The LCWR: It's About Time

If you did not know, the Leadership Conference for Religious Women (LCWR) has been dressed down by the Vatican. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) found grave and serious doctrine problems in the LCWR. For those Catholics who know their faith, this is no surprise.

The Root of the Problem
The doctrinal problems are at the root of the LCWR's problems. They are like any of the many theologians who have seperated themselves from the Church by their dissent. The Catholic Faith has one united teaching, not many.  Her dogma does not change, however the LCWR seems to think it does.

As the Congregration for the Doctrine of the Faith says:

The Cardinal noted a prevalence of certain radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith in some of the programs and presentations sponsored by the LCWR, including theological interpretations that risk distorting faith in Jesus and his loving Father who sent his Son for the salvation of the world.

The LCWR also dissents against the Vatican, a remarkable hubris. We are all dependent on the guidance of the Magisterium, men and women alike. This is not a gender thing, it is an authority issue. The Protestants headed down this road, and look where it got them; dissent, heresy, schism and dissolution:

The Cardinal spoke of this issue in reference to letters the CDF received from “Leadership Teams” of various Congregations, among them LCWR Officers, protesting the Holy See’s actions regarding the question of women’s ordination and of a correct pastoral approach to ministry to homosexual persons, e.g. letters about New Ways Ministry’s conferences.

Even Jesus does not find reverence in this organization. They think they can move beyond the infinite God and Man:

The Cardinal offered as an example specific passages of Sr. Laurie Brink’s address about some Religious “moving beyond the Church” or even beyond Jesus.

We are all subject to error. We all need the voice of Christ through his apostolic teachers (Luke 10:16). Thank God for the guidance of the Church and its compassion that is drawing his flock back to himself.

The Bishops Are Democrats?

One has to wonder about the American Bishops. They were misinformed or hoodwinked by one nun, Sister Carol Keehan , who according to reports, assured them that Obama would not force contraception or abortion on them. Now, through services and medication, he as done both.

Doctors and Nurses
This is no surprise. Obama overturned previous conscience exemptions, which effected all healthcare providers, including doctors and nurses.  Nurses were put in a position where they are supposed to assist in abortions, which they are now suing to prevent from happening in the future. One nurse was coerced to assist in an abortion and is suing because of that.

Pharmacists
Pharmacists were forced to make a choice about their jobs. During the Bush Administration, they were given a conscience exemption, which they did not have to proscribe contraceptives. Now, they may loose their jobs.

The Future
There is an old saw in Psychology, "the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."  Based on Obama's past performance, this gives us little hope he will change his stance in the future.

I have my own version, watch what a Candidate does, do not believe to what he says. Romney says he is pro-life, but his past support of contraceptives and abortion in Massachusetts, show a different story. He talks a good game, however, many in business do not mind lying it is gets them what they want, power. We have two candidates who has consistently stood for life. Neither of them is Romney.

Mormons have the dogma doctrinal evolution, which means their doctrine can change.  Such is the case with polygamy. I guess they think God is not all-knowing and therefore cannot get it correct this first time, every time.

Romney, who is a Mormon bishop, believes his so-called Church's doctrine. I wonder if his policies will evolve as well. Wait, he used the term evolve regarding his abortion stance. Hmm.

I wonder, if we have a Romney presidency, will he try to force polygamy on others? Will he relativize our moral framework, which is already quickly eroding?

The Bishops
Are they Democrats? Is they why they were so willing to believe Sister Carol Keehan. Are they members of the Old Democract's club? Why are they so willing to believe Sister Keehan, and unwilling to look at Obama's past behavior as a predictor? Or are they just poor judges of people?

"Be as clever as serpents, yet as innocent as doves" (Matt 10:16).

Where is the cleverness?  Perhaps it is time for the laity to step and do our mission, as well. We need to inform the bishops of the real deception that is going on in Society and the bounds that the power-hungry and Church-hating will go to in order to win an election.  The bishops seem clueless. Maybe it is time for them to be informed by those who are given a mission of ordering the World to the Gospel:

"It is not permissible for anyone to remain idle...But in particular the lay faithful are called to restore to creation all its original value. In ordering creation to the authentic well-being of humanity in an activity governed by the life of grace, they share in the exercise of the power with which the Risen Christ draws all things to himself and subjects them along with himself to the Father, so that God might be everything to everyone" (Christfidelis Laici, 3, 14).


We need to tell the bishops how the World functions, how those who hunger for power have no limits to their deception and how we need to be clever as serpents, with a proven liar and religious persecutor named Barrack Obama. Maybe next time, with our input and import, they will be ahead of the game.

Catholics in Political Life

One of the thorniest discussion topics among Catholics is politics. Politics is hands-off by many Catholics, especially around Cafeteria Catholics, who pick and choose their doctrine.

Catholics and Politics
This is strange to me, because the bishops of the United States are hands-on when it comes to political policy. In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us we have a responsibility (read "sin not to exercise") our duties as citizens:

The Church, because of her commission and competence, is not to be confused in any way with the political community. She is both the sign and the safeguard of the transcendent character of the human person. "The Church respects and encourages the political freedom and responsibility of the citizen"(Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2245).

While it is generally a venial sin not to exercise our duty to vote, it can become a mortal sin when, with sufficient knowledge and full consent of the will, a person becomes a deciding vote in an election that has a moral issue at the center of it:

"Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1859).

 Despite many bishops speaking out about abortion being the most important issue in the 2008 elections, 53% of Catholics voted for Obama. Disregarding the informed opinion of a bishop is a lack of faith in Catholicism. We must give it due consideration.

Should We Discuss Politics Among Catholics?
It is our duty to inform and educate. Of course, we must do such according to our competencies (Christefidelis Laici, 62). Politics is often avoided. When I was studying Speech Communications, one of the key rules they said was "Do not discuss religion and politics at work or a Social."  We, however, have a different calling.

We must educate our fellow Catholics on doctrine, and how our faith should inform our voting habits. We should put Catholicism at the head of our list when choosing a candidate. In my opinion, no issue is more important in the upcoming election, except maybe the economy and possible bankruptcy of our Country.