Some Statistics

Some recent statistics...

* Broken marriages lead to poverty & high 'social welfare' costs in the U.S.

-> Poverty rates for 'single parents' in 2008 exceeded 36%

-> Poverty rates for married couples with children in 2008 was under 7%

-> Around 75% of "means-tested welfare for low-income families with children" went to 'single parent families'

Source: Zenit

Related: Divorce (Topic Page)

* High rates of fornication in the U.S.

-> Out of wedlock births in 2008 exceeded 40%

-> Out of wedlock births in 2008 by race: White/Non-Hispanic-28.6%; Hispanic-52.5%; Blacks-72.3%

Source: Zenit

Related: Fornication Reflections

* Homosexuals & HIV

-> CDC study finds that in 21 metropolitan areas in the U.S., 1 in 5 practicing homosexual men test positive for HIV

-> About half of those infected were "unaware" they carried the virus which causes AIDS

Source: LifeSiteNews

Related: Homosexuality (Topic Page)

* Religious Ignorance

A new poll indicates that many Americans are ignorant of basic tenants of their faith. For example...

-> Nearly half (45%) of Catholics polled were unaware of transubstantiation & the Real Presence - essential teachings of the Catholic Church [Reminder: "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself." (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 11:29)]

-> Some 29% can't name the place of Jesus' birth (Bethlehem)

-> Close to 40% couldn't name the first book of the bible (Genesis)

Reportedly, atheists and agnostics performed best on the questions, whereas Catholics did poorly

Sources: Various

Related: Catholic Basics

[9/28]

Quid est veritas?

Once again, Texas priest Fr. Michael Rodriguez has come to the defense of Catholic doctrine with his strong remarks regarding homosexuality, reminding that "The question always has to come back to what is the truth." He notes that...

"Unfortunately, homosexual activists continue to avoid the real issues under the cover of these words...equal rights, dignity... The Church acknowledges all that, but there's still the real issue that, what is right and what is wrong? What are God's commandments? We like to talk a lot about rights: what is our duty to our fellow men, what is our duty to God, what do we have to do to be saved?"

Fr. Rodriguez previously urged the faithful to treat homosexuals "with love, understanding, and respect", but reminded that "Homosexual acts lead to the damnation of souls."

"Quid est veritas?" (Latin for "What is truth?", cf. Jn. 18:38)

"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination." (Lev. 18:22)

Related: 'Every Catholic Must Oppose Certain Things' | The End of Freedom in America? | Scripture On Homosexuality

[8/20]

Lawsuit challenges federal 'hate crimes' law

The Thomas More Law Center has filed a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of new federal 'hate crimes' legislation. The lawyer in charge of the case says the law "creates a special class of persons who are ‘more equal than others’ based on nothing more than deviant, sexual behavior." It is believed that the legislation may harm religious freedom by intimidating persons from expressing biblical condemnations of homosexual acts.

Related: Bibles to become illegal? (4/09 news brief)

[2/4]

Incoming Milwaukee Archbishop responds to dissident 'Catholic' group's ad campaign

The incoming Archbishop of Milwaukee has responded to a dissident 'Catholic' group's scandalous ad campaign which promotes c*ntraception and abortion for Catholic youth, as well as advancing the homosexual agenda. Regarding the claim that "Catholics can disregard Church teaching regarding c*ntraception, abortion and human sexuality in general and remain Catholics in good standing" he said that "Nothing could be further from the truth." He further stated that...

"While people can call themselves whatever they want, it is my duty as a bishop to state clearly and unequivocally that by professing and disseminating views in grave contradiction to Catholic teaching, members of organizations like 'Young Catholics for Choice' in fact disown their Catholic heritage, tragically distancing themselves from that communion with the Church to which they are called."

Perhaps if obstinate, dissident 'Catholics' were formally excommunicated, their ability to mislead other Catholics would be lessened. But don't hold your breath.

[12/15]

That's not devout

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

OUTAGE ALERT: To better serve you, our website site is moving to a new host. We anticipate some short-term outages during the transition process. We apologize for any inconvenience.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

News of the passing of pro-abort, pro-homosexual "devoutly Catholic" Ted Kennedy along with news of recent remarks made by Cherie Blair - a supposed Catholic who advocates the grave sin of contraception - we are once again faced with numerous media reports of so-called "devout" Catholics who pick & choose which parts of the faith they will follow. Perhaps such persons really are "devout" in the eyes of the godless media simply because they might attend a Mass or utter a few religious sound bites, but are they really "devout"?

How can a "devout" Catholic possibly...?

* Advocate violating the 5th commandment: "You shall not kill."

* Lend support to a grave sin that "cries out to heaven for vengeance", a sin that caused the all-loving God to condemn the perpetrators to suffer eternal hellfire (see Jude 1:7)

* Advocate a practice that contradicts the primary purpose of marriage and caused God to directly take the life of one that practiced it (see Gen. 38:9-10)

* Publicly oppose the official teachings of the Church

This is their idea of devout? Wouldn't truly devout Catholics cringe at the thought of such behaviors being considered "devout"?

Even though more educated & faithful Catholics might write off these statements as being simply ridiculous, it seems we have a duty to actually oppose such comments. The reason? For the good of others' souls. Should persons less educated in the faith hear these statements go unopposed, they may think they can also be "devout" Catholics even while obstinately rejecting Church teachings. As a result, they may put their souls in grave danger.

[8/31]

Catholics' worst enemies: Catholics

Once again it appears that Catholics may be fostering the rapid decay of the moral fiber of America. As the opening paragraph of a recent USA Today article reads, "Want to predict which state might move next to legalize same-sex marriage? You might count Catholics." The article says that the higher percentage of Catholics in the state, the more likely the state is to support 'gay rights' such as s*domite 'marriages'.

Unfortunately, many of today's Catholics seem to turn a blind eye to - or even assist in advancing legal protections for - these unnatural, abominable & sinful unions. They, perhaps, think they do so out of 'charity' - however, such actions are far from charitable.

It is important to recall that: [Note: Most items below taken from an earlier news brief]

* Scripture is the "ultimate authority" and it clearly condemns homosexuality. For example, consider these passages:

Lev. 18:22: You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination.

Deut. 22:5: "A woman shall not wear an article proper to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman's dress; for anyone who does such things is an abomination to the LORD, your God."

St. Paul, 1 Cor 6:9-10: Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.

St Jude, Jude 1:7: Likewise, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual promiscuity and practiced unnatural vice, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

* S*domy is one of only four sins that "cry out to heaven for vengeance".

* God is THE authority on charity and we know from Scripture that the all-loving God has condemned the s*domites to suffer eternal hellfire for their perversity (see Jude 1:7). Therefore, it is clearly not charitable to foster sins which may lead to someone's eternal ruin.

* Having a supposed "inclination" to something does not give one the right to act upon it or make it "not sinful" if one does act on it. For example, some persons may have an inclination to murder, adultery or fornication, but it certainly would be sinful - a crime - to act on any of these inclinations. It would be wrong to legalize the acts on the premise that someone had an "inclination" to the behavior. To act on these inclinations is a sin and a misuse of one's free-will.

* Rights originate from God. Things that offend God cannot be rights.

* Toleration of sin is NOT a virtue. Admonishing of the sinner is clearly Scriptural. For example, consider these passages...

"admonish one another" (St. Paul, Col. 3:16, Rom. 15:14)

"admonish them sharply" (St. Paul, Ti. 1:13)

"admonishing everyone" (St. Paul, Col. 1:28)

"If your brother sins, rebuke him" (Jesus Christ, Lk. 17:3)

* Consenting to another's sin makes one an accessory to sin.

* To grant "rights" to persons for the purpose of engaging in perversion is itself perverted!

Rather than enable s*domites to continue in their sins by promoting 'gay friendly' laws, faithful Catholics who really love homosexuals should seek to protect them from legislation that will ultimately harm both themselves & others, and they should consider appropriate ways to help those who feel they have this inclination to repent & live chastely.

It is certain that Catholics who have joined forces with the Church's enemies - even unknowingly - necessarily become, in a sense, enemies of the Church. Obviously, it is not charitable to become an enemy of the only true Church of Christ, nor will it well-serve the souls of such persons. By joining in insidious 'gay rights' efforts that foster sin, Catholics harm themselves, others, and the homosexuals they supposedly have "charity" for. It would be far better for everyone if they directed their efforts instead to assisting homosexuals in their plight, whether by prayer, education, or other appropriate efforts. True charity calls for loving the sinner, but it also requires that we HATE the sin - not foster it.

Reminder: "Hating the sin", referring to certain persons as "enemies", etc. does NOT mean that one should cause (or wish) harm to anyone. Rather, we should treat others with compassion and lovingly assist them as we are able (e.g. via prayer).

[7/29]

What is surprising

It's no big surprise to many that a certain disgraced former archbishop is gay. It is also not surprising to learn that he will be publishing a memoir that will make some people "angry". But what is surprising is that a man who served as archbishop would have the nerve to publicly question whether or not homosexual acts are immoral. Did he miss his catechism lessons that sodomy is one of only 4 sins that "cry out to heaven for vengeance"? Did he not notice the passages in Scripture condemning homosexuality - including the one where the all-loving God condemns the sodomites to suffer eternal hellfire (see Jude 1:7)? Does he claim the bible and the Church have erred? Does he really think that because certain people may have an inclination to a certain sin that it is therefore "not sinful"? By his reasoning, is adultery also not sinful? Murder? Fornication? And, golly, apparently we shouldn't use "bad words" that are "pejorative" like "objectively disordered" because someone might get their itty bitty feelings hurt. Okay, one more thing is surprising - that such a man could have been given charge over Catholic souls. [story here (warning: may contain offensive terminology)] [5/15]

Bibles to become illegal?

With the passage of the "hate crimes" legislation in the U.S. House, there is fear that freedom of thought and speech may be threatened. Not only does this bill call for increased penalties for crimes against "protected classes" (e.g. sodomites), but it also allows for grants and assistance from the federal government to prosecute crimes against these classes. Putting aside for now the important question of whether or not penalties & law enforcement efforts should be identical in the case of two identical crimes, it is important to consider the effect such legislation is likely to have on our freedoms. While proponents of the legislation may claim that such laws only punish violent acts, history shows that this legislation may be used as a tool against freedom of speech (as in the cases of those arrested for quoting Scripture passages condemning homosexuality). This legislation clearly poses a threat to our religious freedom. In fact, we may soon live to see the day when quoting the bible - even from the pulpit - will be a punishable crime of "hate speech". And after that it's just a short step to banning this "hate literature" all together... [4/30]

"Hate what is evil" (Rom. 12:9)+

It's hard to say whether lack of faith or poor catechesis are more to blame, but apparently many of today's Catholics have entirely lost their moral compass. A recent Gallup poll showed that...

* 40% of 'Catholics' find abortion morally acceptable (vs. 41% of non-Catholics)

* 67% of 'Catholics' find fornication morally acceptable (vs. 57% of non-Catholics)

* 71% of 'Catholics' find divorce morally acceptable (vs. 66% of non-Catholics)

* 61% of 'Catholics' find having an illegitimate child morally acceptable (vs. 52% of non-Catholics)

* 54% of 'Catholics' find homosexual relations morally acceptable (vs. 45% of non-Catholics)

Perhaps if Scripture readings at Novus Ordo Masses regularly included passages such as the following - rather than the "feel good" passages parishioners usually encounter - we would not suffer so many dissident Catholics...+ [Note: All passages below are from the New Testament]

* 1 Cor. 6:9-10: Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.

* Rv. 21:8: But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

* 1 Jn. 3:8:Whoever sins belongs to the devil

* Heb. 10:26-27: If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.

* Gal. 5:19-21: Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

* Mt. 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.

+Reminder: Scripture references and translations may vary. We make no guarantee regarding any item herein. We recommend reading Scripture in full context in an appropriate Catholic Bible. Consult appropriate, competent Church authorities for assistance in interpreting / applying Scripture. Interpretation and application of Scripture should not be contrary to the perennial, official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Do not take Scripture passages out of context. Do not inflict or wish harm on yourself or others, break laws, take unsuitable/incautious or inappropriate/drastic actions, or take figurative items literally. We are not responsible for any interpretation / misinterpretation, application / misapplication, use / misuse, etc. of Scripture. Use of site is at your own risk and is subject to our terms of use. Click here for important cautionary statement and other important terms/information

[3/30]

God Help France

Recent polls paint a dire picture of the Church in France, a traditionally Catholic nation. Not only do a large number of French 'Catholics' want the Pope to "step down", but over 80% of those surveyed want the Church to change its position on abortion & birth control. Many French 'Catholics' also want the Church to change its teachings on divorce and sodomy. Perhaps they would also like Jesus to change his teachings to suit their sinful inclinations? Wake up, France. [3/24]