VIP VIP VIP USA Persecution Watch

USCCB Chairmen Respond To ‘Unprecedented And Extreme’ Executive Order

 

July 21, 2014

WASHINGTON–The bishop-Chairmen of two USCCB Committees responded with great concern to President Obama’s July 21 executive order to prohibit federal government contractors from what the Administration deems “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” discrimination and to forbid “gender identity” discrimination in the employment of federal employees. The problems the bishops identify in the order relate both to the flaws in its core prohibitions, and to its lack of religious freedom protection.

Two USCCB Chairmen – Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty and Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, Chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth – together issued the following statement.  

Today’s executive order is unprecedented and extreme and should be opposed.  

In the name of forbidding discrimination, this order implements discrimination. With the stroke of a pen, it lends the economic power of the federal government to a deeply flawed understanding of human sexuality, to which faithful Catholics and many other people of faith will not assent. As a result, the order will exclude federal contractors precisely on the basis of their religious beliefs.  

More specifically, the Church strongly opposes both unjust discrimination against those who experience a homosexual inclination and sexual conduct outside of marriage, which is the union of one man and one woman. But the executive order, as it regards federal government contractors, ignores the inclination/conduct distinction in the undefined term “sexual orientation.” As a result, even contractors that disregard sexual inclination in employment face the possibility of exclusion from federal contracting if their employment policies or practices reflect religious or moral objections to extramarital sexual conduct.

The executive order prohibits “gender identity” discrimination, a prohibition that is previously unknown at the federal level, and that is predicated on the false idea that “gender” is nothing more than a social construct or psychological reality that can be chosen at variance from one’s biological sex. This is a problem not only of principle but of practice, as it will jeopardize the privacy and associational rights of both federal contractor employees and federal employees. For example, a biological male employee may be allowed to use the women’s restroom or locker room provided by the employer because the male employee identifies as a female.  

In an attempt to avoid these needless conflicts, states that have passed “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” prohibitions have overwhelmingly included protections for religious employers. When the U.S. Senate, which is controlled by the President’s own party, passed the similar Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) last year, it included religious liberty protections as well. Indeed, all prior versions of ENDA had at least some religious liberty protections. But the executive order is an anomaly in this regard, containing no religious liberty protections. In this way, the order, which is fundamentally flawed in itself, also needlessly prefers conflict and exclusion over coexistence and cooperation. 

Regarding federal contractors, the Executive Order will take effect after rules to be promulgated by the Department of Labor implementing the Executive Order become final. Regarding federal employment, the Executive Order is effective immediately.
---

Vatican Cricket

Pakistan 'gift of friendship' to Vatican cricket team more here  http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25218#.U86eIxTuvfU.twitter  The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture has thanked Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan, Governor of Sindh in Pakistan, for his support of the Vatican Cricket Club which is about to tour England. And the Governor has presented a cheque, along with six Test-quality, made-in-Pakistan, cricket bats, as “a gift to the Vatican as a token of friendship.” Governor Ishrat ul Ebad made the presentation to Columban Fr Robert McCulloch, from Australia, and Aamir Bhatti, a Pakistani seminarian who has been selected for the touring Vatican cricket team. Columban Fr McCulloch worked in Pakistan as a missionary priest for 34 years and is now Procurator-General of the Columban Fathers in Rome. Fr McCulloch is a committee member of St Peter’s Cricket Club and arrived in Karachi for the presentation ceremony that took place at the Governor’s House on Tuesday evening, 8th July. The official club name is St Peter’s Cricket Club, but is popularly called the Vatican XI. Papal colours of white and gold, with the crossed-key emblem of the Vatican make up the uniform design. The cricket team is sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Vatican’s department for sport. The Vatican’s cricket team is an international group of Catholic priests and seminarians in Rome and is made up of eight Indians, two Sri Lankans and one each from Pakistan, England and Ireland. The team’s wicket-keeper is Pakistani player, Aamir Bhatti (from Karachi) who has been preparing in Rome for three years to become a Catholic priest. The Vatican team will travel from Rome to England in September and play against the Archbishop of Canterbury’s XI, the Royal Household at Windsor Castle, and other teams. Pope Francis will say farewell to the team before they leave for England. Proceeds from the matches will go to the GLOBAL FREEDOM NETWORK, the joint Anglican-Roman Catholic-Muslim anti-trafficking charity.

Note airline cancellations

http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-carriers-suspend-flights-to-israel-over-rocket-scare/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/22/delta-cancels-all-israel-flights-over-missile-fear/#.U86WxhIjS6E.twitter

Pray for This Cause

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/07/22/Amid-Heated-Debate-Louisiana-Lawmakers-File-Lawsuit-To-Suspend-Common-Core-Standards?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Today's Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said,

God’s love comes to perfection in him.

Alleluia!

Michael Davies Conference in October

http://www.lms.org.uk/news-and-events/michael-davies-conference

If you have not looked at the video below, do so and then read this

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gov-rick-perry-deploying-up-to-1000-national-guard-troops-to-border/

Another interesting article

http://ethikapolitika.org/2014/07/22/twilight-conservatism/?utm_source=The%20Twilight%20of%20Conservatism%3F&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Flocknote

Playing Tennis in The Face of Death

Although the great Mary Magdalen's Feast is today, in some places, either today or tomorrow, is the feast of one of my favorite martyrs, St. Philip Evans and his confrere were allowed outside while imprisoned, and on July 21st, when Fr. Evans was told he would be killed the next day, he was playing tennis. He finished his game. I hope the score was Love-All when he was told. Tennis and archery were "my sports" as a kid. I was good at shooting as well, but did not keep up with that. I was also good at sprint running. But, really did not like team sports. Well, INTJs are like this...wonder if St. Philip is an INTJ? He sounds more like an INFJ.

My kind of saint.........all from http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=580

Father Philip Evans

Saint Philip Evans

Philip Evans was born in Monmouth in 1645, was educated atSt Omer, joined the Society of Jesus in Watten on 7 September 1665, and was ordained at Liège and sent to South Wales as a missionary in 1675.^[1]

He worked in Wales for four years,^[1] and despite the official anti-Catholic policy no action was taken against him. When the Oates' scare swept the country both Lloyd and Evans were caught up in the aftermath.^[2] In November 1678 a John Arnold, of Llanvihangel Court near Abergavenny, a justice of the peace and hunter of priests, offered a reward of £200 (an enormous sum then) for his arrest.

Despite the manifest dangers Father Evans steadfastly refused to leave his flock. He was arrested at the home of a Mr Christopher Turberville at Sker, Glamorgan on 4 December 1678.

Father John Lloyd

Father John Lloyd, a Welshman and a secular priest (i.e., a priest not associated with any religious order), was a Breconshire man. He was educated first in Ghent, then at the English College, Valladolid, Spain, entering in 1649.^[3] He took the 'missionary oath' on 16 October 1649 to participate in England Mission. Sent to Wales in 1654 to minister to covert Catholics, he lived his vocation while constantly on the run for 24 years. He was arrested at Mr Turberville's house at Penlline, Glamorganshire, 20 November 1678, and imprisoned in Cardiff Gaol.^[4] There he was joined by the Jesuit, Philip Evans.^[5]

Trial

Both priests were brought to trial in Cardiff on Monday, 5 May 1679.^[4] Neither was charged with being associated with the plot concocted by Oates. Nonetheless, they were tried for being priests and coming into the principality of Wales contrary to the provisions of the law, and were declared guilty of treason for exercising their priesthood.

Executions

The executions took so long to be scheduled that it began to appear that they might not take place. The priests were allowed a good deal of liberty, even to leaving the prison for recreation.^[2] The executions took place in Pwllhalog, Cardiff on 22 July 1679 ^[4]

Philip Evans was the first to die. He addressed the gathering in both Welsh and English saying, ‘Adieu, Father Lloyd! Though only for a little time, for we shall soon meet again'. John Lloyd spoke very briefly saying, ‘I never was a good speaker in my life'.

Canonisation and Feast Day

On 25 October 1970, both John Lloyd and Philip Evans, S.J. were canonised by Pope Paul VI.^[1] Although they died on 22 July, this date is kept by the Catholic Church as the day of St Mary Magdalen, so their jointfeast day was assigned to 23 July. The same date is the assigned day of St Bridget of Sweden, who was later designated one of six patron saints of Europe by Pope John Paul II. This means that while churches dedicated to St John Lloyd or St Philip Evans can keep their feast on 23 July, other churches must commemorate St Bridget on that date. A voluntary celebration for St John Lloyd and St Philip Evans may be kept on a nearby date at the discretion of local communities.^[6]

Interesting Article

http://ethikapolitika.org/2014/07/21/paradox-crunchy-women-chemical-birth-control/?utm_source=The%20Paradox%20of%20Crunchy%20Women%20and%20Chemical%20Birth%20Control&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Flocknote

The Winnower

The Winnower Vernier Copy of Millet

God has always blessed me in my friends. I cannot thank my friends enough for supporting me on the blog and in so many other ways.

I had leadership training in high school, which I have referred to on this blog in the past. One of the things which I learned was that I had organizational skills. As an idea person, and a person who could see talent in others, I could help new situations become permanent.

God gave me a grace of discernment. Another thing I learned was to choose good friends and avoid bad company. I was not always so wise when young and made some mistakes, but on the whole, I was the one who walked out of bad parties, left situations which could be compromising, and sought out the wisdom of good people.

Have I been betrayed? Yes. Sometimes a person has to learn the hard way to trust one's gut reactions, or pick up on those little niggling feelings which may accompany reason.

In other words, one must, when choosing friends, follow one's conscience and ask this question. Will this person make me a better person?

If one has a friendship leading to marriage, one must ask this question. Will this person help me get to heaven?

Surround yourselves with good, solid Catholic friends. If you can pod, do it now.  The time is short.

Here is St. Augustine...

Sermon LXI.

[CXI. Ben.]

On the words of the Gospel, Luke xiii. 21 and 23, where the kingdom of God is said to be “like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal;” and of that which is written in the same chapter, “Lord, are they few that are saved?”

1. “The three measures of meal”³⁴⁶¹ of which the Lord spake, is the human race. Recollect the deluge; three only remained, from whom the rest were to be re-peopled. Noe had three sons, by them was repaired the human race. That holy “woman who hid the leaven,” is Wisdom. Lo, the whole world crieth out in the Church of God, “I know that the Lord is great.”³⁴⁶² Yet doubtless there are but few who are saved. Ye remember a question which was lately set before us out of the Gospel, “Lord,” it was said, “are there few that be saved?”³⁴⁶³ What said the Lord 446to this? He did not say, “Not few, but many are they who are saved.” He did not say this. But what said He, when He had heard, “Are there few that be saved? Strive to enter by the strait gate.”³⁴⁶⁴ When thou hearest then, “Are there few that be saved?” the Lord confirmed what He heard. Through the “strait gate” but “few” can “enter.” In another place He saith Himself, “Strait and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that go thereby: but broad and spacious is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which walk thereby.”³⁴⁶⁵ Why rejoice we in great numbers? Give ear to me, ye “few.” I know that ye are “many,” who hear me, yet but “few” of you hear to obey. I see the floor, I look for the corn. And hardly is the corn seen, when the floor is being threshed; but the time is coming, that it shall be winnowed. But few then are saved in comparison of the many that shall perish. For these same “few” will constitute in themselves a great mass. When the Winnower shall come with His fan in His Hand, “He will cleanse His floor, and lay up the wheat into the garner; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”³⁴⁶⁶ Let not the chaff scoff at the wheat; in this He speaketh truth, and deceiveth no one. Be ye then in yourselves among many a many, few though ye be in comparison of a certain many. So large a mass is to come out of this floor, as to fill the garner of heaven. For the Lord Christ would not contradict Himself, who hath said, “Many there are who enter in by the narrow gate, many who go to ruin through the wide gate;” contradict Himself, who hath in another place said, “Many shall come from the East and West.”³⁴⁶⁷ “Many” then are the “few;” both “few” and “many.” Are the “few” one sort, and the “many” another? No. But the “few” are themselves the “many;” “few” in comparison of the lost, “many in the society of the Angels. Hearken, dearly Beloved. The Apocalypse hath this written; “After this I beheld of all languages, and nations, and tribes, a great multitude, which no man can number, coming with white robes and palms.” ³⁴⁶⁸ This is the mass of the saints. With how much clearer voice will the floor say, when it has been fanned, separated from the crowd of ungodly, and evil, and false Christians, when those who “press” and do not “touch” (for a certain woman in the Gospel “touched,” the crowd “pressed” Christ), shall have been severed unto everlasting fire; when all they then, who are to be damned shall have been separated off, with how great assurance will the purified mass, standing at the Right Hand, fearing now for itself the admixture of no evil men, nor the loss of any of the good, now about to reign with Christ, say, “I know that the Lord is great”!³⁴⁶⁹

2. If then, my Brethren (I am speaking to the corn), if they acknowledge what I say, predestined unto life eternal, let them speak by their works, not by their voices. I am constrained to speak to you, what I ought not. For I ought to find in you matter of praise, not to seek subjects for admonition. Yet see I will say but a few words, I will not dwell upon it. Acknowledge the duty of hospitality, thereby some have attained unto God. Thou takest in some stranger, whose companion in the way thou thyself also art; for strangers are we all. He is a Christian who, even in his own house and in his own country, acknowledges himself to be a stranger. For our country is above, there we shall not be strangers. For every one here below, even in his own house, is a stranger. If he be not a stranger, let him not pass on from hence. If pass on he must, he is a stranger. Let him not deceive himself, a stranger he is; whether he will or not, he is a stranger. And he leaves that house to his children, one stranger to other strangers. Why? If thou wert at an inn, wouldest thou not depart when another comes? The same thou doest even in thine own house. Thy father left a place to thee, thou wilt some day leave it to thy children. Neither dost thou abide here, as one who is to abide always, nor to those who are so to abide, wilt thou leave it. If we are all passing away, let us do something which cannot pass away, that when we shall have passed away, and have come thither whence we may not pass away, we may find our good works there. Christ is the keeper, why dost thou fear lest thou shouldest lose what thou spendest on the poor? “Let us turn to the Lord,” 

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf106.vii.lxiii.html

Not Facing Our Reality

A very old person said to me in the past few days, that he did not want to be around to watch the falling apart of America. This man is not a great student of philosophy or theology. He believes too many of the stories of the msm. But, he senses something, as if the breezes of summer were whispering the end of his belief in the American Dream.

But, the problem with so many people who are now beginning to wake from the sleep of consumerism and the supposed meritocracy is this: the soul must be attended to by each one of us in these chaotic times.

How does one prepare for the end of democracy, or plague, or war? There is only one way, and that is pursuing holiness.

The pursuit of holiness is not a game, or a personal journey, but the call of the entire People of God.

I have tried to help my readers since 2007 prepare for the coming catastrophes which will bring down America. Some of my readers have listened and others have not.

The fact that so many people merely go on with their daily work as if the world around them has not changed is a tragic fact.

The fact that so many people still ignore their immortal souls and fight the graces given to them daily is a tragic fact.

We have been warned. I have warned. I shall warn and teach until God says, "Enough. Time is over for this ministry." I have not heard that yet.

But things are changing quickly, both here and abroad. Those who act as if nothing is wrong will perish both physically and spiritually.

Christ warned us in Matthew 23:37-39. But, this time, there is a different ark-the Catholic Church, whose faithful members will be ready for Christ's coming.

³⁷ And as in the days of Noe, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

³⁸ For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, even till that day in which Noe entered into the ark,

³⁹ And they knew not till the flood came, and took them all away; so also shall the coming of the Son of man be.

High School and Junior High Home Schoolers

Get the Premium Membership to Michael Voris' Church Militant, found here and use some of the series for home schooling youth 11-14.

http://www.churchmilitant.tv/

Predestination Part Three

The third point which is generally accepted within the teaching of the Church regarding predestination is this:

"Thus even the free determination disposing one toward salvation is entirely included in the effect of predestination. 'There is no distinction,' says St. Thomas, 'between what flows from free will, and what is of predestination: as there is no distinction between what flows from a secondary cause and from a first cause.'"

All grace and all good works are from God, and therefore, within the call of God to eternal life with Him. We cannot merit anything without God's Will and God's grace. One is predisposed to God and following His ways because of predestination.

The Summa holds this discussion in Ia, q.23, a.5. as noted by Garrigou-Lagrange.

To write this in simple words, all goodness comes from God and returns to God.

Garrigou-Lagrange quotes the Second Council of Orange, Canon 9: "'It is God's gift when we think aright and restrain ourselves from walking in the path of error and corruption. As often as we do good, it is God who works in us and with us enabling us to act.' This canon is a recapitulation of Prosper's twenty-second sentence, which repeats the teaching of St. Augustine."

Again,the author quotes, too, St. Paul, from Phil. 2:15--"It is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish."

The mystery of predestination is in the overlap of God's Providence and our response to His graces.

Canon 12 from the above Council notes this: "God so loves us, as we shall be by the gift of His grace, not as we are by our own merit."

No one can please God without sanctifying grace and no one has grace except from God.

And, those who are better than others, responding to grace, are simply more loved by God.

The modern democratic, socialist and communist sensibilities wants everyone to be the same, have the same, act the same. This is not in God's plan, and obviously, contrary to the teachings on grace and free will.

Garrigou-Lagrange writes, "....one is not more pleasing to God than another, without having received more from Him. If, on the contrary, grace became efficacious in actu secundo by our consent, then it would follow that of two men who received equal help, one would become better, and this without having loved more. helped more, or having received more from God." Such ideas go back to the year 500, states Garrigou-Lagrange

Thanks to Dr. Jay Boyd for This And Another Reader

You all need to watch this.

Much of this has been destroyed; many killed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l7ZT0JJm98