Fortnight For Freedom: The Catholic Roots of the Declaration of Independence Published Thursday, July 2, A.D. 2015 | By Donald R. McClarey Equality of man Declaration of Independence: All men are created equal; they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Bellarmine: All men are equal, not in wisdom or grace, but in the essence and nature of mankind (De Laicis, c.7) There is no reason why among equals one should rule rather than another (ibid.). Let rulers remember that they preside over men who are of the same nature as they themselves. (De Officus Princ. c. 22). Political right is immediately from God and necessarily inherent in the nature of man (De Laicis, c. 6, note 1). St. Thomas: Nature made all men equal in liberty, though not in their natural perfections (II Sent., d. xliv, q. 1, a. 3. ad 1). The function of government Declaration of Independence: To secure these rights governments are instituted among men. Bellarmine: It is impossible for men to live together without someone to care for the common good. Men must be governed by someone lest they be willing to perish (De Laicis, c. 6). Good link to save
contd... The source of power Declaration of Independence: Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Bellarmine: It depends upon the consent of the multitude to constitute over itself a king, consul, or other magistrate. This power is, indeed, from God, but vested in a particular ruler by the counsel and election of men (De Laicis, c. 6, notes 4 and 5). The people themselves immediately and directly hold the political power (De Clericis, c. 7). St. Thomas: Therefore the making of a law belongs either to the whole people or to a public personage who has care of the whole people (Summa, la llae, q. 90, a. 3). The ruler has power and eminence from the subjects, and, in the event of his despising them, he sometimes loses both his power and position (De Erudit. Princ. Bk. I, c. 6). The right to change the government Declaration of Independence: Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government…Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient reasons. Bellarmine: For legitimate reasons the people can change the government to an aristocracy or a democracy or vice versa (De Laicis, c. 6). The people never transfers its powers to a king so completely but that it reserves to itself the right of receiving back this power (Recognitio de Laicis, c. 6). St Thomas: If any society of people have a right of choosing a king, then the king so established can be deposed by them without injustice, or his power can be curbed, when by tyranny he abuses his regal power (De Rege et Regno, Bk. I, c. 6). Go here to read the article. Is there any evidence that Jefferson was familiar with this Catholic thought? There is. In his library at Monticello there is a volume entitled Patriarcha written by the court theologian of James I, Robert Filmer. In this book Filmer defended the divine right of kings and attacked Bellarmine. Karl Maurer gives us the details: http://the-american-catholic.com/20...lic-roots-of-the-declaration-of-independence/
Disappointment follows ruling against Little Sisters in mandate case Denver, Colo., Jul 14, 2015 / 12:29 pm (EWTN News/CNA Sr. Maguire responded to a Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against the Little Sisters of the Poor on July 14. The sisters are among several hundred plaintiffs that have challenged the federal contraception mandate, which requires employers to offer health insurance plans covering contraception, sterilization and some drugs that can cause early abortions. Employers who fail to comply with the mandate face crippling penalties. In the case of the Little Sisters, the fines could amount to around $2.5 million a year, or about 40 percent of the $6 million the Sisters beg for annually to run their ministry. “Untold millions of people have managed to get contraceptives without involving nuns, and there is no reason the government cannot run its programs without hijacking the Little Sisters and their health plan,” Rienzi said. The Becket Fund said that the Little Sisters and their attorneys are looking into the possibility of appealing the ruling to the Supreme Court. full story http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=12368
Religious ED Director fired from Archdioces of Philadelphia over same sex union Aired on EWTN nighty news yesterday... July 13, 2015 STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT, O.F.M. CAP. REGARDING WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY "Schools describing themselves as Catholic take on the responsibility of teaching and witnessing the Catholic faith in a manner true to Catholic belief. There's nothing complicated or controversial in this. It's a simple matter of honesty. I'm very grateful to the Religious Sisters of Mercy and to the principal and board members of Waldron Mercy for taking the steps to ensure that the Catholic faith is presented in a way fully in accord with the teaching of the Church. They've shown character and common sense at a moment when both seem to be uncommon." +Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Philadelphia http://archphila.org/press releases/pr002618.php
July 8, 2015 ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT'S WEEKLY COLUMN SPECIAL EDITION: THE IMPORTANCE OF THINKING CLEARLY By: Rev. Dominic Legge, O.P. Dominic Legge, O.P., is a Dominican priest and a professor of theology at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. He's also the author of the article below -- "Why Gay Marriage is Not Like Divorce" -- which first appeared July 6 on the website of First Things magazine. To repeat what the Church believes and has been said many times before: Christians have a privileged calling to respect the God-given dignity of all persons, including those with same-sex attraction. That's fundamental to Christian love and justice. We are accountable to God for the way we treat others. But Christians also have a duty to think clearly, and to live, teach and work for the truth about the nature of human sexuality, the purpose of marriage and the integrity of the family. We cannot ignore or turn away from what the Church teaches on these matters without separating ourselves from Jesus Christ himself. I'm grateful this week to turn my regular column space over to Father Legge's insight and counsel. His words deserve very wide consideration. +Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Philadelphia Thomas Reese, writing about gay marriage in the National Catholic Reporter (July 2), argues that the Catholic bishops of the United States should "admit defeat and move on." They've done this before, he claims: Think of "their predecessors who opposed legalizing divorce but lost," and who then "accepted divorce" in practice if not in theory -- for example, by hiring divorcées. "Today, Catholic institutions rarely fire people when they get divorced and remarried," and the divorced and remarried "get spousal benefits." "No one is scandalized by this," he writes. This is like saying: "The patient has been taking this poison for years, getting sicker and weaker -- so let's triple the dose." The argument is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Further, there are manifold reasons why gay marriage is a different and greater threat than divorce, and why acquiescing in it would gravely damage the Church. Here are four. First, virtually no one celebrates divorce or regards it as a positive good. There is no "Divorced Pride" parade. At most, some think of it like abortion rights: a tragedy and an evil when it happens, but a necessary escape hatch. No one is clamoring for prelates to praise divorce. In contrast, gay marriage is trumpeted as a positive good, and the Church will be shown no mercy by its advocates until bishops, too, march in the parade. We should have no illusions about the way cultural forces (and, soon, legal coercion) will aim to compel the Church not only to be silent on gay marriage, but to praise it and to integrate it into the Church's life -- or else. full story http://archphila.org/press releases/pr002614.php
This is just another indication of the loss of first amendment rights. You can now easily see how the SSM ruling will apply to Church's and otherreligious institutions. This also clearly shows that the POTUS ( get ready- this is shocking) lied when he said the ACA mandates would not force religious institutions to violate what were their fundamentally held religious believes. I believe we are now close to point where these institutions and we as individuals with personally held religious convictions have two choices: 1) comply with the state or 2) civilally disobey and be oreaoed for fines and jail. I suppose the third option is close up religious institutions that served the poor,sick, and needy and let "society" try and pick up the slack. It's remarkable just how quickly this is all happening.
BREAKING: Governor Signs Law BANNING Words ‘Husband’ and ‘Wife’ Because They Offend Gays. “husband” and “wife” have now been classified as “anti-gay.”My Title. California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill into law that has removed the words “husband” and “wife” from the state’s marriage laws. Instead, they have been replaced with the word “spouse.” Brown reportedly did this because the words “husband” and “wife” have now been classified as “anti-gay.” This bill is known as SB1306, and it is set to take effect on January 1. “I am pleased Gov. Brown has recognized the importance of this bill, which makes it explicitly clear in state law that every loving couple has the right to marry in California,” said state Sen. Mark Leno, who wrote the bill making the terminology change. “This legislation removes outdated and biased language from state codes and recognizes all married spouses equally, regardless of their gender.” http://conservativepost.com/breakin...ds-husband-and-wife-because-they-offend-gays/
“...out from the door of the farmhouse came a long file of pigs, all walking on their hind legs...out came Napoleon himself, majestically upright, casting haughty glances from side to side, and with his dogs gambolling round him. He carried a whip in his trotter. There was a deadly silence. Amazed, terrified, huddling together, the animals watched the long line of pigs march slowly round the yard. It was as though the world had turned upside-down. Then there came a moment when the first shock had worn off and when, in spite of everything-in spite of their terror of the dogs, and of the habit, developed through long years, of never complaining, never criticising, no matter what happened-they might have uttered some word of protest. But just at that moment, as though at a signal, all the sheep burst out into a tremendous bleating of- "Four legs good, two legs better! Four legs good, two legs better! Four legs good, two legs better!" It went on for five minutes without stopping. And by the time the sheep had quieted down, the chance to utter any protest had passed, for the pigs had marched back into the farmhouse.” ― George Orwell, Animal Farm
the drought and wildfires will continue...and then they will blame climate change...when will we wake up to the true cause of all the latest disasters...
Interesting to read the advice MLK provided to a boy unsure of his sexuality.... http://www.charismanews.com/opinion...-s-response-to-a-boy-with-same-sex-attraction
I wonder if these companies will continue to contribute to PP in light of the videos on selling baby parts. You know if there were a conservative issue these corps would stop funding right away. Hypocrisy of the left. Anyhow, I will think twice about purchasing products now from these companies. http://dailysignal.com/2015/07/21/meet-the-41-companies-that-donate-directly-to-planned-parenthood/
Thanks you America. http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/e...an-church-in-limerick-1-7132065#ixzz3vS9OOfDH
Indy for some reason I can't get the link...but I know exactly who you are taking about. These sisters teach in our schools. They are orthodox and wonderful. They have a many new vocations every year. I know the Priest that says the Mass at their convent... He is very holy priest and he is from Ireland. (Father O'Neil...thank you Ireland!) Recently a close friend of mine...his daughter became suddenly very ill with kidney problems...some of the Nuns and Father O' Neil came and prayed over her... she had a sudden turn around and healing. Glory to God.
The Sisters have a really good childrens show on EWTN called Truth from the Heart. Yes I watch at times, ive learned a lot. Maybe even better then the adult shows at times. lol Not a cartoon show, but a classroom setting. Comes on after the rosary.
This is one of the best articles I've ever read on the current crisis in US political system. Unfortunately, I don't believe we have an electorate that is willing or sophisticated enough to do what must be done http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-...reedoms-survive-another-presidential-election
Just read the stunningly astonishing and alarming stats in link below. No wonder so many Americans are scared and angry. We've been hoodwinked. But according to the author, we have not even entered into the worst part of all of this. It's really interesting that a secular and economics based blog site would also say we will need more love and compassion to survive. He even talks about everything being shaken. Yes, the storm is here. I do agree we must be signs of hope, love and compassion. Amazing that this writer of a financial blog would provide this message. "And this is just the beginning. When the next major economic crisis strikes, the suffering in this country is going to go to unprecedented levels. As we enter that time, we are going to need a whole lot more love and compassion than we are exhibiting right now. As a nation, we have made decades of incredibly bad decisions. As a result, we are experiencing bad consequences which are going to become increasingly more severe. The numbers that I just shared with you are not good. But over the next several years they are going to get a whole lot worse. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, and life in America is about to change in a major way." http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-04-11/19-signs-american-families-are-being-economically-destroyed
Another powerful address from Jonathan Cahn. It's quite short - 6 minutes Jonathan Cahn Calls Out Obama, Supreme Court Justices on Capitol Hill
