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Conversations I have had lead me to conclude that Pres. Obama is waging a war against Catholic military chaplains.
The Archbishop for the Military Services in these USA has issued directives about Catholic chaplains and same-sex unions.
Read the whole thing HERE but here are samples:
[…]
No Catholic priest or deacon may be forced by any authority to witness or bless the union of couples of the same gender. No Catholic priest or deacon can be obliged to assist at a “Strong Bonds” or other “Marriage Retreat”, if that gathering is also open to couples of the same gender. A priest who is asked to counsel non-Catholic parties in a same-gendered relationship will direct them to a chaplain who is able to assist. Catholic parties will, of course, be encouraged by the priest to strive to live by the teaching of the Gospel.
Participation in retirements, changes of command, and promotion ceremonies is possible, as long as the priest is not required to acknowledge or approve of a “spouse” of the same gender.
While the tradition of the Catholic Church always tries to find reasons to bury the dead, a priest may not be placed in a situation where his assistance at a funeral for a Catholic would give the impression that the Church approves of same sex “marital” relationships (see CIC, c. 1184, §1,3º). In the case of doubt, the Archbishop for the Military Services, USA must be consulted (see CIC, c. 1184, §2).
Lay MinistriesObviously, anyone who is known to be in a sinful relationship is excluded from ministries in the Catholic community. While this list is not intended to cover every situation, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, catechists, and members of the Catholic Council immediately come to mind.
[…]
I am not unaware that the faithful entrusted to my pastoral care also include those Catholics who exercise command positions. They can be faced with additional questions as they fulfill their responsibilities to those above and below them in the chain of command. Consequently in response to a doubt raised by the AMS regarding the question of a person’s possible cooperation with evil, the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) stated:
“Commanders of United States military installations/veterans’ facilities (hereafter, ‘commanders’) would not be engaging in morally illicit cooperation, but rather tolerable remote mediate material cooperation with evil by implementing federal employee benefits accruing pursuant to same-sex marriage, as required by United States v. Windsor. Our determination is contingent on the situations in which commanders are unable to avoid such cooperation without jeopardizing their own just right to their employment security for themselves and/or their families. This is also contingent on the commander making known his/her objection to being required to so participate, as well as on attempting through legal channels to continue to accomplish changes in policy consistent with the historic understanding of marriage and family as based on natural moral law. Also, if without incurring a demotion of loss or downgrade of position/rank/grade or other serious harm, there is a mechanism to have others more senior in the chain of command to carry out the implementation of such policy, this should be pursued.”
[…]
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Here’s the website for the Army Strongbonds program.
http://www.strongbonds.org/skins/strongbonds/home.aspx
“Strong Bonds is a unit-based, chaplain led program that helps Soldiers and their families build strong relationships. The program’s mission is to build Soldier readiness by providing skills the Soldier can use to strengthen his or her marriage and other relationships.
Initially, Strong Bonds was intended solely for married couples, but it has now been expanded to include single Soldiers, families with children, and the special needs associated with deployment and redeployment. In addition, it has been approved Army-wide to include Guard and Reserve units. ”
There are descriptions of some retreats on the website.
Like Michael Voris had stated recently, Obama is an agent from Hell.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10320928/Pope-Francis-Catholic-Church-could-fall-like-a-house-of-cards.html
The Telegraph : “Pope Francis: Catholic Church could fall like a ‘house of cards'”
“Well there you go again.” Ronald Reagan. Seriously now. What in the world is going on these days?
Father Z, I really, really , really pray and hope that you can help unpack this phrasing for us – which I consider to be the most important in this directive:
“…would not be engaging in morally illicit cooperation, but rather tolerable remote mediate material cooperation with evil.”
What exactly is “tolerable remote mediate material cooperation with evil”? How is that line drawn? What is the history and tradition of this concept in the Church? Could it be interpreted – in present day for instance – that Catholics are permitted to sign on to Obama Care as “remote cooperation with evil”? (as this directive seems to indicate for military officers). I realize that this is an unfolding challenge for all of us. But I sure would like your observations on this wording specifically. Thanks.
How long will it be, I wonder, before Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical chaplains are driven out of the armed forces by the Obamites?
Was this the Catholic position 70 years ago?
“Our determination is contingent on the situations in which commanders are unable to avoid such cooperation without jeopardizing their own just right to their employment security for themselves and/or their families.”
And so, Colonel, you are free to assume command of Dachau.
I have to say, I am a bit confused by the opening sentence of this post, “Conversations I have had lead me to conclude that Pres. Obama is waging a war against Catholic military chaplains.” The Archbishop’s statement seems to indicate what would be desirable from a Catholic perspective, i.e., that the armed forces in their application of the rescinding of DADT, will maintain a wall of separation in what a Catholic chaplain *cannot* be compelled to do. Isn’t this a good thing?
We are certainly living in interesting times.
I must compliment the bishop on bringing clarity to a situation that seems to have many gray areas.
It will be interesting watching this policy play out over the next few years.
How long will it be, I wonder, before Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical chaplains are driven out of the armed forces by the Obamites?
How long will it be, I wonder, before it will be morally impermissible, or at least very problematic, for serious Christians even to serve in the armed forces of this country?
It’s okay to cooperate with evil if its “remote”?
Commanders might be able to pass the buck, but junior and enlisted members won’t be able to (there’s an old expression about something running downhill). What happens to them?
Such restrictions on freedom of thought and conscience are already operative in civilian life, with everything from public termination of employment (sportscaster) to secret punishment/demotion or silencing threats thereof, in this regard.
Human nature will not tolerate this imposition forever. This is backlash from past intolerance. There will be a return again to nature. There may be a backlash.
Then let us, in our turn, remember to exercise restraint, justice, charity toward those who do such things and those who have been enemies of life/family and even our persecutors in this cause!
Sancte Carole Lwanga, tu illos adiuva. Sancte Sebastiane, ora pro nobis.
I’m glad to see the Bishop brought some clarity to the issue.
I’m also interested to read Father Zuhlsdorf’s thoughts on the Pope’s latest interview.
What does the Pope really mean (WDTPRM) ?
I’m thankful that my son is retiring soon after 23+years in the Marine Corps. He says its getting tough to be Catholic (not impossible, but tough).
Semper Fi, son.
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As a Navy vet I share the sentiment regarding clarity.
Prayer, we must humbly pray daily, for priests, for vocations to the priesthood and for our brothers and sisters. Those in military service now are entering a period of trial, please pray for strong men, with solid vocations are called to be chaplains. We need to have strong leaders among our brothers and sisters serving in uniform, that they do not falter, that they do not fall away.
I do not have any “feel good” feelings about all of this. Actually some fear and trepidation. I do know how hard at times it is to live a Catholic and Christian life in the military. I do know how “pressure to conform” is hard to resist, and great is the temptation to “bend” to comply with “local” command authorities. The lowest rungs of the chain of command has no luxury to determine if an order is lawful or not, constitutional or not, valid or not.
Finally, I do believe that we who are alive today, are witnesses to the beginnings of something very bad, very evil.
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