Still waiting for a new archbishop for Milwaukee. Things seem at a standstill at the moment. Understandably, Bishop Callahan does not want to make major decisions that could be overturned if he is not the next archbishop. Yet the number of priests is decreasing and the number of parishes in financial trouble is increasing. The reason for the latter being mostly the current economic crisis, but not in all cases.
Although abortion is obviously an important issue, the vocal U.S. bishops seem more concerned with abortion than health care for all Americans. They seem to forget that a lack of the latter also causes death among adults, infants, and fetuses. The United States has the highest infant mortality rate among First World nations. We're number 37 among nations of the world.
Nevertheless, for the most part, our churches continue week after week. The body of Christ distributed and the Scriptures are proclaimed. It seems that if the laity want something magnificent established, they will need to turn to themselves and take seriously the body and word that has been given to them.
A Faithful Catholic
19 comments:
One of the interesting statistics that contribute to the higher infant mortality rate in the United States vis a vis the rest of the developed world is the fundamental fact that we have more high-risk pregnancies than our partners. The American obsession with fertility drugs results (and you could argue with recreational drugs too) in a higher number of high risk pregnancies than in Europe. We save more, but based on numbers, more die as well.
Also, the number of Vocations in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is increasing as opposed to the number of vocations under your hero, Archbishop Weakland. The quality of these young priests will make up for their lack of numbers, but we have to remember, that Archbishop Dolan re-invigorated the vocations of this Archdiocese.
The table linked from the post shows an infant mortality rate in the United States of 6.37 deaths per 1,000 live births.
This CDC report says that for 2005 "the abortion ratio (number of abortions per 1,000 live births) was 233".
Also of note, the USCCB supports Health Care Reform to increase access to care. However, it cannot be done while embracing an intrinsic evil. While Catholics can disagree on the method of addressing care (Single-Payer, Public Option, Market-based reforms), the need to maintain a pro-life program is imperative.
Let's face it. The catholic bishops could care less about abortion. The Church is quite clear that women and children are an impediment to 'knowing' God.
But the bishops see abortion as an issue that they can use to regain their influence. This explains why they have no interest except yelling about abortion. If women and children are so important why must the clergy never have a normal relationship with women and consider children a hindrance to spirituality. Jack
Jack,
You are really quite sad as a person. You have such hatred for what you think the Catholic Church is. If anyone is focused on the issues of sex, it is you, it is all you ever write about. Who is the sexually obsessed individual? It clearly is you.
Catholic Soldier
CS, so you agree the bishops are obsessed with sex. Check their life stories and see how strange almost all of them are. Deciding never to have a sex thought at 16 is what you call normal. I call it a bit off center
Mark,
There you go again, misrepresenting people and what they say. If you actually bothered to read my post, you would see that I said if anyone is obsessed with sex, it is you. You being defined as "Mark".
So I will spell it out again, you are the sex-obsessed person.
Was that clear enough for you? Let me know if I need to translate it into any other languages.
CS
CS, Since you never respond to my comments directly, I must conclude that you accepted the fact that celibate clergy were a little off-center. I have had sex thoughts; I never pledged not to. So please respond to my point: are males who decide never to find women attractive 'normal' or not? Jack
Jack,
One has to really wonder with you. I will answer your ridiculous question.
NO, the Bishops are not obsessed with sex and neither is the Church.
I understand that you have a very simplistic outlook on things. Just because the clergy is celibate, does not mean they do not have thoughts. They certainly can find members of the opposite sex attractive. Rather, they choose to forgo acting on those very thoughts, just as you might look at a woman who is not your wife and find her attractive, but not act on it. One can appreciate beauty, without indulging in it. You obviously do not understand that concept.
CS,you really don't know much about Catholic thought. It is wrong for a celibate clergy to have a sexual thought; it must be repressed. Of course they cannot act on it. No priest can be attracted to a women according to the church. Wake up, my friend. Jack
Jack, Jack, Jack,
Normal sexual thoughts aren't wrong. Now if the priest indulges in the thought, then it becomes wrong. But if a priest notices a beautiful woman and appreciates that beauty, he is normal. You have this twisted concept of what goes on in a priest's mind.
Perhaps you are right, maybe I don't know what goes on in every priests' head. Apparently you do, you must possess an incredible gift of mind-reading or telepathy. It's really impressive and you should be proud to be able to KNOW what others are thinking.
Why do you even pretend to be Catholic? What do you have the desire to twist the Church into you?
CS,Catholic priests are NOT supposed to have "normal sex thoughts." They are not supposed to have any 'sex' thoughts. If you are single, YOU are not supposed to have ANY sex thoughts; you are to repressed them. I am aware that a Church run by celibates tries to be deceptive on this, but according to the Church any sex thought is wrong outside of marriage. Even in marriage such thoughts divert one from God.
Why do you think the Church insists only those who are celibate can have any say in Christianity?
Listen a person who worships priests like you needs to be careful.
I bet you believe the 'official' church really thinks all abortions are murder. Knowledgeable Catholics know such is just a front for the anti-sex attitude of celibates. After all it says in the Bible: Unto the women he said'I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and conception, in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children...and thou husband shall rule over you.' Catholic code: If you get pregnant, girl, you need to suffer.Don't try to get out of the problems of pregnancy! Jack
Jack,
ROTFLMAO. You are one sick person and you are so lost.
Jack,
You are outside of the Church. Have you ever read Love and Responsibility? Have you ever read Humanae Vitae?
It is quite clear that the only thing you can think of is sex. I know many priests and not one of them articulates the "official" teachings like you do. I think its quite clear you have invented a straw-man in order to support your own perverted self.
CS, I am afraid , my friend, you are wrong. Check the official teachings of the Church. Any sex is an impediment to closeness to God. Check it out. If I am wrong, which I am not,why must only celibates have a say in christianity? Jack
Jack,
I am not wrong. Have you ever read the Theology of the Body? A married man is one of the major people pushing this incredibly positive theology. Have you ever read even the Catechism? Many of the greatest apologists are married or non-clergy men and women who are able to faithful articulate the power and truth of the Catholic Faith.
The truth of the matter is you have built a straw-man to oppose because it assists and builds up your own sex-obsessed theology.
You are the one who is fundamentally wrong. You are so wrong, you aren't even Catholic.
CS
CS,
"Those who are not married practice chastity through 'continence',abstaining by God's grace from all that would arouse sexual passion and all sexual activity" See CCC 2349.
Read the stuff you quote with a touch of a critical eye. Sure,you're given some pap to satisfy you as an inferior (laity)to the priesthood. Jack
Jack,
I really pity you. Your anger and hatred is pulling you away from the truth. May God Have Mercy on you before you are irrevocably lost.
Post a Comment