Proud to be Catholic

I've been thinking, and trying to articulate, the myths and misrepresentations of the sexual abuse scandal for years now. And while I in no way want to diminish the agony of the victims or the seriousness of the problem of certain priests in the Church, or the evil they perpetrated on innocent children -- children that should have been in the hands of Christ-like men and amongst the love of Jesus and not the wrath of Satan, I have a problem with what's become the mindset of much of America about our Church. The notion that this is exclusively a "Catholic Church in America" problem, or that the Catholic Church holds a monopoly on this problem is absurd.

Moreover, the picture that the media (and Hollywood) paints of the Catholic Church is quite selective in what it chooses to report, and report, and report, and report -- ad nauseam. This is not what our Church is about, it is about so much more, and I, for one, am sick of the misrepresentation by the media. They have hoodwinked the entire nation on positioning the Church in this light, and only this light.

The following is an email that I received from a brother knight. It articulates my thoughts and it accurately, in my opinion, reminds us of some of the things that most people, including Catholics, seems to have forgotten.

PROUD OF BEING A CATHOLIC AND PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY THE GOOD OLD USA
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Proud of Being Catholic

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(Excerpts of an article written by Sam Miller, prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman - NOT Catholic) Submitted by Dee Lynd


Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States, namely the Catholic Church?

Do you know - the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at the cost to your Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. Your graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%, all at a cost to you. To the rest of the Americans it's free.

The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students.

The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people - not just Catholics - in the United States today.

But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.

Let me give you some figures that you as Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church, 41.8 % of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed. Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not a Catholic Problem.

A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.

The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been totally weeded out by now.

Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental agency in the United States. Then remember what Jeremiah said: "Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls". Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions.

Be proud that you're a Catholic.


Reprinted excerpts with permission of the Buckeye Bulletin courtesy of Brookside Council #3297 of The Knights of Columbus, Cleveland Diocese.

Full text of Sam's speech

Pope Benedict in the United States

Pope: True rights come from human nature, not special interest groups

"New York, Apr 18, 2008 / 10:59 am (CNA).- In a highly articulate speech on Friday, Pope Benedict XVI provided strong philosophical and moral arguments to make the point that human rights are inherent to human persons and not the fruit of an “agreement”. These rights, therefore, cannot be manipulated by ideological and pressure groups."

True rights come from human nature, not special interest groups

Morning at the Ballpark Vatican

What a beautiful site to behold...

Tom Hoopes here. This morning, I headed out early to the ballpark. I was walking with Patrick Novecosky of Legatus, an ethnically Polish guy who was a big fan of John Paul II. I ask him if it's hard to accept a non-Polish pope and he says No. But his eyes say Yes."

Pope 2008: "Morning at the Ballpark Vatican

Pope 2008: Sirius Catholics

Good friend Gus Lloyd, Sirius Radio Catholic Channel morning guy and executive editor of the National Catholic Register, Tom "The Tremendous One" Hoopes talk it up on Gus' show "Seize the Day" on Sirius Channel 159...

Tom Hoopes here. I'm sitting in the press box waiting to go on the air with Sirius Catholic radio. I am to be interviewed by Gus Lloyd, with whom I spent an eventful evening last night.

The tough thing with Gus is to get him to stay on topic. If you want to hear me trying desperately to say wise, insightful things about the Pope while Gus doggedly attempts to talk about our adventures escaping from an overpriced K Street bistro and then attempting to order food in an understaffed bar (neither of us had much experience with bars) listen on the Catholic Channel, Sirius Channel 159."

Pope 2008: Sirius Catholics

Meeting with the Bishops of the United States

The pope's address to the American bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was straight forward pastoral advise and quite a statement with plenty for the bishops to ponder and take action on.

Here's a sample:

"A strongly worded critique of what is often called "cafeteria Catholicism." Said Benedict: "Is it consistent to profess our belief in church on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs? Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor or the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching, or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death?" Deploring the tendency "to treat religion as a private matter," the pope declared: "Only when their faith permeates every aspect of their lives do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel."

"Tough talk about the decline of Catholic marriage. Said Benedict: "To some young Catholics, the sacramental bond of marriage seems scarcely distinguishable from a civil bond, or even a purely informal and open-ended arrangement to live with another person. Hence we have an alarming decrease in the number of Catholic marriages in the United States together with an increase in cohabitation."

"A challenge to go beyond policies and programs already adopted by the bishops to deal with clergy sex abuse and address the problem in a "wider context." Condemning the "degrading manifestations and the crude manipulation of sexuality so prevalent today," the pope said children need--and bishops have a duty to work for--a society with a renewed sense of the sacredness of sex. "What does it mean," he demanded, "to speak of child protection when pornography and violence can be viewed in so many homes through media widely available today?"

"An appeal for reconciliation in the strained relationships of the bishops with their priests in the wake of the abuse crisis. The Holy Father told the bishops: "Priests, too, need your guidance and closeness during this difficult time. They have experienced shame over what has occurred, and there are those who feel they have lost some of the trust and esteem they once enjoyed....At this stage, a vital part of your task is to strengthen relationships with your clergy."

The entire text, here.

OSV has a good commentary at their blog:
Papal Visit 2008 News and Views: A bit of a bombshell

The Pope is a Rock Star

As I watch the live feed from EWTN at Pope2008.com I'm struck by the adoration for our Holy Father from his adoring fans. Immediately following Vespers and his address to the USCCB, as he exited the Basilica, crowds were cheering him with Rock-Star-like status.

In our culture of celebrity, watching every move Britteny Spears makes, it's refreshing to see Americans cheering the pope, a man that stands for and espouses truth, love, and faith in the living God. I'm in no way trying to disparage Britteny, I'm just making this comparison for the sake of importance in the world among world renown figures. The crowd called out to the pope, saying, "Viva Papa!" The world is right again, if for at least this week. I say, "Rock-on Papa!"

Here's his address to the Bishops: April 16, 2008

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4

Happy Birthday Holy Father

Today the Holy Father celebrated his 81st birthday here in America as President Bush honored the pope with a welcome ceremony and birthday celebration. As I listened to both men speak this day, I was struck by both messages and their similarities. I was extremely proud of what the President said about the Holy Father and his message for America. The president was very respectful, extremely kind and thoughtful in his praise for the pope. I was very proud of the message from the Holy Father, as well. I agreed wholeheartedly with both speeches, one hundred percent. For those who found fault with these words today, sorry, I do not share your sentiment. No, this was a great day, today. Happy Birthday Holy Father. God bless you, and God bless America.





Vivat Jesus!

Pope Benedict touches down in the United States

Shepherd One landed right on time this afternoon, bringing Pope Benedict XVI to the United States for the first time as pope, he has visited the U.S before. President Bush, Laura Bush and their daughter Jenna paid Pope Benedict the honor of meeting him at the airport—the first time Bush has done so for a head of state.

In following the papal visit I was curious to see how the media would cover this -- I was fearful they would take this opportunity to highlight every problem, scandal, and issue facing the Catholic Church in America. So far they have not disappointed. The New York Times dedicated almost their entire lead story of the pope's arrival to the sexual abuse scandal: The Pope's Visit to the U.S. - Pope Benedict XVI - The New York Times: "Pope Arrives in U.S.; Expresses Shame Over Priest Scandal"

Could they not wait until their second story to go there? I understand the need to report on the matter, the pope himself addressed the issue on the flight over, but why do you have to make the entire article about that? Why wouldn't you cover the story that was unfolding? "The arrival."

The Washington Post did a much better job of reporting the Holy Father's remarks on the scandal (as they should) without turning it into a dark read and capturing the momentous event.Pope Benedict XVI Arrives in U.S. - washingtonpost.com

After all, for many, this is a happy and welcome event. For this writer, it is a very welcome event, and I sincerely hope the media can give the pope an opportunity to allow his message to be heard.

ABC News did a good job reporting as well: ABC News: Pope Benedict XVI Arrives in U.S. for Six-Day Visit As expected CBS News reported mostly on the abuse scandal as well as other negative points: Pope Touches Down In U.S. , President Bush Greets Benedict XVI For His First Papal Visit To The United States - CBS News NBC did better:In U.S., pope to stress moral values - Pope in America- msnbc.com

If you want coverage from a news agency that knows the Church, here are the best:
Pope 2008
Papal Trip
USCCB Papal Visit Site
USCCB Papal Visit Site
EWTN Global Catholic Network - Pope's Visit to the US 2008

EWTN Video



Read

Schools' new prom fever: Giving condoms to kids

When did we take the control away from parents and give it over to school boards to determine whether or not sexual activity is appropriate for prom night? Am I missing something here or is this not affirmation to prom kids that hooking up is nor only acceptable, but expected? In fact, by giving condoms in a gift bag, I dare say its encouragement.

What they thinking? Are they thinking that they’re going to do it anyway so lets protect them? How many decades do you have to do this failed policy before you notice that not only doesn’t it work, but; you’re producing a nation of over-sexed fornicating kids with out any morals.

They’re kids for heaven’s sake, let them be kids without screwing up their lives with overcomplicated adult issues. If you expect them to have these adult type relationships, they will. If you expect them to do the right thing in life, they’ll do that. Expect the very best from our high school kids, no, demand it. Parents wake up. I would freak if my son or daughters received a pack of condoms in their gift bag at prom night or any night for that matter. So should you.

Read the story

Obama's "punished with a baby" comment sparks protests

"I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby,' Obama said."

It's statements like this that is quite telling about a person and their world-view. Oh, he'll make some sort of excuse that he didn't mean to offend anyone or that he doesn't think children are punishment, but then, what people say, usually hold a certain amount of truth. He certainly embraces the "culture of death" -- his record on abortion, both voting and speaking confirm this.

Read the article: