Abortionist George Tiller killed during Church service

The abortionist George Tiller, notorious for his performance of late-term abortions as well as his close ties with Kathleen Sebellius, was killed during a Church service this morning:

"Dr. George Tiller, who remained one of the nation's few providers of late-term abortions despite decades of protests and attacks, was shot and killed Sunday in a church where he was serving as an usher.

The gunman fled, but a 51-year-old suspect was arrested some 170 miles away in suburban Kansas City three hours after the shooting, Wichita Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said.

Long a focus of national anti-abortion groups, including a summer-long protest in 1991, Tiller was shot in the foyer of Reformation Lutheran Church, Stolz said. Tiller's attorney, Dan Monnat, said Tiller's wife, Jeanne, was in the choir at the time." (AP)

I unreservedly condemn this killing. The pro-life movement believes in justice for all and murder is always wrong with no exceptions.

With that said, some foes of the pro-life movement are already trying to use Tiller's death as an excuse to demonize the pro-life movement as a whole. Even the AP report makes reference to this:

"Stolz said all indications were that the man acted alone, although authorities were investigating whether he had any connection to anti-abortion groups."

Any group that would sanction the unlawful killing of someone is simply not a pro-life group.

The National Organization for Women is especially guilty of this reprehensible, bigoted association of the (as yet unidentified) killer with the non-violent activities of the pro-life movement:

Saying that women "lost a champion" with the death of Tiller, the pro-abortion National Organization for Women claimed that an "anti-abortion terrorist" must have killed Tiller even though the identify of the shooter has yet to be revealed.

NOW said "the anti-abortion cause" was behind Tiller's murder and other actions against abortion centers and practitioners even though members of pro-life groups have never been behind any such incident.

Saying that bringing the person who killed Tiller to justice is "not enough," NOW called on the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security to "root out and prosecute as domestic terrorists and violent racketeers the criminal enterprise that has organized and funded criminal acts for decades."

"We call on the new attorney general Eric Holder and head of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to treat these murders in the same way they would treat politically-motivated domestic terrorism of any other kind and put the full resources of their two departments behind that effort," they said. (LifeNews)

NOW should publish a full apology for its unfounded attacks as well as for trying to profit from Tiller's death.

LifeNews has reported the story, and has also begun listing the pro-life organizations which have condemned the act. SBA List has done so, as has ALL. Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote.org, said:

“As the late Cardinal John O’Connor said, ‘If anyone has an urge to kill someone at an abortion clinic, they should shoot me. ... It's madness. It discredits the right-to-life movement. Murder is murder. It’s madness. You cannot prevent killing by killing.’”

The last quote comes from Geoffrey Miller:

[Tiller] knows the truth now. If the truth has indeed set him free, he will be a most powerful ally to us through his intercessions.

I pray that this sad event becomes on occasion for the pro-life movement to reveal the depths of its mercy, and for the media at-large to report the story accurately. Murder is never right, of the born or unborn.

update: President Obama has released a statement on Tiller's death:

"I am shocked and outraged by the murder of Dr. George Tiller as he attended church services this morning. However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence." (6:21 p.m.)

Papist Picture of the Day - 5/29/09

• AmP: Nominated for 8 Catholic New Media Awards
• Controversy: "Christopher West’s Work is 'Completely Sound' says Dr. Janet Smith"
• Wierd: "Roman Catholic Priestess" dragged from Air Force One
• Video & Text: George/Kmiec debate
• Scandal: Fr. Cutie, caught dating widow, decides to join Episcopal Church
• Photo: Mary Ann Glendon and I

Papist groupies.

[source: AP Photo]

AmP nominated for 8 Catholic New Media Awards

Wow. Thank you!

• People's Choice Blog
• Best Blog by a Man
• Best Written Blog
• Most Informative Blog
• Funniest Blog
• Most Entertaining Blog
• Best Catholic News Website
• Best Overall Catholic Website

Voting starts next week.

"Christopher West’s Work is 'Completely Sound' says Dr. Janet Smith"

More on the ongoing debate I have covered here and here, from Dr. Janet Smith:

Christopher West’s interview on ABC’s Nightline has sparked some terrific discussion on the Internet. An impressive amount of the interaction is intelligent and illuminating, even some of that which is seriously wrong. One of the better responses is that by Jimmy Akin of Catholic Answers and the follow-up comments to his blog.

Here, I want to offer a brief, partial, response to Prof. David Schindler’s assessment of West’s work. The fact that Nightline got a lot wrong about West’s work is not surprising. In fact, it is surprising how much it got right. Those of us who work with the media know that potential martyrdom awaits us at the hands of an editor. West has likely been suffering a kind of crucifixion over the past week. What is puzzling is that an influential scholar chose this moment to issue a sweeping, negative critique of West in such a public forum. I have great respect for the work and thought of Schindler and realize that it must be difficult to be on the receiving end of criticisms of the work of one of their most high profile graduates. I wish, however, he had found another occasion to express his reservations about West’s work. (Catholic Exchange)

Friday wierd: "Roman Catholic Priestess" dragged from Air Force One

I couldn't have written it better had I tried:

A reporter for a small newspaper was forcibly removed from a press area near Air Force One shortly before President Barack Obama arrived at Los Angeles International Airport to depart California early Thursday.

Airport security officers carried the woman away by the feet and arms as she protested her removal.

... She said she asked a Secret Service agent to give the president her letter, but he refused and referred her to a White House staffer. Lee said she refused to give the staffer the letter.

"I said, 'I'll take my chances if (the president) comes by here,'" said Lee, who identified herself as a Roman Catholic priestess who lives in Anaheim, Calif. "He became annoyed that I wouldn't give him the letter."

Lee, who was wearing what she described as a cassock, said she protested when she was asked to leave. (NBC Los Angeles)

Her reason for trying to reach Obama? She wanted him to take a stand for traditional marriage.

How about taking a stand for the traditional priesthood for a start?

Video & Text from George/Kmiec debate

For Robert George's text: "Obama and His Pro-Life Apologists".

For C-SPAN video of the entire debate: CLICK HERE.

Fr. Cutie, caught dating widow, decides to join Episcopal Church

He didn't even bother to inform his archbishop in advance:

Father Alberto Cutie, an internationally known Catholic priest who admitted having a romantic affair and breaking his vow of celibacy, is joining the Episcopal Church to be with the woman he loves, he said Thursday.

"I will always love the Catholic Church and all its members," he said at a news conference. "But I want to start today by going into a new family.

"Here before this community where I have chosen to serve and where I live, I am going to continue to proclaim the word of God and my love for God," Cutie said.

Cutie (pronounced koo-tee-AY) was received into the Episcopal Church earlier Thursday at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami, Florida. He will pursue the priesthood in the Episcopalian faith, the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida said in a written statement.

It was not immediately clear how long the process would take. (CNN)

More on the Cutie scandal backstory here. Episcopal Life Media adds more here.

Photo: Me with Mary Ann Glendon

Shameless self-promotion time:


Photo taken at the American Principles Project launch.

Live Coverage: Robby George of APP debates Doug Kmiec

I am at the National Press Club live-twitteringa debate between Robert George and Douglas Kmiec on the topic "The Obama Administration and the Sanctity of Human Life: Is There a Common Ground on Life Issues?, What is the Right Response by 'Pro-Life' Citizens?".

So please follow my live AmP twitter updates here. I may also update this post below.

C-SPAN 2 IS STREAMING THE DEBATE HERE.

A live feed of the event may also be here or here.

Live/Archived Video of CUA symposium + Kmiec/George debate

Thanks to the CUA Communications Department for providing me this information:

Here's video of the morning sessions: http://digitalmedia.cua.edu//calendar/default.cfm

Currently, the afternoon session of the symposium is streaming live at: http://digitalmedia.cua.edu//calendar/event_dsp.cfm?event=4695

After 4 p.m. you'll be able to view everything by simply going to http://www.cua.edu/ . The same goes for the press club event [between Robby George and Doug Kmiec] after 8 p.m.

Live blogging: Robert George at CUA on US Bishops and public policy

I will try to live blog this event. Stay tuned... and keep an eye on twitter.

Beginning with a reflection on Pope Benedict's claim that there is a "healthy secularism" to be found. Yet, says Pope Benedict, there is a great contribution for the Church to make as well.

What is the right and duty of the Catholic faithful and the Church herself to speak and act in the properly secular realm? The realm in which all voices should be welcome, and the currency is "our common human reason."

What do priests, and particularly Bishops have to do?

A key passage from GS, paragraph 43: "It is the laity, though not exclusivity, that secular activities and duties properly belong."

An exaple of 25 bishops trying to influence public policy in American bioethics. The conclusion of this analysis, sadly, is that it is marked by many dissapointments and favors. While the pro-life USCCB secretariat is good, but in the area of abortion its very bad, despite clear and forceful condemnation of the status quo by the USCCB, the Church has had some but not nearly enough success, even among Catholic politicians.

Why is this the case?

High-profile Catholic politicians have been a contradiction. US Bishops perhaps have diluted their authority by speaking on too many issues which are properly secular, moving far beyond what is strictly-speaking a Christian truth. Comparing minimum wage and foreign subsidies with abortion, for instance.

The effect of this was to blur the lines between true teachings and opinions.

Why did the bishops risk diluting their witness? Their own pastoral letter claims they wish to be an example of prodential anaylsis. But why do they feel obliged to offer this sort of advice, which is not theirs uniquely or especially?

Tax lawmakers do not choose between morally wrong and morally right policies, but between better and worse policies.

Bishops have excommunicated american citizens for supporting segregation.

The bishops should abstain from commenting directly on matters that are contingent, but they can endorse to what the laity have been doing.

The right to life is not like tax law.

I'll switch to twittering now.... please read the archives for the completion of this narration.

Important links for AmP & APP

American Papist on Twitter (regular updates particularly today) and Facebook (become a fan!).

American Principles Project on Twitter {fixed!} and Facebook (my association with APP explained here).

Live coverage: CUA Symposium on US-Vatican relations

Speakers include, as I mentioned yesterday, Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, former US Ambassador to the Holy See Mary Ann Glendon, and Dr. Robert George of Princeton University. Quite a cast.

I'll be blogging my time at the conference when I get the chance, and twittering here in between. Keep up!

Obama names theologian Miguel Diaz as ambassador to Holy See

From the AP:

A Hispanic Roman Catholic theologian who was an adviser to Barack Obama's presidential campaign will be nominated to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, the White House announced Wednesday.

Miguel H. Diaz, 45, an associate professor of theology at St. John's University and the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota, would be the first Hispanic to serve as ambassador to the Vatican since the United States and the Holy See established full diplomatic ties in 1984. Diaz was born in Havana.

The CNS Blog has the press release from Diaz's university. Articles of Faith has his White House bio. Apparently he consults for Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. With this sort of association, it comes as no surprise to learn he is an Obama supporter ... and a supporter of Kathleen Sebellius.

I thought Patrick Archibold had a good line: "President Obama continues to build his Vichy Catholic government that pretends to be against abortion while supporting those who support it." (Vichy? Ouch.)

Michael Sean Winters jumps in with a typo: "The immediate takeaway is this. Diaz is a pro-life Democrat so his mere presence at the Vatican will disprove the contention of some conservatives that there is no such thing as a pro-life Catholic."

I presume Winters meant "pro-life Democrat." And instead of stereotyping what he claims "some conservatives" think (none that I've met, by the way), how about sticking with the case at hand. In other words, Diaz, who thinks Kathleen Sebellius (a woman who never met an abortion she wouldn't suppor) is "a woman of deep faith." Claiming such a person as Diaz is "pro-life", well, gets me scratching my head.

Whispers has good coverage of this nomination as well.

It will be interesting to see if Mary Ann Glendon, the former US Ambassador to the Holy See, will make any comment about Diaz's appointment tomorrow. If she does, I'll be there blogging and twittering it.

Live Coverage: Doug Kmiec, Abp. Dolan, Robby George, Mary Ann Glendon

Tomorrow (Thursday) will be an incredibly busy day of AmP live-blogging/twittering.

Starting at 9:30 AM I will be covering a symposium hosted by CUA's School of Law, starting with Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, then at 10:00AM the keynote address of Mary Ann Glendon.

In the afternoon, at 1:35PM I will be covering the keynote address of Prof. Robert George, Director of the Madison Program at Princeton University and the founder of the American Principles Project, and perhaps sticking around for the closing remarks of Archbishop of Washington Donald Wuerl at 3:30PM.

At 4:15PM I will be at the public launch of the American Principles Project event in downtown Washington DC.

Promptly at 5:00PM I will be live-blogging an extremely important debate between Doug Kmiec and Robert George at the National Press Club on the topic: "The Obama Administration and the Sanctity of Human Life: Is There a Common Ground on Life Issues?, What is the Right Response by 'Pro-Life' Citizens?"

The debate will be moderated by Mary Ann Glendon and will conclude at 6:30PM.

As you can see, it's going to be an extremely full day. Keep it tuned here and over at my AmP Twitter page for the latest updates. And please spread the word among those who might be interested in these topics.

Announcement: AmP to join APP June 1st

Last week I graduated with my STB in theology from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC. Because I love my graduate studies and have pursued them for four years (two in Detroit and two here in Washington) only an exceptional opportunity could have convinced me to leave them for the time being, and yet such an opportunity has appeared...
On June 1st I will join the newly-formed American Principles Project (APP) as Communications Director. I have tremendous respect for its founder, Dr. Robert George of Princeton University, and I’m very excited about the people I will be working with day-to-day. Furthermore, I believe APP will give me a new and unique opportunity to do good, so much so that it is worth giving my focused energy.

My new employers have graciously allowed me to continue my blogging on these pages. At American Papist I will continue to provide breaking stories, clarify rumors, and spread awareness of the good things happening in the Catholic world online and offline. This mix of offerings has quickly propelled AmP into becoming one of the highest-visibility Catholic blogs in the world and I want it to continue flourishing.

My specific coverage of political and some social issues will transition over to the new American Principles Project (APP) blog, where I will benefit from better access to important trends and information. As a perfect example of these new opportunities offered by APP, I will be live-blogging a debate between Doug Kmiec and Robbie George at the National Press Club tomorrow. I will post details about that event next.

Over the next month I ask your patience as I make this transition. While it is true that I will have many things on my plate, my commitment to my readers, tipsters, and fellow Catholic bloggers is unflagging! With hard work and God’s grace, I hope that the good things begun here will continue to bear much fruit.

Papist Picture of the Day - 5/27/09

"What's in your wallet?"

[source: Reuters]

Photo: Papist Google Graphic

Logo WIN:
I wonder if Google will use this next April 19th?

(oh, and this graphic comes from a story published by Ars Technica)

Ph/t: AmP reader BeachPig.

Tip: Logos Bible Software for Catholics

A good priest friend of mine swears by  Logos Bible Software (in the right way, of course). AmP reader Phil:

"Logos Bible Software is the leading digital publisher of Christian resources. Recently we’ve been working on digitizing scores of Catholic titles. This blog post, “Logos Bible Software for Catholics,” explains everything in detail, and you can see all of our Catholic offerings in our new Catholic Product Guide."

Msgr. Barres appointed Bishop-elect of Allentown, PA

Good to see a bishop brought up from the ranks of priests. One can only shuffle around bishops so long:

Today the Holy Father appointed Msgr. John Oliver Barres of the clergy of the diocese of Wilmington, U.S.A., diocesan chancellor, as bishop of Allentown (area 7,183, population 1,184,000, Catholics 276,662, priests 279, permanent deacons 105, religious 450) U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Port Chester, U.S.A. in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1989. He succeeds Edward P. Cullen, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

Sotomayor, sixth Catholic justice, nominated by Obama to Supreme Court

Consider this an open thread.

There are many, many links to follow on the Sotomayer announcement, but what is most interesting to me (and fellow papists), is her religious affiliation:

Judge Sonia Sotomayor has much to distinguish her, but one element of her biography stands out in the world of those interested in religion and the public square: she is Catholic, and, if approved as a Supreme Court justice, she will be the sixth Catholic on the nine-member court. That is a remarkable accomplishment for American Catholics, who make up 23 percent of the nation's population, and will now potentially hold 67 percent of the high court's seats. Two of the justices are Jewish; the resignation of Justice David Souter, who is an Episcopalian, will leave, amazingly given the history of this nation, just one Protestant on the Supreme Court, 89-year-old Justice John Paul Stevens. (Michael Paulson at the Boston Globe)

I'll refrain from further comment at this point, but it would be unfair to deny the opportunity for AmP readers to weigh-in. So have at it.

As an important note, pro-life organizations are quickly responding to the nomination. Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President & CEO of Americans United for Life, says:

“A vote to confirm Judge Sotomayor as the next Supreme Court Justice is a vote to strip Americans of the ability to choose for themselves how to regulate abortion. Our recent polling data speaks to this point of judicial activism and as a woman, I don't believe she 'represents' American women.”

Related: Carl Anderson, head of the Knights of Columbus, has a compelling op-ed today; "Golden Opportunity to Move Beyond the Legacy of Roe v. Wade" over at their news blog Headline Bistro.

Tip: Online summer courses for Catholics

Next tip from AmP reader Maureen:

"Have you been wondering how to get your teens excited about all things Catholic? Homeschool Connections is offering online summer classes for all Catholic high school students (home, public, or private educated) that will keep them engaged and learning over the summer. There are even one or two that will help prepare graduating seniors for college. 

Homeschool Connections uses webinar technology so students can see and hear the professor via a webcam and mic in addition to his Power Point presentation. In turn students can communicate with the class through chat or their own microphone. Teens love the technology, making learning all the more enjoyable. Be

cause this is done over the Internet, participation can take place anyplace -- in the kitchen, at the library, on vacation. Additionally, each class is recorded and accessible to students for 6 months. All courses are taught with a focus on the Catholic perspective. It's a great deal for the dollar. For details, visit http://www.homeschoolconnectionsonline.com (use the scroll bar to see all courses) or email Maureen Wittmann, mwittlans@aol.com.

Some of the courses are taught by Dr. Henry Russell, a former professor of mine. Your children are in the best of care with him. All the teachers are completely loyal to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Oh, and for those of you looking for little Amp tidbits - I'm a proud product of home education.

Action: Charitable Giving Trends Survey

Still working through a backlog of tips and requests, this one from AmP reader Greg:

"I am working on a project aimed at encouraging charitable giving, particularly among Catholics. We are trying to gather some not necessarily scientific information about charitable giving habits generally and now, during the recession particularly. If you would be so kind, please take a moment to follow this link and take the survey we have prepared for this purpose. Please feel free also to pass it along to others, as the more data we collect, the better."

Photo Caption Call - 05/26/09

• Controversy: Will the Boston Archdiocese really allow abortion referrals?
• Tip: Abp. Burke in Louisville July 17-18 for Eternal Life Conference
• Action: Stop abortionists from broadcasting ads into Irish homes
• Tip: Catholic Summer Reading Program

Even if you don't have a caption, you can rate your favorite captions (submitted by others) in the comment box.

View the last Photo Caption Call here. Submit new photos for AmP photo caption call to my email!

[Photo: Geoff Robinson Photography.]

Will the Boston Archdiocese really allow abortion referrals?

Back in March:

After more than a week of controversy, state regulators voted yesterday to accept a bid by a Massachusetts Catholic hospital chain and a secular health organization to provide health insurance to thousands of low-income residents.

The Connector Authority board, which oversees the Commonwealth Care program, voted unanimously in favor of the joint venture proposed by Centene Corp., a St. Louis-based health organization, and Caritas Christi Health Care Network.

The vote followed several closed-door sessions in which officials from Centene and Caritas, the minority partner in the joint venture, assured regulators that women will have "ready access" to family planning and reproductive services, an issue that sparked concerns from abortion foes and reproductive rights activists. (Boston Globe)

Despite attention from the American Life League and Catholic Action League, as of last week - no change:

Brian Delaney, communications director for CeltiCare, owned by Centene, confirmed that the joint venture will be operational by July 1 and that it "will meet all the state’s requirements under the Commonwealth Care program, including providing family planning services as appropriate.”

... “It is clear that the Caritas/Centene partnership is proceeding with all deliberate speed towards the July 1st start-up date of the Commonwealth Care contract," he said.

"Catholics need to keep the pressure up on the Archdiocese to cancel the contract," he added. (LifeNews)

Here is a good way to start:

ACTION: Contact Caritas Christi and urge it not to begin doing abortions or referring for them. Caritas Christi Health Care, 736 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02135, (p) 617-789-2500, CCR.Webmaster@CaritasChristi.org

Catholic institutions simply cannot be complicit with abortion.

Tip: Abp. Burke in Louisville July 17-18 for Eternal Life Conference

Archbishop Raymond Burke's recent appearance and comments at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast was memorable, to say the least. AmP reader Sandy lets us know where he can be seen next in the states:

Archbishop Burke is scheduled to be in Louisville, Ky, on July 17-18 for the annual Eternal Life Conference sponsored by the Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation, Catholics United for the Faith and Eternal Life, an organization founded by the late Father John Hardon, who was a regular speaker at the conferences until his death in 2000. There will be at least three other speakers including Father Benedict Groeschel. Archbishop Burke has been a frequent speaker at this venue, and past speakers include Cardinal Arinze, Father George Rutler, Dr. Alice Von Hildebrand, and even Mother Teresa. The Conference is held at the Galt House in downtown Louisville. The phone number to get more information is 1-800-842-2871.

I trust AmP readers to find out more information with Google, if they are interested.

Action: Stop abortionists from broadcasting ads into Irish homes

AmP reader Patrick:

The British government, as you may know, sees abortion as the solution to a range of social problems, including western Europe’s highest rate of teenage pregnancy. The latest manifestation of this is an attempt to change the rules to allow abortion providers advertise their ‘services’ on television and radio. We are particularly concerned because British channels are widely viewed in Ireland and, with the huge resources available to the abortion industry, they can be expected to target Irish women in particular.

The Committee of Advertising Practice (Broadcast), BCAP, is engaging in a public consultation as part of its review of the Advertising Standards Codes. In its consultation document, BCAP recommends that pro-abortion centres should be permitted to advertise on TV and Radio. We are organising a petition to persuade them not to change the rules.

Obviously, British signatures are particularly valuable, but others are useful too as the second prong of our campaign is to persuade other advertisers that having their ads run alongside ads for abortions won’t do their image any good.

Tip: Catholic Summer Reading Program

Today I'm working through various tips people have sent me recently. Here's the first:

Aquinas and More Catholic Goods, the official sponsor of the Catholic Summer Reading Program, would like to invite you to join in a book discussion at your school, parish, local Catholic store, or online at www.tiberriver.com.

Designed to encourage continued reading about the Faith during the summer vacation months, the Catholic Summer Reading Program, now in its 3rd year, includes online discussion guides so you can form your own discussion group. Kids can also get involved by downloading the Catholic Kids Reading Path and filling it in as they read Catholic books during the summer.

Papist Picture of the Day - 5/25/09

• Life: Euthanasia in the US: Wash. woman first to die under new law
• Controversy: More on West: Schindler says his credibility "a problem for the Church"
• 'Net News: Vatican, Pope encourage young people to use social media
• Report: 23 Legion priests to exit and form new religious group

"OMGOSH I got a picture of the pope's .... thumb."

[source: AP Photo]

Euthanasia in the US: Wash. woman first to die under new law

A sad story:

Linda Fleming was diagnosed with terminal cancer and feared her last days would be filled with pain and ever-stronger doses of medication that would erode her mind.

The 66-year-old woman with late-stage pancreatic cancer wanted to be clear-headed at death, so she became the first person to kill herself under Washington state's new assisted suicide law, known as "death with dignity."

"I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death," Fleming said in a statement released Friday. "The powerful pain medications were making it difficult to maintain the state of mind I wanted to have at my death. And I knew I would have to increase them."

With family members, her physician and her dog at her side, Fleming took a deadly dose of prescription barbiturates and died Thursday night at her home in Sequim, Wash. (AP)

LifeNews:

"... in Oregon, pro-life advocates point to abuses of the assisted suicide law.

Oregon resident Barbara Wagner found out Oregon health officials would pay for a suicide but not medication to treat her cancer.

... [a] report also indicates that 59 physicians wrote 88 prescriptions -- indicating some doctors are writing more than one lethal prescription for patients.

That leads pro-life advocates to wonder if they are truly finding better alternatives for their patients or just encouraging them to seek death as a solution. 

Assisted suicide is a failure of medicine, not an achievement.

More on West: Schindler says his credibility "a problem for the Church"

Last week's post on West generated 250+ comments. Clearly this topic is on AmP readers' minds.

I was sent this a couple days ago and think it might move the debate forward:

"David L. Schindler, provost and dean of the Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at Catholic University of America, has written a response to what he says are fundamental errors in Christopher West's interpretation of Pope John Paul II's theology of the body."

For those who want to inform themselves about this issue thoroughly, do read the whole text.

Vatican, Pope encourage young people to use social media

While I was pausing my online activities to graduate last week, Pope Benedict was encouraging Catholic youth to use social media to spread the good news online:

Speaking English, the Holy Father recalled how in his Message for the Day this year "I am inviting all those who make use of the new technologies of communication, especially the young, to utilise them in a positive way and to realise the great potential of these means to build up bonds of friendship and solidarity that can contribute to a better world.

"The new technologies", he added, "have brought about fundamental shifts in the ways in which news and information are disseminated and in how people communicate and relate to each other. I wish to encourage all those who access cyberspace to be careful to maintain and promote a culture of respect, dialogue and authentic friendship where the values of truth, harmony and understanding can flourish.

"Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world! Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God's infinite love for all people, will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!" (VIS)

Now I wish I could find this video on the Vatican YouTube channel.

Simultaneously, the Vatican itself is moving into new media. Paolo Padrini (one of the developers) explains:

The new media of Facebook, the iPhone, YouTube and Wikipedia are increasingly becoming the new forum where the Catholic Church dialogues with the world. As Pope Benedict XVI noted in his message for the 43rd annual World Communications Day, the Internet is a place where young people need to develop true friendships which spring from an encounter with the Risen Christ. With this awareness and the courage to enter into the world of social networks, the project Pope2You was started with the idea of helping these networks become authentic places of friendship and true dialogue.

Pope2You was created in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications as an experiment in providing a new forum and channel of communication using the latest platforms. The Pope2You website provides a new way for Pope Benedict XVI to reach out to young people around the world. The site can be viewed in five languages and allows young people to learn more about the Church and Benedict XVI through his own writings, starting with the message for the 43rd World Communications Day. While the site aims to generate the interest of young people, it is also meant for people of all ages. It features news on the Catholic Church and details on the pastoral activities of Benedict XVI incorporating content from the Vatican’s YouTube channel. At the same time, a new application for the iPhone and iPod Touch has been created by the Catholic news agency H2Onews, with plans to add other mobile platforms later.

Pope2You also provides a gateway to a parallel world in Facebook with an application where you can create and send to your friends virtual postcards with the Pope’s own words, greetings and excerpts of his writings staring with this year’s World Communications Day message. Also, with the help of the Media Office of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, a special area has been created along the lines of a WIKI with suggestions on how to put into pastoral practice the Pope’s 2009 Message.

These new applications highlight the latest example of the Church reaching out in new ways in the world of social networks – a forum where the Church can meet new people, make new friends, dialogue and offer solidarity.

A brave new digital world for the new evangelization. Just remember: our online activities should be at the service of our real-world activities. Watching Mass on uStream is not the same as attending Mass in person.

I'll post more on this after I have a chance to explore http://www.pope2you.net.

Report: 23 Legion priests to exit and form new religious group

I've received this report:

"An inside source within the Legion has confirmed that 23 priests are preparing their exit from the congregation to form a new religous group. Fr. Alvaro has asked them to wait until the Vatican publishes its findings. However the departure of Fr. Berg has added to their determination. 15 of the Priests are Americans."

Background on Berg's departure here.

Photo Caption Call - 05/20/09

Even if you don't have a caption, you can rate your favorite captions (submitted by others) in the comment box.

View the last Photo Caption Call here. Submit new photos for AmP photo caption call to my email!

[Photo copyright: AmP readers the Boor family.]

Everything Post

To keep everyone busy while I finish up my exams for the semester, here's a peek inside my inbox:

• Video: No, Mr. President: John Piper's Response to President Obama on Abortion
• E5: An apostolate that promotes men fasting for their wives, and not just them
• Video: Proud dad turns the camera on while his two-year-old prays 
• Gossip: Baby on the way for Mel Gibson and his mistress  (said this was everything...)
• Science: Scientists Unveil Missing Link in Evolution (sorry, doesn't look like Adam to me)
• Internet: Short & Tweet (WaPo story on "the art of twitterature" in 140 characters)
• Abortion: USCCB Media Blog parses the most recent numbers in search of meaning
• Irony: Catholic Gov. to NARAL: "those not yet born will benefit from your leadership" (!)
• Cool: The Archdiocese of Washington has a blog (see, all the cool kids are doing it)
• Action: Congressmen Challenge Obama on Abortion Conscience Clause Promise

There, ten stories. If you prayer a Hail Mary for me after each ... I'll be a whole decade thankful. :-)

Tip: See and read about the Vatican's real secrets

This book has been on my coffee table for some time now and often catches the eye of my friends. 

The lucky ones open it:

Learn more about the book on its website:

Written by Father Michael Collins, a Vatican insider and accomplished church historian, this beautifully illustrated reference takes a unique behind-the-scenes look at the world’s smallest nation and the spiritual center of the Catholic Church. Produced with the full cooperation of the Vatican, examine the 2,000 year long history of the Vatican and papal influence, experience daily life and governance of the world’s largest religious body, and discover the art collections and other priceless treasures rarely seen by the public. [Buy it on Amazon]

Papist Picture of the Day - 05/19/09

• Anwered: Why did Obama use "children" over "fetus" to describe the unborn?
• Papist Quote of the Day: William McGurn in WSJ
• Noted: Archbishop Chaput on Fr. Jenkins, in particular
• Anti-Pope: Carla Bruni criticizes Pope Benedict XVI on condoms

"Um, I'd like to order an appetizer ... maybe?"

[source: Reuters/Fadi Arouro]

Why did Obama use "children" over "fetus" to describe the unborn?

Dan Gilgoff spots something interesting in Obama's ND speech:

One line in particular in President Obama's Notre Dame speech really jumped out at me: "Let's provide care and support for women who do carry their children to term."

Obama used the word children as opposed to fetus, employing the nomenclature of antiabortion activists as opposed to that of the pro-abortion-rights movement. If the fetus is a child, antiabortion advocates say, how can you justify abortion?

... Is the president subtly invoking the antiabortion lexicon in addressing conservative religious audiences? Or am I reading too much into this? (US News)

I have to respond that, sadly, I think Gilgoff is reading too much into this.

You see, abortion advocates are happy to use the term "child" to describe a "wanted" child. In other words, for them, a child is not a "child" until the mother has made a choice to keep it. Otherwise a "child" remains a "fetus" until he or she takes their first breath of air.

What changes for that child at that moment - besides location - escapes me, but so goes the illogical logic of abortion supporters.

Besides, Obama spoke about his desire to eliminate "offending" words from the public discourse on abortion (funny that he chose a term commonly used against pro-lifers - "ideologue"). Can one imagine how jarring it would be, considering the audience, to have called an unborn child a "fetus"? Especially considering how often the word is used in the phrase "terminate a fetus"?

I would hope somewhat jarring.

Papist Quote of the Day: William McGurn in WSJ

Contrast:

"In the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian, there is a wonderful photograph of Father Ted Hesburgh -- then Notre Dame president -- linking hands with Martin Luther King Jr. at a 1964 civil-rights rally at Chicago's Soldier Field.

Today, nearly four decades and 50 million abortions after Roe v. Wade, there is no photograph of similar prominence of any Notre Dame president taking a lead at any of the annual marches for life.

Father Jenkins is right: That's not ambiguity. That's a statement."

Props to the Wall Street Journal for publishing this.

Related: "Notre Dame's Useful Service" by Bevil Bramwell, OMI in the Catholic Thing.

Archbishop Chaput on Fr. Jenkins, in particular

Light in the darkness:

"There was no excuse – none, except intellectual vanity – for the university to persist in its course. And Father Jenkins compounded a bad original decision with evasive and disingenuous explanations to subsequently justify it.

... Father Jenkins' explanations, and President Obama’s honorary degree, are a fitting national bookend to a quarter century of softening Catholic witness in Catholic higher education. Together, they've given the next generation of Catholic leadership all the excuses they need to baptize their personal conveniences and ignore what it really demands to be "Catholic" in the public square."

Dynamite line:

"We also have the duty to oppose [Obama] when he's wrong on foundational issues like abortion, embryonic stem cell research and similar matters. And we also have the duty to avoid prostituting our Catholic identity by appeals to phony dialogue that mask an abdication of our moral witness."

The entire statement is of this quality and clarity.

Carla Bruni criticizes Pope Benedict XVI on condoms

Carla Bruni has evidently had a religious de-awakening:

"Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy said: "I was born Catholic, I was baptised, but in my life I feel profoundly secular.

"I find that the controversy coming from the Pope's message – albeit distorted by the media – is very damaging.

"In Africa it's often Church people who look after sick people. It's astonishing to see the difference between the theory and the reality.

"I think the Church should evolve on this issue. It presents the condom as a contraceptive which, incidentally, it forbids, although it is the only existing protection," she told Femme Actuelle, the women's magazine." (UK Telegraph)

Gerald Warner responds:

"Even from a secular viewpoint, if we did not have the wise words of Carla Bruni to guide us we might have lent credence to the Catholic abstinence campaign in Uganda which reduced the 18 per cent HIV infection rate among adults in 1992 to 5 per cent in 2007.

Without Bruni, we might be tempted to listen to uninformed commentators such as the director of the AIDS Prevention Center at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies who said: "The best evidence we have supports the Pope's comments."

Gotta love British irony.

Photo Caption Call - 5/18/09

• Huh? L'OR takes Obama's side
• Text: Fr. Jenkins' Obama Introduction
• Video: Catholic Apple Spoof
• Post-op: Obama at Notre Dame
• AmP: Hiatus for Comps
• Weekend: Blogging Commencement

Even if you don't have a caption, you can rate your favorite captions (submitted by others) in the comment box.

View the last Photo Caption Call here. Submit new photos for AmP photo caption call to my email!

[Photo copyright: AmP reader John.]

Huh? L'Osservatore Romano takes Obama's side

L'OR isn't backing down from its positive take on Obama:

"The search for a common ground: This seems to be the path chosen by the president of the United States, Barack Obama, in facing the delicate question of abortion," the newspaper said.

The newspaper, which was reporting on the Notre Dame commencement for the first time, acknowledged the controversy caused by the president's appearance at what it called "the most prestigious Catholic university in the United States."

"Yesterday, too, as could have been predicted, there were protests. But from the podium set up in the basketball arena, the president invited Americans of every faith and ideological conviction to 'work in common effort' to reduce the number of abortions," it said.

All we have right now is this second-hand report via John Thavis of Catholic News Service.

... it reads like the talking points of Obama's administration. Who is writing this stuff?!

Text: Fr. Jenkins' Obama introduction

Since many folks have asked for it:

Ph/t: AmP reader James.

Video: Catholic Apple Spoof

Very clever:

Also check out the other funny videos on his YouTube channel.

Ph/t: Life's Crosses.

Post-op: Obama at Notre Dame

Unfortunately, I don't have the time at present to cover this extensively (see my previous post), but I have linked to three of the most interesting reaction/follow-up pieces I've seen so far.

Time permitting, I may add to this later today. In the meantime, please feel free to post your own links in the comment box below. No spamming - I'll just delete it.

In order, a Catholic liberal, a feminist liberal, and a Catholic conservative ... all unsatisfied:

• Michael Sean Winters gave Obama's performance a "C-"; a "lost opportunity"
• Liberal Feminist Martha Burke said that Obama was "weak on women's rights"
• Notre Dame legend Ralph McInerny is especially disappointed with Fr. Jenkins

So much for trying to please everyone. There's a saying about how that normally goes.

Hiatus for Comps

This week I will be taking comprehensive S.T.B. exams for my next graduate degree in theology, and - God willing - graduating at the end of the week. As a result, blogging will be lighter in the interim.

I would ask for your prayers and understanding in the days ahead. God bless you!

Blogging before/during Commencement

3:30PM - Obama's full speech is here. Thanks to everyone who followed and RT's my twitter feed.

2:15PM - I am live blogging the commencement exercises here on Twitter.

12:45PM - I'm twittering the day's events remotely. Jill Stanek (pro-life blogger), NewsCoaster (ND alum), ContraTorrentem (pro-life grassroots activist) are on-site and updating their twitter pages regularly. John Norton of OSV is in a press box where the commencement ceremony will be held.

12:00PM - Seriously, where do other people find their sources? This BeliefNet author claims "about 20% of the bishops have condemned Notre Dame for inviting the President". That statistic is simply weeks old. The current tally is double that. It's hard for me to give much weight to arguments when the author can't even get the numbers straight.

11:45AM - The mainstream media is giving this story lots of play, as you can see. It's becoming an opportunity for major outlets, such as the AP, to discuss the recent Gallup poll numbers, etc.

11:30AM - C-SPAN will be airing Obama's speech at 3PM EST online here.

11:00AM - Mining through the emails is taking some time, but Jill Stanek is updating frequently from on-site and Joe Lawler looks like the one sane voice at USA Today's live blog.

9:00AM - Woke up this morning to find DRUDGE's top headline to be "Vatican silent on Obama speech", linking to this horrible article by Amy Sullivan in Time. Damian Thomspon responds here.

Photo Caption Call - 05/15/09

• Papist Quote of the Day (and video): Bishop Aquila
• Graphic: More americans pro-life than pro-choice for first time
• Notre Dame: A reality check from Thomas More College
• Video: High Mass in the Pantheon of Rome
• Open thread: What will Obama say at Notre Dame?
• Off-beat: "Cardinal Adam Maida to *liturgize* Chuck Daly"?!

Even if you don't have a caption, you can rate your favorite captions (submitted by others) in the comment box.

View the last Photo Caption Call here. Submit new photos for AmP photo caption call to my email!

[Photo copyright: Jay Balza - watch video of this here.]

Papist Quote of the Day (and video): Bishop Aquila

Appearing on FOX News:

“Certainly NARAL or Planned Parenthood would never invite Benedict XVI, much less extend an award to him.” - Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo, ND

Bingo.

Video:

Graphic: More americans pro-life than pro-choice for first time

This is a picture of hope:

Gallup:

A new Gallup Poll, conducted May 7-10, finds 51% of Americans calling themselves "pro-life" on the issue of abortion and 42% "pro-choice." This is the first time a majority of U.S. adults have identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.

Now look at this line:

It is possible that, through his abortion policies, Obama has pushed the public's understanding of what it means to be "pro-choice" slightly to the left, politically. While Democrats may support that, as they generally support everything Obama is doing as president, it may be driving others in the opposite direction.

Let's hope opinion catches up to voting.

I will be updating this post soon, but wanted to have this out there ASAP.

Update with related links:

• SBA: Obama and Congress on Collision Course with Public Opinion on Abortion
• LifeNews: Majority of Americans Pro-Life on Abortion, Highest Levels in 15 Years

Notre Dame: A reality check from Thomas More College

Embroiled in all this Notre Dame controversy, this came as a breath of fresh air:

At Thomas More College, Not Obama But Arinze

MERRIMACK - Some Catholic colleges this year are seeking their commencement speakers from the ranks of men with power in the secular world-regardless of those men's adherence to the fundamental principles of justice and morality.

The Thomas More College of the Liberal Arts turned instead to a man who came from material poverty in a troubled British colony in Africa, a convert from traditional African paganism, who made his name as a pastor of the Christian people in his country, as a peacemaker in its civil war, and a sober guardian of the Church's deposit of Faith.

They're referring to Francis Cardinal Arinze.

Video: High Mass in the Pantheon of Rome

This is pretty cool. There was a Solemn High Mass celebrated in the Pantheon of Rome recently to celebrate the 1400th anniversary of its consecration as a Catholic Church. I wonder what the tourists thought?



Take that, Jupiter.

Open thread: What will Obama say at Notre Dame?

Tom McFeely is trying to get a make an educated guess based on how Obama handled his first commencement speech of the season at Arizon State University:

During his speech, the president joked about the controversy that erupted there over the secular college’s decision not to grant him an honorary degree, on the grounds that he had yet to accomplish enough as president to warrant that honor.

“I learned to never again pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA bracket,” he said, referring to the school’s basketball team, CNN reported. “It won’t happen again.”

Said Obama, “President [Michael] Crow and the board of regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS.” (NCRegister)

McFeely also notes this monumental irony about ASU's choice to not grant an honorary degree:

"ASU declined to grant Obama the honor of an honorary degree on the grounds he hasn’t done enough to earn one, whereas Notre Dame is conferring the identical honor even though Obama has done far more than enough, through his promotion of abortion, to disqualify himself from ever receiving such an honors from an authentically Catholic institution."

Headline Bistro also analyzes how Obama attempted to use the stress of the ASU situation in his favor:

"Not only did the president address that head on, but he wove it into his advice for the graduates – “No matter how much you’ve done, how successful you’ve been, there’s always more to learn, always more to achieve,” he said. “You too cannot rest on your laurels … your own body of work is also yet to come.”

Will Obama do similarly at Notre Dame? With major newspapers now joining the bandwagon and printing stories on the Notre Dame-abortion-Catholic Church drama, the lack of even an allusion to the debate would be just as obvious as an actual statement during his address on his support for abortion."

Well, ladies and gentleman, it's about time to place your final bets. Commencement is, after all, in 2 days.

Off-beat: "Cardinal Adam Maida to *liturgize* Chuck Daly"?!

Yep, that's how the headline reads - LITURGIZE!

I don't quite know what that means ... but it sounds painful. ;)

This is what happens when sports blogs talk about catholic stuff.

As TBS would say, "very funny."

Papist Picture of the Day - 5/14/09

• Claim: Leaked text of Notre Dame's honorary degree to Obama
• Books: Forget "Angels & Demons" - Read "Death of a Pope"
• Commentary: Weigel on the real political game playing out at Notre Dame
• Action: USF cancels master's program in theology, and some aren't pleased
• Update: Alumni withhold nearly $14m because of Obama invite

"... and that's where I want my water slide!"

[source: Reuters/Fadi Arouro]

Claim: Leaked text of Notre Dame's honorary degree to Obama

Randall Terry claims someone leaked to him the official text of Notre Dame's Honorary Doctorate Degree to Barack Obama:

"At the 164th Commencement The May Exercises The University of Notre Dame Confers the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on the 44th president of the United States, whose historic election opened a new era of hope in a country long divided by its history of slavery and racism.

A community organizer who honed his advocacy for the poor, the marginalized and the worker in the streets of Chicago, he now organizes a larger community, bringing to the world stage a renewed American dedication to diplomacy and dialogue with all nations and religions committed to human rights and the global common good.

Through his willingness to engage with those who disagree with him and encourage people of faith to bring their beliefs to the public debate, he is inspiring this nation to heal its divisions of religion, culture, race and politics in the audacious hope for a brighter tomorrow.

On Barack H. Obama, Washington, District of Columbia" (Christian News Wire)

Randall Terry is not a particularly reliable source, but the above text does seem plausible and much-in-keeping with the sort of verbiage coming from Fr. Jenkins' office in recent weeks.

Ph/t: Creative Minority Report.

Forget "Angels & Demons" - Read "Death of a Pope"

I've been hearing Catholics say good things about Piers Paul Read's new book "Death of a Pope". This just goes to show you that it is possible to write compelling fiction about the Church without attacking her at every turn.

Here's the book jacket description:

Juan Uriarte, a handsome and outspoken Spanish ex-priest, seems to be the model of nonviolence and compassion for the poor and downtrodden. So why is he on trial, accused of terrorist activities? His worldwide Catholic charitable outreach program is suspected of being a front for radicals. The trial is covered by Kate Ramsay, a young British reporter, who sets out to uncover the truth about Uriarte and his work. She travels with him to Africa to see his work first hand but soon finds herself attracted to him.

Meanwhile an international conspiracy is growing, one that reaches into the Vatican itself. When the death of Pope John Paul II brings about the conclave that will elect Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI, a terrorist plot involving blackmail, subterfuge, and mass murder begins to fall into place... a plot that could spell disaster for the Catholic Church and the world.

Piers Paul Read's powerful tale combines vivid characters, high drama, love, betrayal, faith, and redemption in a story of intrigue, church espionage, and an attempt to destroy the longest continuous government in the world the Papacy. The Death of a Pope races toward an unexpected and unforgettable conclusion.

Amazon has it. Right now, in fact, it's only two spots behind Dan Brown's new book (hint, hint). Ignatius Press has also posted the full itinerary of his (impressive) ongoing book tour. I see that he's coming to DC at the end of the month.

"Death of a Pope" is near the top of my list of to-read books after my studies this semester end. It will be a nice change of pace, I think, to read about popes without having to make sure that I have their dates of reign and major written works memorized. ;)

Weigel on the real political game playing out at Notre Dame

I've read plenty of commentary on the Notre Dame situation, including the claim from the some that Catholics who oppose the invitation are merely playing a political game. I've already said that I don't think this is the case. I think they'd be thrilled if Obama became pro-life, and actively pray for it.

But all that doesn't mean some sort of political game isn't in fact being played - for instance, this very shrewd one that George Weigel points out:

"The Obama administration is full of very smart political operators. Reading last November’s electoral entrails, they’ve sensed the possibility of driving a wedge through the Catholic community in America, dividing Catholics from their bishops and thus securing the majority Catholic vote Obama received in 2008. And they’ve shrewdly judged that the soft underbelly of Catholic resistance to the Obama administration’s radical agenda on the life issues is composed of Catholic intellectuals, their prestige institutions (like Notre Dame and Georgetown), and their opinion journals—the very people and opinion centers who claimed last year that Obama was the true pro-life candidate. It’s a clever move on the political chessboard, and barring extraordinary actions from the bishops, it will likely meet with considerable success."

Politics aside, however, Weigel spends the majority of his column for the Denver Catholic Register asking, "What ‘Church’ does Notre Dame belong to?"

That's also a question worth asking.

USF cancels master's program in theology, and some aren't pleased

An interesting situation in San Francisco about the Catholic identity of their Jesuit university:

The University of San Francisco has canceled its master's in theology program, provoking a bitter disagreement about what it means for the future of the university.

Some faculty, alumni and students connected to the program say the university is losing the graduate degree most closely linked with its Jesuit Catholic mission. They say the closure is the culmination of a series of actions eroding the institution's Catholic identity.

But USF President Stephen Privett, a Jesuit priest for 38 years, said such broad statements misconstrue the nature of the university as it tries to engage with a rapidly changing world.

"It would be simplistic to reduce the Catholic character to any single program," Privett said in an interview. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Deacon Keith Fournier is running an open letter from a graduate student in the program, which begins:

“I am a graduate student in the master’s theology program at the University of San Francisco. Unfortunately, we have been notified by the program director that the program is scheduled to be terminated. Fr. Daniel Kendall, who has been at the University since 1979, was notified of the decision to terminate the program via email. The President and Dean of the University did not have the professional courtesy to meet Fr. Kendall in person to give him the news of the decision”.

Current students have also setup an online petition addressed to the President of USF.

From my brief scan, it appears this program does indeed provide a unique service in the area (evening/weekend classes so working folks can get a degree, etc.) and, well, a Catholic university without even an MA in theology strikes me as a bit incongruous, especially if the program was breaking even.

I post this for those interested in perhaps signing the petition and learning more about the situation, especially if you are local to the area. The argument of the petition is a good place to start I'd suggest.

update: Jack Smith at The Catholic Key has more helpful information on this subject. He attended USF.

ND Alumni withhold nearly $14m because of Obama at ND

The hemorrhaging continues. These are just the donations they can track down:

Notre Dame alumni who are upset with the university's decision to allow pro-abortion President Barack Obama to give this coming weekend's commencement speech and to give him an honorary degree continue to withhold their donations to the Catholic college.

In total, pro-life alumni and donors who feel disenfranchised by Notre Dame's decision have decided to withhold nearly $14 million in gifts they normally would have given.

David DiFranco, a Michigan businessman and 1995 Notre Dame graduate, told LifeNews.com on Wednesday that the ReplaceJenkins.com web site for disgruntled alumni has received over 1,400 pledges to withhold donations within a month since its launch. (LifeNews)

I'm not sure if I'd call these folks "disgruntled." "Principled" sounds better to my ears.

Papist Picture of the Day - 05/13/09

• Notre Dame: Fr. Jenkins, in letter to graduating class, digs in his heels over Obama
• Notre Dame: Lies, Damn Lies, and "Catholic Democrats"
• Controversy: Alice von Hildebrand takes Christopher West to task
• Text: Letter of Catholic leaders to Obama over anti-Catholic Harry Knox
• First: A twittering bishop
• Updated: No, Abp. Burke isn't going to intervene in Notre Dame "immediately"

"Sorry, I have no plans to redecorate my papal palace in Feng Shui."

[source: Reuters/Yousef Allan]

Fr. Jenkins, in letter to graduating class, digs in his heels over Obama

From University of Notre Dame President Fr. John Jenkins, CSC to the graduating class of 2009 (letter dated May 11th) - the relevant passages:

Notre Dame has a long custom of conferring honorary degrees on the President of the United States. It has never been a political statement or an endorsement of policy. It is the University’s expression of respect for the leader of the nation and the Office of the President. In the Catholic tradition, our first allegiance is to God and Christ, yet we are called to respect, participate in, and contribute to the wider society. As St. Peter wrote (I Pt. 2:17), we should honor the leader who upholds the secular order.

At the same time, and born of the same duty, a Catholic university has a special obligation not just to honor the leader, but to engage the culture. Carrying out this roll of the Catholic university has never been easy or without controversy. When I was an undergraduate at Notre Dame, Fr. Hesburgh spoke of the Catholic university as being both a lighthouse and a crossroads. As a lighthouse, we strive to stand apart and be different, illuminating issues with the moral and spiritual wisdom of the Catholic tradition. Yet, we must also be a crossroads through which pass people of many different perspectives, backgrounds, faiths, and cultures. At this crossroads, we must be a place where people of good will are received with charity, are able to speak, be heard, and engage in responsible and reasoned dialogue.

The President’s visit to Notre Dame can help lead to broader engagement on issues of importance to the country and of deep significance to Catholics. Ultimately, I hope that the conversations and the good will that will come from this day will contribute to closer relations between Catholics and public officials who make decision on matters of human life and human dignity.

There is much to admire and celebrate in the life and work of President Obama. His views and policies on immigration, expanding health care, alleviating poverty, and building peace through diplomacy have a deep residence with Catholic social teaching. As the first African-American holder of this office, he has accelerated our country’s progress in overcoming the painful legacy of slavery and segregation. He’s a remarkable figure in American history and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame.

Real the full letter here.

Notre Dame: Lies, Damn Lies, and "Catholic Democrats"

Because some are saying (erroneously) that the core of resistance to Obama's Notre Dame invitation is purely an exercise in partisan politics, an organization called Catholic Democrats is playing, well, a partisan game.

Look at how they present the situation:

On May 17, President Obama will speak at the University of Notre Dame's commencement, a Presidential tradition since the 1950s. In fact, every American President since Dwight D. Eisenhower has spoken at Notre Dame. It's a time to celebrate America's future in a non-partisan way.

But recently, political activists, operatives, and pundits from the far right have tried to turn this celebration into a political firestorm. Unfortunately, they have been joined to varying degrees by a vocal minority of Catholic bishops. They are calling on Notre Dame to "uninvite" President Obama, and failing that, they've pledged to turn a solemn and joyful commencement ceremony into a political and media circus.

Catholic Democrats respectfully disagrees. We believe that we can show America that a few vocal conservatives do not speak for all Catholics on this issue. And we particularly take exception to the angry and divisive tactics they have used to go after the Catholic identity of Notre Dame, President Obama, and all his Catholic supporters, without regard to the hidden costs to our Church and our country.

Now, rather than pointing out how absurd and lacking in evidence their claims are, just read what the organizers of the petition are saying and see what they are actually doing:

"ND Response, a coalition of 12 Notre Dame student groups, has received official permission to host a prayerful and constructive demonstration on the campus of the University of Notre Dame on the weekend of Commencement. As students of this University, we invite all those interested in respectfully and constructively standing alongside us as we give witness to Notre Dame’s Catholic identity and affirm the sanctity of life. Please see our website for more details related to ND Response's plans for commencement."

How are these students political activists, operatives and pundits? How are they trying to turn commencement into a "political and media circus"? How is this "angry and decisive" tactics?

To me, it seems they want to witness to Notre Dame's Catholic identity and affirm the sanctity of life. And you know what, I tend to believe them to be sincere. And I can't say the same of Catholic Democrats.

Of course, what Catholic Democrats is trying to do is paint all forms of objection with the same brush as Randall Terry and his ilk. Well thats completely unfair, but Catholic Democrats doesn't like being precise. It tends to undermine their argument, after all. They apparently prefer to deal in stereotypes.

"But wait!" you say, "This is all a cover - the actual demonstration will be deeply partisan!"

Well, that would require them jumping a long way from the text of the prayer card they are distributing:
If this is the kind of prayer you can say, and you can make it to Notre Dame for commencement, please consider attending in solidarity with these brave, non-partisan students. Defeat the lies with your prayerful presence.

Alice von Hildebrand takes Christopher West to task

Christopher West is going a little too far, some say (I'd tend to agree):

Renowned Catholic thinker Dr. Alice von Hildebrand has criticized Theology of the Body speaker Christopher West, saying his approach has become too self-assured. She criticized his presentations as irreverent and insensitive to the “tremendous dangers” of concupiscence.

Also cautious of West’s remarks on his recent interview with ABC television were Mary Shivanandan and Fr. José Granados, both Catholic authors and theologians.

The news segment showed him calling for Catholics to complete “what the sexual revolution began.” He also described “very profound” historical connections between Hugh Hefner and Pope John Paul II. (CNA)

Now, if you are prone to disagree with what's quoted above, please read the entire CNA article first.

I'm aware that many young people and couples have been deeply affected by Theology of the Body, but they should ask themselves if they were touched by Christopher West's presentation, or John Paul II's theological and mystical intuitions into human nature, which form the foundation of what is best in West.

There are many layers here. It's a very important teaching that the world needs to see us live clearly.

update - for more context, here is the link to Christopher West's interview on ABC.

update 2 - in more fairness to West, here is West's "The Playboy and The Pope" from his Introduction to the Theology of the Body:

But I think his using Heffner and the Pope together in the same sentence, for many critics, is simply an occasion for them to make their deeper points.

Abp. Weakland's pilrimage ends in coming out

I note this story more out of obligation than interest. Apparently he is coming out with a book.

I'll leave a priest with the task of dealing with the media coverage, and supplying counsel.

Text: Letter of Catholic leaders to Obama over anti-Catholic Harry Knox

Here is the text of the letter signed by 20 catholic leaders (including myself, and probably by the time of publication, many more) sent to Obama over the outrageous appointment of anti-Catholic bigot Harry Knox to the President's Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships:

On April 6, you named Harry Knox to your Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. You claim to have created this Council, among other things, to “bring everyone together – from both the secular and faith-based communities.”

Harry Knox is the hate-filled antithesis of this noble objective. Knox is a virulent anti-Catholic bigot, and has made numerous vile and dishonest attacks against the Church and the Holy Father. He has no business on any Council having to do with faith or religion.

We do not know if you or members of your Administration were aware of Knox’s deplorable, abusive attitude towards the Church and Pope Benedict XVI when you named him to the Council. We assume you were not. But since then, there have been numerous press reports on Knox’s loathsome, and clearly bigoted rhetoric, so there no longer is any excuse for your failure to act. We can remain silent no longer.

As Catholics, we call on you to remove Mr. Knox from his position and to formally disassociate yourself from his militant anti-Catholicism. Failure to do so will result in the tainting of your Faith-Based Council—and indeed, your entire administration—as anti-Catholic. We urge you to give this matter your immediate consideration.

I'll try to keep track of its reception.

update - I forgot to mention, I believe this above letter was combined with a second page excerpting some of Knox's most offensive quotes. It's easy to find them on the internet as well.

First: A twittering bishop

This successor to the apostles knows where the agora of the 21st century is:

http://twitter.com/bishopmcgrath (Most Rev. P. J. McGrath of San Jose)

He only has 20 followers. Lets form a crowd around him so others will want to see what all the commotion is about!

update: from 20 --> 169 followers in  day! Well done, papists! Maybe the bishop will update more now. :)

Ph/t: AmP reader Melissa.

Round-up: *77* Bishops have responded to Notre Dame's Obama invitation

Catherine Harmon at Catholic World Report started this list, and I have continued it:

Bishops’ statements on Notre Dame’s invitation to Barack Obama:

1. Bishop John D’Arcy, Fort Wayne-South Bend
2. Cardinal Francis George, Chicago
3. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Galveston-Houston
4. Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Milwaukee (--> NYC)
5. Archbishop John Nienstedt, St. Paul-Minneapolis
6. Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, Oklahoma City
7. Bishop Edward Slattery, Tulsa
8. Archbishop John Myers, Newark
9. Archbishop Alfred Hughs, New Orleans
10. Bishop Joseph Martino, Scranton
11. and Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty, Scranton
12. Bishop Thomas Doran, Rockford, Ill.
13. Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Phoenix
14. Bishop Gregory Aymond, Austin
15. Bishop Robert Lynch, St. Petersburg
16. Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Sioux City
17. Bishop Kevin Rhoades, Harrisburg, Pa.
18. Bishop William E. Lori, Bridgeport, CT
19. Bishop Robert Morlino, Madison WI
20. Bishop George Murry, S.J., Youngstown, OH
21. Bishop William Higi, Lafayette, IN
22. Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock, AR
23. Archbishop Jose Gomez, San Antonio, TX
24. and Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantu
25. Bishiop Jerome Listecki, La Crosse, WI
26. Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, Baltimore MD
27. Bishop Alex Sample, Marquette MI
28. Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, Indianapolis
29. Bishop Robert Baker, Birmingham AL
30. Bishop Samuel Aquila, Fargo ND
31. Bishop Gerald Barbarito, Palm Beach FL
32. Bishop Fabian Brukeswitz, Lincoln NE
33. Bishop Richard Stika, Knoxville TN
34. Bishop Robert Finn, Kansas City
35. Bishop Joseph Latino, Jackson MS
36. Bishop Leonard Blair, Toledo OH
37. Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger, Evansville IN
38. Bishop George Lucas, Springfield IL
39. Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk, Cincinnati OH
40. Bishop Thomas Wenski, Orlando FL
41. Bishop Robert Vasa, Baker OR
42. Bishop Paul Coakley, Salina KS
43. Bishop John Le Voir, New Ulm MN
44. Bishop Victor Galeone, St. Augustine FL
45. Bishop David Zubik, Pittsburgh PA
46. Bishop Paul Loverde, Arlington VA
47. Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Kansas City, KS
48. Bishop Peter Jugis of Charlotte, NC
49. Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Center, NY
50. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, CO (as first reported by AmP here).
51. Bishop Glen Provost of Lake Charles LA
52. Bishop Joseph Galante of Camden, NJ
53. Cardinal Rigali of Philadelphia, PA
54. Bishop John McCormack of Manchester, NH
55. Archbishop Doland Wuerl of Washington, DC (somewhat)
56. Bishop Bernard Harrington of Winona, MN
57. Bishop Michael Warfel of Great Falls-Billings, MT
58. Bishop Michael Jackels of Wichita, KS
59. Bishop James Johnson of Springfield - Cape Girardeau, MO
60. Bishop Edward Cullen of Allentown, PA (diocesan newspaper)
61. (Aux.) Bishop Roger Gries of Cleveland, OH (highschool address)
62. Bishop Robert Hermann, apostolic administrator of St. Louis, MO
63. Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, WI
64. Bishop Remundo Pena of Brownsville, TX
65. Bishop George Thomas of Helena, MT
66. Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, MA at Boston College Law School
67. Bishop John Gaydos of Jefferson City (in the Catholic Missourian)
68. Bishop Lawrence Brandt of Greensburg, PA
69. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, NY
70. Bishop Joseph of Altoona-Johnstown, PA
71. Bishop Frank DeWane of Venice, FL
72. Bishop Frederick Campbell of Columbus, OH
73. Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit, MI
74. Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis, MI
75. Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs, CO (Catholic Herald)
76. (Auxiliary) Bishop James Conley of Denver, CO (personal letter)
77. Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, PA

Feel free to send me the names of arch/bishops I have missed!

Please send tips by email (I don't always have the time to check the comment box).

Life Site News also has an updating list of bishops (including emeritii).

Papist Picture of the Day - 5/12/09

• Rumor: No, Abp. Burke isn't going to intervene in Notre Dame "immediately"
• Controversy: Abp. Burke says Catholics should not have voted for Obama
• Your Take: The Top 3 Catholic books on Amazon
• Inspiration: Short Catholic Reflection
• Plug: Support the Catholic Youth Foundation

"Ha! Ha! Ha! ... no but seriously I'd have gone with a 9-iron on that last hole."

[source: Reuters/Yousef Allan]

No, Abp. Burke isn't going to intervene in Notre Dame "immediately"

update: my apologies to Michael Voris, STB for attributing to him the quote below which is not from him. The quote is actually from Marc Brammer, the Owner of RealCatholicTV.

update 2: RealCatholic TV is disputing the quote originated from Marc Brammer. See changes below.

Many people have emailed me today asking me to substantiate rumors being circulated by "The Vortex" program on RealCatholicTV.com that Archbishop Burke will intervene in Notre Dame "immediately."

{update 2: here is the text I've been receiving, attributed to Marc Brammer}:

"We have it on good authority that The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura headed by its Prefect Mons. Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke has been duly petitioned and is preparing to deal with the Congregation of the Holy Cross on a number of issues including the awarding of an honorary degree to President Obama."

As I twittered yesterday, I put no stock in these rumors.

What has apparently happened is that someone has "filed a brief" in Rome with "actionable consequences" against Notre Dame. According to my knowledge of canon law, that's about as significant as someone sending a letter to the President - sure, you can send them a letter, but that doesn't mean they have to read or act on it. All this means is that Archbishop Burke('s staff) checks the mail.

Of course, Archbishop Burke could conceivably do something, but we have zero evidence that he will if we're basing them on the rumors circulating right now. Frankly, this doesn't strike me as his style - to rush something out the door with the President coming only a few days away.

The Vortex program also asks people to pray for Pope Benedict, Archbishop Burke and for the Notre Dame situation. I absolutely agree with all that. But let's not make our prayers dependant on or exclusive to invoking a last minute "hail mary pass" from the Vatican. Good things can come about in other ways, too.

Abp. Burke: Catholics "could not have voted for [Obama] with a clear conscience"

Quote of the Day from Kathryn Jean Lopez's interview with Archbishop Raymond Burke. Pay close attention:

LOPEZ: You seemed to make very clear that Catholic voters collaborated with evil when they voted for Obama. If you’re Catholic and did, do you have to confess this now that Mexico City, embryo-destructive funding, among other things, have happened?
ARCHBISHOP BURKE: If a Catholic knowingly and deliberately votes for a person who is in favor of the most grievous violations of the natural moral law, then he has formally cooperated in a grave evil and must confess his serious sin. Since President Obama clearly announced, during the election campaign, his anti-life and anti-family agenda, a Catholic who knew his agenda regarding, for example, procured abortion, embryonic-stem-cell research, and same-sex marriage, could not have voted for him with a clear conscience.

Archbishop Burke minces no words: in his estimation, a Catholic who voted for Obama could not have done so with a clear conscience.

Note also how Archbishop Burke evaluates Obama as not only anti-life, but also anti-family because of his positions on same-sex marriage.

On a related note, Fr. James Schall, SJ unpacks Archbishop Burke's keynote address which he gave last Friday at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.

Your Take: The Top 3 Catholic books on Amazon

Right now are....

• American Babylon: Notes of a Christian Exile by Richard John Neuhaus (his last book)
• The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio (which we've talked about)
• Practicing Catholic by James Carroll (this one I think has some serious warning signs)

Has anyone read any of these three books? Have you read any good new Catholic releases lately? And what's all this about the Kindle? (I filled out the form to have AmP content included on it but no response yet.)

Short Catholic Reflection by the late Archbishop Romero

One feature that readers have recommended I add to AmP's line-up is "Catholic reflections."

This one was forwarded to me by a friend from El Salvador and I found it fruitful:

"It helps now and then to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a small fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the Church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about: We plant the seeds that will one day grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it well. It may be incomplete but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own."

- Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador (1917-1980)

Support the Catholic Youth Foundation

Before the advertisement on the AmP sidebar goes away, I want to give a shout out to a worthy campaign on behalf of the Catholic Youth Foundation.

The Catholic Youth Foundation "provides scholarships to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), training for youth ministers, and grants to Catholic youth ministry programs around the country."

To spice things up, CYF's director and his wife decided to climb Mt. Everest. No joke:

Bob McCarty, and his wife, Maggie, are preparing for their once-in-a-lifetime journey to Mount Everest this April. Bob and Maggie’s love of rock climbing and ministry has often crossed paths as they annually lead a wilderness retreat for adults. As in the past, the lines of personal pursuit and ministry are coming together again for the benefit of Catholic youth ministry in the United States. We are graced by their generosity especially as the trip is fully funded by them.

As we all know, even a journey of 29,035 feet is achieved through, well, lots of little steps.

That's why they're asking for lots of little pledges of $5 and $10. That's not so bad, and those add up! Especially when donors have promised to match these little donations. Which is the case here.

I'm told that Bishops Harrington and Aymond are supporting the campaign - they're both on the honor roll list of bishops who have spoken up about Notre Dame.

Anyway, please consider supporting the campaign and tell your twitter/facebook (even real life friends) about it!

Papist Picture of the Day - 05/11/09

• Breaking: Pope Benedict walks out on Sheikh as he attacks Israel in unplanned speech
• Notre Dame: Rick Garnett tries to set public opinion straight in a USA Today blog
• Papa Bear: Abp. Dolan on the "genius" of Catholic schools in today's WSJ
• AmP: My interview in Catholic World Report

DJ Papa-B samples gregorian chant for Vatican Radio.

[source: AP Photo/ GPO, Avi Ohayon, HO]

FLASH: Pope Benedict walks out on Sheikh as he attacks Israel in unplanned speech

3:30pm - update with photo, caption and bolding:

Rabby Shaer Yashuu Cohen, cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Fouad Twal and Sheikh Taysir al-Tamimi attend a meeting of representatives of the organizations for the interreligious dialogue in the Notre Dame Jerusalem Centre in Jerusalem on May 11, 2009. Tamimi, a senior Palestinian Muslim cleric, fiercely denounced Israeli policy in Jerusalem in the presence of Pope Benedict on Monday and appealed to the pope to help end what he called the "crimes" of the Jewish state.

From the Jerusalem Post, this just hit the wire in the last hour (bolding mine):

Chief Islamic Judge of the Palestinian Authority, Sheikh Tayseer Rajab Tamimi, launched a poisonous verbal attack at Israel at a Monday night gathering attended by Pope Benedict XVI.

In a meeting with organizations involved in inter-religious dialogue at the Notre Dame Jerusalem Center, Tamimi called upon Muslims and Christians to unite against what he said were the murderous Israelis.

Taking the podium after the pope without being on the original list of speakers scheduled for the evening, Tamimi, speaking at length in Arabic, accused Israel of murdering women and children in Gaza and making Palestinians refugees, and declared Jerusalem the eternal Palestinian capital.

Following the diatribe and before the meeting was officially over, the pope exited the premises. Army Radio reported that the pope shook Tamimi's hand before walking out.

Minutes after the embarrassing occurrence, Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See press office, released a response to the incident.

"The intervention of Sheikh Tayseer Tamimi was not previewed by the organizers of the interreligious meeting that took place at Notre Dame Centre in Jerusalem," the message read. "In a meeting dedicated to dialogue, this intervention was a direct negation of what [it] should be," it continued.

"We hope that such an incident will not damage the mission of the Holy Father aiming at promoting peace and interreligious dialogue, as he has clearly affirmed in many occasions in this pilgrimage," Father Lombardi added.

"We hope also that interreligious dialogue in the holy land will not be damaged by this incident," the message concluded.

Nine years ago, Tamimi caused a similar scandal when at an interfaith meeting attended by then-Pope John Paul II at the Notre Dame Jerusalem Center, the Palestinian religious leader condemned Israel for a long list of offenses.

My kibitz: Pope Benedict is a model of Catholic dialogue. Evidently there are some cases of "dialogue" that are actually "false dialogue". If Pope Benedict is willing to walk out of a dialogue he sees as unfruitful and even harmful, what should that tell us about avoiding situations of dialogue that contradict our Catholic principles?

Oh and PS ... the "Notre Dame Center"?!

update 2 - a testimony from someone claiming to have been in the audience, from my combox:

I was there, In ND of Jerusalem. It was very evident how Msgr. George got nervous when Tamimi stood up and approached the microphone... He initiated sayin to the Pope: "Welcome to Jerusalem, capital of Palestine"... so you can imagine the rest of the speech. His tone was very strong, not very friendly. At some point some people (I guess the arabic speakers) started to clap hands supporting him. The Pope's "nunzio", ambassador, in Israel, when directly to the podium to ask Tamimi to end his speech. He ended and walked in front of the Pope and gave him a very distant hand greeting. After that, the Pope left the place, and in the way he stopped to say something and goodbye to Tamimi.

Whispers has also published coverage.

update 3 - I've shut down comments on this post because of persistent trolling and anti-semitism. not cool. not allowed.

By the way, my one-stop source for news of the Pope's trip to the Holy Land is "Pope Benedict XVI in Israel and the Holy Land."

Rick Garnett tries to set public opinion straight on Notre Dame

I'm happy to see Notre Dame professor Richard W. Garnett publish in a USA Today blog to clarify for the general public what the Notre Dame controversy is about, by telling them first what it is not about:

"To honor President Obama or not? This controversy is not about what should be said at Catholic universities, but about what should be said by a Catholic university."

And that insightful distinction is just the beginning.

FYI, Rick is also a regular contributor to the Mirror of Justice blog.

Related: "Obama college speeches spark controversy" in USA Today.

Today's WSJ: Abp. Dolan on the "genius" of Catholic schools

(funny sketch of his excellency, by the way...)

Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan has an interview with the Wall Street Journal today on Catholic schools and the "challenges facing the Catholic Church."

The title? "Proudly Pro-Choice on Education."

I'm not impressed, but the interview is worthwhile.

OSV has a brief:

"Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York goes to bat for Catholic schools in a wide-ranging article on the topic in today's Wall Street Journal. He extolls the virtues of the "Choice in Education" voucher program that is now helping 20,000 low-income families in Milwaukee choose private schools, saying that the 15-year-old program is applauded by "all sides" except the powerful teacher's lobby organization in Wisconsin."

[photo: Ismael Roldan for the Wall Street Journal.]

My interview in Catholic World Report...

... is online now:

Thomas Peters is the owner of the popular Catholic insider blog American Papist, which recently received its two millionth visitor. Peters has attracted a large audience by regularly giving readers smart, quick news and analysis of all things Catholic: from papal appointments to scandals to new ministries. Peters talked with CWR about blogging, Notre Dame, Barack Obama, and the “Papist Picture of the Day.”

[Read my interview with Jeremy Lott.]

And poke around the revamped CWR website while you're at it.

Photo Caption Call - 05/09/09

• Text: Archbishop Burke's Keynote Address on the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Humor: Papist Picture of the Day
• Must-See Video: "Life - Imagine the Potential"
• Report: 2009 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast with Archbishop Burke

Even if you don't have a caption, you can rate your favorite captions (submitted by others) in the comment box.

View the last Photo Caption Call here. Submit new photos for AmP photo caption call to my email!

[Photo copyright: Son Rise Morning Show]

Text: Archbishop Burke's Keynote Address on the teachings of the Catholic Church

Life Site News has the full text of Archbishop Burke's keynote address delivered yesterday at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. As I said yesterday: "I think Abp. Burke has provided Catholics in America with a comprehensive manifesto for action in the coming year. I think his speech will have wide, beneficial consequences, or at least I pray that it does." I think it's required reading for Catholics in America.

Papist Picture of the Day - 05/08/09

• Must-See Video: "Life - Imagine the Potential"
• Report: 2009 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast with Archbishop Burke
• In the News: Fr. Cutie exposed by Mexican tabloids, scandalizes the Church

Quick - we need to move this chair ad orientem stat!

[source: REUTERS/Pier Paolo Cito/Pool]

Must-See Video: "Life - Imagine the Potential"

The first video by the folks at Catholic Vote.org has almost 2 million views on YouTube alone.

I think you'll agree that their second video is even better. I cant wait to see what they do next.



Spread this video far and wide, please. And hop over to Catholic Vote.org to learn more.

This video was shown publicly for the first time at today's National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.

It was also announced that talks are underway to air it during the American Idol finals (!).

Report: 2009 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

This morning I attended the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. You can read my Twitter play-by-play here. And yes that's me with Archbishop Burke and Justin Aquila of the Susan B. Anthony List.

I was very impressed by Abp. Burke's keynote address. The audience liked it too - they were constantly interrupting it with applause and standing ovations. In fact at times it was difficult for him to work in a complete sentence.

One comment of Abp. Burke's in particular, where he called Notre Dame's decision a "source of the greatest scandal", was greeted with thunderous and prolonged applause.

But apart from the "radioactive lines" and headline-grabbing soundbites, I think Abp. Burke has provided Catholics in America with a comprehensive manifesto for action in the coming year. I think his speech will have wide, beneficial consequences, or at least I pray that it does.

I will provide a link to the text as soon as it is officially released.

update: EWTN will be broadcasting the entire prayer breakfast at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 10; 5 a.m., Monday, May 11; and 9 a.m., Saturday, May 16.

update 2: Life Site News has the full text on their website.

[photo credit: David Cory.]

Fr. Cutie exposed by Mexican tabloids, scandalizes the Church

This story broke earlier this week but I only cover it now to point out the predictable feeding-frenzy occurring in the mainstream media.

Yes, Fr. Cutie (really, the irony) messed-up big time:

"Before God - full of love and mercy - I ask for the forgiveness of those who may be hurt or saddened by my actions. Since I entered the seminary at the age of 18, the priesthood has brought me great joy. The commitment that I made to serve God will remain intact. I am grateful for the love and support I have received today from so many in our community, especially my parishioners and the supporters of the radio stations who have demonstrated great compassion and understanding toward me as a human being. I ask for your continued prayers and support."

What his Archbishop had to say:

"I am deeply saddened by the news surrounding Father Alberto Cutié. I apologize on behalf of the Church in Miami to the parishioners of Saint Francis de Sales Parish, where he serves as administrator, to the listeners and supporters of Radio Paz and Radio Peace, and to the entire Archdiocese.

Father Cutié made a promise of celibacy and all priests are expected to fulfill that promise with the help of God.

Father Cutié's actions cannot be condoned despite the good works he has done as a priest. I ask for everyone's prayers at this time. Scandals such as this offer an occasion for the Church on all levels to examine our consciences regarding the integrity of our commitments to the Lord and to his Church."

What ... the mainstream media had to say:

Oh please, like we didn't see that suggestion coming. But, of course, the answer to violating the vows of celibacy ... is to observe the vows of celibacy. Not to toss them out! That's why the public improprieties of Fr. Cutie constitute such a grave scandal - they diminish the witness of the Church to the world.

Yes, we ought to pray for Fr. Cutie, but let's also re-double our prayers for the noble young men (and women) who are faithfully living lives of celibacy as they study to become priests (and professed women religious).

Let us also pray for those who have already taken on the vow of celibacy that they remain faithful to it and thereby provide the world with a wonderful (and so needed) witness!

[photo: UK Daily Mail]

Twittering from the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

This morning I'll be at the 6th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.

The keynote speakers are Archbishop Raymond Burke and Justice Antonin Scalia.

If anything exciting happens, I'll try to tweet it at http://twitter.com/americanpapist.

Papist Picture of the Day - 05/07/09

• Video: Fr. John Corapi on Notre Dame Scandal (urges Catholics to continue their efforts)
• Notre Dame: Commencement Demonstration Details, etc. (plus a disturbing trend noted)
• Abortion/Torture: Catholic Church "only coherent position in debate" says Msgr. Albacete
• Last Call: Volunteers needed for National Catholic Prayer Breakfast (tomorrow morning!)
• Update: Fr. Thomas Berg leaves the Legion of Christ (plus three observations made)

"Ah, your children designed this stole! Wonderful, wonderful ... hmmm? What's that? Oh - of course I'm not going to wear it. I'll put it on my refrigerator, though. Well, maybe. It's pretty full."

[source: REUTERS/Pier Paolo Cito/Pool]

Video: Fr. Corapi on Notre Dame Scandal

Press release from the Cardinal Newman Society:

"Fr. John Corapi thanks signers to the petition at http://www.notredamescandal.com/ and urges Catholics to continue the fight for Catholic campuses." [Read the full press release here, and watch the video below:]

Notre Dame Update: Commencement Demonstration Details, etc.

Lots has been happening, of course.

First, NDResponse.com has released their impressive list of activities for the commencement demostration.

Also, Patrick O'Hannigan in American Spectator defends Mary Ann Glendon from her detractors.

Meanwhile, Max Bonilla of FUS shows how Catholic institutions ought to go about selecting their honorees.

Finally, I just want to note a disturbing trend that has cropped-up. Apparently, the usual suspects are trying to claim that the Vatican is actually taking Notre Dame's side in this dispute, based solely upon that L'Osservatore Romano article (which we've taken a look at here, for instance).

Predictably, a Wapo op-ed makes this claim, Thomas Reese, SJ does the same (in an absurd manner - see Fr. Z's devestating vetting), and even John Allen plays into this stream. He at least should know better.

I don't have the time at present to re-tread this ground. If some commentors want to take a L'Osservatore Romano editorial against 70 of their own bishops, that's their business. But I can tell you if situations were reversed, and I were trotting-out an L'OR editorial as support for my position, when 100% of speaking bishops held the contrary to my position, they wouldn't even bother to answer my arguments, so I won't.

At the same time, let me be clear: I'm not trying to take a rhetorical short-cut here ... I actually think the substance of the argument - apart from the witness of authorities - still comes down against the prudence of Notre Dame's decision. But at a certain point, I can only point to some obvious realities (like the witness of the bishops, Mary Ann Glendon's refusal etc.) and forward folks to my archives on this issue for more background, and then take up my position on the sidelines to see what will happen next. The guest is, after all, on his way.

update - Amy Welborn:

"What if L'Osservatore Romano had run an editorial slamming Obama? What if word had come from, I don't know, the Curial office dealing with Catholic education that Notre Dame had made a mistake in honoring Obama?

Would [WaPo op-ed writer mentione above] Dionne and those who agree with him [like Fr. Thomas Reese, SJ alsomentioned above] then declare the Notre Dame invitation and honor to be a mistake because..."the Vatican" said it was?I'm going to guess no.

I'd guess the talking points would be a bit different if the wind were to blow in that direction. It would be all about Curial blindness to the American landscape, to the subtleties of the Church-state relationship in the United States...and so on."

"...Back to the [L'OR] paper - Austin Ruse provides a useful critique of the editorial, explaining how the writer gets some important facts wrong about the Obama-administration embryonic research proposal. This is key. If the editorial is based on faulty understandings and premises, the value of it is diminished. It doesn't matter where it was published and it doesn't matter if the Pope himself had written it."

Amy is trying to clarify the various levels of authority we have speaking about Notre Dame. Here's my take:

Contra Notre Dame, 100% of the bishops who have spoken publicly on the matter (at current count, 70).

"Pro" Notre Dame, a few liberal-leaning pundits referencing a L'OR editorial that gets most the facts wrong.

So, as I've said, whether we want to take a short-cut or the long road, it gets us to the same judgement about Notre Dame's decision. I'm prepared to examine the results of this decision, but let's be clear about the faults of the decision which brought us to where we are: a bad place that could have been avoided.

Coverage of the Pope's trip to the Holy Land

My one-stop source will be Christopher Blosser's "Pope Benedict XVI in Israel and the Holy Land."

Albacete: on Abortion/Torture, Catholic Church "only coherent position in debate"

Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete is a priest-scientist and one of the leaders of the movement Communion and Liberation in the United States.

In his column of yesterday, Msgr. Albacete makes an excellent point which I think is very topical to several ongoing AmP debates:

"The only coherent position in the debate about these two issues [of abortion and torture] is that of the Catholic Church. On the one hand, religious conservatives tend to be more open to the possibility of approving torture in special circumstances, while the secularists concede no such possibility of compromise. Only those who embrace the position of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church condemn equally both abortion and torture in all cases. Other Catholics (many serving in Congress and in the Obama Administration) follow the secularist arguments condemning torture but defending abortion rights. The President, who professes an abstract "middle ground" on abortion, unequivocally condemns torture in all circumstances.

... For the Catholic Church, faith is the origin of the moral judgment, but faith is not separate from reason. It can and should be verified by a rightly understood reason in all human beings. The Catholic Bishops are still searching for effective ways to make this argument.

I take that line as a commission: let us help the bishops discover effective ways to make this argument in the public forum, with confidence and charity. I think we typically have more trouble with the former.

{update: I knew this would be to open another can of worms. So let me clarify:

What I specifically agree with in this article is this: Those who think torture is intrinsically wrong evacuate their justification of tolerating abortion when they seek to universally outlaw torture.

In other words, how can Obama (and secularists) "unequivocally condemn torture in all circumstances" and yet posit an "abstract 'middle ground' on abortion" which tolerates its practice (and even expands access to it)?

The only way I can see reconciling the two positions is to frankly acknowledge that Obama and secularists don't really think abortion is wrong. Because if they did, they would treat it like torture and universally outlaw it.

I'm surprised to have to make this point, but it's amazing how often one will still hear something like: "Obama agrees with us that abortion is a tragedy, but he just can't see a way of preventing a woman from choosing it."

That's what I was going for. I think the torture debate is important, but let's not miss how it provides a devastating contrast when it comes to our ongoing debate about the fundamental right to life of our citizens.}

Last Call: Volunteers needed for Catholic Prayer Breakfast

If you are in the DC area and want to attend for free (in exchange for some volunteering), you should contact Jacqueline (jacquelinehalbig [at] hotmail.com) or Jenny (cnsconsultjenny [at] aol.com) ASAP.

The event is tomorrow morning so this really is last call.

I'll be there.

Update: Fr. Thomas Berg leaves the Legion of Christ

His statement:

After nearly 23 years of life as a Legionary of Christ, I have discerned that it is time for me to continue following Christ in the diocesan priesthood. Although the recent revelations about the Legion’s founder, Fr. Marcial Maciel, were profoundly disturbing, my decision has actually been in the making for nearly three years.

Like so many, I have personally experienced again and again the vast amount of good which God has accomplished through Legionary priests and the congregation’s works of apostolate over the past six decades of its existence. I leave with a heart grateful to Christ who I know accepted and blessed the oblation of my years of religious consecration in the Legion.

In my opinion, the serious issues within the congregation will require its thorough reformation if not a complete re-foundation. I am hopeful that the upcoming Apostolic Visitation of the Legion will be a first step toward a new beginning for the Legionaries and members of Regnum Christi. I trust that God in his providence will lead them to holiness and enable them to do great things for Christ and his Church. For my part, I remain their friend and brother in the Lord.

My work as executive director of the Westchester Institute will continue under the direction of a new Board and no longer under the Legion’s sponsorship. By this means and through a very active ministry in the Archdiocese of New York, under our new Archbishop Timothy Dolan, I look forward to continuing to live my total consecration to Christ in his priesthood.

My hope is that this brief statement would preclude unnecessary and unwarranted speculation about the reasons for my decision. Having released it to the press, I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.

I have three quick observations:

• This is a blow to the Legion because, among other things, Fr. Berg is one of their leading intellectual lights. He was certainly one of their most, if not the most, visible figures in scientific and academic circles. And with his departure, they have also lost the Westchester Insititute.
• Notice how, contrary to those who held it to be simply impossible, Fr. Berg admits the possibility of "re-foundation" as a spiritual solution to the Legion's systemic problems. This is significant coming from someone who lived in the Legion for 23 years.
• I am happy to see Abp. Dolan step in and provide Fr. Berg with a good home in the diocesan structure of the Church. May other bishops do the same for those priests who wish to continue their ministry outside the Legion.

AmP's 5,000th Post! (5:55PM, 05/05)

Wow, this marker crept up on me!

Here are five fun facts about this occasion:

• I've written 1,000 of those posts in the last six months.
• AmP has been visited over one million times since then.
• In the first 3 years, I averaged 4 posts a day. Now it's 6.
• Regardless of its name, there have only been 258 PPOTDs.
• Of my early posts, these ones are easily among my favorites.

Thank you