Stanger gets opportunity to portray Earhart in OLG gala – The Port Lavaca Wave: News

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329909857 69 Stanger gets opportunity to portray Earhart in OLG gala The Port Lavaca Wave: News

With a chance to play one of her heroes, local pilot and CalhounCounty Airport manager Dianna Stanger could not say no.

Stanger will take the lead part in Saturday’s Valentine Gala, afundraiser for Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic School. The theme forthis year’s event is “Where in the world is Amelia Earhart,” andStanger will play the mysterious aviator. The gala will also have achange of locations, moving to the airport for the evening.

“It’s nostalgic and it’s a mystery,” Stanger said. “It’s a good fitat the airport.”

Stanger became more interested in Earhart, the first female pilotto cross the Atlantic Ocean, when she entered the Powder PuffDerby. The derby is an all-female transcontinental air race.Earhart flew in the inaugural event in 1929.

Stanger also gained a greater appreciation for Earhart and thepilots of that era after she began to fly a biplane. She said aniPhone has more technology than was used to fly around the world atthat time.

“She did it with just direction finder and radio with morse code,”Stanger said. “She tried to go around the equator. That’s justamazing.”

It is believed Earhart died in her 1937 attempt to circumnavigatethe globe. Her body was never found.

“Amelia Earhart is a mystery. Nobody ever found a body or a plane,”Stanger said. “Nobody is sure if she crashed or if she disappearedand became a housewife in New Jersey. There are a lot of differenttheories out there. It is a great mystery, and it’s something goodfor the church to take advantage of.”

Mystery is no stranger to the gala. The theme two years ago was amurder mystery, and last year’s theme centered on the Titanic.Theresa Dent, school principal, said there are multiple endings tothe show and added that even Stanger will not know the ending untilabout five minutes before it happens.

“There will be people with different types of scenarios, allcentered around what happened to Amelia,” she said.

“There’s over 245 destinations on earth. Nobody knows the ending,”she added.

Dent said the final ending will be randomly generated using acomputer. The person attending with the correct number, whichrepresents a certain ending, will win the grand prize of a designerbracelet valued over $700.

The whole evening is set to an aviation theme with those attending”boarding” planes bound for destinations worldwide. Even thewaiters will be dressed up as flight attendants.

The event is now sold out, Dent said, and there is a waiting listfor tickets. The proceeds from the gala go to the OLG teacher bonusfund.

“It should be a lot of fun,” Dent said.

As for Stanger, she is just glad that she can be involved inportraying Earhart.

“I fly a biplane. It just takes me back to another era,” she said.”The fact that I can play the part is pretty neat.”

New Jersey's Episcopalians keep the faith despite papal invitation

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329908670 77 New Jersey's Episcopalians keep the faith despite papal invitation

The Vatican has invited Episcopalians who oppose their church’s liberal leanings to join the Roman Catholic fold, but so far, New Jersey congregations aren’t budging.

Pope Benedict XVI announced Jan. 1 the creation of what’s essentially a nationwide diocese to allow Episcopalian congregations to cross over while preserving some aspects of their Anglican heritage. But despite deep philosophical dissent in the Episcopal Church, church leaders and clergy said they do not expect the Vatican’s measure to spur any exodus by conservatives in New Jersey.

“We have lots of differences of opinion, but we honor the differences we all bring and a have a commitment to live and work together,” said Bishop Mark Beckwith of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, which covers North Jersey. “It’s not a problem in this diocese.”

History

Roman Catholicism traces its history to the apostles, especially to St. Peter, who is considered the first pope. Every pope since him is regarded as his spiritual successor.

The Church of England, the precursor to the Episcopal Church, split from Rome when King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment. Through the Act of Supremacy of 1534, the king made himself the “supreme head” of the Church of England in place of the pope. Queen Elizabeth II now is the church’s supreme head.

Adherents

Episcopal Church: 2.3 million in the U.S. and 70 million in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Roman Catholic Church: 65 million in the U.S. and 1.5 billion worldwide.

Faith

The rituals and liturgies of both churches are nearly identical, as are the customary vestments worn by the clergy and lay ministers. The key differences lie in matters of authority and doctrine.

Authority

Roman Catholics adhere to the pope’s authority and believe the pope is infallible in certain matters. In the Anglican/Episcopal Church, adherents look to diocesan and national synods of bishops, clergy and laity to interpret matters of faith and order. This has led to variation in doctrine and practice among its churches.

Doctrine

  • Catholics and Episcopalians have differences in doctrine in areas including confession, the Eucharist, the role of saints and married priests.
  • Catholics require confession of sins to priests, but confession is optional in the Episcopal Church.
  • Catholics believe in transubstantiation — the notion that the bread used in the Eucharist becomes the true body of Christ when blessed by a priest, while Episcopalians believe the Eucharist only represents the body of Christ.
  • The Episcopal Church recognizes and commemorates saints, while the Catholic Church believes in the ability of saints to intercede on behalf of believers.
  • The Episcopal Church allows married priests. In the Catholic Church, married priests are restricted to Lutheran and Episcopalian converts, and Eastern Rite clergy.

Sources: ReligionFacts.com and Anglicansonline.org

The new national diocese, called an “ordinariate,” was created to accommodate Episcopal congregations whose members disagree with their church’s liberal stances on matters like same-sex marriage and the ordination of women and gays. The Episcopal Church, the main U.S. branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, has some 2 million members.

Beckwith said none of the 106 congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark is planning to leave. And Bishop George Councell, who heads the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, which covers central and southern parts of the state, said the same.

“I don’t see or hear any evidence of anyone making decisions along those lines,” he said.

Some Episcopal clergy note that the Vatican’s invitation comes after years of a reverse trend, where they’ve seen many Catholics joining and attending their churches. Often it’s because they disagree with the Vatican’s conservative stance on issues like homosexuality, female ordination and divorce.

Not looking elsewhere

Local church leaders echo their bishops, saying disagreements about leadership’s liberal views are not severe enough to cause dissenters to split from the Episcopal Church.

The conservative congregation of St. Anthony’s of Padua in Hackensack, which has been critical of the positions of Episcopal leaders, resolved its differences while remaining in the church. The congregation opted to receive spiritual guidance and leadership from a conservative bishop in South Carolina rather than the local diocesan bishop, in an agreement reached with the Diocese of Newark.

“That’s been an adequate arrangement so people here are pretty happy campers and aren’t feeling the need to look elsewhere,” said the Rev. Brian Laffler, the church pastor.

A former priest at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Wayne had disagreed with the ordination of an openly gay bishop in 2003, but church warden Patricia Pfeifer said that was not an issue for the congregation and that politics are kept separate from the pulpit.

“The church needs to be Jesus-centered and let him do the judging. That’s my feeling and that’s my church’s feeling,” she said.

Nationwide, two churches in Maryland and one in Texas are in the process of joining the ordinariate. Also, 100 former Anglican priests in the United States have applied to become Catholic priests for the ordinariate. Priests who are already married will also be allowed to serve, but cannot attain the rank of bishop, and women will not be accepted as priests.

Twenty other groups from an Episcopal background have also inquired about joining, in all comprising roughly 1,400 people, according to the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, as the new organization is known.

Careful, I might cuss a lot over catholic. PP 636 + 16. Many of their traditions, like icons and incense, are much more common in Eastern Orthodox churches and originated in the east. Commitment to that person. The English Missal for the Laity (says Dalby) "was the personal venture of Fr Drew, who was soon to become Rector of Throwleigh in Devon, with Knott again acting as printer and selling copies on commission as it had done with the English Missal proper prior to 1934. For the most part, you run the risk of being branded as a nerd. Whatever explanations they have, we can actually see that there are catholic goods that are continued to be distributed nowadays. Other jewelry products that make for fantastic Catholic gifts include chastity rings, prayer bracelets, and rosaries. Does it mean that man should enter into the physical body of Christ for one to be saved? To what degree do these consultants gobble up economical traditional catholic tutorials? Food for thought, I think. A child must have been baptized before this sacrament can take place, and there is a requirement of extensive study that must be undertaken as well. The reason why is there are more devotees getting your feeling because This is what is available in that area. Catholics outside of Roman Catholic management generally fall into two camps those in communion with Rome, and those in schism with Rome.

Hopes for Cardinal

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329907480 66 Hopes for Cardinal

Here’s hoping he will use his new position in the way of one of his predecessors, Patrick Cardinal Hayes, known as the Cardinal of Charities, who helped the city’s poor, unemployed and hungry during the Great Depression.

Hayes founded Catholic Charities, and spoke out against bigotry, and endorsed unemployment relief during the Depression.

He was so beloved, 50,000 people thronged the streets outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral for his funeral in 1938.

It’s because, though he walked with Popes and Presidents, Hayes never forgot where he came from — the notorious Five Points slum in lower Manhattan, a child of poor Irish immigrants.

Here’s hoping Dolan will lead the church back to what was its finest mission in New York City, helping the needy, educating them, ministering to them.

It was the oppressed from Ireland who needed Hayes’ help; now the downtrodden from Mexico, Central America, Africa and those born in the city’s poverty-entrenched neighborhoods need Dolan’s.

Hayes opened parochial schools and built churches during the Depression; Dolan arrived here for the Archdiocese’s surge of closing and merging churches and schools.

Here’s hoping he can somehow save Catholic schools in the hardscrabble neighborhoods. Keep churches from closing. Devote Archdiocese resources to people. Don’t look at parishes for how profitable they are, but for how dedicated their priests and nuns and parishioners are.

Here’s hoping that he’ll inspire the dwindling number of Catholic clergy who have helped keep neighborhoods together through high-crime years, and now through years when people are facing financial hardships.

Let these dedicated people know their social work and corporal works of mercy are held in equal esteem to spiritual duties.

The khimar strengthens this bond in a few key ways: 1. Let's avoid these boring details. Catholic Catechism Basically the Catholic Catechism is an elaborate Apostle's Creed. Whereby do subordinates come by painless catholic mass tricks? The Altar Missal and Altar Book were both heavily Sarum influenced whilst The English Liturgy was almost purely BCP with an admixture of authorised materials such as additional collects from diocesan and provincial sources. Also on this day, coronation of Lord Ram was held, Lord Hanuman was born, Lord Vishnu returned kingdom to monkey king Bali of Kiskindha, Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi married, Lord Krishan killed demon Narakasur, and ancient king Vikramaditya was crowned.

Recent Comments

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329905070 51 Recent Comments

I’m back up on Slant33 again, this time responding along with Michelle Lang and buddy Mark Oestricher to the question What’s the difference between teaching middle schoolers and high schoolers about dating and sexuality? My response is below, but do check the link for Marko’s and Michelle’s comments as well.

This is an essential question. I have come to a clear understanding that for many young people, this area is one of the larger challenges in authentically living out their discipleship. Yet, in asking the question, we have overlooked an audience of potential collaborators in this task—their parents. If all the recent research about how young people reflect the values of their parents, then we certainly must find ways to encourage parents to be involved in sharing our good news about love, dating, and sexuality.

One of my favorite activities to engage adults in, to inform their sharing messages of dating and sexuality, is to get them to think back to their own early dating years. They are asked to think of an early, positive experience of touch in a dating experience—holding hands, a kiss, a slow dance, etc. We carefully dissect the experiences into their own mental photographic images of those moments, then how they would describe the facts of those moments, followed by their own emotions at the time.

That activity is immediately followed by asking parents and adults to write their own newspaper headlines for an article about dating and sexuality. Often, responses include Don’t Do It!, True Love Waits, and Protect Yourself or Protect Your Heart.

It is always fascinating to watch the room engage in a significant mood change. The smiles, laughter, and joy of reminiscing about long-ago loves quickly transforms into anxiety and fear about their young people having similar experiences.

Our challenge as the church, as adults and parents, is to confront young people’s expectations that we will default to NO regarding this topic. We need to surprise them by affirming that yes, we actually think love, dating, and sex are all pretty great…within moderation intended to honor the value and worth of each person involved.

Middle school years are challenging for parents. The young people in their lives are transforming before their very eyes from the sweet, innocent things they happily used to be. In the middle school years, we should be resourcing parents regarding:

How to have “the talk.” Most likely, parents have already checked this one off on their parenting task lists. We need to encourage them to pursue ongoing conversations about sexuality, especially related to basic theological concepts, like what it means to be “created in the image and likeness of God.” Recognize that your efforts in assisting parents in their formational role will also constitute formation for many of the adults as well. How to discuss and monitor relationships/friendships. Offer parents tips and cues to engage their young people in conversations. How to debrief sexual content from movies, television, and music. Again, assist parents in conducting conversations related to these areas rather than lectures.

In the high school years, young people are moving away from a theoretical understanding of dating and sexuality and getting closer to having more practical needs. Therefore, we should be resourcing parents in:

Being able to assist young people in determining appropriate boundaries for their young people. If parents find themselves being able even just to talk with one another, they can usually assist one another in determining a community standard about curfews and expectations regarding appropriate ages to group date, car date, etc. Youth ministers can be helpful in placing their conversations in the context of a covenant agreement that includes both discussion and prayer. Being able to be an effective listener. Ask their adolescents to work toward determining what constitutes an appropriate relationship. Modeling appropriate and respectful behaviors. Young people learn from the attitudes of their fathers, mothers, and other key adults regarding what is right and acceptable in relationships with the opposite sex. We need to watch ourselves because our young people are certainly watching us and the values we communicate with our actions and words.

For me as a senior in high school, my parents gave me a very special gift and a lesson. They took me and my steady girlfriend at the time on a double date. In a delightful and charming evening, I learned significant lessons in respect and chivalry as well as maintaining good conversation with the opposite sex. Instead of the images of adult relationships from television and movies influencing me in my formative years, I was blessed to have the memory of a special night to remind me of how dating adults can and should relate to one another.

blobin » Coaching Because In catholic dating

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329900246 28 blobin » Coaching Because In catholic dating

Never fake to be someone else simply to impress your associate since he/she would count on you to be like that at all times, which might find yourself in total disappointment once they discover Kontaktanzeige that youre not likely who they think you are. Wear something that appears good upon you, and not something thats the most recent vogue and causes you to look strange. Be mindful whilst choosing a website. A great tip that might be very useful each for the man and the girl would be to be yourself at all times when youre on a date. Being simply yourself will actually get you lauded. Dont be unhappy, this simply means there is no specific set of rules with regard to the purpose. Now dating shouldnt be necessary for the girl to at all times agree to a guys invitation, so additionally count on to get rejected sometimes to a girl who does not such as you that much. Developing new partnership and dating utilizing your online partner may appear great yet there are many fears being concerned which are often dismissed by the younger people. Being yourself would make the 2 of you snug with each other which might be somewhat useful for a fruitful relationship. If the 2 couples dating is mature enough then theyd like it formal, delicate and a little bit of enjoyable temper around them, so why dont you throw in a couple of bottles of wine to make to settings more romantic. Most significantly you have got to be you. Many people discover less complicated to communicate on the internet compared to real life, at least when they are first meeting. Keep in mind that even when the man really likes you, as soon as she sees you not fairly in your first date then undoubtedly he would not want to be with you for a relationship. In the event you can meet up at a few place which interests you both, it is going to be great. This may only create suspicion in the thoughts of others.

But the years have changed and the conception has similarly changed. Accept calls only when necessary and even then ensure that it stays short. A very important thing is, not to be late with regard to your date. In the event you are now looking for a few set of guidelines with regard to a date, then theres actually none.

Adams Church reopens following protests

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329899058 39 Adams Church reopens following protests

ADAMS, Mass. (AP) — A Roman Catholic church in Adams that was occupied by protesting parishioners for more than three years has reopened for regular worship.

Protesters occupied St. Stanislaus Kostka to reopen since it shut in December 2008. It was merged into the new Blessed John Paul the Great Parish.

The Republican reports that Father Daniel Boyle, the parish's pastor, told the congregation Saturday the diocese approved a plan to reopen St. Stanislaus Church as a "chapel-mission" of the parish. His plan follows a Vatican decision to keep the church in religious use.

The first Mass is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Palm Sunday, April 1 and Mass is scheduled for Sunday mornings.

Roman Catholic dioceses around the country have recently closed parishes due to falling attendance, a lack of priests and financial strain.

Observer Forum: Letters to the editor

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

Observer Forum: Letters to the editor

In response to “School goofed on 4-year-old’s lunch order” (Feb. 17):

Don’t waste my tax dollars investigating a lunch goof-up

The fact that my tax dollars are paying two N.C. lawmakers to spend time on an “investigation” of this matter is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

I get upset at the time and money spent by the Charlotte Observer and N.C. lawmakers on such an insignificant matter.

The parents of this child should be ashamed for making an issue of the fact that their child was offered cafeteria food. They should be thankful they are able to send a healthy lunch to school and are not among the huge number of families in the free-lunch program!

Nothing but nugget nonsense, tackle important issues instead

Let’s see, we have unemployment, the economy, global warming, partisan politics bringing a halt to progress, health issues and starvation in Third World countries – not to mention religious, racial and sexual orientation persecution, threats of war, homelessness. And we’re going to have an investigation over chicken nuggets. Seriously?

In response to “Turnover rate soars among CMS principals” (Feb. 16):

New Leaders push in CMS driving away good principals

It’s ironic that Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools – a system that worships data – is denying these figures prove a problem.

Former superintendent Peter Gorman may be gone, but his clones are still around championing the yet unproven idea of applying a business model to public education. The New Leaders project is forming principals into the mold of pro-testing, pro-business, pro-centralized education.

These New Leaders don’t just drink the Kool-Aid, they make it. The thinnest of reasons are being used to remove established, successful principals to make room for New Leaders.

Who suffers most? Students.

In response to “It’s past time to abolish the death penalty in North Carolina” (Feb. 15 Opinion):

Housing convicted killers for life only increases tax burden

To abolish the death penalty would open the floodgates to crime.

When a person chooses to murder someone in this state, he/she should be held accountable. The killer knew going forward that he/she could be held accountable with his or her life.

The taxpayer burden in North Carolina is overwhelming as is. It’s wrong to keep adding felons to the list of those getting free medical, free nourishment and free board for life.

Weed these critters out, I say!

Many reasons I’m not looking forward to DNC’s big party

We have a big party with several balls and/or dinner parties, a baseball game, cookout at the track, speech by the already-selected nominee, not to mention the closing of Central Piedmont Community College and a major disruption of our everyday lives.

That’s just the start. Wait for all the lost jobs after the party. Let’s not forget all the safety concerns at many of the hotels.

In response to “How to stop super PACs” (Feb. 12 Opinion):

If Citizens United backfires

on GOP, message will be clear

Polls have consistently indicated that Mitt Romney has the best chance of defeating the president in November.

How supremely ironic it would be if a handful of Republican ideologue billionaires were successful in establishing the nomination of an individual unlikely to beat the president.

It might serve as a wake-up call to the entire country that the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision damaged our country and must be reversed.

Firing of music director shattered my Catholic faith

After the embarrassment we Catholics endured these last 20-plus years regarding our very own priests, and how our bishops ignored these serious sexual allegations, we remained committed to our deep faith in our religion.

I’m disappointed and angered that our bishop and clergy would fire a fine, talented man. Steav Bates-Congdon did nothing illegal, nor did he hurt anyone. This has truly rocked my faith in my Catholic Church.

In response to “Writer seems to be forgetting ultimate commandment” (Feb. 15 Forum):

Loving thy neighbor means telling them ‘truth’ about sin

Forum writer Doug Wynne is correct – it is about “love thy neighbor as thyself.”

That means love them enough to tell them the truth about their ultimate destiny now and in eternity for that deliberate sin – not love so they can continue in wrong-doing.

If you were heading for destruction, would you not want someone to tell you?

Hypnotism: What does the Catholic Church teach about it?  

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329895461 89 Hypnotism: What does the Catholic Church teach about it?  

Catholic Answers speaker Sharon Lee Giganti explains what the Catholic Church teaches about hypnotism.

Sharon Lee Giganti, a former Miss San Diego County and runner-up to Miss California, left Hollywood at the height of her success (guest-starring in over 20 top television shows and co-starring in several films) to pursue a “Higher Purpose”. Believing that she had found the true way to serve God through a channeled spirit named, Abraham and the New Age “bible” known as, A Course in Miracles, she had intended to teach “a new and more enlightened way to be loving” with these popular Law of Attraction and New Thought philosophies.

But by 1999, disillusioned with the devastation these teachings so often produced, she realized they were deceptive and lacked the real presence of Jesus Christ. Thankfully, Sharon’s diligent search for Truth began to lead her home; to authentic Christianity, and when tragedy struck her family in the year 2000– she walked away from the world of “New Thought” for good.

During a time of incredible loss, (the murder of her infant nephew and subsequent life sentencing of her brother, the suicide of one of her New Thought students, and the mental collapse of another; resulting in her being committed to a psychiatric ward) Sharon says she saw clearly, as if for the first time, the very real consequences of sin and the true teachings of the Bible playing out right before her eyes amid the tragic events surrounding her. With courageous honesty, she reveals how her “New Age” influence may have unwittingly played a part in these tragedies – and how God’s Saving Word brought her out of that spiritual darkness and into the Light of Truth!

In 2003, as a frequent guest on live radio with such well respected hosts as Jeff Cavins and Teresa Tomeo, Sharon began warning others of the dangers of counter-Christian secular influence and false New Age doctrine – the very same ideologies that are now being heavily promoted by Oprah Winfrey, in teachings such as: A Course in Miracles, The Secret, the “Law of Attraction” philosophy of “Abraham-Hicks”, and Author, Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth. Sharon has also been a guest speaker for many Church organizations and gatherings, including three chapters of the international “Magnificat” ministry for Catholic Women.

Now a certified Catholic catechist, a novice with the Holy Family Institute, and a regular guest on Catholic Answers Live Radio, Sharon’s powerful message is currently heard world-wide via their global broadcast through EWTN. Using stories drawn from her own personal experiences, and those of her former students, (she was a dedicated Course in Miracles devotee, and became known as an “Abraham Ambassador” teaching “Law of Attraction” workshops) Sharon gives an eye-witness account of the devastation that often follows when the New Thought Movement’s most poisonous principles are applied in every day life.

In 2008, Catholic Answers recorded her 3 hour interview with renowned apologist, Jimmy Akin, entitled, “Oprah: Televangelist of New Age Deception” to help spread the word.Her message is very timely as these infectious ideologies are spreading rapidly and contaminating much of our culture’s worldview. Sharon warns that, if they are not countered, corruption and misery on a massive scale will surely follow.

With her testimony, Sharon seeks to avert this tragedy while offering the only sure remedy; knowledge of the One, True God, His real Son, Jesus Christ, and the authentic revelation of His Word.

Sharon says, “When people ask me how I managed to recover from “The Devil’s Influence-za” I tell them, “The only antidote was GOD’S TRUTH SERUM – I re-learned what our culture couldn’t tell me and the New Age didn’t know: the Saving Truths of our Catholic Faith!”

The Laurinburg Exchange – Jose Angel “Joe” Villaronga

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

The Laurinburg Exchange Jose Angel “Joe” Villaronga

Jose Angel “Joe” Villaronga, 46 of Wagram, died suddenly Tuesday, Feb. 14 at his residence in Deercroft.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pinehurst.

He is survived by his wife, Carmen Gutierrez Villaronga; his sons, Eric Lopez of Broadway and Ryan Lopez of Miami, Fla.; his daughter, Melissa Villaronga of Wagram; his brother, Francisco “Frank” Villaronga of Charlotte; his sister, Lourdes “Luli” Porven of Charlotte; his granddaughter, Isabella Lopez; his uncle and aunts Jose Luis and Joaquina Villaronga and Vicky Rezola; and many cousins.

Joe was born in Dade County, Fla., a son of the late Francisco Villaronga and Emerita Pire. He served Republic Bank and Ocean Bank in Miami for many years. After moving to North Carolina, he worked at BB&T and Wells Fargo. He was an avid fan of the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Heat, and the Miami Marlins, and he loved the Rat Pack and watching the Three Stooges. He was always “game” for having a good time.

Memorials are requested for the American Heart Association, 3131 RDU Center Dr., Raleigh, NC 27601.

Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium, Laurinburg.

A memorial register may be found at McDougald.com.

Why Should the Government Enforce Catholic Church Beliefs?

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329889449 66 Why Should the Government Enforce Catholic Church Beliefs?

When I was growing up, we had an infinite supply of Catholic babysitters, who all came from families of 7 or 9 or 12. If Margaret stopped babysitting, Mary stepped right in. Once Mary got too old, there was Anne. That was no longer true for my baby sister, born 14 years after me. By the 1970s, those Catholic families had mysteriously stopped adding a new child every year. 

Now we all know what happened to those families: After 1968, en masse, they rejected the Catholic Church’s ban on contraception. In her column today, Gail Collins explains that, now, the Catholic hierarchy is furiously trying to get the U.S. government to come in and enforce its beliefs. Is it really the role of a secular government to take sides in internal theological debates between a church and its members? 

No one in the administration is making it mandatory for Catholics (or non-Catholic employees at Catholic institutions) to take the Pill, whether for contraception or for the myriad reasons that women try to regulate their menses: to reduce the crippling pain of endometriosis, to save an ovary, to prevent migraines. 

Gail Collins nails the issue with the Catholic hierarchy’s war on the U.S. government. Don’t miss her piece today, which includes a story that leads to the quote in the subhead, as well as this:

Catholic dogma holds that artificial contraception is against the law of God. The bishops have the right—a right guaranteed under the First Amendment—to preach that doctrine to the faithful. They have a right to preach it to everybody. Take out ads. Pass out leaflets. Put up billboards in the front yard.

The problem here is that they’re trying to get the government to do their work for them. They’ve lost the war at home, and they’re now demanding help from the outside….

The churches themselves don’t have to provide contraceptive coverage. Neither do organizations that are closely tied to a religion’s doctrinal mission. We are talking about places like hospitals and universities that rely heavily on government money and hire people from outside the faith.

We are arguing about whether women who do not agree with the church position, or who are often not even Catholic, should be denied health care coverage that everyone else gets because their employer has a religious objection to it. If so, what happens if an employer belongs to a religion that forbids certain types of blood transfusions? Or disapproves of any medical intervention to interfere with the working of God on the human body?

I am quite baffled about why so many liberal male Catholic pundits want to back the bishops’ expansionist beliefs about U.S. government power on this one. Don’t they care about women’s lives?