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.

Standing With The Klien Family

As many of you are well aware, I am in need of cataract surgery. I had started a campaign to raise funds for my much needed surgery by using the crowd funding site, GoFundMe.

I had seen and heard good things about GoFundMe, but a recent decision of theirs has prompted me to remove my campaign from their site entirely.

My reason for deleting my campain is best summed up in the description given on a petition (which I have signed) at CitizenGo.org:

GoFundMe just removed a campaign... simply because it supported a couple exercising their Christian faith.

Sweet Cakes by Melissa owners Aaron and Melissa Klien refused to bake a cake for a lesbian same-sex ceremony after discovering that the wedding would have two brides. This same-sex ceremony went against their firmly held religious beliefs, and they believed that their God-given, Constitutionally-protected right to religious freedom should allow them to decline to bake a cake for the ceremony.

The state of Oregon disagreed with this right. The lesbian couple sued the Kliens, and they will likely have to pay at least $135,000 in "emotional damages" to the couple.

As if this compromise of religious freedom was not enough, GoFundMe took down a fundraiser to support the Klien family. The fundraiser was posted by a friend of the family late last week, and it had already raised $66,000 by Friday afternoon. But on Friday evening, the campaign was taken down by GoFundMe.

GoFundMe released a statement claiming that the fundraiser violated their “Terms and Conditions.” In the terms and conditions, GoFundMe explains that “Campaigns in defense of formal charges of heinous crimes, including violent, hateful, or sexual acts,” will not be allowed on their site. In deciding to remove this campaign, they're accusing the Kliens of committing a crime that was both “heinous” and “hateful.”....

You may read the rest here. While you are there, sign the petition!

I can not in good conscience continue to have my needs take precedence over GoFundMe's apparent decision on caving in to the pressure of the "unnatural marriage" crowd and their willing co-horts.

I fully support the Klien family and their willingness to stand by their religious convictions. In removing my campaign, I also stand by mine.

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.

New poll underlines divisions among Catholics : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from CWN:

• A new survey of Catholics, conducted by the Spanish-language Univision network, has shown sharp differences among self-identified Catholics, and widespread dissent from Church teachings.
• The poll showed that Catholics in developing countries were more likely than their European and American counterparts to accept Church teachings on controversial issues such as homosexuality and contraception. The poll found, for example, that 99% of African respondents oppose same-sex marriage, while in the US only 40% do. Only 30% of the Catholics in Europe accept the Church teaching that women cannot be ordained to the priesthood, while in Africa 80% accept it.

Read more by clicking below:

New poll underlines divisions among Catholics : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Catholic Truth from Saint Augustine of Hippo

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

Video: Kenyan deputy president strongly rebuffs Obama on gay ‘marriage’: ‘We believe in God’ | LifeSiteNews.com

The following excerpts are from LifeSiteNews.com:

• A second African president has rebuffed President Barack Obama's promotion of homosexuality in foreign relations during his $100 million tour of the continent.
• Obama said he respects “people's personal views and their religious faith, et cetera,” but “when it comes to how the state treats people, how the law treats people,” he believes the equality of homosexuality and the traditional family is“a principle that I think applies universally.”
• Deputy President of Kenya William Ruto responded during Sunday Mass that Kenya is committed to the nuclear family as taught by the Scriptures.
• “Those who believe in other things, that is their business,” Ruto said at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Maili Kumi. “We believe in God.”

Read more by clicking below:

Video: Kenyan deputy president strongly rebuffs Obama on gay ‘marriage’: ‘We believe in God’ | LifeSiteNews.com

Catholic Charities USA invites pro-gay ‘marriage’ priest to keynote annual gathering | LifeSiteNews.com

The following excerpts are from LifeSiteNews.com:

• Already embroiled in controversy in recent months over issues related to abortion and contraception, Catholic Charities USA has courted new scandal with the announcement of the featured speaker at their 2013 annual gathering on September 15.  In a May 17 press release Catholic Charities announced that Father Greg Boyle would keynote the event.
• Father Boyle, a very popular figure for his work with the poor, is nonetheless a dissident priest who ridicules Catholic Church teaching on issues touching same-sex ‘marriage’ and women priests.
• Catholic Charities Communications Director Patricia Cole told LifeSiteNews she had never heard about Fr. Boyle’s stances against Church teaching on the matter and would inform diocesan officials and respond later.
• However, no response was received by press time.
• Hichborn added: "The important question now that they know that Fr. Boyle is a dissenting priest,” said Hichborn, “is will they rescind the invitation?"

Read more by clicking below:

Catholic Charities USA invites pro-gay ‘marriage’ priest to keynote annual gathering | LifeSiteNews.com

From The Dignitatis Humanae Institute: Luca Volontè rallies millions of supporters to defence of the traditional family

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

Rome, 26 May 2013

In a letter to the millions of French citizens who comprise 'Manif pour Tous' (March for All), the Hon. Luca Volontè, president of EPP-ED group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, lauded this momentous breakout of grassroots support for the traditional family and their willingness to stand up and be recognised. While admitting of the great hardships to come in this "battle for civilisation", Mr Volontè reminded his French audience of the words of Paul Claudel, "Pour se poser, il faut s'opposer!" - "If you want to count for something, stand up and be counted!"

In describing the upsurge of grassroots campaigners as "the most beautiful surprise of Europe this year" Mr Volontè painted a stark picture of the generational struggle underway: "In recent months, from the UK to Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, many believers and non-believers, Christians and Muslims alike, have descended to the streets with the courage to protest against the laws and policies of governments that seek to change society and our very human nature. In recent months, it seems to be politically incorrect to affirm the simple truth of the facts, the truth of human life, the truth of all ages, the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, truth of the family founded on the love of a father and mother, truth of the freedom to express their own religious beliefs in public."

As opposed to the authoritarian nature of their detractors, Mr Volontè praised the restrained, peaceful courage of March for All, "Your daily presence in public places with candles, your silence for reflection and prayer are the most resonant sound you could give the French government. A silence that can move mountains and ideological preconceptions throughout France and across Europe."

Striking back at the violence brought to bear upon such protesters, the Italian politician decried the creeping censorship being embedded throughout European nations, and highlighted the police repression witnessed so recently in France against large-scale, peaceful demonstrations: "Many of us are still horrified by the violence of the police in different countries of the world...so today, in this civilized Europe, images of unprecedented violence against children, parents, young people and priests in France are not provided by the public and private television."

Yet in spite of these struggles, the letter was filled with hope and encouraged the many millions, hailed by one commentator as a "formidable and diverse mass of people" to draw strength from their unity, and evoke the memory a France's former heroes: "From Scandinavia to Hungary, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands to Bulgaria, a secular and Christian people, Jewish and Muslim rises to defend his convictions and affirm their dignity. You are not alone, I tell you with strength! You have shining examples before you, who defended the unity and sanctity of the French nation, from St. Joan of Arc to Jacques Maritain, Charles Peguy and today many other brave promoters of the truth of man."

Luca Volontè concluded with G.K. Chesterton's prophetic words of a hundred years ago: "Fires will be kindled to testify that two and two make four. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer. We shall be left defending, not only the incredible virtues and sanities of human life, but something more incredible still, this huge impossible universe which stares us in the face. We shall fight for visible prodigies as if they were invisible. We shall look on the impossible grass and the skies with a strange courage."

Speaking during his visit to France, Luca added "I would like to thank the leaders of Mainf pour Tous for inviting me to their manifestation, it is a great honour and a great sign of our close friendship."

[Letter translated from original French, which can be read here]

The Dignitatis Humanae Institute aims 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.

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.

MESSAGE OF POPE BENEDICT XVI TO U.S. PRESIDENT OBAMA

Vatican City, 7 November 2012 (VIS) - Benedict XVI, through the apostolic nunciature in Washington, U.S.A., has sent a message to Barack Obama, congratulating him on his re-election as president of the United States of America.

In his message the Holy Father expresses his best wishes to the president on his new mandate, and gives assurances of his prayers to God to help him carry out his serious responsibilities, both in his own country and within the international community. The Pope also speaks of his hope that the ideals of freedom and justice, which guided the founding fathers of the Unites States of America, may continue to shine out as the nation progresses.

Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. also made a brief comment on the re-election of President Obama. "As we all know", he said, "the U.S. president has an immense responsibility, not only in his own country but also towards the rest of the world, given the role the U.S.A. plays at an international level".

"For this reason we hope that President Obama will respond to his fellow citizens' expectations, serving law and justice for the good and development of all people, and respecting essential human and spiritual values while promoting a culture of life and religious freedom".

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

On The News : USCCB statements on other political topics are harming the campaign for religious freedom - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from Catholic Culture columnist Phil Lawler's article "USCCB statements on other political topics are harming the campaign for religious freedom". The emphases are mine:

• In March the US bishops’ conference (USCCB) announced that “we will not rest” until Congress ensures that religious freedom is protected in the federal health-care reform program. The USCCB followed up that clear and forceful message a few week later with a new, statement announcing a major offensive in defense of religious liberty. These powerful statements seemed to indicate clearly that religious freedom would be the focus—the focus—of the bishops’ political efforts this year.

• The USCCB issued a clarion call to the Catholic laity, asking for help with this campaign. Cardinal Dolan called out President Obama; Bishop Lori challenged Congress. The bishops signaled that they would not retreat. The battle lines were drawn. The troops were summoned.

• Unfortunately, since that time the bishops have lost their focus, and thus complicated things for the active Catholic laity. The USCCB has done what the USCCB always does: muddied the water, by issuing statements on a host of different political issues—including many of which good Catholics have differing opinions, and on which Catholic bishops have no special expertise.

Read more by clicking the link below:

On The News : USCCB statements on other political topics are harming the campaign for religious freedom - Catholic Culture

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.

Bishop Bruskewitz Reflects on His Work for the Church and Calls on Laity to Boldly Evangelize | Daily News | NCRegister.com

The following excerpts are from the National Catholic Register. The emphases are mine:

As he nears retirement, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Neb., reflected on the importance of the laity in modern culture, observing that well-formed men and women can bring Christ into the workplace and other areas where clergy cannot.

“We have to face seeing people where they are and bringing Christ to people where they are,” the bishop told CNA in Rome March 14.

During a recent ad limina visit with Pope Benedict, the 76-year-old bishop noted in an interview that Catholic laity have an irreplaceable duty in sanctifying the world.

He also had pointed remarks for those who identify as Catholics in the U.S. but work to advance policies that harm the Church and morality. “They have to realize that what they are doing is very serious, and very seriously wrong.”

Click the link below to read the entire article:

Bishop Bruskewitz Reflects on His Work for the Church and Calls on Laity to Boldly Evangelize | Daily News | NCRegister.com

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.