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TUESDAY February 8, 2000 vol. 11, no. 27 SECTION ONESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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In today's editorial, we challenge the political correct aficianodoes in showing how they are all confused and have turned normal into abnormal. We call for a new kind of correctness: "Christ correctness" to offset the insidious, insipid and extremely dangerous agenda of those who espouse the political correctness anthem that is threatening to make the abnormal normal and make us feel guilty about it. To that we say: "Political correctness be damned! for it comes from the damned one - satan! For today's editorial Those who oppose solid Church teaching could be called perverts! , click on CATHOLIC PewPOINT
But the culture of death advocates which include those promoting the gay agenda are fighting a vicious, underhanded battle both on our own shores and in other countries, most notably in Britain where the pro-gay faction is trying their darndest to repeal a ruling called Section 28 that presently prevents homosexuality from gaining a foothold in schools and society. In this system of checks and balances, Cardinal Thomas Winning, Archbishop of Glasgow was at first the only voice speaking out strongly against the gay agenda. In an effort to discredit him they attacked him as a homophobe for calling homosexuality perverted. Sorry, folks, but he's speaking the truth. Homosexuality is perverted. It is not as God intended and therefore, as Webster's Dictionary quotes, "Turned from a right course; misdirected." It also lists as a second definition, "Willfully wicked; vicious." And that is what they are doing in trying to bring the good cardinal down. Why? Because by defaming him, they think they will flame the fires of fear that others will be considered "homophobes" if they listen and heed the cardinal's warning. It's an old ploy that has been perfected by the pro-aborts and gay factions and fine-tuned because of that ridiculous other ploy - political correctness.
We have one answer to that: political correctness be damned! We say this when pc goes against God's laws and that's what pc bull does more often than not. It's a smokescreen liberals love to hide behind. Webster's doesn't list "political correctness" as a word yet, but they do list "correctness" as "free from error." That's an oxymoron when it is tied with "political" for political correctness definitely does not mean "free from error." Rather it means "full of error" in trying to make the abnormal normal and the normal abnormal. They have done a pretty good job of it and it has been done by the perverts. Woe, what do we mean by that? Again, Webster's defines "pervert" as one who "causes deviation from the right, true, or regular course in, of, or to; to derange." A second definition is "To misinterpret or misapply" and a third is "To lead astray; to corrupt." Now tell us the liberals are not perverted. The syllogism follows for have they not caused deviation from the right, true or regular course? The right, true, or regular course is the same God intended for man and woman when He created Adam and Eve; the right, true or regular course is the same that God intended when He deigned that man and woman would procreate; the right, true or regular course is the same that God intended when He decreed that life is sacred and no one has the right to tamper. Scientists over the century have been called on the carpet by the Church when they deviated from the norm, from the ways of God.
The keyword "to lead astray and to corrupt" can be attributed to the source - the evil one who was the first to turn away from God and embrace "political correctness" by believing he was like God. Pride doomed him to eternal damnation and, since misery loves company, he honed the seven deadly sins to the point where they look enticing without revealing the consequences until it's too late. So therefore, as the author of "political correctness" he has also fine-tuned the rhetoric and rationalization and, through his patented half-truths, left many more confused and believing his lies. Such is the modus operandi of his disciples in the culture of death movement. They have cleverly turned the tables where we are supposed to feel guilty if we speak out against someone or something that greatly offends God, while we are being taught through the media and in our schools to shed any guilt if we want to embrace our own selfish wants. God is taboo; another triumph of satan. Isn't it sad that the only time one can pray in school is when one is cowering beneath a desk for fear of their life as a crazed gunman cuts a swath of bullets throughout the room aiming at anything that moves? Such was the case at Columbine High School a year ago. Even though the father of one of the slain students lobbied so eloquently to return God and prayer to the schools as Sister Mary Lucy Astuto related over the weekend in her column, still the liberals throw up the roadblock of "Church-state separation" totally misinterpreting the Constitution as our founding fathers intended. It brings back the definition of pervert: "to misinterpret or misapply." It is time for every Catholic to scrap "political correctness" and apply a new term: "Christ correctness!"
It brings into question this upcoming presidential election and the vital need to choose a man who will not only restore decency to the office, but sanity to our laws and regulations. We have seen by Al Gore's and Bill Bradley's platforms that the Democrats offer no one with these qualities. Therefore, it is not a matter of party but of necessity that the next president must be a Republican for they are the only ones who will uphold the culture of life. As we covered in our last editorial, polls are manipulative and this is exactly what the liberal media is doing in this presidential campaign. More and more the pro-life candidates are getting either less coverage or bad coverage as they try to extoll the one Republican who is not as committed to pro-life as Alan Keyes, Steve Forbes or even George W. Bush. Their latest darling is John McCain whose pro-life record is questionable. We're not denigrating the man, but we would truly like to know where he stands on pro-life before he is anointed the Republican candidate by the almighty media. It's up to Catholics to make a difference in this upcoming election. Catholics represent 25% of the total vote in America. They can make a difference. Unfortunately, too many Catholics have either clung to their Democratic roots that were handed down to them by their ancestors when the Democratic party stood for virtues espoused by the Church. But over the years as the erosion took place within its political ranks, Catholics have not adjusted their thinking regardless of the fact that by and large the Democratic party has abandoned the values of life through their adoption of abortion. It's time for all Catholics to understand this erosion and vote in solidarity for a pro-life candidate. This is something every bishop and priest-from-the-pulpit should stress: vote for the pro-life candidate without naming names or parties but educating them as to what party is pro-life for, as we have said so many times in these pages, it's not a matter of politics but of morals.
In addition to politics and society in general, perversion by Webster's definition has also infiltrated the Church in the modernist agenda where the liberals cause deviation from the right, true, or regular course and attempt to misinterpret or misapply. The "spirit of Vatican II" is an excellent example of this. Webster's even includes a second definition when used as a noun: "One who has turned to error, esp. in religion." If that doesn't describe the radical or liberal Catholic, nothing does. Therefore, according to Webster's Cardinal Winning was right in calling those who oppose God's laws as "perverts." Think about it. Christ chastises the Pharisees in today's gospel in Mark 7: 6-7 when he repeated the words of the prophet Isaias, "Well did Isaias prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; and in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the precepts of men.'" Isn't this what the modernists are teaching? The precepts of men? Therefore, much to the chagrin of liberals, we not only being "politically correct" but "Christ correct" when we say that those who oppose solid Church teaching could be called perverts!
Today we continue with our new series in the search to uncover the wonderful treasures of the Church contained in the great Deposit of Faith, concentrating today on the second part of our short treatise on Divine Tradition. For the 105th installment, see APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH
Several years passed after the Ascension of Christ before the Gospels were written down. In the meantime, Christians had to depend on Tradition solely: Tradition is older than the New Testament. When the books composing the New Testament were written, the various writers had some definite and immediate purpose in mind. For example, Saint John's Gospel was to combat heresies that had arisen denying the divinity of Christ.
If the Church teaches any doctrine that cannot be found in Holy Scripture, it will be found in Tradition, and therefore traceable to the Apostles. Those who follow up the course of a river gradually draw near the source, and discover whence the waters flow. In the same way we can trace the historical sources of the teachings of the Church and arrive at their sourse: the Apostles themselves whom Christ appointed guardians and teachers of His religion.
Divine Tradition teaches us all the doctrines that were taught by the Apostles. It comes to us from the Apostles. Every single doctrine the Church teaches comes direct from the Apostles. The Church does not issue new doctrines.
The four Evangelists wrote their records of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ in widely separated places; it is a proof of authenticity that the Gospels agree in their essentials, and often even repeat the very same words. When the writers of the New Testament did begin to write, they did not intend to sset down all the details of Catholic faith and practice, but only such points as were immediately interesting or that needed clarification.
Tradition teaches us what books belong to the Bible. By tradition the Church kept intact all the books of the Bible for fifteen hundred years before the existence of denominations that nevertheless asset the Church does not care for the Bible.
Protestant denominations reject Tradition. Consequently, they cannot agree about which books to include in the Bible. One denomination eliminates one part, other denominations omit other parts, according to the respective private interpretation, to suit their particular creed.
Having rejected Tradition, Protestants cannot be certain that the books they have accepted are genuine. On whose authority have they accepted what they have? Protestant Bibles, the most popular of which is called the "King James version," omit all or parts of the Books of Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, Machabees (I and II), and parts of Esther and Daniel.
Martin Luther rejected the Epistle of Saint James, because the Apostle said that faith without works is dead. He claimed that faith alone is necessary for salvation. Luther and followers also omitted the Apocalypse, the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the Epistle of Saint Jude.
Tomorrow: The Church and Divine Revelation part one
On this date 450 years ago in 1550 the Sacred Conclave chose their fellow colleague Cardinal Giovanni Maria del Monte, the 63 year-old Bishop of Palestrina, as the 221st successor of Peter. He chose the name Pope Julius III and, after celebrating the Jubilee Year, set about to strengthen the Church by reopening the Council of Trent a year later. He also strongly opposed the Protestant leader - German emperor Charles V and pushed for the legitimacy of Mary of Tudor's right to the English throne. Unfortunately her half sister Elizabeth prevailed through treachery and England has never been the same. His pontificate lasted five years for he died on March 23, 1555. For other time capsule events that happened in Church history on this date, see MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
649 A.D.
Death of Saint Paul of Verdun, Bishop who turned his back on a raucous life in the world to embrace monastery life where he taught the young monks until the king, seeing the great pastoral approach shown by Paul, appointed him Bishop of Verdun in the days when monarchs invested clergy.
1089 A.D.
Death of Saint Peter Igneus, Cardinal Archbishop of Albano. He studied under the wise tutelage of Saint John Gualbert. Early in Peter's priesthood he uncovered definitive evidence that the bishop of Florence was guilty of simony. To prove he was not lying, he walked through a wall of fire without even getting singed. It was from that time forward that he was given the name "Igneus" which means "of the fire." Blessed Pope Urban II was so impressed with his burning desire for the truth, that he appointed Peter Papal Legate to various foreign lands.
1481 A.D.
Death of Saint Jerome Emiliani, priest and religious founder. For more on this saint, see DAILY LITURGY.
1550 A.D.
Cardinal Giovanni Maria del Monte is elected the 221st successor of Peter and chooses the name Pope Julius III. His pontificate would last five years in which he would reopen the Council of Trent and continue to oppose Lutheran doctrines. He strongly supported Mary Tudor as Queen of England and, in hopes of reestablishing the Catholic Faith in Britain, sent papal legates there. Unfortunately Elizabeth would have none of it and, as history showed, Mary was not long for this world. He would also celebrate the 10th Jubilee in the year he was elected.
Historical Events in Church Annals for February 8:
570 A.D.
Death of Saint Honoratus, Bishop of Milan who was greatly persecuted by the Lombards and the Arians and forced to flee from his see. He died in exile, greatly saddened that he could not be there for his flock.
While we provide reviews of three films making their debut in video stores today - "Blue Streak," "Tarzan," and "The Astronaut's Wife" - those can all be easily dismissed and forgotten when compared with our two recommended videos for the week. One is the most recent classic by Victor Hugo "Les Miserables" starring Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush in the dueling roles of hunted and hunter, and the tres excellent film produced in 1943 and 56 years later still a classic in the truest sense - David O. Selznick's masterpiece "Song of Bernadette" that we can't praise enough for Jennifer Jones' Oscar winning performance as Saint Bernadette of Soubirous in Lourdes. For the reviews of all these videos, see VIDEOS & VIRTUES
NOTE: We respectfully recognize and accept the final authority regarding apparitions, locutions and prophecies presently being reported around the world rests with the Holy See of Rome and the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church to whose judjment we humbly and obediently submit.
"Dear children! I call you, little children, to pray without ceasing. If you pray, you
are closer to God and He will lead you on the way of peace and salvation. That is why I call you today to give
peace to others. Only in God is there true peace. Open your hearts and become those who give a gift of peace
and others will discover peace in you and through you and in this way you will witness God's peace and love
which He gives you. Thank you for having responded to my call."
