A World Going Mad

This country has lost it's ever loving mind. Everything that we hold to be true, just, and moral is belittled, lied about, and we get treated as if we are ignorant and out of touch with reality.

We believe that all are created in the Image of God, and all have an inalienable right to life. We believe God when He told us that He knew us before He made us. Then we are called misogynists, backwards, and "anti-choice" for our belief.

We believe that marriage is only between one man and one woman, and that their union is inviolable and Blessed by Christ. Then we are called homophobes, anti-gay, and bigots because we believe what God Himself has commanded.

We believe that God created two genders only. Male and female He made them. Anything other than that is a novelty created by some confused, ill people and their enablers. Yet we hear that we are hate filled religious zealots and bigots, even when we can rightly see what Natural Law and Nature's Infallible Author has made.

We believe in the healing power of prayer, not just for illness of the body, but also for the healing of the soul and of the mind, that brings us closer to God, and imparts to us a portion of His Mercy, Love, and Grace. We are called fools for believing in an "invisible man in the sky", whom they say doesn't exist.

I see all of these things that we are ridiculed, ostracized, and persecuted for believing, and it makes me realize this simple truth. That until the day arrives that this nation, it's people, and it's leaders falls on our knees, bows our heads, and pleads for God's Forgiveness and Mercy...until that day...we are going to see more days like the mass shooting in Florida. Worse days, that will make that day seem like a walk in the park.

Pray to God now, that it won't be so.

From The Dignitatis Humanae Institute: Irish 'Yes' Vote on Same-Sex 'Marriage' Poses Significant Threat to Religious Freedom

Note: The following is a press release from The Dignitatis Humanae Institute

Rome, 21 May 2015

Ireland will tomorrow become the first country to use a national referendum to allow same-sex “marriage”, posing a probable threat to religious freedom in the country if the electorate vote “Yes.”

Although the government plans to protect the right of churches not to celebrate same-sex “marriage”, this will appear only in legislation and not in the Constitution.

This leaves open the possibility of a same-sex couple taking the matter to court and winning the case, as the Constitution will have no protections for the Church if it refuses to officiate the ceremony.

In addition to this, and the obvious threat to the traditional family a “Yes” vote would present, European Dignity Watch has pointed out that the debate leading up to tomorrow’s referendum has been anything but fair.

All of Ireland’s publicly-funded political parties have actively campaigned for a “Yes” vote and used heavy handed tactics to ensure their members tow the party line, threatening them with expulsion if they don’t.

The country’s media has been overwhelmingly in favor of the “Yes” campaign, and ignored a Supreme Court ruling that both sides of the debate be given equal coverage.

Large multinationals employing many people in Ireland, such as Facebook and eBay, have told their employees to vote “Yes” and campaign for such a result on social media.

Wealthy donors have helped fund the "Yes" campaign, including a foreign billionaire - despite such funding being illegal under Irish electoral law. The Irish government has so far not reacted to this breach.

Ireland’s police are also actively supporting the "Yes" campaign, allowing police stations to be used for photo opportunities.

The Dignitatis Humanae Institute is greatly concerned by the threat a "Yes" vote presents.

"We call on all people who believe man is created in the image and likeness of God to do whatever they can to ensure a "No" vote succeeds," said DHI Chairman Luca Volontè. "As this is a referendum, the result will carry more weight than parliamentary legislation. The consequences of a "Yes" vote would therefore be disastrous for Ireland."

He added: "Given the limited time and the huge financial resources behind the "Yes" campaign, the best courses of action at this stage are fervent prayer, and the intercession of St. Patrick."

The Dignitatis Humanae Instituteaims to uphold human dignity based on the anthropological truth that man is born in the image and likeness of God and therefore has an innate human dignity of infinite worth to be upheld. The Institute promotes this understanding by supporting Christians in public life, assisting them to present effective and coherent responses to increasing efforts to silence the Christian voice in the public square.

Obama’s Lawyer: Religious Institutions May Lose Tax-Exempt Status If Court Rules for Gay Marriage | National Review Online

The following excerpts are from National Review:

Religious institutions could be at risk of losing their tax-exempt status due to their beliefs about marriage if the Supreme Court holds that gay couples have a constitutional right to wed, President Obama’s attorney acknowledged to the Supreme Court today.

“It’s certainly going to be an issue,” Solicitor General Donald Verrilli replied when Justice Samuel Alito asked if schools that support the traditional definition of marriage would have to be treated like schools that once opposed interracial marriage. “I don’t deny that.”

Read more by clicking below:

Obama’s Lawyer: Religious Institutions May Lose Tax-Exempt Status If Court Rules for Gay Marriage | National Review Online

Special Commission To Study Marriage Annulment Reform

Vatican City, 22 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office today issued the following communique:

“On 27 August 2014, the Holy Father decided to institute a special Commission to study the reform of the canonical marriage annulment process.

The Commission will be chaired by Msgr. Pio Vito Pinto, dean of the tribunal of the Roman Rota, and will be composed of the following members: Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts; Msgr. Luis Francisco Ladario, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Bishop Dimitri Salachas, Apostolic Exarch of the Greek Byzantine Catholic Church; Msgrs. Maurice Monier, Leo Xavier Michael Arokiaraj and Alejandro W. Bunge, prelate auditors of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota; the Rev. Fr. Nikolaus Schoch, O.F.M., substitute promotor of Justice of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura; Fr. Konstanc Miroslav Adam, O.P., rector of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum); Fr. Jorge Horta Espinoza, O.F.M., Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical University Antonianum; and Prof. Paolo Moneta, formerly professor of Canon Law at the University of Pisa.

The work of the Special Commission will begin as soon as possible and will focus on the preparation of a proposal for the reform of the marriage annulment process, seeking to simplify and streamline the procedure, while safeguarding the principle of the indissoluble nature of marriage”.

You can find more information at: www.visnews.org

The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Archbishop Cordileone responds to critics on March for Marriage : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from CWN:

• Refusing to back down in the face of criticism, March for Marriage, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco has rejected calls for him to withdraw from the March of Marriage in Washington.
• Rep. Nancy Pelosi, in a letter urging Archbishop Cordileone not to participate in the June 19 event, had charged that the March would convey “disdain and hate” for homosexuals. But in his reply, contained in an open letter to activists who had lodged similar protests, the archbishop stressed that the demonstration would be a "pro-marriage march." The March, he said, "is not anti-anyone or anti-anything."
• Archbishop Cordileone told the protesters that their complaints about sponsoring organizations, notably the National Organization for Marriage, were "based on misinterpretation or simply factually incorrect."

Read more by clicking below:
Archbishop Cordileone responds to critics on March for Marriage : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Notre Dame won't recognize 'traditional marriage' student club | Fox News

The following excerpts are from FoxNews.com:

• A student group at the University of Notre Dame advocating traditional marriage has been denied official recognition as a campus club at the iconic Catholic institution, although members vow to appeal the decision.
• The group, Students for Child-Oriented Policy (SCOP), was rejected in an April 30 letter from the university’s Student Activities Office to Tiernan Kane, the club’s proposed president. The decision was based on a recommendation by the university’s Club Coordination Council, a division of student government, that found the club’s mission “closely mirrored” that of other undergraduate student clubs at the 12,000-student university.
• “In evaluating a proposal, approval is based on several things,” read the letter to Kane. “We consider the general purpose of a club, uniqueness to campus, proposed activities, a clear constitution, a strong understanding of budget planning, projected membership, opportunity for membership, among other things.”
• Due to the perceived duplicative mission of the group, SCOP’s proposal was rejected, according to the letter, which did not reference other university-recognized groups.
• “As such, the Club Coordination Council felt there was not a need for another similar-type club,” the letter continued. “You are encouraged to contact the Club Coordination Council’s Social Service Division to learn about collaborating with the existing clubs working toward your mutual goals.”
• SCOP, which was founded in January, is comprised of Notre Dame undergraduate and graduate students focused on the debate about marriage in Indiana, where the school is based, according to its Facebook profile, which had 69 members as of Tuesday.
• The group seeks to unite a network of students across The Hoosier State in favor of “child-oriented policies,” according to its organizers.
• “We reject the view that the young have agreed to redefine marriage,” the group’s Facebook page continues. “Rather, we think that they have not explored the meaning and importance of marriage.”
• Messages seeking comment from Kane and other SCOP students were not returned early Tuesday.
• Kane told The Cardinal Newman Society he believes Notre Dame should take the lead on marriage, much like it did in publicly voicing its support for the Dream Act and other controversial topics.

Read more by clicking below:

Notre Dame won't recognize 'traditional marriage' student club | Fox News

Cardinal criticizes Catholic teachers’ union over gay pride parade participation : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from Catholic Culture's Catholic World News:

• The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association is sending a delegation to participate in the WorldPride 2014 Parade in Toronto—prompting criticism from Cardinal Thomas Collins.
• “I am always inspired by the thousands of Catholic teachers in classrooms throughout Ontario who know their Catholic faith, and whose faith shapes the loving way in which they care for their students, especially any who are facing personal struggles,” said the Toronto cardinal, as quoted by the Catholic Register.
• “OECTA, however, is not the Catholic teachers; it is a union,” he added. “Its competence is limited to collective bargaining, and the services any union provides to its members. When it goes beyond those areas, it can easily go wrong, as it has in the decision of the OECTA delegates to participate in this event.....

Read more by clicking below:
Cardinal criticizes Catholic teachers’ union over gay pride parade participation : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Pope Francis' Catholic Truth

I think students, teachers, and school officials from Charlotte Catholic High School need to see this.

Same-Sex Couple to Sue Church of England for Marriage Rights | Daily News | NCRegister.com

The following excerpts are from National Catholic Register's Daily News:

• Following legislation that permits same-sex “marriage” in the U.K. yet prohibits the Church of England from performing the ceremony, two men are planning to sue to be able to marry in their church.
• “We are happy for gay marriage to be recognized — in that sense, it is a big step. But it is actually a small step because it is something we still cannot actually do,” Barrie Drewitt-Barlow told the Essex Chronicle Aug. 1.
• “We need to convince the church that it is the right thing for our community for them to recognize as practicing Christians.”
• On July 17, the U.K.’s same-sex “marriage” bill became law, meaning that, beginning next year, same-sex couples — who can already obtain civil unions — can become married in England and Wales, though not in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• The legislation allows churches and other religious groups to conduct wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples at the church’s discretion, though the U.K.’s established church, the Church of England, is barred from doing so.
• Drewitt-Barlow and his partner, Tony, are members of the Church of England, and they are upset that they will not be able to marry in their own church.

Read more by clicking below:
Same-Sex Couple to Sue Church of England for Marriage Rights | Daily News | NCRegister.com

Dear President Obama, please leave Africa out of your intolerant world of redefined marriage | LifeSiteNews.com

The following excerpts are from LifeSiteNews.com:

• I believe that every design, good or bad, starts in the heart of the designer; every building plan arises in the imagination of the architect and every sculpture is conceived in the creative thoughts of the sculptor. 
• It is becoming increasingly evident that a new design has been conceived in the imagination of the wealthiest class of social engineers and cultural architects in the Western world.  
• The most terrifying and disconcerting thing about this reality is that when all is said and done and the new design is unveiled for all to see, it will many times demand the deconstruction of what has always been.  
• It was with great shock that many people across the developing world received the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) that reflected a tectonic shift in the perception and reception of marriage in America. This happened at the same time as the victory cries of LGBT rights advocates are resounding over France, UK, Australia and even parts of Latin America where the new world order is being established. In these parts of the world, the rulers and leaders are declaring, in an almost dictatorial manner, their unshakeable stance on the redefinition of marriage and reconfiguration of family structure through new legal mandates, new parliamentary moves and new executive manoeuvres.

Read more by clicking below:
Dear President Obama, please leave Africa out of your intolerant world of redefined marriage | LifeSiteNews.com

Just Say 'No' To Starbucks

So, now the CEO of Starbucks, has told a shareholder who supports traditional marriage that he should sell his shares and invest in another company. You can read about it here and get the full report from Forbes here.

The shareholder had complained to CEO Howard Schultz that the company had lost customers because of it's support for gay “marriage”. Last year, Starbucks announced it's support for the Washington State referendum backing gay “marriage”, and declared same sex “marriage” one of Starbucks' core values. As such, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) launched a boycott of Starbucks, and you can go sign their petition here at Dump Starbucks.

Depending on which poll you read, the claim is made that anywhere from 54% to 58% of Americans now support same sex “marriage”. According to another poll that I read today, 56% of Catholics now support same sex “marriage”.

Well, this is one Catholic who does not support same sex “marriage”, and who still believes that God's Law and the teachings of the Church are still just as relative and applicable to today as they have always been. No matter how many laws or referendums are held that declare same sex “marriage” as valid, it will never, ever be valid in God's truth and Church teaching.

Now that all being said, you can still get good coffee....excellent coffee...the best coffee in fact...by buying your coffee from Mystic Monk Coffee as blended and sold by the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming. That way, you can have the satisfaction of not supporting a company that endorses unnatural “marriage”, while knowing that steaming hot cup of Mystic Monk Coffee you are enjoying supports the good Carmelite Monks of Wyoming and their monastery.

While you are at the Mystic Monk Coffee website, be sure to check out their religious gifts, drink-ware, and equipment, too.

Diocese of Charlotte religious freedom banner

Bishop Peter Jugis of the Diocese of Charlotte had a large sign posted on the property of St. Peter Catholic Church During the Democratic National Convention, Sept. 4- 6, 2012

Vote For Marriage #4

In the final installment of this series of videos Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh talks about the importance of traditional marriage and of the proper attitude toward people of different viewpoints.

North Carolina bishops criticize Obama statement on marriage amendment : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following is an excerpt from Catholic Culture News Headlines:

• “Last week, President Barack Obama took the unusual step of commenting on a state ballot initiative,” Bishops Michael Burbidge of Raleigh and Peter Jugis of Charlotte said in response. “His stated opposition to the referendum on the marriage amendment in North Carolina is a grave disappointment, as it is reported to be the first time that the President has entered into this issue on the state level, further escalating the increasing confusion on the part of some in our society to the very nature of marriage itself … While we are respectful of the Office of the President, we strongly disagree with [his] assessment.”

Click the link below to read the entire article:

North Carolina bishops criticize Obama statement on marriage amendment : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Catholic Bishops of North Carolina: Vote FOR Marriage Part 3

Third in a series of videos by the Bishops of North Carolina explaining the position of the Catholic Church in support FOR the marriage amendment. Bishop Peter Jugis of the Diocese of Charlotte, NC explains additional Church Teaching about the institution of marriage. Both Bishop Jugis and Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh urge all North Carolina residents to vote FOR marriage on May 8, 2012.

Vote FOR Marriage - 2 - Bishop Burbidge

Second in a series of videos by the Bishops of North Carolina explaining the position of the Catholic Church in support FOR the marriage amendment. Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh explains four important points of Church Teaching about marriage. He also urges all North Carolinians to vote FOR Marriage on May 8, 2012.

FOR Marriage 1 - (Video from the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte)

First in a series of videos by the Bishops of North Carolina explaining the position of the Catholic Church in support FOR the marriage amendment. Bishop Peter Jugis of Charlotte presents this video.