TRIUMPHALIST--YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Comment Moderation
I turned it on, because there have been a couuple of "span comments" and I don't like them.
Would Someone Please Comment!
Part two of my immigration posts is up--scroll down for it--and I really want people to comment on it.
I know it's long, but it's a complicated issue. Likewise, I know that there are things I did not write about, because I was thinking about us, not the immigrants or other nations, and not foreign policy. but I really want and need to hear what other think, about the issue, and about what I've found in the Catechism. otherwise, I'll never really be able to form my own thinking on the issue.
So please, help me out by commenting!
I know it's long, but it's a complicated issue. Likewise, I know that there are things I did not write about, because I was thinking about us, not the immigrants or other nations, and not foreign policy. but I really want and need to hear what other think, about the issue, and about what I've found in the Catechism. otherwise, I'll never really be able to form my own thinking on the issue.
So please, help me out by commenting!
Progress on the Anglican Front
H/T to the Catholic Caveman!
The California Daily Catholic has an article about the TAC in the US, specifically the Diocese of the West of the Anglican Church in America (affiliated, I believe, with TAC). Their Bishop, Bishop Daren Williams has called for a synod on 1 July to address unification with Rome, and full communion in the Catholic Church.
You can read the article at www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=08ee98d4-008f-4f38-9aba-766fbd85edf .
Pray for unity--The TAC has a Beautiful Liturgy, derived from that of Rome, and closer than most parish liturgies in the Roman Rite in the US to what the Church desires in her worship. They are the group that petitioned the Vatican for reunification. And rather than sacrifice the faith for expediency, they left the Anglican Communion at cost of property and position. Their Bishops, as part of their request, signed the Catechism of the Catholic Church--acknowledging and affirming the Teachings of the Faith. What's more, they are willing to surrender their bishropics--they are not asking the Church to let them continue as Bishops.
What they are really asking for, is to retain their Spiritual Patrimony and their Liturgical Customs.
I really am happy about this, and have been prayig for it for years.
The California Daily Catholic has an article about the TAC in the US, specifically the Diocese of the West of the Anglican Church in America (affiliated, I believe, with TAC). Their Bishop, Bishop Daren Williams has called for a synod on 1 July to address unification with Rome, and full communion in the Catholic Church.
You can read the article at www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=08ee98d4-008f-4f38-9aba-766fbd85edf .
Pray for unity--The TAC has a Beautiful Liturgy, derived from that of Rome, and closer than most parish liturgies in the Roman Rite in the US to what the Church desires in her worship. They are the group that petitioned the Vatican for reunification. And rather than sacrifice the faith for expediency, they left the Anglican Communion at cost of property and position. Their Bishops, as part of their request, signed the Catechism of the Catholic Church--acknowledging and affirming the Teachings of the Faith. What's more, they are willing to surrender their bishropics--they are not asking the Church to let them continue as Bishops.
What they are really asking for, is to retain their Spiritual Patrimony and their Liturgical Customs.
I really am happy about this, and have been prayig for it for years.
A New Development Along the Border
There was a distinct fear that the current drug wars in Mexico would escalate into a terroristic act along the Texas/Mexico border.
Intelligence reached the Department of Homeland Security that the Zeta Drug Cartel had targeted the Falcon Dam on the Rio Grande for destruction. It is unclear whether they bent to destroy the whole dam or just the gates. It seems unlikely that they meant to destroy the whole dam, as that would take a huge amount or explosives, and a major operation that would stand out to law enforcement. But the steel gates on the dam would be a more realistic target.
The Zeta cartel is currently in a fight with the Gulf Cartel. The gulf cartel controls the smuggling and smuggling routes from the dam to the Gulf. If Zeta had breached the dam, the routes would be flooded, and the subsequent attention would have rendered attempts to use them untenable.
It would also have flooded a huge area of farm land, deprives thousands of drinking water and interrupted irrigation and agriculture in areas not inundated.
There are people, within law enforcement and Homeland Security who say that the threat was minimal to non-existent. However, there is also intelligence that the Zeta Cartel issued a warning to Mexican Nationals living in the inundation zone to evacuate when given the word. Also, dynamite was found stashed in the area. although it was in amounts insufficient to blow the dam or the gates.
We need to eliminate the threat of this sort of thing. It's bad enough that we live in a world of ideological terrorists, but the idea that commercial terrorists--and the drug trade is a commercial enterprise, though illegal--with the funds available to the major drug cartels is just too much. Especially considering their demonstrated willingness to use violence, atrocity and random intimidation in an effort to improve their business climate.
Intelligence reached the Department of Homeland Security that the Zeta Drug Cartel had targeted the Falcon Dam on the Rio Grande for destruction. It is unclear whether they bent to destroy the whole dam or just the gates. It seems unlikely that they meant to destroy the whole dam, as that would take a huge amount or explosives, and a major operation that would stand out to law enforcement. But the steel gates on the dam would be a more realistic target.
The Zeta cartel is currently in a fight with the Gulf Cartel. The gulf cartel controls the smuggling and smuggling routes from the dam to the Gulf. If Zeta had breached the dam, the routes would be flooded, and the subsequent attention would have rendered attempts to use them untenable.
It would also have flooded a huge area of farm land, deprives thousands of drinking water and interrupted irrigation and agriculture in areas not inundated.
There are people, within law enforcement and Homeland Security who say that the threat was minimal to non-existent. However, there is also intelligence that the Zeta Cartel issued a warning to Mexican Nationals living in the inundation zone to evacuate when given the word. Also, dynamite was found stashed in the area. although it was in amounts insufficient to blow the dam or the gates.
We need to eliminate the threat of this sort of thing. It's bad enough that we live in a world of ideological terrorists, but the idea that commercial terrorists--and the drug trade is a commercial enterprise, though illegal--with the funds available to the major drug cartels is just too much. Especially considering their demonstrated willingness to use violence, atrocity and random intimidation in an effort to improve their business climate.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Ben Merten
Ben Merten and Ter Meer, from Northview High School in Brazil, IN went to the Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference in Anaheim Ca.
While there they participated in a competition for presentations. They placed in the top 10, in the US. Actually they came in at number nine, having won the right to compete the national level by competing successfully at the state level.
Ben Merten is my Great Nephew, the son of my niece. I am proud of him.
And, it just goes to show--not all my relatives are underacheiving rednecks!
While there they participated in a competition for presentations. They placed in the top 10, in the US. Actually they came in at number nine, having won the right to compete the national level by competing successfully at the state level.
Ben Merten is my Great Nephew, the son of my niece. I am proud of him.
And, it just goes to show--not all my relatives are underacheiving rednecks!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
I Want Real News!
Korea is very, very tense--heating up and can become a shooting contest.
The Levant is heating up, and has become a diplomatic hot spot that can go hot quickly.
There are issues in Iraq, with the elections, and in Afghanistan, with politics.
So why do I have to get my news about this from the BBC? ABC,NBC and CBS are all oil slick, all the time. I get the exact same amount of information that matters from the Beeb in a couple of minutes, but from American network news I am inundated with fluff.
I no the spill is bad--in fact, it's worse than the networks are telling us, because American Broadcast Journalists tend to be ignorant and do shoddy research. (OK--let me just mention this, that I know and they apparently don't: 70% of all species found in the North Atlantic spend part of their lives on the Gulf Coast, usually for reproduction. Given the stress on the Atlantic Fishery, I see real potential for collapse of the Fishing grounds! And that's just economics--not ecology or long term biology.) I'm tired of human interest about the poor fishing families and the hotel and bar industry.
But I do feel the need for more info on the Korean Situation, the fate of the Euro, and other minors things like economic meltdown, war and the trend toward genocide.
The Levant is heating up, and has become a diplomatic hot spot that can go hot quickly.
There are issues in Iraq, with the elections, and in Afghanistan, with politics.
So why do I have to get my news about this from the BBC? ABC,NBC and CBS are all oil slick, all the time. I get the exact same amount of information that matters from the Beeb in a couple of minutes, but from American network news I am inundated with fluff.
I no the spill is bad--in fact, it's worse than the networks are telling us, because American Broadcast Journalists tend to be ignorant and do shoddy research. (OK--let me just mention this, that I know and they apparently don't: 70% of all species found in the North Atlantic spend part of their lives on the Gulf Coast, usually for reproduction. Given the stress on the Atlantic Fishery, I see real potential for collapse of the Fishing grounds! And that's just economics--not ecology or long term biology.) I'm tired of human interest about the poor fishing families and the hotel and bar industry.
But I do feel the need for more info on the Korean Situation, the fate of the Euro, and other minors things like economic meltdown, war and the trend toward genocide.
So it's gay pride month...
...and considering how stylish it seemed to desecrate the National Flag on memorial day, I've been wondering: Could I diaper by toddler grandbabies in rainbow flags?
By proclaiming this month, Obama has just managed to alienate about 50% of the population to get votes from the between 1.5-3% of the population who are Gay. It may get him some support among people who support Gay Rights. But really, it won't make any difference, because the Gay and Gay Friendly demographic are already in Obama's camp, and those who are fully outraged are already not in his camp.
But what he has done is to thumb his nose at a significant segment of the population, in effect telling them that their mora and faith concerns are of no consequence and unworthy of repect and consideration by the President of the United States.
Interestingly enough, this story seems to be under reported by the MSM. Perhaps they're afraid that it will further unify those who don't like the direction the country is headed, and perhaps make some fence sitters decide that the Obama Party needs to go?
By proclaiming this month, Obama has just managed to alienate about 50% of the population to get votes from the between 1.5-3% of the population who are Gay. It may get him some support among people who support Gay Rights. But really, it won't make any difference, because the Gay and Gay Friendly demographic are already in Obama's camp, and those who are fully outraged are already not in his camp.
But what he has done is to thumb his nose at a significant segment of the population, in effect telling them that their mora and faith concerns are of no consequence and unworthy of repect and consideration by the President of the United States.
Interestingly enough, this story seems to be under reported by the MSM. Perhaps they're afraid that it will further unify those who don't like the direction the country is headed, and perhaps make some fence sitters decide that the Obama Party needs to go?
Reforming the Catholic Campaign for Human Development
So thing proceed in their usual meandering way. But the Laity is taking the lead here, to the chagrin of many of the bishops, and most of the Lay bureaucrats in the CCHD and the USCCB.
With Lay People blowing the whistle on CCHD funding of groups that work for goals and use means that are contrary to Catholic Teaching, the practice has been for the exposed group to be defunded. Now the campaign to reform CCHD is getting in to gear for more comprehensive actions.
The group Reform the Catholic Campaign for Human Development has issued a press release saying they have sent directly to the Bishops a list of fifty organizations currently funded by CCHD that ar inimical to Catholic beliefs and practice. You can read the press release at http://www.reformccdhnow.com/ .
The American Life League has compiled a report on the CCHD, detailing groups which receive Catholic Funding, yet are engaged in promoting Abortion, Hormonal Birth Control and immoral sexual practices. You can read this report at www.all.org/pdf/fullccdhreportfinal.pdf .
We need to get the Bishops fully aware of the activities of their lay employees, who seem to have captured the bureaucracy of the USCCB for the modernists, and relativists, and those who would reduce the Church to an agency of social engineering. And we need to make them awar that they are, at the last, responsible for the activities of these people. And will be held accountable for those activities in the next world.
With Lay People blowing the whistle on CCHD funding of groups that work for goals and use means that are contrary to Catholic Teaching, the practice has been for the exposed group to be defunded. Now the campaign to reform CCHD is getting in to gear for more comprehensive actions.
The group Reform the Catholic Campaign for Human Development has issued a press release saying they have sent directly to the Bishops a list of fifty organizations currently funded by CCHD that ar inimical to Catholic beliefs and practice. You can read the press release at http://www.reformccdhnow.com/ .
The American Life League has compiled a report on the CCHD, detailing groups which receive Catholic Funding, yet are engaged in promoting Abortion, Hormonal Birth Control and immoral sexual practices. You can read this report at www.all.org/pdf/fullccdhreportfinal.pdf .
We need to get the Bishops fully aware of the activities of their lay employees, who seem to have captured the bureaucracy of the USCCB for the modernists, and relativists, and those who would reduce the Church to an agency of social engineering. And we need to make them awar that they are, at the last, responsible for the activities of these people. And will be held accountable for those activities in the next world.
The Pill---of Death
So it's been 50 years this year since the introduction of the Birth Control Pill, hormonal contraceptives.
It's nothing to celebrate. It's perhaps the worst medication to come along since thalidomide. It kills people.
The world health organization classifies hormonal birth control as a Group 1 Carcinogen, along with hormonal therapy for menopause. (Oddly enough, the best treatment for menopause is to be physically active. Healthy exercise minimizes the symptoms for almost all women. Without giving them cancer.)
The pill is bad for the environment. We keep reading about "pharmaceutical" pollution. But the study that started the concern addressed one type of pharmaceutical: hormonal birth control. That was the item that tripped the whistle, being found in concentrations high enough to inhibit the reproductive functions of fish and amphibians by inhibiting the production of sperm in males, and to induce a form of hermaphrodism as well.
Although it takes time to show up, there is a principle in biology called "The Rule of Tens". Basically it takes ten pound of food to make a pound of critter, and any impurities in the food will be concentrated into the tissues of the eater at a level about ten times the food source. It's going to get into birds and mammals.
Oh--recent research has found in several bodies of water, that eating the fish can raise the cancer risk (uterine and breast) of women measurable--the fish are that contaminated.
Of course, it hasn't worked out so well for it's intended purpose either. It hasn't improved married life, at all. In 1960 one in four marriages ended in divorce. Now it's one in two. I have seen marriages end, and been in two that ended. In every case I have known, adultery played a role, whether by "open marriage" arraignment or by deception. Removing the anxiety about pregnancy seemed to have the effect of removing some of the anxiety about adultery.
But the pill was supposed to reduce unwanted pregnancy. Oops. In 1960, six percent of Caucasian kids, and twenty two percent of African-American kids were born out of wedlock. Now that we are awash in contraceptives, it thirty-three percent of Caucasian kids and seventy percent of African-American kids.
It was supposed to improve life for kids. Oops, again. the well being of American kids has declined by every measure. Diet. Mental Health. The number living in poverty. The rates of abuse and neglect. It seems to me that the pill (and abortion) had this effect in many cases: "Gee--I really shouldn't have had a kid. I can take pills to make them not happen. A doctor can make them go away. Kids are disposable and I resent this one!" As Paul VI said, this would lead to a degradation of the perceived worth of children.
(I reached this conclusion when dealing--unwillingly--with one of the worst mothers I have ever met, who neglected her kids upbringing, didn't provide for their nutrition in any dependable fashion, and tolerated the physical--and I suspect sexual-- abuse of her daughter by her boyfriends. She said, in front of her teenage daughter, "I hate having her, I should have had an abortion.")
So for this "anniversary" of a technological achievement, instead of dancing or something, I think I'll simply sit quietly in the knowledge that there is something profoundly stupid and cowardly about our culture, that it won't admit to the dysfunction of an achievement, because after all, what many of really want to do is just have orgasms, and to hell with being fully human, and fully alive.
It's nothing to celebrate. It's perhaps the worst medication to come along since thalidomide. It kills people.
The world health organization classifies hormonal birth control as a Group 1 Carcinogen, along with hormonal therapy for menopause. (Oddly enough, the best treatment for menopause is to be physically active. Healthy exercise minimizes the symptoms for almost all women. Without giving them cancer.)
The pill is bad for the environment. We keep reading about "pharmaceutical" pollution. But the study that started the concern addressed one type of pharmaceutical: hormonal birth control. That was the item that tripped the whistle, being found in concentrations high enough to inhibit the reproductive functions of fish and amphibians by inhibiting the production of sperm in males, and to induce a form of hermaphrodism as well.
Although it takes time to show up, there is a principle in biology called "The Rule of Tens". Basically it takes ten pound of food to make a pound of critter, and any impurities in the food will be concentrated into the tissues of the eater at a level about ten times the food source. It's going to get into birds and mammals.
Oh--recent research has found in several bodies of water, that eating the fish can raise the cancer risk (uterine and breast) of women measurable--the fish are that contaminated.
Of course, it hasn't worked out so well for it's intended purpose either. It hasn't improved married life, at all. In 1960 one in four marriages ended in divorce. Now it's one in two. I have seen marriages end, and been in two that ended. In every case I have known, adultery played a role, whether by "open marriage" arraignment or by deception. Removing the anxiety about pregnancy seemed to have the effect of removing some of the anxiety about adultery.
But the pill was supposed to reduce unwanted pregnancy. Oops. In 1960, six percent of Caucasian kids, and twenty two percent of African-American kids were born out of wedlock. Now that we are awash in contraceptives, it thirty-three percent of Caucasian kids and seventy percent of African-American kids.
It was supposed to improve life for kids. Oops, again. the well being of American kids has declined by every measure. Diet. Mental Health. The number living in poverty. The rates of abuse and neglect. It seems to me that the pill (and abortion) had this effect in many cases: "Gee--I really shouldn't have had a kid. I can take pills to make them not happen. A doctor can make them go away. Kids are disposable and I resent this one!" As Paul VI said, this would lead to a degradation of the perceived worth of children.
(I reached this conclusion when dealing--unwillingly--with one of the worst mothers I have ever met, who neglected her kids upbringing, didn't provide for their nutrition in any dependable fashion, and tolerated the physical--and I suspect sexual-- abuse of her daughter by her boyfriends. She said, in front of her teenage daughter, "I hate having her, I should have had an abortion.")
So for this "anniversary" of a technological achievement, instead of dancing or something, I think I'll simply sit quietly in the knowledge that there is something profoundly stupid and cowardly about our culture, that it won't admit to the dysfunction of an achievement, because after all, what many of really want to do is just have orgasms, and to hell with being fully human, and fully alive.
Gardasil
The CDC is now recommending the HPV vaccine Gardasil for use in males. It's about time.
I don't understand the objection so many have voiced to this vaccine. Genital Warts are a disease. Yes, it's sexually transmitted, but that doesn't mean that a vaccine for it is endorsing sexual activity. considering that the current rate of infection in the us for HPV hovers around 50%, and that one can be monogamous and get it, I think the vaccine is a good thing.
Since HPV is linked to cancer, a couple of types, it can save lives to prevent the infection.
Consider this: If you are a virgin when you marry, and your new spouse has had sex with two other people in their lifetime, prior to marriage, the odds a good that he or she is infected. The odds are also good that you too will become infected. Add in to this the fact that sexual intercourse isn't necessary for transmission, and the problem magnifies. You don't even have to make out with someone. Although it's been pretty much proven that a hot tub won't transmit the infection (because of the chlorination and heat) a damp towel can. Even if you and your friend just sat on it, by the pool one day in college.
So yeah--get your sons vaccinated, as well as your daughters.
I don't understand the objection so many have voiced to this vaccine. Genital Warts are a disease. Yes, it's sexually transmitted, but that doesn't mean that a vaccine for it is endorsing sexual activity. considering that the current rate of infection in the us for HPV hovers around 50%, and that one can be monogamous and get it, I think the vaccine is a good thing.
Since HPV is linked to cancer, a couple of types, it can save lives to prevent the infection.
Consider this: If you are a virgin when you marry, and your new spouse has had sex with two other people in their lifetime, prior to marriage, the odds a good that he or she is infected. The odds are also good that you too will become infected. Add in to this the fact that sexual intercourse isn't necessary for transmission, and the problem magnifies. You don't even have to make out with someone. Although it's been pretty much proven that a hot tub won't transmit the infection (because of the chlorination and heat) a damp towel can. Even if you and your friend just sat on it, by the pool one day in college.
So yeah--get your sons vaccinated, as well as your daughters.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Cry to Heaven: A conservative Traddy Catholic Looks at Immigration, Part II
As I began to research and write this, I realized that it would necessarily be incomplete. I have deliberately chosen not to address conditions outside the United States in any detail, and I haven't covered the moral obligations of immigrants either. To do so would make this into something more than a three parter--it would turn into a book, rather thick, that I am neither educated enough nor smart enough to write.
In my last post on this subject, I tried to give a thumbnail sketch of how I see immigration historically and the role it's played int he development of our country. I also tried to point some of the problems we are experiencing as part of the current wave of immigration. Having done that, I guess it's time to start looking at what moral implications this has for us Catholics. As this is an issue that affects us not just as individuals or families, but as a nation as a whole, the place to start is Catholic Citizenship, our moral duties as a citizen, and the duties of a moral government.
According to the church, these duties flow mostly fro the fourth commandment, "honor your Father and your Mother." ( Deut 5:16). Among the duties proceeding from this are the duties to pay taxes, vote and participate in the defense of the country. I also includes the moral duty to obey the law and to pray for our leaders, and all those who exercise authority. (CCC2240). We also have a duty to participate in public life, in so far as we are able (CCC 1915).
We are not obligated to support a given form of civil authority, as the only one that is morally acceptable. Rather, a form of government must only serve the legitimate good of the community. The common good has "..three essential elements": First, the common good presupposes "respect for the person" to include the right to act according to sound conscience and rightful freedom of religion. Second it requires the Social well being of the community and allows for it's development. And last, it requires the peace, stability and security necessary to a just order. (CCC 1901, 1906-1909).
From this it is clear that we have no doctrinal of dogmatic mandate on the form of governance we choose only on what it does: the rest is prudential judgment. And from that proceeds the conclusion that we must not make our moral decisions in this matter from a standpoint of partisan politics, but from a sober analysis of the effects of policy. Whether we like our conclusions or not. Falling back on party policy would be intellectual laziness amounting to moral culpability. We must, to be moral, let our faith dictate our politics, not our politics our faith.
Just as citizens have moral duties concerning their government, the Civil Authorities have moral duties concerning how they govern.
The first thing is that the Authorities are required too do is exercise their power as a service, a service to the community and to society. In the Divine economy, authority is meant to promote and express justice in its values, so that we can exercise our freedoms responsibly, working towards Harmony and Peace. And, the regulations that are adapted must not set personal interest against the common good or create temptations to corruption.
Political authorities must respect the fundamental rights of persons--the rights granted by natural and divine law--and be fair when enforcing laws, bearing in mind always the duty to be solicitous of families and disadvantaged. Finally, "The political rights attached to citizenship can and should be granted according to the common good". (All this is from CCC 2235-37)
From this it becomes clear that the current practice of governance by party in the US must first be set aside if we as a nation are to make moral policies in regard to immigration. For the dominant political parties will surely seek to craft laws to the benefit of the parties, not express and promote justice. Parties exist to accumulate political power and to distribute it among their members. They do not exist to further the common good, but the personal good of the party itself (in the sense that corporations are "persons" under the law) and their constituencies. In this matter, not only will this inevitably result in injustice, it will promote civil division, rancor and in the end, strife.
The US is not just a republic, it is a federation. The several states have rights as well as the people, and these rights must be respected. The needs of the several states must be considered even when they seem to be peculiar to themselves. The Federal government must protect the rights and "promote the common good of civil society, its citizens and intermediate bodies". (CCC2244) It is clear that the Federal government, both the Executive Branch and the Judiciary, have a moral duty to consider the predicament that the border States and the ports of entry find themselves in.
Further, it is a vital and integral part of Catholic social teaching that a "community of a higher order should not interfere in the life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need... ." This principle is called subsidiarity, and very recently a number of US bishops have spoken up in defense of it. And it is clear that the Federal Government has no moral authority to block actions by the States to preserve and promote order within their borders, provided that the 14th amendment isn't violated, because of this principle and because its the moral duty of the civil authorities at all levels to promote order.
The needs of the people must be accounted for, and their need for the social conditions necessary for them to prosper must be regarded. But in pursuit of this the civil authorities must not create laws that provoke scandal, or engage in business practices (business leaders are a form of civil authority--though not of civil governance)that create "social conditions that, intentionally or not, make christian conduct and obedience to the commandments difficult or impossible". Fraud is explicitly mentioned. (CCC2286) The Public authorities have a right and duty, considering their responsibilities, to impose on us citizens "the obligations necessary" to defend the nation. From this it logically proceeds that they also have a similar right to impose duties upon us to preserve and uphold the public order. This would include "corporate citizens", businesses and industry.
The common good requires peace and stability. And the Civil Authorities have a duty to provide the security, not just from invasion or armed conflict, but from crime and fear. (CCC1909) This means an effort must be made to promote an order where tension and conflict may be reduced and resolved (CCC1940). To establish this order, the State not only has the right, but the "grave duty" (CCC2265) of legitimate defense of the social order. And the State, in pursuit of this duty of safe guarding the common good has the right to impose proportional punishment (CCC2267).
It is the vocation and responsibility of the Laity to establish a just order that promotes the"full development of human society. This vocation depends on a "vital union" between us and Christ. Just as we expect our Clergy to have a strong union with Our Lord, in order to fulfill their responsibilities, we must fulfill our responsibilities strengthened by this union. Without it, we cease to function as Catholic, Christian citizens, and will fail in an attempt to build the society our vocation implies.
"it is not the role of the Pastors of the church to intervene directly in the political structuring and organization of social life". (CCC 1864, 2441,42) We cannot resign our responsibilities in this matter, nor should our Bishops and Clergy usurp our role in the Apostolate of establishing a policy of immigration that promotes the common good. Rather, we need our Pastors to communicate, clearly and completely the Church's teachings on this matter, so that we can choose well as Christians and citizens.
As our world has grown more complex human interdependence has become a major factor in our relationships even with other nations. No nation in the modern world has or can achieve autarchy. And this human interdependence implies a need and duty on the part of rich nations to see to the needs of refugees and migrants (CCC1911), and it needs to be remembered that the Church, being without borders, terms people who move from one place to another, whether permanently, or temporarily "migrants" The demands of Christian Charity call us to a more than superficial solidarity with our fellow humans (CCC1939) and as solidarity and charity play out we are required to work, as a people, for the progress of peoples, to so arrange our society that "things" do not usurp the essential value of humans. We are to make a society that is oriented towards human well being, not the accumulation of excess property and privilege. More over, we as a nation have a duty to accept immigrants who are in search of a livelyhood, and the security to enjoy it, that he can't find at home. (This doesnt mean that the political authorites don't have a the quthority, right and duty to regulate immigration according to the common good--they do, and that is explicitly part of Catholic teaching!) (CCC 2241)
Ther is a final point I would like to make: The Roman Catechal Tradition lists "Four Sins Crying to Heaven for Vengeance", and many of us Traddy, conservative Catholics are fond of pointing out that Sodomy is on the list when we speak about homosexuality, and we like to talk about the Blood of Abel when discussing abortion, but we need to to look at the other two as well. The oppression of the Widow, the Orphan and The Foreigner among us is one. (Those victims of human trafficking, the sex trade, and slavery are so uprooted as to constitute, the women and children, widows and orphans and they are all foreigners among us!) The other Sin Crying to Heaven is defrauding the worker of his wages. Considering the existence of debt slavery, exploitative labor practices (like in the meat packing industry!) and other factors, we, as a nation have a lot to answer for.
We cannot be Cafeteria Catholics, rejecting those teachings that disagree with our politic--we conservatives as much as progressives. If we do, how are we different from people who reject other moral teachings, like those on birth control or sexual morality?
We are called to be "the salt of the Earth", and if we don't function as such, it will be a judgement on us. I know that many people worry about the shape of American Society and Culture after this wave of immigration, but I will point out to you that Patriotism, love of country flows from Charity (CCC2239), and it's a poor charity that excuses sinful injustices on the grounds of love of country, or allows our country to pursue a course that will lead to even further spiritual degradation of our manifold peoples. We cannot endure as a free people unless we address these things, in a just manner, and in accord with the Faith received from the Apostles.
In my last post on this subject, I tried to give a thumbnail sketch of how I see immigration historically and the role it's played int he development of our country. I also tried to point some of the problems we are experiencing as part of the current wave of immigration. Having done that, I guess it's time to start looking at what moral implications this has for us Catholics. As this is an issue that affects us not just as individuals or families, but as a nation as a whole, the place to start is Catholic Citizenship, our moral duties as a citizen, and the duties of a moral government.
According to the church, these duties flow mostly fro the fourth commandment, "honor your Father and your Mother." ( Deut 5:16). Among the duties proceeding from this are the duties to pay taxes, vote and participate in the defense of the country. I also includes the moral duty to obey the law and to pray for our leaders, and all those who exercise authority. (CCC2240). We also have a duty to participate in public life, in so far as we are able (CCC 1915).
We are not obligated to support a given form of civil authority, as the only one that is morally acceptable. Rather, a form of government must only serve the legitimate good of the community. The common good has "..three essential elements": First, the common good presupposes "respect for the person" to include the right to act according to sound conscience and rightful freedom of religion. Second it requires the Social well being of the community and allows for it's development. And last, it requires the peace, stability and security necessary to a just order. (CCC 1901, 1906-1909).
From this it is clear that we have no doctrinal of dogmatic mandate on the form of governance we choose only on what it does: the rest is prudential judgment. And from that proceeds the conclusion that we must not make our moral decisions in this matter from a standpoint of partisan politics, but from a sober analysis of the effects of policy. Whether we like our conclusions or not. Falling back on party policy would be intellectual laziness amounting to moral culpability. We must, to be moral, let our faith dictate our politics, not our politics our faith.
Just as citizens have moral duties concerning their government, the Civil Authorities have moral duties concerning how they govern.
The first thing is that the Authorities are required too do is exercise their power as a service, a service to the community and to society. In the Divine economy, authority is meant to promote and express justice in its values, so that we can exercise our freedoms responsibly, working towards Harmony and Peace. And, the regulations that are adapted must not set personal interest against the common good or create temptations to corruption.
Political authorities must respect the fundamental rights of persons--the rights granted by natural and divine law--and be fair when enforcing laws, bearing in mind always the duty to be solicitous of families and disadvantaged. Finally, "The political rights attached to citizenship can and should be granted according to the common good". (All this is from CCC 2235-37)
From this it becomes clear that the current practice of governance by party in the US must first be set aside if we as a nation are to make moral policies in regard to immigration. For the dominant political parties will surely seek to craft laws to the benefit of the parties, not express and promote justice. Parties exist to accumulate political power and to distribute it among their members. They do not exist to further the common good, but the personal good of the party itself (in the sense that corporations are "persons" under the law) and their constituencies. In this matter, not only will this inevitably result in injustice, it will promote civil division, rancor and in the end, strife.
The US is not just a republic, it is a federation. The several states have rights as well as the people, and these rights must be respected. The needs of the several states must be considered even when they seem to be peculiar to themselves. The Federal government must protect the rights and "promote the common good of civil society, its citizens and intermediate bodies". (CCC2244) It is clear that the Federal government, both the Executive Branch and the Judiciary, have a moral duty to consider the predicament that the border States and the ports of entry find themselves in.
Further, it is a vital and integral part of Catholic social teaching that a "community of a higher order should not interfere in the life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need... ." This principle is called subsidiarity, and very recently a number of US bishops have spoken up in defense of it. And it is clear that the Federal Government has no moral authority to block actions by the States to preserve and promote order within their borders, provided that the 14th amendment isn't violated, because of this principle and because its the moral duty of the civil authorities at all levels to promote order.
The needs of the people must be accounted for, and their need for the social conditions necessary for them to prosper must be regarded. But in pursuit of this the civil authorities must not create laws that provoke scandal, or engage in business practices (business leaders are a form of civil authority--though not of civil governance)that create "social conditions that, intentionally or not, make christian conduct and obedience to the commandments difficult or impossible". Fraud is explicitly mentioned. (CCC2286) The Public authorities have a right and duty, considering their responsibilities, to impose on us citizens "the obligations necessary" to defend the nation. From this it logically proceeds that they also have a similar right to impose duties upon us to preserve and uphold the public order. This would include "corporate citizens", businesses and industry.
The common good requires peace and stability. And the Civil Authorities have a duty to provide the security, not just from invasion or armed conflict, but from crime and fear. (CCC1909) This means an effort must be made to promote an order where tension and conflict may be reduced and resolved (CCC1940). To establish this order, the State not only has the right, but the "grave duty" (CCC2265) of legitimate defense of the social order. And the State, in pursuit of this duty of safe guarding the common good has the right to impose proportional punishment (CCC2267).
It is the vocation and responsibility of the Laity to establish a just order that promotes the"full development of human society. This vocation depends on a "vital union" between us and Christ. Just as we expect our Clergy to have a strong union with Our Lord, in order to fulfill their responsibilities, we must fulfill our responsibilities strengthened by this union. Without it, we cease to function as Catholic, Christian citizens, and will fail in an attempt to build the society our vocation implies.
"it is not the role of the Pastors of the church to intervene directly in the political structuring and organization of social life". (CCC 1864, 2441,42) We cannot resign our responsibilities in this matter, nor should our Bishops and Clergy usurp our role in the Apostolate of establishing a policy of immigration that promotes the common good. Rather, we need our Pastors to communicate, clearly and completely the Church's teachings on this matter, so that we can choose well as Christians and citizens.
As our world has grown more complex human interdependence has become a major factor in our relationships even with other nations. No nation in the modern world has or can achieve autarchy. And this human interdependence implies a need and duty on the part of rich nations to see to the needs of refugees and migrants (CCC1911), and it needs to be remembered that the Church, being without borders, terms people who move from one place to another, whether permanently, or temporarily "migrants" The demands of Christian Charity call us to a more than superficial solidarity with our fellow humans (CCC1939) and as solidarity and charity play out we are required to work, as a people, for the progress of peoples, to so arrange our society that "things" do not usurp the essential value of humans. We are to make a society that is oriented towards human well being, not the accumulation of excess property and privilege. More over, we as a nation have a duty to accept immigrants who are in search of a livelyhood, and the security to enjoy it, that he can't find at home. (This doesnt mean that the political authorites don't have a the quthority, right and duty to regulate immigration according to the common good--they do, and that is explicitly part of Catholic teaching!) (CCC 2241)
Ther is a final point I would like to make: The Roman Catechal Tradition lists "Four Sins Crying to Heaven for Vengeance", and many of us Traddy, conservative Catholics are fond of pointing out that Sodomy is on the list when we speak about homosexuality, and we like to talk about the Blood of Abel when discussing abortion, but we need to to look at the other two as well. The oppression of the Widow, the Orphan and The Foreigner among us is one. (Those victims of human trafficking, the sex trade, and slavery are so uprooted as to constitute, the women and children, widows and orphans and they are all foreigners among us!) The other Sin Crying to Heaven is defrauding the worker of his wages. Considering the existence of debt slavery, exploitative labor practices (like in the meat packing industry!) and other factors, we, as a nation have a lot to answer for.
We cannot be Cafeteria Catholics, rejecting those teachings that disagree with our politic--we conservatives as much as progressives. If we do, how are we different from people who reject other moral teachings, like those on birth control or sexual morality?
We are called to be "the salt of the Earth", and if we don't function as such, it will be a judgement on us. I know that many people worry about the shape of American Society and Culture after this wave of immigration, but I will point out to you that Patriotism, love of country flows from Charity (CCC2239), and it's a poor charity that excuses sinful injustices on the grounds of love of country, or allows our country to pursue a course that will lead to even further spiritual degradation of our manifold peoples. We cannot endure as a free people unless we address these things, in a just manner, and in accord with the Faith received from the Apostles.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Quick Dash Up
Tropical Storm Agatha: It seems very early in the season for such a violent storm. This doesn't bode well for the summer.
Travis Smiley: Is so full of BS that I should stand him in front of my garden and let him talk. He is spouting the line that there are "more Christian terrorists than Muslim". Once again the progressives use the old bait and switch. He moves into listing various crimes and enormities, to impute them to "Christians".
Travis...dude...you miss something here. those are crimes, horrible crimes, but they are not inspired by the Teachings of Christianity, nor are they sponsored by organized groups of Christians.
The National Park Service needs slapped: After the SCOTUS ruled that the war memorial in the Mojave Desert could remain, it was stolen. A veterans group replaced it, to memorialize the men killed in the First World War, as did the original. The NPS took it down.
Flag Desecration: Fox News documented instances of deliberate desecration of the US flag across the country this memorial day. Pity.
Travis Smiley: Is so full of BS that I should stand him in front of my garden and let him talk. He is spouting the line that there are "more Christian terrorists than Muslim". Once again the progressives use the old bait and switch. He moves into listing various crimes and enormities, to impute them to "Christians".
Travis...dude...you miss something here. those are crimes, horrible crimes, but they are not inspired by the Teachings of Christianity, nor are they sponsored by organized groups of Christians.
The National Park Service needs slapped: After the SCOTUS ruled that the war memorial in the Mojave Desert could remain, it was stolen. A veterans group replaced it, to memorialize the men killed in the First World War, as did the original. The NPS took it down.
Flag Desecration: Fox News documented instances of deliberate desecration of the US flag across the country this memorial day. Pity.
Visitation: Thoughts and Reflections
"in the Beggining was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us."
Christ was incarnate of the Virgin Mary. Incarnate: made flesh, become flesh. So much more than "Born of the Virgin Mary".
Human life begins at conception, and at Jesus' Mother's visit to her aunt, the wonder, the mystery of the incarnation was manifest to mankind.
"Who am I, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" Even now, before the joy of the Nativity, the Lordship of Christ is evident to those with eyes to see, and so is his incarnation, he dwelling among men in the flesh. The Holy Spirit was active at that point as well, for "the child lept within" Elizabeth's womb.
Here, as at the Annunciation, we see the effect, an effect that would rearrange the cosmos, of the incarnation. A work that would find completion when Our Lord uttered the words "It is finished."
For prior to the Incarnation, there existed an unbridgeable gulf between god and Man. Moses was unable to behold the face of God, and was given only a glimpse of him from behind. But Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, became "a man like us in all things but sin". By taking our nature Christ ensured that thousands would behold his face, thousands of normal, banal everyday people, and closed that gulf. The curtain in the temple was torn, so to speak.
When Elizabeth greeted Mary, and the unborn prophet John lept in her womb, Mary as "the house of gold, the first "tabernacle of the Lord" was recognized. What Mary had pondered in her heart, the child growing beneath her heart, was recognized for the first time by others. The great work of the incarnation had begun.
At the Preparation of the Gifts, the priest prays quietly, "By the mingling of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity." This humbling himself to share in our humanity was first recognized by Elizabeth.
"Who am I that the Mother of My Lord should come to me?" The Holy Trinity, in his great love for us, acted to remove the Gulf between God and Man, to restore the innocence of the cosmos that was lost in original sin, and to restore us to the fellowship with God that Adam and Eve held in the Garden.
"Who am I..." is a prayer that we all can voice. A recognition of Christs reaching to us out of sheer love. A love that I can only begin to grasp "darkly, as in a mirror". A love that is explained to me in the most tenuous way when I look at my Daughters and Granddaughters. that love is but the palest human reflection of the Love God holds.
In the Visitation, we see the first reaction of humans to this mystery. And we understand and see Mary as the house of Gold, the Tabernacle of the Lord, and the Queen of Heaven.
His Holiness, in his book Mary, the Church at the Source, points to Our Lady as the Church, that Mary and the Church are mystically identified. Our Lord gave Mary to us as our mother, and we speak of Holy Mother Church. It's not an accident.
"Who am I, that the Mother of Our Lord should come to me?" If, over come by the great blessing of the Sacraments, and the privilege of being part of The Mystical Body of Christ, we ask this question, we receive the answer. Just as Mary went on a rather dangerous journey to tend her aunt out of love, Christ has founded the Church, and given us his own Mother out of love. And this love proceeds form and continues the mystery of the incarnation, and answers for us who we are to receive such things. We are objects of a love so great it brought to the universe into being. A love so passionate that it shed it blood, and so wise it established the church so that in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, that Christ would be with us always, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.
Elizabeth asked her question, so that the answer could be made for all of us.
Christ was incarnate of the Virgin Mary. Incarnate: made flesh, become flesh. So much more than "Born of the Virgin Mary".
Human life begins at conception, and at Jesus' Mother's visit to her aunt, the wonder, the mystery of the incarnation was manifest to mankind.
"Who am I, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" Even now, before the joy of the Nativity, the Lordship of Christ is evident to those with eyes to see, and so is his incarnation, he dwelling among men in the flesh. The Holy Spirit was active at that point as well, for "the child lept within" Elizabeth's womb.
Here, as at the Annunciation, we see the effect, an effect that would rearrange the cosmos, of the incarnation. A work that would find completion when Our Lord uttered the words "It is finished."
For prior to the Incarnation, there existed an unbridgeable gulf between god and Man. Moses was unable to behold the face of God, and was given only a glimpse of him from behind. But Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, became "a man like us in all things but sin". By taking our nature Christ ensured that thousands would behold his face, thousands of normal, banal everyday people, and closed that gulf. The curtain in the temple was torn, so to speak.
When Elizabeth greeted Mary, and the unborn prophet John lept in her womb, Mary as "the house of gold, the first "tabernacle of the Lord" was recognized. What Mary had pondered in her heart, the child growing beneath her heart, was recognized for the first time by others. The great work of the incarnation had begun.
At the Preparation of the Gifts, the priest prays quietly, "By the mingling of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity." This humbling himself to share in our humanity was first recognized by Elizabeth.
"Who am I that the Mother of My Lord should come to me?" The Holy Trinity, in his great love for us, acted to remove the Gulf between God and Man, to restore the innocence of the cosmos that was lost in original sin, and to restore us to the fellowship with God that Adam and Eve held in the Garden.
"Who am I..." is a prayer that we all can voice. A recognition of Christs reaching to us out of sheer love. A love that I can only begin to grasp "darkly, as in a mirror". A love that is explained to me in the most tenuous way when I look at my Daughters and Granddaughters. that love is but the palest human reflection of the Love God holds.
In the Visitation, we see the first reaction of humans to this mystery. And we understand and see Mary as the house of Gold, the Tabernacle of the Lord, and the Queen of Heaven.
His Holiness, in his book Mary, the Church at the Source, points to Our Lady as the Church, that Mary and the Church are mystically identified. Our Lord gave Mary to us as our mother, and we speak of Holy Mother Church. It's not an accident.
"Who am I, that the Mother of Our Lord should come to me?" If, over come by the great blessing of the Sacraments, and the privilege of being part of The Mystical Body of Christ, we ask this question, we receive the answer. Just as Mary went on a rather dangerous journey to tend her aunt out of love, Christ has founded the Church, and given us his own Mother out of love. And this love proceeds form and continues the mystery of the incarnation, and answers for us who we are to receive such things. We are objects of a love so great it brought to the universe into being. A love so passionate that it shed it blood, and so wise it established the church so that in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, that Christ would be with us always, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.
Elizabeth asked her question, so that the answer could be made for all of us.
Immigration Post: I didn't lie, I was wrong!
It's written! but the typing in process is longer than expected. Also, there was this Feast Day. And, well, it's not ready yet.
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