Scriptures by heart.

Some religious people pride themselves on having deliberately memorized passages of Scripture, or even entire books, and of course, that is very admirable.  Lectio Divina isn’t about memorizing Scripture, but it is all about knowing the Scriptures by (the) heart.  It is in and through the Word of God where we easily encounter the “mind of Christ” - mouth to ear - heart to heart - deep calling unto deep.

Take and read… listen with the heart… ponder in your heart… read again… listen… ponder… knock… ask… ponder.  The Word will remain in your heart, in your mind, and upon your lips.  And, you will know the Word of God by heart. 

Oh sure.  This ought to fix things.

The Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education is coming out with a document concerning the psychological screening of candidates for the priesthood.  It is titled,  “Orientations For The Use Of Psychological Competencies In The Admission And Formation Of Candidates To The Priesthood” and will be issued on October 30.

According to a Vatican official consulted by CNA, the document “is intended to propose clear criteria for establishing an adequate balance between recourse to psychology and spirituality, in order to avoid falling into both a psychology that ignores sin and grace, and a spirituality that overlooks factors related to the human mind and affectivity.” - CNA

I know!

This comes out just in time to screen out pedophiles, homosexuals, and men who may want to marry the parish secretary after they have been ordained for 18 years. It is just in time while the majority of psychologists view homosexuality as a natural variant of human sexuality, and even venerable old priests seem to be making excuses for lapsed priests who leave to get married.  (Not that that’s a bad thing - sorry - that’s a “Seinfeld” remark.)

Of course it isn’t as if psychological screening hasn’t been used in the past either.  Most seminaries and religious congregations in the United States have had mandatory psychological testing for aspirants all along.  And look who got through over the years.

It will be interesting to read this “new” approach.  If you read documents closely, and believe me - concerned individuals do - there are usually “chinks” in the proposals - or “pastoral” loopholes and considerations to over-ride the “recommendations”…  That is how things go in Rome and the Church. 

The political polls may be misleading - very misleading.  Do NOT neglect to vote.  Please, PLEASE vote for life.  CHOOSE LIFE!

Tired of politics.

First off - I doubt I’m being apathetic when I say I don’t care.  And right now I really do not care who wins the election - I’ll vote my conscience of course - but I think the forces that drive our nation and economy are at full speed and the outcome is virtually predetermined.  That said - one may rest in peace, because everyone who matters is doing their job - our bishops are speaking out clearly as never before; well informed Catholic leaders are doing likewise, hence there is little left to do.  Except pray.  Prayer is necessary of course - but for what?  And for who?  The very best prayer is that God’s will may be done, that His kingdom may come.

That cannot be apathy.

What are you wearing?

Most posts regarding what people wear to Mass, along with many of the antics they pull while there get to be pretty tired and boring.  They are “done” to death in the blogosphere.  But since I have nothing to blog about, I’ll note two or three things regarding the subject just for fun.

Halloween Mass

Next Saturday evening my parish is having their Halloween party right after the Sunday anticipatory Mass, so all the people attending the 5 PM Mass are invited to wear their costumes to church.  I don’t normally care what people wear to Mass, for example, I don’t care if they wear chapel veils or long dresses, or shorts or jeans - just as long as they are modest.  But I have to draw the line when it comes to wearing Halloween costumes - at the very least, that in itself is sure to be a major distraction and an invitation to levity.

Weddings.

I hate weddings.  I have nothing against marriage - but the modern day over-the-top extravaganzas they call weddings annoy me.  There is one at my parish today - therefore I’ll be going elsewhere for Mass this afternoon.  (Post wedding activities are particularly annoying - the posing, the photos, the kids running, the posing, the family and friends yelling in Church, the posing - it’s all about the dress and hair and make-up and flowers you know.)

Speaking of lace…

I was reading a couple of entries on other blogs and couldn’t help but notice how some of the guys writing the posts can get themselves way into the fashion aspect of Roman Catholic culture.  Such a penchant for lace and satin - including mantillas on women.  Not that anything is wrong with that.  I still think yards and yards of lace and satin can imply a tendency towards… let’s say, the decadent.