Sweden is a Nation which Hates Families

Chart is American Statistics for Home Schooling Excellence

Homeschooling is illegal in Sweden, and if you are a Catholic, this could be a matter of religious freedom. For over a hundred years, Popes have declared the parents as the primary teachers of their children, with the necessity, the duty of passing the Faith on to each child. In a country where public schools teach sex education and anti-natural law concepts, such as the pc idea that having a gay life-style is ok, Catholic parents would have to educate their children at home if there were no alternative private schools.

In one case, here, Sweden took away a child who has not been with his parents for one year. Parents who want to leave Sweden and educate their children at home in another country are not allowed to do so.

This is tyranny. No State owns a child. Now, Ireland and the EU want to pass so-called child protection and child rights acts which would undermine the authority of the parent even more. Could anything be more damaging to religious freedom than the inability to teach one's own children the Faith? Persecution is the name of the game. HSLDA, (and I have another link on the side on this blog), claims the United States is in danger of copying European draconian laws on homeschooling. The Obama Admin, as seen in the post listed on the side, does not support home schooling. Look at this selection from an article on WND:

The conflicts in Sweden are getting as contentious as in Germany, where a long list of families simply have fled their home country instead of face the crushing fines, jail sentences and even destruction of families that government officials demand.

It was in a dramatic case just last year, involving the Romeike family, that a U.S. immigration judge granted political asylum in the U.S. because of the persecution they would face in they return to Germany. The Obama administration is appealing that ruling, seeking to send the family back.

Donnelly said what happens in Germany and now Sweden needs to be noted in the United States because of the habit officials have of adopting controversial European actions.

Dated but typical and all well above average for most States in America

And, for the doubters, take a look at these scores from the HSLDA site. 

Voris on The Issue-not merely religious freedom, but a chance to condemn, nationally, contraception

Apostles to the Slavs and Patrons of Europe

Without Ss. Cyril and Methodius, I might not be Catholic. My ancestors came from the same areas, including Moravia, where the two "equal to the Apostles" preachers, philosophers, translators, missionaries came. The first ancestor to come to America, to Iowa, on the Czech side, was my great uncle, a missionary priest. Like Ss. Cyril and Methodius, the priest brought the Gospel and Sacraments to the far regions. Several key events of the Apostles of the Slavs in their missionary work was the creation and translation of the Bible, using the Cyrilic alphabet, named after St. Cyril, as well as the translation of the Mass of St. John Chysostrom into that Slavic language; in addition, many more Moravians, Bohemians, and others became Catholic because of the baptizing of Prince Borovoi and Princess Ludmilla. My grandmother's name was Ludmilla and I had a great-uncle Methodius. I pray for all the Czech people today, and especially for my old friend, Filip. From the Eastern rite prayer of the feast, which is on a different day, here is a chant:

Apolytikion of Sts. Cyril and Methodios in the Fourth Tone

Cyril and Methodius, inspired by God, you became Equals-to-the-Apostles by your life. As you were teachers of the Slavs, intercede with the Master of all, that He may strengthen all peoples in the true faith; that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls!

And, as I use the Monastic Diurnal and the 1962 Missal, Happy St. Valentine's Day to all as well.