ASK FATHER: I don’t like Trump or Biden. Can I opt out and not vote at all?

Posted on 25 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

I don’t like either Trump or Biden. I wish we had better candidates. I don’t even want to vote, but I see that this is an important election. So many things depend on it. What does the Church say about this? Do I have to vote or can I opt out?

Here’s what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country….

First, it puzzles me as to why people would vote for a candidate because he is “likeable”.     With a nod to the Bard, one may smile and smile and be a villain.  At least I am sure it may be so in Washington.   I hear this sometimes, especially from women.  They don’t “like” how Trump talks or tweets, etc.  They don’t “like” his style.  They are “put off” by his manner.  I consider that to be shallow.  I get it, but it is hardly the basis of a thoughtful choice in voting.

I’ll tell you what I don’t like: Catholics who say they are Catholic and then promote or excuse abortion, or relegate abortion to one among a list of other things.  Personally, I cannot vote for some who promotes the intrinsic grave evil of abortion.  I don’t think that any Catholic having a well-formed conscience can vote for a candidate who promotes abortion.  It is a lie that other issues are as important as abortion.  Abortion is the pre-eminent life issue.

Voting for a pro-abortion candidate, because he is pro-abortion is, I think, cooperation in evil.  It is not such close cooperation that you incur an excommunication, but it is still wrong.

Some might wonder, “What if ALL the candidates are pro-abortion”?   Depending on the gravity of the election, you then can chose the best among the candidates despite the abortion stance.

I think that if you opt out of what you understand to be an important election, you have violated your moral obligation to participate in the common good by exercising your right to vote.

And there is more to this election than the presidential race.  There are Senate races and local races and issues.  Remember that all politics are local.  You live in a community and you have the ability to contribute to the common good.

We have to look at the issues and candidates which are at question and ponder them through the lens of our Catholic Faith.  Then we should vote using a well-formed conscience, a conscience formed in light of the Church’s Magisterium and a solid grasp of the natural law.

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#ASonnetADay – 72. “O, lest the world should task you to recite…”

Posted on 25 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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Sunday of Christ the King – Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Posted on 25 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

In the Church’s traditional calendar, this final Sunday in October is celebrated as the Feast of Christ the King.  This feast was implemented by Pope Piux XI  in 1925 with Quas primas, in the face of secularism, the spread of materialistic atheistic Communism, and its cousins Fascism and Nazism.

Since Christ the King was implemented, the Church prays on this Sunday the

Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

There’s nothing wrong with saying this prayer on other days!  You might try it.

However, the Handbook of Indulgences says:

#27. A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the above Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ the King, if it is recited publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ the King, and piously carry out the precepts in Norm #23 listed above.  [The grant probably refers to the Novus Ordo calendar and the Last Sunday of the Year.  However, favoribilia amplianda.]

Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on Christ the King

  • Public recitation of the prayer “Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer – Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King” (listed below)
  • Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope
  • Make a Sacramental Confession within a week of (before or after) the Feast of Christ the King
  • Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the Feast of Christ the King)
  • that one be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.

Here is the prayer.  Perhaps print it and ask your priests to say it:

Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thine altar. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united to Thee, behold each one of us freely consecrates ourselves today to Thy Most Sacred Heart.

Many indeed have never known Thee; Many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful children, who have never forsaken Thee, but also of the prodigal children, who have abandoned Thee; Grant that they may quickly return to their Father’s house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.

Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.

Be Thou King of all those who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism, and refuse not to draw them into the light and kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy towards the children of the race, once Thy chosen people: of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Savior; may it now descend upon them a laver of redemption and of life.

Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound  from pole to pole with one cry; praise to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; To it be glory and honor forever.

 

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ASK FATHER: Recent comments about same-sex unions… a “slap in the face” of those trying to leave homosexual lifestyle?

Posted on 24 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader in a comment…

QUAERITUR:

When “going to the periphery” crosses the line is when the exception becomes the rule of law. What about COURAGE ministry, isn’t this a slap in the face of those trying to enact 12 step program to leave homosexual lifestyle?

Yes, it is a slap in the face.

It is a slap in the face of every faithful Catholic priest who has tried to preach about human sexuality with both compassion and truth.

It is a slap in the face of every faithful Catholic struggling with same-sex attraction and striving to live a continent life.

It is a slap in the face of every faithful Catholic politician who has worked to defend or pass laws that uphold the natural law.

It is a slap of every Roman Pontiff who has taught about this difficult topic with charity and clarity.

It is a slap in the face of the human writers of every verse of Sacred Scripture which reveals the mind of the Creator about human sexuality.

It is a slap in the incorporeal faces of the Holy Angels who are horrified when certain acts are committed.

It is a slap in the face of St. Joseph, Pillar of Families.

It is a slap in the face of the Blessed Virgin, Mother Most Chaste.

It is a slap in the face of the Lord who said, “Go and sin no more!”

It is a slap in the face of the Trinity, which models the relationships of God’s created images.

Yes, it is a slap in the face.

What we are witnessing in the consternation and open resistance of many Catholics to the recent world-conforming statements is the sensus fidei fidelium, “the faithful’s sense of the Faith”.

Sensus fidelium is the deeply rooted resonance of the faithful with the Truth as taught by the Church and which reverberates in us as images of God.

Sensus fidelium is not the whim of a majority.

The sine qua non of sensus fidei fidelium is that one has to be faithful to have it.

And “faithful” means faithful to the Tradition as interpreted by the authentic Magisterium.

Yes, it is a slap in the face.

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Venezuelan dictator Maduro cites Francis to promote same-sex marriage legislation

Posted on 24 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The other day I posted my thoughts about the dreadfully confusing and anxiogenic remarks on video made by Francis in which he obviously condoned same-sex civil unions, as he has done in the past.  HERE

Some have tried to explain away the remarks.  I get that.  When possible even I have tried to do that because fairness requires that we look not only at the worst possible interpretation of statements that seem to contradict the Church’s teaching about important matters.   This time, I can’t do that.  Francis used the legal language used in Argentina about civil unions, “convivencia civil”.   What he said wasn’t about everyone treating each other with respect or getting along.  It was about civil unions.

In my previous remarks, I cited a footnote in the 2003 CDF document “Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons” was signed on 3 June, the Feast of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, slaughtered by a homosexual pederast king.

“It should not be forgotten that there is always “a danger that legislation which would make homosexuality a basis for entitlements could actually encourage a person with a homosexual orientation to declare his homosexuality or even to seek a partner in order to exploit the provisions of the law”.

Today I read in a tweet…

Maduro citing Francis.

Maduro.

Citing Francis.

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#ASonnetADay – 71. “No longer mourn for me when I am dead…” (with bell… not cowbell)

Posted on 23 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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FAIL! @JamesMartinSJ claims you can’t dismiss false teaching on same-sex unions because Francis developed doctrine. Wherein Fr. Z Rants

Posted on 23 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Jesuit homosexualist activist James Martin said this on CNN:

“[Pope Francis] may have in a sense, as we say in the church, developed his own doctrine. We have to reckon with the fact that the head of the church has now said that he feels that civil unions are ok. And we can’t dismiss that…. Bishops and other people can’t dismiss that as easily as they might want to.  This is in a sense… this is a kind of teaching that he is giving us.”

If you watch this dreck (there is a lot that’s bad in it), you will see how he leans in when he stresses “a kind of teaching”.

“A kind of teaching”?  It sure is.  It’s a bad teaching.   And the claim that people “can’t dismiss it that easily” is laughable on the face of it.  The Church herself dismisses that bad teaching.

More on that later.  Martin said another erroneous thing intend to mislead people into thinking that it must be accepted.   You, dear reader, aren’t permitted to dismiss this because Francis is the “head of the Church”.

A Pope is not the “head of the Church”.  Christ is the head of the Church (read Col 1:18, Eph 1-22-23, Eph 5:23 with nuptial imagery that does not say, “for the husband is the head of the, you know, the other guy”.

Going on, Martin the homosexualist says, “Francis, as we say in the church, developed his own doctrine.”

“As WE say in the church”?!?  Who the hell says that?

The only true, Catholic sense of development of doctrine does not allow contradiction of what has always been taught.

But what Francis proposed, and what Jesuit Martin constantly champions, contradicts the Church’s teachings.

And Martin claims we “can’t dismiss” this just because Francis said it.

Oh yeah?

We can and MUST dismiss these wicked, misleading claims by Jesuit Martin the homosexualist activist.

We can and MUST dismiss false teaching no matter what the source.

Some might say that Francis was just speaking as a private citizen, not as Pope.  So what?  Even when St. John Paul and Pope Benedict did that, they didn’t contradict the Church.

Francis contradicted the Church’s teaching, private or official opinion notwithstanding.

Both Francis and Jesuit Martin have an obligation to bring clarity not confusion, to uphold the Church’s doctrines, not undermine them, to strengthen the brethren, not enervate them through ambiguity, ill-sounding and downright scandalous statements about condoning a civil set up, which is a secular mockery of marriage, in which men inseminate each other’s … whatever.

Even the slightest appearance of condoning such a thing must be avoided.

That is why the Church teaches, as it did clearly with the approbation of the Vicar of Christ, St. John Paul II through Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2003 that civil unions between people of the same sex, “obscure certain basic moral values and cause a devaluation of the institution of marriage.”

The CDF taught, with the approbation of St. John Paul – whom Francis thinks should not be Doctor of the Church and whose Magisterium he has been relentlessly undermining since 2013 – that…

To vote in favour of a law so harmful to the common good is gravely immoral.

And yet that is precisely what Francis did.  That’s what Jesuit Martin advocates and claims that you must accept.

By the way, that 2003 CDF document, “Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons” was signed on 3 June, the Feast of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, slaughtered by a homosexual pederast king.

I would also point to a footnote in that document, which says,

“It should not be forgotten that there is always “a danger that legislation which would make homosexuality a basis for entitlements could actually encourage a person with a homosexual orientation to declare his homosexuality or even to seek a partner in order to exploit the provisions of the law”.

Thus, the multiplication of scandal upon scandal, sin upon sin.  In this case, sin that “cries to heaven”.

But Jesuit Martin says that we cannot dismiss Francis’ – the head of the Church’s – own developed doctrine.  He is committing scandal.

Christ is the head of the Church.

Popes don’t develop doctrine contrary to the Church’s teachings.

The Church’s teachings about homosexual unions STAND FIRM and UNCHANGED.

The public positions of Jesuit homosexualist activist James Martin are a clear and present danger to souls.

He and his superiors will answer to God.

 

 

The moderation queue is ON.

 

 

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ASK FATHER: “What prayers or novena for a Trump victory?”

Posted on 23 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader…

I’m writing from New Zealand and I’m a great believer in the power of Novenas. It will soon be the United States election which not just concerns the States but the entire political axis of the World. A Trump victory would be great. Also a good tonic against the Queen of the left Jacinda Ardern leader of New Zealand who won a massive landslide here last weekend. Any particular prayer or novena for your readers to pray?

I’m reminded of story about a man who really really really wanted a Maserati. He wanted it so badly that he considered praying a novena for one. However, he had a qualm of conscience about praying for something so worldly. He decided to ask a priest. He went to the nearby parish, staffed by Franciscans and asked the priest if it would be okay to pray a novena for a Maserati.  The unworldly Franciscan was puzzled and asked “What’s a Maserati?” When told, Father responded that it would not be right to pray a novena for such a car. Dismayed, the man went on his way, but he decided he needed a second opinion. Stopping at an other parish, one staffed by Dominicans, he presented his question. Again, the friar didn’t know about Maseratis and, when informed, doubled down on the Franciscan’s “no”. Determined to get yet another opinion, he stopped at the local college staffed by Jesuits. Having easily identified a Jesuit by his lack of clerical clothing, he asked if it would be okay to pray a novena for a Maserati. Puzzled for a moment, the Jesuit asked, “What’s a novena?”

Can one pray a novena about the outcome of an election?  I think, “yes”.  You can pray for peace and for rain and for good crops and for the cessation of earthquakes… all for the common good.

Yes, you can pray a novena for the outcome of an election.  You could, in a determined way, pray to the Angel Guardians of other voters, that they should be illuminated properly about the advisability of the candidates, that they make an informed choice, in keeping especially with their view of the common good and Christian principles. 

Also, many years ago a priest friend who was a professor of history at the local Catholic college – not a Jesuit – had all the students, Catholic or not, pray a Memorare before class.  When asked why he chose that prayer, he said, “Because it is the most obnoxiously Catholic prayer I know.”

I know nothing about the politics of New Zealand.  However, things in these United States are really serious.  This is the most important Presidential and Senatorial election cycle of my life time.  The results of this election will have profound consequences for the rest of the world.  Hence, those of you who do NOT live in these USA had better get down on your knees and pray pray pray for a good outcome from the ballot box.  I am convinced that there will be massive ballot/voting fraud which will lead to conflict and fear.  There are powerful forces arrayed against one side in particular, and they are not going to go gentle into that good night.

I, personally, could never consider voting for a candidate who supports the Democrat platform, with its demonic promotion of abortion.

At the same time, I consider it utter madness to refuse to vote on basis that there isn’t a perfect candidate.   The more important the election, the crazier it is not to vote.

Moreover, there are “down ticket” items on ballots, local offices, etc., and we ought to be engaged on a local level for the sake of the common good.

I don’t think it is a absolute moral imperative to vote, an absolute obligation.  However, there is a strong moral case to be made in favor of voting, even if the better candidate is not perfect.  The more important the election, the stronger the case in favor of participation.

I have been praying for a good outcome to this election.   I hope you all will too.

I very much hope you will also VOTE.

 

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#ASonnetADay – 70. “That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect…”

Posted on 22 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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Fishwrap’s whining attack on Amy Coney Barrett

Posted on 22 October 2020 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Today the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the SCOTUS.

The National Schismatic Reporter (aka Fishwrap) – because everyone wants to know what their writers think – has an editorial against Judge Barrett.   I’m sure you are shocked.

With spectacular irony they accuse Judge Barret with moral relativism and the people running the process with hypocrisy.

For example, they cite various Notre Dame faculty members against Barrett.  They do not cite anyone in favor.

In the matter of moral relativism, they cite Benedict XVI’s comment about the dictatorship of relativism.   NOW they cite Benedict.  Hypocrites.

Read this:

Her willingness to become a collaborator, complete with the required adoring look at the president at the super-spreader event at which she was nominated, is not enough to justify a negative vote, but it set the table. ….  Denying climate change is not that far from QAnon conspiracy theories. If Barrett really has doubts on the subject, she is not intellectually qualified to serve on the bench, and we suspect she knows that.

They lament that Barrett would not answer questions about matter that could appear before the SCOTUS.   And they suggest that Barrett isn’t very smart if she doesn’t know much about climate change.   Frankly, I don’t know much about the myths of S. American native religions, either.

Fishwrap… agere sequitur esse.

 

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