There is no greater force against evil in the world

From a LifeSite interview:
LSN: An Italian exorcist, Father Sante Babolin, said recently that during an exorcism, the evil spirit that was tormenting the wife of one of his friends said to him: “I cannot bear that they love each other.” Is this not a message that married couples should meditate?
CB: Absolutely. There is no greater force against evil in the world than the love of a man and woman in marriage. After the Holy Eucharist, it has a power beyond anything that we can imagine....Surely it is true that whenever a couple has entered into marriage with all their mind and heart, the devil's going to be at work to try to spoil that home, because that home is a cradle of grace, where grace is received not only for the couple but for the children and for everyone who knows the family." -  Cardinal Burke

HT CatholicVote

Can Opposing Same-Sex Marriage Get You Fired at Marquette University?

MADISON, Wis.—John McAdams remains in professional limbo at his Jesuit school.

The long-time Marquette University political science professor at the center of one of the most controversial academic freedom cases in higher education continues to wait for a faculty hearing committee’s decision on his professional fate.

Marquette has said it intends to fire McAdams because of his blog post a little over a year ago criticizing a student teacher for prohibiting a philosophy student from sharing his opposition to same-sex marriage in the class.

The faculty committee, which held a hearing into the matter in September, has 90 days to make its recommendation on whether McAdams should stay or go.

“If they say Marquette shouldn’t fire me, it will be hard for Marquette to fire me, although they may try to anyway,” McAdams told Wisconsin Watchdog this week on the Vicki McKenna Show, on Newstalk 1310 WIBA. “If they say Marquette can fire me, it will be easier for Marquette, although not terribly easy because, No. 1, that would create a huge amount of bad publicity for Marquette and, No. 2, they have essentially been promised a lawsuit from my lawyers.”

continue at The Daily Signal

HT CatholicVote

John McAdams may sue Marquette after this week’s Faculty Hearing Committee meetings

There will be Faculty Hearing Committee meetings from Monday to Thursday this week to determine if associate political science professor John McAdams will be allowed to continue working at Marquette after his role in a widely publicized controversy between a student and teaching assistant.

“If the committee comes down against me, Marquette will surely fire me and then, of course, a lawsuit will follow,” McAdams told Wisconsin Watchdog on the Jay Weber Show, on News/Talk 1130 WISN.

Here is a timeline of events leading to this week’s faculty hearing committee meetings: 

Marquette starts removing McAdams – Feb. 4, 2015

McAdams announced on his blog that Marquette started the process to revoke his tenure and dismiss him from faculty.

McAdams had the option to object to the university’s decision, which he did. That resulted in this week’s Faculty Hearing Committee Meetings.

“In real universities, administrators understand, or more likely grudgingly accept, that faculty will say controversial things, will criticize them and each other, and that people will complain about it,” McAdams said on his blog. “That sort of university is becoming rarer and rarer. Based on Holz’ actions, Marquette is certainly not such a place.”

full article at Marquette Wire 

UK Daily Mail does exposè on Scott Walker family support for gay marriage

This is Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, pictured at the wedding reception of one of the first gay couples to marry in his state – who told Daily Mail Online today that they do not believe the presidential hopeful is against same-sex marriage.

He smiled with the newlyweds at their reception, which came weeks after a judge struck down an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman - a move the governor vowed to overturn.

On June 6, 2014, a federal judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit challenging a 2006 amendment to Wisconsin's constitution, after a public vote, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb said Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, prompting a rush of same-sex couples getting wedding licenses.

Among the first to marry were Shelli Marquardt and Cathy Priem who married on June 9 at a civil courthouse ceremony in Waukesha County.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3154884/Scott-Walker-NOT-against-gay-marriage-say-sex-friends-GOP-hopeful-guest-joyous-wedding-reception-despite-pledge-amend-constitution-one-man-one-woman.html#ixzz3fW29dXeg
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Haven't had time to read through the whole think, but the article is extensive.

If I were on the Scott Walker campaign(wherein I only care about winning the election), I would have intentionally planted this story to improve Walker's "elect-ability."

HT JB

Blackstone Films: Documentary in Defense of Marriage

Documentary on Marriage Fundraiser from Blackstone Films on Vimeo.

At the behest of Fr. John Hollowell and many others who have experienced our work, we are embarking on a crucial project with an ambitious goal: we are creating a documentary which will positively and permanently transform our society’s understanding of marriage.

The assault on marriage which we see all around us is a direct result of an epidemic of misconceptions regarding marriage’s true meaning and purpose. With the advent of widespread fornication, contraception, divorce, pornography, and gay unions, the proper matter and ends of marriage as determined by God and defined by His Church have been slowly eroded. Our goal with this project is to bring about a renewed understanding of the sacrament of matrimony. We will do so by unveiling the goodness, the beauty, and the truth about what God intended marriage to be, and by showing what society risks when it undermines its most basic cell.

In order to make this film possible, we need to raise $1,000,000 by June 1st, 2015.

http://www.blackstonefilms.org/marriage/

The Federalist: I’m Gay, And I Oppose Same-Sex Marriage

Gay marriage has gone from unthinkable to reality in the blink of an eye. A recent Washington Post/ABC News poll shows that support for gay marriage is now at 61 percent—the highest it’s ever been. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case that many court-watchers believe will deliver the final blow to those seeking to prevent the redefinition of marriage. By all measures, this fight is over. Gay marriage won.

As a 30-year-old gay man, one would expect me to be ecstatic. After all, I’m at that age where people tend to settle down and get married. And there is nothing in this world I want more than to be a father and raise a family. Yet I can’t seem to bring myself to celebrate the triumph of same-sex marriage. Deep down, I know that every American, gay or straight, has suffered a great loss because of this.

I’m not alone in thinking this. The big secret in the LGBT community is that there are a significant number of gays and lesbians who oppose same-sex marriage, and an even larger number who are ambivalent. You don’t hear us speak out because gay rights activists (most of whom are straight) have a history of viciously stamping out any trace of individualism within the gay community. I asked to publish this article under a pseudonym, not because I fear harassment from Christian conservatives, but because I know this article will make me a target of the Gaystapo.

continue at The Federalist

Father Z's suggestion on "cake wars" makes Wisconsin State Journal

A Madison priest known for pointed commentary is offering what he says is a path forward for businesses opposed to participation in same-sex weddings.

The Rev. John Zuhlsdorf, known nationally as “Father Z” on his popular blog, posted his suggestion under the title, “When they come to destroy your business because you are pro-traditional family.”

Zuhlsdorf, a priest in the Madison Catholic Diocese, suggests that when a gay couple seeks the services of a Christian business owner for “their immoral event,” the owner should accept. He then explains what the business owner should do next.

“Tell them that the food and services will be just fine,” Zuhlsdorf writes. “And then inform them that all of the money that they pay for the services will be donated to a traditional pro-family lobby.”

Read more: http://host.madison.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/religion/in-the-spirit-madison-priest-suggests-solution-for-businesses-opposed/article_f6766a46-619a-5e62-8d8e-641ad70e63e1.html#ixzz3YWN0WZnW

Erickson goes on to interview Father Z.

So.... I haven't talked about it in a while... almost out of fear, but right now Catholic Charities in Wisconsin right now may be forced to capitulate on gay adoptions.  We saw the hammer come down on Catholic Charities in Illinois.  I hope dioceses have taken steps to prepare themselves for legal action.

JS: Gay marriages to resume in Wisconsin as Supreme Court rejects appeals

Without explanation, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected appeals from Wisconsin and four other states seeking to preserve their gay marriage bans, setting up an immediate and historic return of same-sex unions here but leaving the broader question of same-sex marriage unanswered at the national level.

In their order, the nine justices provided no reason for rejecting the appeals from Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and officials in the states of Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia.

The court's order soon will bring back gay marriage in these states, though it was unclear if the return would be immediate. Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell, a Democrat and strong supporter of same sex unions, initially had no comment Monday morning on when he might begin issuing licenses, saying he needed a little time to work out the implications of the order.

But just minutes later, McDonell said he was ready.

"We're a go here," he said. "If someone walked in here right now, I'd issue one."

continue at JS

Perhaps Elagabalus will run for president next.

This I guess strengthens the case for electing Republicans just to put decent judges on the bench .... I'm curious if the conspirators knew the SCOTUS would take no action beforehand.  Pundits have been warning for a while that the goal of the Homosexualists was to Roe v Wade marriage since they knew they still couldn't get it through most any legislature.

The point of this is not to live side by side Christians in peace.  The goal is to force Christians to affirm and praise this very old religion of unnaturalism.  Next will come lawsuits against Christian agencies and businesses in the state.  Lawyer up!  Hopefully there is a plan in place for all our Catholic charities in the state.  If there are any conferences or resources available, especially to small agencies without the financial backing of the Gay Mafia, email me and I'll do a post.

Fox6: Abp. Listecki fields questions about Pope Francis, gay marriage

MILWAUKEE (WITI) — Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki was a guest at the Milwaukee Press Club‘s Newsmaker Luncheon on Wednesday afternoon, September 3rd.

Listecki was interviewed by a panel of three journalists including FOX6’s Ted Perry. The conversation covered a wide range of topics regarding the future of the Roman Catholic Church. Each of the panelists asked three questions. Perry’s included questions about the execution of James Foley, Pope Francis and gay marriage.

continue at Fox6

All five Wisconsin dioceses to hold Adoration in defense of marriage this weekend

Earlier this week, Matt posted about a La Crosse parish holding Eucharistic Adoration for the defense of marriage in Wisconsin. There are more!

THIS WEEKEND!  Adoration in Defense of Marriage
Defending and promoting God’s Goodness, Beauty and Truth is crucial if we are to be serious Christians.  Recently, we have seen a degradation of the truth of marriage between one man and one woman.  This truth is etched in the essence of our being.  The family is the foundation stone of society.   We find this biblical truth revealed in the beginning of the Old Testament and throughout Sacred Scripture and Tradition and Teachings of the Church.
This weekend is critically important for prayer because the States of Indiana and Wisconsin have recently petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to overturn a recent ruling that their laws recognizing marriage as between one man-one woman is unconstitutional. There are a series of key deadlines approaching  that will determine the outcome of the case; thus, the time for prayer before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in support of Christian marriage is now!  
Various groups in Indiana are mobilizing immediately, and they have asked us to unite in prayer and solidarity with them in support of the USCCB's call to prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty. We  have one parish in each diocese in Wisconsin designated for the Eucharistic Adoration all night prayer vigil for marriage beginning after the last vigil mass on Saturday, July 26, the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, and ending before the first morning mass on Sunday, July 27.  Some of the parishes participating currently have a Perpetual Adoration Chapel.

(CLICK HERE) DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE PRAYER AND INFORMATION HANDOUT

Here is the contact information for this effort in each of Wisconsin's five dioceses:

Milwaukee Diocese:
St Jerome - Fr John Yockey
995 S Silver Lake St
Oconomowoc, WI
(262) 569-3020
http://www.stjerome.org/

Madison Diocese:
St Mary's Pine Bluff - Fr Richard Heilman
3673 County Highway P
Cross Plains, WI 53528
(608) 798-2111
http://stmarypb.com/

Superior Diocese:
Our Lady of Sorrows - Fr Christopher Kemp, Assoc.
1st and Corbett Avenue
Mail to: 611 First Street South
Ladysmith, WI 54848
715-532-3051

LaCrosse Diocese:
St James the Less - Fr Robert A Schaller
1032 Caledonia Street
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603-2510
(608) 782-7557
www.saintjameschurch.net

Diocese of Green Bay:
St Pius X - Fr Thomas Farrell
500 W Marquette St,
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 733-0575
http://www.stpiusxappleton.com/

Once a date is finalized for the appeal hearing to be heard in Chicago, a similar, more widespread effort will be organized.

La Crosse parish hosts Adoration for WI Marriage Amendment Appeal July 26

The State of Wisconsin recently petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to overturn a ruling that the Wisconsin law recognizing marriage as between one man-one woman is unconstitutional. A similar situation occurred in Indiana recently, so the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago will be hearing both appeals at the same time. A series of judicial rulings in late July and early August will determine the outcome. Catholics in both Wisconsin and Indiana have been in communication and are organizing spiritual opportunities for the Faithful. The time for prayer before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in support of marriage is now!

The USCCB has asked for Eucharistic Holy Hours on the last Sundays of the month for protection of life, marriage and religious freedom. Please join us at St. James the Less Catholic Church, (1032 Caledonia St., La Crosse, WI) on Saturday, July 26, the Feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne, with Eucharistic Adoration beginning after the Saturday evening Mass at 5:30 pm and continuing all night until Sunday, July 27 with Benediction and Reposition before the 7:30 am Mass. To sign up for a time please call or email me (608) 790-8998 or gemarc05@smumn.edu. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

St James - La Crosse 

Cdl. Burke on "the Lord's teaching that marriage is in fact a way to salvation"

Cardinal Raymond Burke, the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (the highest canon law court in the Catholic Church) corrects confusion spread by those who say the Church is going to change teaching about divorced and remarried receiving Holy Communion. On June 29, EWTN aired an interview of Cardinal Burke by Thomas McKenna, president of Catholic Action for Faith and Family. McKenna asked Cardinal Burke about proposals that the upcoming extraordinary synod of bishops will change the Church's teaching on remarriage after divorce. Cardinal Burke explained that this could never happen and that Cardinal Kasper caused confusion when his talk to bishops in April was publicized.

The Church can't bend to the culture when the culture errors, said Cardinal Burke:

"Some people say 'Well the culture is predominantly divorcist and therefore the Church in her practice has to adapt herself to the situation of the culture.' That is not the nature of the Church. When the Church confronts a culture that is in some way weak or defective, or failing, as our culture is, Her mission is to call the culture to conversion and to teach ever more strongly the truth about marriage and to help, of course, individuals to live according to that truth. I think for instance of example in France and also in the United States, of associations of those who are divorced who meet regularly to encourage one another to remain faithful to their marriage (to their first marriage) because they believe very sincerely in the Lord's teaching that marriage was in fact, or is in fact, a way to salvation, and so these are the kinds of things that we ought to be encouraging …" SeeYouTube.

In a divorcist culture, divorce persons believe they are single again, and if feel like it, they should start dating again to find a "new spouse." In some particular situations, marriages are not valid. The Catholic Church with a decree of invalidity recognizes these situations officially. But all marriages wherein someone filed for divorce are not invalid.

continue at Spero News


HT St. Louis Catholic

WisSJ: Madison Diocese changes process for baptism of children of same-sex couples

The Madison Catholic Diocese is altering the way it handles requests for the baptisms of children of same-sex couples, though the significance of the change is not entirely clear.

The process now will be centralized, with requests coordinated through the office of the vicar general, the bishop’s second in command, in consultation with parish priests. Previously, such decisions were left largely to priestly discretion and sensitivity.

Priests were notified of the change in a memo in early May from Monsignor James Bartylla, the diocese’s vicar general. A copy of Bartylla’s memo was given to the State Journal, though by a third party, not a priest. [well, it seems a priest would have necessarily leaked it to someone, not that I'm sure it matters]

The new approach comes as the Roman Catholic Church grapples with the issue internationally. An April 5 baptism in Argentina of a baby being raised by her biological mother and the woman’s lesbian partner kicked up a controversy.

The baptism angered some Catholics, who saw it as the church’s tacit endorsement of gay relationships. The two women were photographed kissing in the cathedral following the ceremony. The diocese’s archbishop said the church was not endorsing the gay lifestyle, saying, “Baptism is the right of every human person.”

Read more: http://host.madison.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/religion/in-the-spirit-catholic-diocese-changes-process-for-baptism-of/article_a344d830-ee7c-588d-bc59-97a9d06b5656.html#ixzz35U2jawbK

Brent King does well with this one; questions well answered.

It's a tricky one.  Since it's not possible for the child to be brought up in a Christian home, I can understand the case where the child is asked to wait until they are an adult.  Other issues along this line have come up before; the WWII Jewish orphan controversy,  or the case of Pope Pius IX and Edgardo Mortara.  I lean toward the private Baptism solution, but clearly this avenue would be exploited as it was obviously done in Argentina.  I do not envy our dear faithful priests.  I think it makes sense to consult the Vicar General though to prevent precisely that exploitation while still making the sacrament available if possible.

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Bp. Doerfler (D. Marquette) responds to removal of gay man from ministry duties

Bobby Glenn Brown was a cantor, lector and choir member at St. Michael’s Parish for the past three years. He’s been with his partner for 31 years. The two men held a commitment ceremony on Saturday.

Father Larry Van Damme, a pastor at St. Michael’s, told Brown on Sunday that he could no longer perform his ministry duties.

“In the Catholic Church, we love and embrace and want to include among our members persons with same-sex attraction,” Bishop John Doerfler said in a news conference today. “Having a same-sex attraction in no way will disqualify someone from being a member of the Church, and we also give people the benefit of the doubt that people tend to live chastely.”

Bishop Doerfler says that to the Church, having same-sex attractions and acting on them publicly are two different matters. The bishop says it was the commitment ceremony, and only the ceremony, that disqualified Brown from ministry.

“If someone were to give some type of public affirmation that it’s morally OK to act on those attractions, that’s where the departure would be,” he said. “The commitment ceremony would indicate that it would be permissible to act on those attractions, and that’s where the disconnect is from the Church’s teaching.”

Brown says he’ll find another, more accepting place to worship.

continue at ABC10

Also video:

Abp. Cordileone: "We must not allow the angry rhetoric to co-opt us into a culture of hate."

via FatherZ

From Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s address at the March for Marriage in Washington DC:

And let us not forget: we must also proclaim this truth especially with love for those who disagree with us on this issue, and most of all, for those who are hostile toward us. We must be careful, though, not to paint our opponents on this issue with broad strokes. There is a tendency in our culture to do this to groups of people the powerful don’t know and think they don’t like. We must not do that. We must recognize that there are people on the other side of this debate who are of good will and are sincerely trying to promote what they think is right and fair. It is misdirected good will. But even those from whom we suffer retribution – and I know some of you have suffered in very serious ways because of your stand for marriage – still, we must love them. That is what our ancestors in faith did, and we must, too. Yes, it is easy to become resentful when you are relentlessly and unfairly painted as a bigot and are punished for publicly standing by the basic truth of marriage as a foundational societal good; it is tempting to respond in kind. Don’t. For those of us who are Catholic, we just heard our Master command us in the gospel proclaimed at Mass the day before yesterday: “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). We must not allow the angry rhetoric to co-opt us into a culture of hate.

Wow, powerful stuff.  Very easy to forget in the 24 hour news cycle culture.  

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Bishop Morlino issues statement on Judge Crabb's ruling

Statement from Bishop Robert C. Morlino, regarding a federal judge’s ruling on marriage / Article XIII, Section 13 of Wisconsin’s Constitution:

(Madison, WI, June 6, 2014) First, it bears repeating that, we must respect, love, and care for every individual we encounter, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they define themselves. This will never change. It is at the core of who we are as members of Christ’s Church. Christ, Himself, invites each individual to know and love Him and live a life in response to His love. His love and mercy can heal all divisions that separate us; however, we must acknowledge the divisions that exist – notably those we choose through our actions. All are invited to this love and these graces offered by Christ, through His Church. This applies to all who sincerely seek the Truth.

Marriage is, and can only ever be, a unique relationship solely between one man and one woman, regardless of the decision of a judge or any vote. This is not based on any private sectarian viewpoint, but on the natural moral law that is universally binding on all peoples, at all times, and inscribed into our human nature, as man and woman from the beginning of creation. It behooves us to safeguard the sacred ecology of all nature, especially of our human nature.

In striking down the constitutional amendment in our state which protects marriage, the court has, once again, shaken one of the most precious and essential building blocks of our civilization. There can be no question that the best formation for children is in the home of their biological mother and father, generally speaking, and we should always have a greater concern for future generations than we do for ourselves.

Marriage, between one man and one woman with openness to children, is an element of the very first “domino” of civilization. The very nature of marriage naturally generates life. When that first “domino” falls, everything that is good, true, and beautiful, which is rooted on the natural family, is seriously threatened. If the “domino” of true marriage falls, then fall all subsequent “dominos.” This is demonstrated, too often, in a culture that increasingly chooses death over life.

And so, I cannot find myself otherwise than deeply saddened. We trust that every avenue of just recourse will be examined and pursued by competent authorities, including the state attorney general. The Diocese of Madison will participate in the way that seems most prudent. For my own part, I will continue to speak strongly about the truth and beauty of marriage and encourage my brother priests and deacons, and all the lay faithful, to do the same.

Let our fervent prayers not be lacking in the days ahead.

Diocese of Madison

I have thoughts but not time to type them for now.

Ah, I see Fr. Z posted as well.  Of note:

There is a website for rating and calling for the removal of judges from the bench. Here is the page for Barbara Crabb: HERE

The Third Way - new Blackstone Films production on the Church and homosexuality

I haven't watched it yet but people say it's good, Terry approved.

The Third Way from Blackstone Films on Vimeo.
ht acardnal

Bp. Morlino: Never give up on the beauty of marriage

Never giving up on the beauty of marriage

We’ve just celebrated Laetare Sunday.

We never give up hope and the way we show that we never give up hope is by proclaiming the beauty of marriage. We do so with two simple points: God created marriage and God created male and female for marriage.

Marriage is His design for human unity and human fruitfulness. This is the reason that is inscribed on the human heart.

If you look at the male anatomy and the female anatomy, it does not take a brilliant IQ to discover that male and female can become two in one flesh. It does not take a PhD to figure out what goes where, so that there might be a one-flesh union -- a union that is very joyful and a union that is pleasurable.

This union is one that is rightfully called love, because of the self-abandonment and acceptance of vulnerability that it involves. It is a beautiful union! And it is also a union where God can bring new life into the world, according to His own will.

When he calls them to marriage, God gives male and female a wonderful gift to be coworkers with Him in the space that He created for Himself that He might create new human life. That is why marriage is the highest human good. The space of sexual intimacy is so sacred that God uses it, with husband and wife, to bring new human life into the world. That is a beautiful, sacred thing.

As husband and wife express love, their love is so strong that by the power of God and according to His will, their love is strong as to be life-giving.

That is beautiful! It is a beautiful reality, and I think we need to have hope that the beauty of true marriage can still overpower the darkness that has brought us into this night.

We have to realize just how beautiful marriage is and we have to talk about the beauty of marriage. We have to talk about how it is a call worthy of the dignity of the human person and worthy of the cooperation of male and female.

God calls male and female to marriage. God does not call, according to His plan, two males or two females to marry each other. He just does not do that.

full article at MadCatHerald 

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Gender Ideology and Cultural Marxism

via Abbey-Roads

Rorate posted a "Pastoral letter" from the Polish Bishops' Conference on marriage and "Cultural Marxism."  For some people, "pastoral" means letting the sheep be eaten by wolves if that's what they truly feel makes them happy.  Apparently the Polish Bishops think otherwise.  This is brilliant. .... can we get something like this in the US?  I did find that the USCCB has a well updated section for Defense of Marriage in the News.

["Gender" Ideology and Cultural Marxism]

The gender ideology is the product of many decades of ideological and cultural changes that are deeply rooted in Marxism and neo-Marxism endorsed by some feminist movements and the sexual revolution. This ideology promotes principles that are totally contrary to reality and an integral understanding of human nature. It maintains that biological sex is not socially significant and that cultural sex which humans can freely develop and determine irrespective of biological conditions is most important. According to this ideology, humans can freely determine whether they want to be men or women and freely choose their sexual orientation. This voluntary self-determination, not necessarily life-long, is to make the society accept the right to set up new types of families, for instance, families built on homosexual relations.

The danger of gender ideology lies in its very destructive character both for men, people contacts and social life as a whole. Humans unsure of their sexual identity are not capable of discovering and fulfilling tasks that they face in their marital, family social and professional lives. Attempts to form different types of relations de facto seriously weaken marriage as a community created by a man and a woman and the family built on marriage.

We see different attitudes formed in reaction to actions demonstrated by advocates of the gender ideology. A decisive majority has no idea what this ideology is about and consequently does not feel threatened by it. A small group of people, particularly teachers and educators, as well as Catechists and pastoral ministers, tries to find their own constructive ways to counter this ideology. Finally there are those who, seeing the absurdity of this ideology, believe that Poles will reject the utopian visions they are presented with. Meanwhile, without public knowledge or Poles’ consent for many months now the gender ideology has been slowly introduced into different structures of social life: education, health service, cultural and education centres and non-governmental organisations. Some media portray this ideology in a positive way: as a means to counteract violence and to aim for equality.

continue at Rorate Caeli for the full letter

The Charge of King Sobieski

Illinois Catholic lawmakers cite Pope Francis in decision to back gay ‘marriage’

LifeSiteNews.com) – In its report Wednesday on the Illinois legislature’s passage of same-sex “marriage,” the Chicago Tribune cited two developments since May that helped the bill’s backers get the final votes they needed: the Supreme Court’s DOMA ruling and Pope Francis’ comments on homosexuality.
SPRINGFIELD, IL, November 7, 2013 (

The paper quotes two Catholic state representatives who cited Pope Francis in explaining their decision to support the measure: Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia and House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan reportedly also secured between five and 10 additional votes to redefine marriage.

The papal comments at issue came in an interview with reporters in July on Pope Francis’ flight back from World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?" the pope said.

According to the Tribune, those comments “sparked a wave of soul-searching by several Catholic lawmakers who had battled to reconcile their religious beliefs with their sworn duty to represent their constituents who were increasingly supportive of gay rights even as Cardinal Francis George remained opposed.”

Rep. Chapa LaVia said: "As a Catholic follower of Jesus and the pope, Pope Francis, I am clear that our Catholic religious doctrine has at its core love, compassion and justice for all people.”

continue at LifeSite

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