Update: California Initiative Proposes Abolishing All Marriage from Law

If you don't like the result - undermine the result:

California same-sex "marriage" supporters are collecting signatures to support a ballot initiative that would remove civil marriage from California law entirely, as well as the provision codifying marriage as between a man and a woman.

The new initiative arose after it was widely acknowledged that judges appeared unconvinced that the state Supreme Court should overturn the voter-approved amendment.

Kaelan Housewright and Ali Shams, the two college students behind the initiative, must collect the signatures of about 700,000 registered voters by August 6 in order for it to make the ballot. (LSN)

And you know what - they might find those 700k signatures.

Bishop tells outspoken CA priest to "cool it" on Obama sermons

Incendiary:

"San Diego Bishop Robert Brom has asked an outspoken Escondido priest to tone down his fierce criticism of the Obama Administration, prompting supporters of the priest to launch a letter-writing campaign to the bishop on his behalf.

On Feb. 11, California Catholic Daily reprinted an article – “100 Days or End of Days?” -- from the parish bulletin of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Escondido written by Pastor Richard Perozich. In the article, Fr. Perozich warned that “evil has acceded to power” in the Obama Administration. (To see the article behind the controversy, Click Here.)

Sources at St. Mary’s told California Catholic Daily that a family from the parish-administered St. Mary’s School had complained to the chancery about the article. An intermediary, acting on behalf of Bishop Brom, then contacted Fr. Perozich by telephone, sources said, and told him to “cool it.” Aside from that single complaint, sources said, “the overwhelming opinion of parishioners has been favorable.” (California Catholic Daily)

I have some personal experience of Fr. Perozich's energetic ministry style. While I don't agree with everything he said in his letter (I only had time to skim it), I think what is at issue is not so much what he said, but that he said it - people are not used to hearing their priests vocally "naming names" in this manner. Also, an important note: this is what Fr. Perozich said in a homily - he published it in his parish bulletin.

Still, the problem with impassioned rhetorical language about these issues is that such statements tend to come across as irrational, thus doing a disservice to the principled versions of these sentiments.

Poll: CA Gay Marriage Ban numbers down

AP:

A new poll shows California voters who oppose the Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriages slightly ahead going into Tuesday's election.

The Field Poll released Friday had opponents of the ban with a 49 percent to 45 percent edge. That's much closer than in previous surveys over Proposition 8.

I know - it's just a poll, but for any CA readers who thought they could just stay at home on Tuesday...

"Court Reverses Decision, Admits California Parents Have Right to Homeschool"

Happy to see this decision come down favorably for homeschoolers:

"Court Reverses Decision, Admits California Parents Have Right to Homeschool"
Court adds that homeschooling is not absolute and can be revoked in cases of suspected parental abuse

Leading up to this ruling, there was a great deal of grassroots activities taking place to safeguard the right of parents to educate their children themselves:

"After enormous public outcry from homeschool advocacy groups and many others, including Governor Schwarzenegger himself, the Court agreed in March to reconsider the case, and invited interested parties to file amicus briefs in a new hearing."

I'm sure this won't be the last time "public outcry" will be required to have judges come to their senses.

Commentary: LA bishops' statement about "Gay Marriage"

Available as a PDF on the archdiocese website here, reproduced in full below:

The Catholic Bishops of the United States have affirmed repeatedly that persons with a homosexual orientation "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity."

Accordingly the Bishops condemn all forms of violence, scorn, and hatred—whether subtle orovert—against men and women who are homosexual. All people, regardless of sexual inclination, are called to holiness; and "should be encouraged to take an active role in the faith community" and to live according to its teachings.

Nonetheless, the Church cannot approve of redefining marriage, which has a unique place in God's creation, joining a man and a woman in a committed relationship in order to nurture and support the new life for which marriage is intended. The meaning of marriage is deeply rooted in history and culture, and has been shaped considerably by Christian tradition. Its meaning is given, not constructed. "When marriage is redefined so as to make other relationships equivalentto it, the institution of marriage is devalued and further weakened."

The state has a primary and fundamental obligation to protect and promote the family,which is rooted in marriage and sustained by it. Some benefits currently sought by same sex partners can already be obtained without regard to marital status. For example, individuals can agree to own property jointly with another, and they can generally designate anyone they choose to be a beneficiary of their will or to make health care decisions in case they become incompetent.

Other desired benefits such as sharing in a partner's health insurance could be made available without the drastic step of a cultural or legal redefinition of marriage.

Let us strengthen our resolve to respect the dignity of each human being and to protect the sanctity of marriage, asking God's guidance in our efforts to promote the common good central to a free and democratic society.

I thought this statement was a good and sufficient one until I realized that, golly, it doesn't mention a single reason for the Church's teaching that homosexual acts are wrong, that allowing homosexual partners to marry is imprudent, that homosexual persons are called to lives of chastity, etc.

Would it have been so bad if they had made their document two pages instead of just one, I wonder?

Today, meanwhile, the California Supreme Court has allowed Californians to vote this November and decide whether to ban same-sex marriages.

In this sort of political climate, it is imperative upon the bishops of not only Los Angeles, but all California to uphold and witness to the Church's understanding of anthropology and divinely-revealed teaching on the subjects of sex and marriage. The clock is ticking.

Video: Tribal dance *after* Mass with Bp. Barnes of San Bernardino

Great Odin's Raven! Is there no sanity in the California episcopate? (besides Robert Vasa in Baker). [ed.: This is why I shouldn't blog late at night, I meant to say Bp. Allen Vigneron of Oakland (V-asa/V-igneron - that's the only explanation I can come up with). As noted in the comments, Robert Vasa serves the diocese of Baker, Oregon.]

Native dance after Mass with Bp. Gerald Barnes of San Bernardino:
Update: The video is still viewable here, just no longer embedded.

I'm calling this "Catholics with Cameras". And I'm taking submissions:

"thomas [at] americanpapist [dot] com."

Ph/t: AMDG, RCB & CCC.