Comments on: Letter on Healthcare Mandate

By: ira blacker

ira blacker — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:08:05 +0000

I know it may be hard to believe sir, but as a Jewish non religious person, I wholeheartedly support your position. The “lord of the lies” in Washington has no business putting his nose into the culture and dogma of the Church or any religion. It is in fact a violation of the constitution, but what does Pinocchio in DC know about that, as he has 20 lawsuits against him at the moment or usurpation of his power.

I am for your position as it clearly is your right to “tend your own flock” and not for the government to meddle in. If people do not stand up now, what freedoms will we lose next? I am fully aware that many of your followers even practice birth control. However this is not a matter over birth control or abortion, but one of religious freedom. If I am to have my right to observe how I choose, then I must value yours.

By: John V. Thomas

John V. Thomas — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:58:03 +0000

The President is attempting to force faith based institutions to provide insurance coverage for drugs and services that are not in accordance with firmly held beliefs. Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmum addressed the issue directly: “The Free Exercise Clause at the very least was designed to guarantee freedom of conscience by prohibiting any degree of compulsion in matters of belief.” The discussion about the pros and cons of contraception or abortion inducing drugs or sterilization are not relevant to the broader issue of the Constitutional protections Americans possess. We are not a “democracy” but a “constitutional republic”. Our citizens are protected by the rights outlined in the Constitution. The reason that the leaders of many faiths are joining with Catholic leaders is that they do not want the government to force any religion to violate the tenets of their faiths.

By: Villa Ricca

Villa Ricca — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:53:40 +0000

Citizenship will always comes first.

Religion can not interfere with Citizenship Rights.

Religion is like a social club where you go to play ping-pong and chat with friends who have similar interests. So Freedom of Religion is having the right to exist for prayer. We have the right to built our churches, go for the services, organize to help the needy and gather anytime to pray. Any Religion must fit into the law of the land and stay out of Citizenship Rights just because Citizenship is a Right not a choice so it comes first.

You can’t say that your Religion prohibits you from paying taxes and denying you from having that right constitute an attack of Freedom of Religion. Religion cannot ever interfere with Citizenship matters because this will be an attack to your freedom. That’s the real danger, which is an attack to the Constitution.

Villa Ricca
Catholic Person

By: Dr. John P Sprucinski

Dr. John P Sprucinski — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:01:40 +0000

I am appalled by your, and the majority of the “Catholic” hierarchy, talking a false witness position as to freedom of religion with the latest HHR . As a church and religion there is no threat to your brand of belief. False positions like yours foster the comments of irrational fear such as Sandy H has expressed and does us all a disservice. You know your position is a lie and yet you continue with it – that is why the Catholic church and members of it like you drive individuals away from God rather than closer. Kindly stop the lies!!!!

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:32:04 +0000

“The foolish man of little faith may say it is a natural animal instinct to reproduce, degrading man to the level of a thoughtless beast. How foolish can intelligence render a man? For animals have no conception of love nor emotions, no pleasures derived from their day to day witness of their children as they grow and interact in their parent-child relationship; they cherish no memories and they know no guilt for wrongful acts a husband or wife may commit in offense to their loved one. They have no thought or desire in the willing commitment of a relationship with their beloved. Is it not true that man well knows his being is above all creation? Although many of My children have abused this precious gift I have bestowed upon them, there has never been a child conceived that was not My child. There has never been a soul brought into the world that I did not love, and never a child I did not wish to share in eternal life. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. It is because of these I have so long ago proclaimed, for every human life I will demand an accounting; even from animals I will demand an accounting of human life and from man I will demand it, for each and every one is My child whom I love. Yes, I love you.”

Excerpt from “Meaning of Life” http://seekingdivinemercy.blogspot.com/2011/10/meaning-of-life-why-did-god-create-us.html

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:28:11 +0000

If everyone held the same blind devotion and defensive stand for Jesus Christ as some seem to have for President Obama, we would not be on the verge of moral and economic collapse as we are today. But then, President Obama would not have been elected president by the same standard.

By: Heather Wilson

Heather Wilson — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 03:02:16 +0000

David Casper – thank you for your very kind and thoughtful response. I managed to function as a “cafeteria” Catholic (take what I like and disregard the rest) for many many years. For whatever reason, I just can’t/won’t anymore. The peace I have felt since finally saying thus far and no further is that grace-filled peace that you know comes from beyond your own being.
If I am appalled by the hypocrisy of the Church hierarchy, as I am, how can I possibly continue to collude with it by taking what is dear to me (the Sacraments) and putting aside the rest? I can’t put it aside anymore, I won’t. I am certain my leaving the Church has zero impact on changing anything – just as staying wouldn’t make a shred of difference either. However, for my own integrity, it makes a huge difference in my own heart. I am no Saint Francis. Regardless, the likelihood of a lay woman ever having even a remote possibility of correcting problems or being heard by the church hierarchy is almost laughable. I can’t think of one woman, in recent memory, or even not so recent, ever making any changes to the Church “from within.” Can you?
Thanks again David. I appreciated your comments.

By: David Casper

David Casper — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:20:29 +0000

Heather Wilson:

I agree that the bishops have not taken as strong or as public a stance as they probably should have on many issues. But mistakes made on the part of the bishops is no reason to renounce the Catholic Church as a whole. Belonging to the Church involves believing in her doctrines, especially such things as the True Presence in the Eucharist. Could you actually justify disavowing your belief in the Eucharist for any reason whatsoever, let alone mere human imperfection? If the Eucharist actually is Jesus, then how can you grow closer to Jesus by leaving the one faith that possesses the Eucharist?

Your reaction here is similar to the reaction of Martin Luther when he observed things that were going wrong in the Church: he decided to leave the Church and start his own.

The proper reaction to these problems is that of St. Francis of Assisi: rather than leaving and renouncing the Church, he sought to transform it from the inside out through prayer and hard work (and it worked).

I am ashamed of certain things in the Church’s history as well, and of things the Church is doing now. But the fallen, imperfect humans in the Church are transcended by the Church herself, because she is the Body and Bride of Christ. Leaving that is to leave Christ, and to leave the pure, unfettered intimacy you have with Him in the Holy Eucharist. Distancing yourself from the Church Christ founded is no way to draw nearer to Him. I pray you will reconsider, and seek reconciliation. We need passionate people such as yourself to help transform these shortcomings into areas where the Church shines and excels above all others. Here, where you see a problem, is your moment to act to correct that problem, not to throw everything away wholesale.

By: Sandy H

Sandy H — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:55:07 +0000

Your Eminence,
More and more I hear about obama, I truly fear for all Americans, and our freedoms in all areas, if this man is re-elected. Please, please, I beg of you not to back down on this matter, no compromise at all. period!!! All religions will suffer the consequences if we give in to the bullying of this regime. It seems as those he is more worried about apologizing to the islamic extremist about the mistakenly burning of the koran, than what the conscience and views of his own people are, in America. I have a suggestion, and it is from scripture. Jesus who healed the mute boy, and the disciples could not heal him, so they called upon Jesus to do it, and the scripture says…..Mark 9:28&29 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”….fasting and prayer was mentioned by Jesus many times. My suggestion for you to consider, is to have a National day of fasting and prayer in the Catholic Church, over this matter, and all religions can join in if they so choose. We need some strength, and spiritual help in this matter, and what better time, during Lent, to set aside a day, for fasting and prayer, for this matter. I hope you will take my recommendation to heart. I pray for you for strength, and perseverance. Stay strong, and don’t back down, our spiritual lives are at stake here. Thank you and may the Lord Bless you always!!

By: Heather Wilson

Heather Wilson — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:24:45 +0000

To Steve McPartlin – with regard to my country, I have a problem with right wing extremists like Santorum who has the audacity to judge President Obama’s theology, or the angry haters like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. I have a real problem with what they have done to spread misinformation and divisiveness. But I left the Church when I realized how it has become politicized, inserted itself in the electoral process (for example when the archbishop of St Louis grabbed headlines saying he would not give Senator Kerry communion). I also was thoroughly disgusted when Sr. Margaret McBride was excommunicated for her role in a life saving medical procedure that was deemed an abortion by the bishop in Phoenix. This good and kind, decent woman was excommunicated. Have any of the hundreds (thousands?) of priests who raped children been excommunicated? One? Nope. So Steve, I have a much bigger issue with being a part of this Church. The Church is in a huge uproar now regarding this contraception issue – sanctity of life etc – I get it – but the silence was quite deafening last September when Troy Davis, likely an innocent man, was put to death. So much for the sanctity of his life. . The inconsistencies, the lack of regard for women, making political statements and forcing letters to be read from the pulpit that assert a political agenda – it makes you wonder which Super PAC bought the Church? It is sad.
And to Vency – thank you for your prayers. I am sure you are sincere. Obviously I know I am a sinner, I understand the church is imperfect due to all the imperfect people in it. I worked for a very long time within the Church (even taught religion in a catholic school for many years) but have had to come to realize I have no power to affect any change, as a woman it is highly unlikely I would be heard. Revering life as I do, it is way too short to be spending precious time and energy continuing to fruitlessly work for change from within.

And with regard to racist remarks – I was not accusing the USCCB of making them – they are rampant throughput the posts on this thread and others – anti-Obama rhetoric from the fox news play book. What I resent is the fact that the USCCB seems to collude with and promote divisiveness with rhetoric such as a war on religion, an assault on religious liberty etc. It is not about that at all – it is about living in a pluralistic society where not everyone shares the same beliefs but everyone has to follow the same laws. Instead it is blown into his whole huge drama.
Enough. Again – thanks for yOur prayers but I can’t imagine ever coming back. Just as I thought very long and hard and with much prayer regarding joining the church those many years ago, it has been a gradual , prayerful and sad process of recognizing I can’t be a part of this anymore. I am ashamed of what the church has done and continues to do.