This makes me very sad. I feel so strongly that the church is violating the seperation between church and state. I feel very badly that the church I love has Bishops and others in it that delight in being part of a witch hunt. Do they really think this kind of attitude brings us together? Do they really think that this harsh judgment makes one repent of their ways?
I have news for you, harsh judgment and throwing stones at people who believe in the seperation between church and state, who voted for the person they thought would do the best job in public office, or were forced to have an abortion or had an abortion willingly because she had no other choice; only drives people away.
I reject this kind of harsh judgment witch hunt behavior within the church, but I do not reject the church. I know I will be accused of being a terrible evil person, but I am sticking to my guns as that Bishop is sticking to his guns and for what he believes is right. While he is praised, me and the other Catholics who disagree with the witch hunt and harsh judgment of those who refuse to march lockstep to the message (that we have the right to condemn those Catholics who refuse to join the Christian Right in their pushing religion into the political arena) are condemned as evil and people want to expel us from the church. Is this truly the way of Jesus? I think not!!! I think it is more like the people Christ condemned for their harsh judgment of others.
Yes, I may be standing alone. There may be very few Catholics who will speak out against this injustice, but I will not cheer this Bishop or his actions. I will speak out and do what I believe I must. I believe in the seperation between church and state. This is the United States of America and not the United States of the Christian Right. I feel like the church is moving in the direction that is only going to hurt people and could cause the church to divide. So let’s say you get your wish and you toss all of us evil Catholics out, what will you have left?
I love Jesus and Mother Mary. I read the gospels and it is message is love and compassion, social justice and helping the poor, healing and not one of harsh judgment, throwing stones, conducting witch hunts, or making someone feel that there is no forgiveness because they happen to have an abortion. Where was the church when I was forced to have an abortion? Were they there to help me? Were they there to give me a place to stay until the baby was born and could be given up for adoption? No, they knew I was being forced against my will and did nothing. No, they only blamed me and allowed me to go through hell. Yet, I am this evil person. I would think that come judgment day that they too will have to face the judgment for not helping me so as to stop me from having to do something that I didn’t want to do. Yes, I have a lot of anger. Anger is different than hate.
This is not the attitude of Christ. I don’t know, why I am bother to try and remain in the Catholic Church when all they see is the scarlet letter on my head that I am an evil person who had an abortion. If this is the attitude than why even bother? Yet, I love Jesus and Mother Mary and I know that they love me and that they have forgiven me. I am not sure they can be happy with what is going on in the church today with the witch hunt that is going on toward women/girls who had an abortion because she was either forced or felt it was the only thing she can do, Public Officials who voted for Pro-Choice because they believed it was the best thing to do for this country, or those Catholics who voted for a candidate who is pro-choice because on other issues such as social justice that pro choice candidate is better.
Again I ask the question, let’s say your side wins and you have gotten rid of all these evil Catholics what kind of church will you have left?
God Bless This Bishop!
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009, 9:22 AM
God Bless This Bishop! By Fr LW Gonzales On February 21st, 2009 Bishop of Scranton bars pro-abortion officials from St. Patrick's Day Masses Scranton, a.,Feb 20, 2009 / 05:53 pm (CNA).- explaining that he is determined to "prevent scandal," Bishop of Scranton Joseph Martino has said that he will cancel Masses for St. Patrick's Day or for the St Patrick's Day Parade if any pro-abortion officials are honored at the holiday events. The bishop said that scandal could arise if the Catholic Church is seen to be involved in honoring such officials. John M. Dougherty,the Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton,explained Bishop Martino's views in a Feb. 6 letter to John Keeler,President of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Lackawanna County. Saying that St. Peter's Cathedral plays "no small role"in the local observance of St. Patrick's Day, Bishop Dougherty noted that localcelebrations often honor elected public officials. This honoring takes place when they are given parade positions or dais opportunities. "While some of the officials have merited the pride our local people take in them, thers have positions and voting records that have contributed to the daily killing of the unborn by abortion," Bishop Dougherty wrote. Saying Bishop Martino understands and blesses" he ethnic pride of men and women in the diocese he is also "determined to prevent scandal." This scandal would take place "when or if" the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, the Saint Patrick's Parade Association of Lackawanna County or the Society of Irish Women should honor such officials and the Catholic Church is seen to be involved. If the prevention of scandal requires it,Bishop Dougherty wrote, Bishop Martino may close St. Peter's Cathedral or any Catholic church in the diocese for Masses which include the honoring of pro-abortion elected officials. "It is certainly the Bishop's hope that judicious choices of elected public officials to be honored by your organization will make unnecessary any such action on his part. He asks, however, that I communicate with you now so as to avoid any surprise should he be required to take action in this most serious matter,"Bishop Dougherty's letter said before concluding with a blessing. According to WNEP-TV,parade organizers say they've never honored pro-abortion politicians in their parade and don't plan to start. "We met as a committee and formulated our opinion that we support the bishop's position.We don't feel it should impact the parade or its Mass," Mike Harrity of the St. Patrick's Parade association said. Scranton resident Corey Eagen told WNEP-TV he didn't think the bishop should break with tradition "just because he's not happy with the way other people act." Robert Malos, another Scranton resident, had kind words for Bishop Martino's action,saying: "Maybe some people would say `extreme' but he's sticking to his guns and in a way, I kind of admire him for that.I like a guy who says something and sticks to it.I have no problem with that at all."
Great blog and hope to have some time soon to come back and read more!