Chick-Fil-A and the Intolerant Salesmen of Tolerance

Remember our post on the attempt to monopolize the word "reason" by enlightenment humanists? The recent stories with Chick-fil-A aren't very dissimilar. If you promote something as your most central value, no one suspects that you might not have it yourself--whether it's reason, or tolerance.


I received the following email message this morning from a reader and friend here in Chicago:

You may or may not be familiar with the issues surrounding Chick-Fil-A and their pro-traditional marriage stance made public by founder Dan Cathy; if you're not familiar with the story, take a look on google.

On a national level both Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee have suggested that tomorrow August 1st be national Chick-Fil-A day, that we should support their defense of the family by getting a meal there. Locally, both Rahm and various aldermen have contorted Dan Cathy's message to be homophobic and as such they have said very explicitly that Chick-Fil-A's business is inconsistant with Chicago's culture of inclusion and the business is not welcome here. 

My childhood friend XXXXX and his wife own the only ChickFilet-A franchise in Chicago (30 East Chicago Avenue  Chicago, IL 60610) across the street from Holy Name. They have come under fire from the city and Steve's livelyhood to support his wife and children are at risk as the city is threatening to drive them out of business and will not allow them to open up another location in Logan Square. Steve and his family are faithful Catholics and native Chicagoans who need our support. I ask you to please help me get the word out.

XXXX and I are planning on going to lunch with a group on 8/1 at noon to stage a counter-protest to the LGBT protest that will be happening outside the Chik-Fil-A at that time, afterward we will get a bite to eat. Please join us.

When asked whether chick fillet should be able to expand in Chicago Rahm Emmanuel responded:

 "Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values. They’re not respectful of our residents, our neighbors and our family members. And if you’re gonna be part of the Chicago community, you should reflect Chicago values.” 

The mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, interviewed by the Boston Herald on 19 July, said:

“Chick-Fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston. You can’t have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We’re an open city, we’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion. That’s the Freedom Trail. That’s where it all started right here. And we’re not going to have a company, Chick-Fil-A or whatever the hell the name is, on our Freedom Trail. If they need licenses in the city, it will be very difficult — unless they open up their policies.”

After that the mayor of New York commented saying that he doesn't believe that is his place as mayor to determine what private institutions and do, but he also supports no discrimination-i.e. (gay marriage).

Even a few days ago its still popular for mayors (the big powerful talking heads that they are who can help approve zoning permits) to slam Chick-Fil-A. San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee on July 26 tweeted: 

“The Closest #ChickFilA to San Francisco is 40 miles away & I strongly recommend that they not try to come any closer.” 

Is that a threat? It certainly seems like a threat for free enterprise and speech in America… if you agree I would recommend using the same tweet address to express your opinion.


Only yesterday did the Catholic church have an official response-especially sensitive is directly relevant to the battle they are fighting at this point- Cardinal George of Chicago wrote a small column that is available to read here, saying that this is all about something that isn't a possibility anyways. He starts by saying...

Recent comments by those who administer our city seem to assume that the city government can decide for everyone what are the “values” that must be held by citizens of Chicago. I was born and raised here, and my understanding of being a Chicagoan never included submitting my value system to the government for approval. Must those whose personal values do not conform to those of the government of the day move from the city? Is the City Council going to set up a “Council Committee on Un-Chicagoan Activities” and call those of us who are suspect to appear before it? I would have argued a few days ago that I believe such a move is, if I can borrow a phrase, “un-Chicagoan.”

The value in question is espousal of “gender-free marriage.”....

The national Association of Evangelicals President Leith Anderson stated: "If Chick-fil-A is not welcome for embracing traditional marriage, then are Chicago Mayor [Rahm] Emanuel and others saying that evangelicals, Catholics and Mormons aren’t welcome either?" Good question. I wonder what Obama thinks. 


The fact that politicians are becoming more and more willing to make statements which clearly undermine the Constitution shows that liberalism is extending beyond what I have called in the past liberalism 1.0. It is no longer a matter of ensuring that there is no official state religion nor even of preventing one religion or point of view to unofficially dominate with the consent of the people… Now it is a matter of preventing any ideology from publicly conflicting with or offending any other ideologist-a logically impossible feat unless you keep everyone quiet, and allow for one exception. The one who can speak freely is the one who is telling everyone to just agree with everyone else.


The interesting thing despite all this is that the media appears to spend no time covering the side that supports chick fillet, only need massive protests against it. This blog recommends you go to Chick-fil-A appreciation day, for which 500,000+ are signed up.

Steubenville Secularized

Perhaps some of you have already heard what happened last week in the relatively small but fairly well known town of Steubenville, Ohio. Due to pressure from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., a militant atheist group based out of Madison, Wisconsin, the city council decided to drop the image of the chapel and the cross from the logo.

I would be interested to know how many of the council members would have preferred to keep it, if there weren't this great threat hanging over their heads. Since the 80's Steubenville has not exactly been the wealthiest town in the nation, though there are signs that things are beginning to look up after a recent discovery of oil. Having lived in Steubenville myself for 5 years I can testify that the main source supporting the town is....Franciscan University. It is a college town. I would be very surprised if members of the city council had malicious intent towards the university in removing it from the logo. 

However, money is often power and, in this case, one party is moderately wealthy while the other is fairly poor. No wonder the city doesn't want to go through the hassle. However, even economically, the hassle would be worth it from their perspective to include such an iconic element of their city (that's why it was there in the first place). THIS is the more important reason they should go through the hassle. There is a reality to everything, in this case the city of Steubenville. I would bet over 95% of residents of the city of Steubenville are aware the Franciscan University's existence and, whether they like the students or not, are aware of the economic benefit it brings their city. The university IS a reality, one you cannot ignore if you live in Steubenville, Ohio. Why would you ignore it?

Should we exclude the Taj Mahal from anything Indian because it is religious? This just shows the modern day secularists are just the opposite of what they claim: "tolerance of all perspectives so that no one is endorsed". This is the dictatorship of relativism that Pope Benedict XVI identified at the beginning of his pontificate. "No one is right so just live peacefully and keep any representation of a viewpoint off your logo" is internally inconsistent. I don't think anyone with this viewpoint would have a problem putting their own logo on anything! Hmmm...

For more on the origins/founding document of masonry in the United States look at Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma by clicking here. You can find it in most public libraries as well. Just because there are many associated with it, does not mean I'm not making some far out conspiracy claim just by bringing up the topic. I just want to provoke something to think about: the goal of masonry, though it requires belief in a supreme being to join (there is no exact definition of what the supreme being/master architect is...he could be unconscious), is to promote public indifference to religion so that no single religion is endorsed. Doesn't sound all to bad, does it? The masons were masters of symbolism...everything was about symbolism because it allows knowledge to be given only to those who are capable of using it. There is a close connection I do not wish to get into, but you can read the Church's official commentary on masonry here and here. 

That was a bit of a tangent...however, the "Freedom From Religion" group, is openly even more provocative. 

Franciscan University reacted relatively strongly with the following statement saying that it does not wish to be included in any future version of the logo:

“For more than 65 years, Franciscan University of Steubenville has proudly served as an integral part of this community and we were honored to have our chapel included in the new city of Steubenville logo. The city initially included our chapel because it represents Franciscan University, a world-renowned center of higher learning and one of the largest employers in the region. We find it particularly troubling that an out of town and out of touch group targeted the University for removal from the logo solely because of our religious identity.

“Now that the city has decided not to keep the chapel in its logo, the University has declined the city’s offer to be represented by another campus building. The Christ the King Chapel and its cross, which are the centerpiece of the University logo, are internationally recognized symbols of the campus here in Steubenville and are at the heart of our Catholic educational mission. No other campus symbol or architectural feature so immediately identifies the University.

“As used in the city logo, the chapel image is not an endorsement of any one religion, or religion at all. It merely signifies one of the many treasures of Steubenville—along with Historic Fort Steuben, the Veterans Memorial Bridge, and the downtown cityscape—that are well-known community landmarks.

“For these reasons, Franciscan University has decided not to be included at all in the revised logo rather than to be represented in a way that does not honor our mission as a faith-based institution.”

Lately I've been quite proud of my alma mater.  

The Liturgical Decay Continues

The liturgical revolution (and decay) continues. Here's the story in one of the largest (if not the largest) news outlet in Italy: http://video.repubblica.it/edizione/genova/melissa-artista-di-strada-suona-il-sax-a-messa/101299/99675

Here is the caption from Republica translated:

Melissa, a street-artist, plays the sax during Mass.
She earns her living in the streets with her saxophone. Melissa has always had a dread: to play in a church. Don Paolo Farinella, parish priest of San Torpete, in the historic center of Genoa, fulfilled her desire. And she moved the faithful. [She did? Or was that tongue and cheek? Seriously]

The way the Mass is celebrated is the way we believe (lex orandi lex credendi). Is this music lifting us to people to higher things? No offense Melissa, its not your fault we have priests who cave to very little pressure.

No wonder many formerly Mass attending faithful now believe nothing and could care less. Jimi Hendrix did it better for secularism.


As WDTPRS says, this must be reason #47839 for summorum pontificum.


For more on the importance of the Mass see my article which scratches the surface here.

The Results of this past November's Vocation's Congress in Rome

This past November I traveled to Rome for a Vocation congress put on the by Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations headed by Monseigneur Bonnici and finalized by Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski.

The document points out various forms which have been useful in promoting vocations to the priesthood.

It can be found here: http://serra.org/images/documents/document_english.pdf

In my opinion it reiterates what most of us already know....the places that maintain the traditions of the Church are the places that have growing vocations. Traditions, as mentioned in section two, include:

1. Love and service of the Church
2. Vocation directors
3. Everyone in the Church, not just priests, have the responsibility to encourage vocations. 
4. Formation of Christian life (holiness), which includes participation in the Eucharist (I would include in this a well done, appropriate and transcending liturgy), word of God and the exercise of charity.
5. Altar serving
6. Minor seminaries. 

Fidelity in Higher Education

The head of the supreme tribunal in Rome, Cardinal Raymond Burke, has stated that students of Catholic universities have the right to know which of their teachers have signed the oath of fidelity to the Church's teaching.

It's a shame this has to be done, but when you get professors saying things like this this and this, it's about time to return to the old days of the oath against modernism--you're either in on this Catholic stuff or you're out and if you are out get out. Don't make your own blend of coffee.

Cardinal Burke Says Theologians’ Mandatum Should Be Required by Colleges, Disclosed to Students

Catholic families have a right to know which theology professors have themandatum, and Catholic colleges and universities should require it as a condition for employment, affirmed the Vatican’s chief judge Cardinal Raymond Burke in a new report prompted by recent concerns from Pope Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Burke and several bishops, canon law experts, and theologians discussed the mandatum with The Cardinal Newman Society in an online report published today at www.cardinalnewmansociety.org.

The report, titled “A Mandate for Fidelity,” follows upon a May 5^th address by Pope Benedict to several American bishops during their ad limina visit to Rome.  The Pope expressed concern that “much remains to be done” toward the renewal of Catholic identity in U.S. Catholic colleges and universities, “especially in such areas as compliance with the mandate laid down in Canon 812 for those who teach theological disciplines.”

He cited “the confusion created by instances of apparent dissidence between some representatives of Catholic institutions and the Church’s pastoral leadership.”

Canon 812 of the Catholic Church’s canon law states, “Those who teach theological disciplines in any institutes of higher studies whatsoever must have a mandate from the competent ecclesiastical authority.”

As implemented by the U.S. bishops, a theology professor requests a “mandate” (commonly identified by the Latin mandatum) from the bishop presiding over the diocese where the theologian is employed.  The professor commits, in writing, “to teach authentic Catholic doctrine and to refrain from putting forth as Catholic teaching anything contrary to the Church’s Magisterium,” according to U.S. guidelines.

But in the United States, many Catholic colleges and universities have not required theology professors to have the mandatum, or even to disclose to students and their families which professors have the bishop’s recognition.  The 1990s saw vigorous opposition to the mandatum by some theologians and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, but the controversy has since cooled down, largely because in practice the mandatum has not had much relevance to students and college leaders.

Now Pope Benedict’s concern about a lack of “compliance” with Canon 812 renews questions about Catholic colleges and universities’ obligations relative to themandatum.  The Cardinal Newman Society asked several experts including Cardinal Burke, archbishop emeritus of St. Louis and prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican’s highest canon law court, to explain what canon law requires.

Citing Pope Benedict’s description of the mandatum as “a tangible expression of ecclesial communion and solidarity,” Cardinal Burke said:

It’s tangible in the sense that it’s a public declaration, in writing, on the part of the ecclesiastical authority that a theologian is teaching in communion with the Church, and people have a right to know that so that if you, for instance, are at a Catholic university or parents are sending their children to the Catholic university, they know that the professors who are teaching theological disciplines at the university are teaching in communion with the Church. They are assured in that by the public declaration of the diocesan bishop.

“The fact that I teach in accord with the Magisterium is a public factor,” added Cardinal Burke. “That’s not some private, secret thing between myself and the Lord.”

Father Thomas Weinandy, OFM Cap., executive director of the Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told The Cardinal Newman Society that theology professors ought to be proud of receiving the mandatum, which is an honor “recognizing that theologians have a true vocation in the Church.”

I wouldn’t know why you wouldn’t want it to be public. The whole point is public recognition that somebody is truly a Catholic theologian. I don’t know why you would want to keep that hidden when the Church is bestowing the mandatum to recognize that somebody is truly a Catholic theologian.

Asked whether only theology professors with the mandatum should be employed at a Catholic college or university, Cardinal Burke responded “yes” and added:

…[T]he Catholic university will want that all its teachers of theology or the theological disciplines have a mandate and will not, of course, retain the professor in teaching Catholic theology or the theological disciplines who does not have a mandate, because to do so would be to call into question the whole raison d’etre of the university. If a Catholic university doesn’t distinguish itself for its care, that those who are teaching theology and the other theological disciplines are doing so in communion with the Magisterium, what reason does it have to exist?

In preparing the report, The Cardinal Newman Society consulted many other experts in theology and canon law, including Archbishop Emeritus Elden Curtiss of Omaha, Bishop Emeritus Joseph Martino of Scranton, Gregorian University canonist Fr. James Conn, SJ, canonist Robert Flummerfelt, and theologians Msgr. Stuart Swetland of Mount St. Mary’s University, Fr. Edward O’Connor, CSC, of the University of Notre Dame, Fr. Matthew Lamb of Ave Maria University, Brian Benestad of the University of Scranton, Larry Chapp of DeSales University, Mark Lowery and Christopher Malloy of the University of Dallas, and Dennis Martin of Loyola University Chicago.

Its not hard to guess how few colleges will jump to attention. If you are in eduction, ACT NOW in your school because if not, this will go on as another dead letter/statement.  

The Not Pontifical and Not Catholic University of Peru

The matter with the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru is settled as far as the Catholic Church is concerned:

SECRETARIA STATUS

N. 3168/12/RS

DECREE

The Secretary of State, fulfilling the mandate of His Holiness Benedict XVI, sent a letter to the Honorable Rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru on February 21, 2012, reiterating the demand of adapting the Statutes of said University to the prescriptions of the Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae, of August 15, 1990 (AAS 82, [1990] 1481-1490), also establishing April 8, 2012, as the final date for the fulfillment of such obligation. This petition was in addition to several others made to the same University in the same sense for the past twenty years.

The deadline initially established was extended repeatedly by petition of the Rectorate of the University up to April 18, 2012, with no fulfillment of the order of the Holy See.

Afterwards, by way of two letters of the Honorable Rector addressed to the Emin. Cardinal Secretary of State, one dated April 13, 2012, the other being an "open letter" dated May 9, 2012, and published by the same Rectorate as a "Warning" [Aviso] in the Lima daily "La República" on May 11, 2012, the notice was delivered of not being able to accede to the required fulfillment of the law.

For all this:

- considering that the aforementioned University was founded on March 1, 1917, with ecclesiastical approval of the Archbishop of Lima, Abp. Pedro Manuel García y Naranjo; recognized by the Peruvian State on the 24th of the same month and year as the Catholic University; erected by Pope Pius XII on September 30, 1942, as a canonical juridical person, subjected as such to the canonical legislation in matters of centers of Higher Education and whose property thus holds the nature of ecclesiastical assets, in the manner established of the can. 1257 § 1, in force;


-considering that art. 1 § 3, of the Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae, of August 15, 1990, establishes that all Universities subjected to the canonical legislation must adapt its Statutes to the aforementioned Constitution, which was not done up to this moment by the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, despite repeated requests;


-considering that the fulfillment of the canonical legislation is compatible with the applicable Peruvian legislation, in the manner established in articles I and XIX of the Agreement celebrated between the Holy See and the Republic of Peru on July 19, 1980 (AAS 72, [1980] 807-812);


-considering that the aforementioned University persists in guiding its institutional initiatives according to criteria that are incompatible with the discipline and morals of the Church;


-considering that no University, even if effectively Catholic and framed according to the Church legislation, may use in its name the title "Catholic" if not with the consent of the corresponding ecclesiastical authority, as established by can. 808 (cf. Canons 803, 216 of the Code of Canon Law);


-considering that the express consent of the Holy See is similarly necessary for the use the name of "Pontifical" ["Ponticio" o "Pontificia"], (Declaratio ad Summi Pontificis dignitatem tuendam, in AAS 102 [2010] 59);

Consequently, in virtue of the mandate

received from His Holiness, Benedict XVI

by the present

Decree

1. It is forbidden to the aforementioned University the use of the title of "Pontifical" in its name, suppressing the concession that had been previously granted to it.

2. It is forbidden likewise that the aforementioned University use in its name the title of "Catholic", with the removal of the consent that had been previously granted to it in such sense, in the sense of the current can. 808 of the Code of Canon Law.

3. It is declared at the same time that the aforementioned University, as a public juridical person of the Church, remains subjected to the canonical legislation in the matters to which it is currently bound, even if, for the aforementioned reasons, it has been deprived of the right to use in its name the titles of "Pontifical" and "Catholic", and that the Holy See will continue to insist in the full respect of the canonical discipline.

Notice is to be given of the present Decree to the Congregation for Catholic Education for its effective fulfillment. 

Given in Vatican City, July 11, 2012

Tarcisio Card Bertone

The University has of course responded unfavorably with the Rector of the university saying the following: "This is our official name, and we are recognized nationally and internationally by it. We have the full right to keep using it for as long as we consider it convenient. Any decision that is taken about it is of the responsibility of the ruling bodies of the university itself," he added.

Don't worry...at this point it doesn't matter if they use it or not...an official statement from the Vatican is enough to leave on the extreme die hard "rebel Catholics" trying to keep the name attached...the others could care less. 

The Vatican if it really wants to, could take further action to force the university to stop claiming itself as Catholic. This is why in the future, this move may be an important decision. 

Australia Seeks Removal of the Seal of Confession for the Vulnerable

The last refuge of the vulnerable (some would say that in two ways) is now under attack. For me, this is a perfect example of an instance where the separation of Church and State (liberalism 1.0) has a few kinks. Why would we expect a non-Catholic to understand the importance of not breaking the seal of confession? I mean we can argue why it is important from a non-theological perspective (The person is voluntarily confessing to a priest so why should the priest be forced to confess what never will be confessed again if the seal is taken away? If the seal is broken for sex crimes, sex criminals won't confess), but this misses the broader point. Here is the story:

Thousands of years of Catholic tradition in the confessional could be overturned by Victoria's inquiry into child sex abuse.

Priests would be ordered to reveal crimes told to them in private confessions under one proposal before the inquiry.

But priests say they will resist being forced to reveal secrets of the confessional.

Priest and law professor Father Frank Brennan said the move would be a restriction on religious freedom.

“If a parliamentary inquiry were to recommend a law by parliament saying that priests were forced to disclose anything revealed to them in the sacrament of confession I think that would be a serious interference with the right of religious freedom,” Father Brennan said today.

“Indeed it would be a very sad day if we moved to a police state mentality, it’s almost of Russian dimensions to suggest Catholic priests would have to reveal to state authorities what went on under the seal of the confessional.

“I am one of the priests who, if such a law were enacted, would disobey it and if need be I would go to jail.”

Father Brennan said disclosures to priests in the confessional were different to those made to doctors or counsellors, or even when a priest was acting in a counsellor role.

“If it were in the sacred realm of the sacrament of confession which in Catholic theology is akin to the penitent being in conversation with God, where the priest is simply an agent, then definitely the state has no role of interference in that.” 

http://www.news.com.au/national/priests-could-be-ordered-to-report-confessions-of-sex-abuse-to-police/story-fncynjr2-1226428524648

Americans are freaking out that their religious liberty is under attack...and they should because their constitution explicitly protects religious freedom....however, religious freedom has long been undermined by secularists in other countries this century. It continues and is finally established enough in trend to make such moves more acceptable in the United States. It is a slippery slope when principles are bent out of desperation.

Find another way to serve justice than to break the seal of confession, one of the most important promises the Christ makes to penitents through his Church--that their sins won't be repeated because they are forgiven. Imagine if the priest could tell the sins of anyone to whoever he wished. The disorder that would follow is something God would certainly not support especially in a matters where he promises to smash the teeth of the wicked. If the man is truly sorry he deserves the opportunity to obey in the penance that the priest gives him and perhaps confess publicly.  

Co-Education, A Step Backward?

All of my 18 years of "formal" education (K-12-Masters) has been in a co-ed environment. This includes everything from learning how to tie my shoes, algebra, public speaking class, calculus and heck...even philosophy. One of my Latin classes on the Peloponnesian war was all male only because what we were reading was pretty violent literature -the girls were't interested. Because of Co-ed education I feel that I haven't turned out too bad.

But would I have been better off if the "formal" aspect of my education had been single sex, at least in the earlier years? My sense tells my...probably.

Guys, be honest, in 7th grade was there ever more than one time where you were supposed to be listening to the lesson on algebra or the teachers thoughts on potting plants while the simple presence of the girl next to you totally invaded your transcendent thoughts into the realm of algebraic forms? "Meet her after school" you might have thought to yourself because an important test was coming up that same week. Then before you know it the period was over wasted trying not to think about what you cool thing you could say to her when the teacher finally shuts up. Girls, I don't know what its like for you, but with all the whispering in exclusive female circles I heard transitioning classes, it can't be that far off.

An opponent of single sex education could make the argument "This teaches young people how to focus and work hard, and choose their priorities rather than being forced into doing one thing. You are only delaying the distraction because then when they are introduced to a co-ed environment later, they will lose just as much focus." To me, this is downright codswallop. We're talking about "the school day". Not all the other extracurricular co-ed events THAT SHOULD BE participated in, perhaps even required. Perhaps some classes during the day should be co-ed. Heck, my sex-ed class in 4th grade was co-ed...and we went in depth....for some reason that was the most focused and quiet class I think I've ever sat through in the younger years.

The bottom line is that there are multiple aspects to holistic education-the spiritual, intellectual, emotional/social and the physical. Learning how to relate to the opposite sex and even be "friends" (which will later turn into something else) is a part of that "social" education...but is it really the best to do it alongside every other topic, especially when there are tailored methods of learning are more effective specifically for boys and respectively for girls? These respective methods aren't possible if both are always in the same room.

Males need time to be with only males and females need time to be only with females in order to develop strong identities in gifts respective of each sex. Oops...did I just say that? You mean there some things men do better than women and visa versa? Yes. Consider this passage from Pius XI's 1929 encyclical on Christian education, Divini illius magistri which is a much more tenacious and forceful position on the matter than I would like to take, however it is interesting: 

68. False also and harmful to Christian education is the so-called method of "coeducation." This too, by many of its supporters, is founded upon naturalism and the denial of original sin; but by all, upon a deplorable confusion of ideas that mistakes a leveling promiscuity [FYI: Promiscuity here is perhaps a bad translation from the latin pro amd miscu which would be literally translated "in favor of mixing" much like pro-life etc. Pius XI writes in a very Latin-esque style that, especially in this case, might lead people to think that he is paranoid about same sex education of causing promiscuity in the modern sense] sand equality, for the legitimate association of the sexes. The Creator has ordained and disposed perfect union of the sexes only in matrimony, and, with varying degrees of contact, in the family and in society. Besides there is not in nature itself, which fashions the two quite different in organism, in temperament, in abilities, anything to suggest that there can be or ought to be promiscuity [again, a different meaning], and much less equality, in the training of the two sexes. These, in keeping with the wonderful designs of the Creator, are destined to complement each other in the family and in society, precisely because of their differences, which therefore ought to be maintained and encouraged during their years of formation, with the necessary distinction and corresponding separation, according to age and circumstances. [He's saying it is necessary to have at least some but not going so far as to say how much.] These principles, with due regard to time and place, must, in accordance with Christian prudence, be applied to all schools, particularly in the most delicate and decisive period of formation, that, namely, of adolescence; and in gymnastic exercises and deportment, special care must be had of Christian modesty in young women and girls, which is so gravely impaired by any kind of exhibition in public. [Its hard for women to remain modest playing volleyball or swimming etc.]

On 11 July 2012 results from research at the University of Stetson in Florida found the following to be the results with the state's standardized testing:

The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) results were as follows:
 

Percentage of students scoring proficient on the FCAT.
Boys in coed classes: 37% scored proficient.
Boys in single-sex classes: 86% scored proficient.
Girls in coed classes: 59% scored proficient.
Girls in single-sex classes: 75% scored proficient.

“Remember, these students were all learning the same curriculum in the same school.…Many of those boys who scored proficient in the all-boys classes had previously been labeled ‘ADHD’ [Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] or ‘ESE’ [Exceptional Student Education] in coed classes.”^[2]

Read the entire article here:  http://www.tfp.org/tfp-home/news-commentary/should-classrooms-be-coed.html

Were the higher scores merely due to single sex schools happening to be generally better, more expensive, and more demanding private schools? Yes. And that is the point. Why are they better schools and why do they choose the single sex practice?

Lastly I recommend you read C.S. Lewis' chapter on Friendship in the book "The Four Loves". He explains how the bringing of men into a female circles and the bringing of females into male circles destroys a certain kind of "same sex friendship" which is for the good of society, something which was considered a form of love in ancient times.

Another One Bites the Dust...

One of the oldest universities in Europe (notice I didn't say oldest Catholic university since they were ALL Catholic)...makes a declaration of independence.

The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V. In 1968 the university split to form two institutions:

• Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Dutch-speaking, situated in Leuven; and
• Université catholique de Louvain, French-speaking, situated in nearby Louvain-la-Neuve, in Wallonia.

And yet....we find another all too common revolution taking place:

The five episcopal board members will only undertake an advisory function in the future, but may not decide on scientific projects like stem cell research.

Brussels/Leuven (kath.net/KNA)  In Belgium the Catholic University of Leuven has revoked its voting rights on the highest board of the University.  The five bishop members of the board will play only an advisory role in the future, but may not decide over scientific projects like stem cell research, reported the Belgian media of the University's  leadership.  Among the 30 persons included on the board also belongs the President of the Belgian Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard von Mechelen-Brüssel. 

The University explained in reports, that this decision took place after long consideration. [I wonder why it took so long? The last bit of respect for the founders of the university twinging at their consciences?] The Catholic University was indeed founded by the Bishops, but now according to its new mission statement will continue independently regardless. For that reason the word "Catholic" in the name of the University also comes under discussion. The current board decided to use the official designation KU Leuven. The >>K<< should in any case not be obligatory. Internationally, the name "University of Leuven" will be used. 

According to reports, the University stressed its independence in its new mission statement. An independent administration is an essential precondition for academic freedom.

The reason for the initiative was brought among other things by statements of Archbishop Leonard in 2010. The Bishops' President had described AIDS as a consequence of misconduct and described it as a form of imminent justice. [Which indeed it is. If you can't see past the immanent cause (modern empirical science only sees it as an exchange of a virus) and see past to the fact that sodomy is contrary to nature. (the case where the vast majority of blood would be exchanged) Using the term 'Contrary to nature" doesn't imply that it never occurs in nature, it simply means that this act is not perfective of that beings nature.] 

Wonderful.

If the statement of the Archbishop was really the cause of this move by the board of the university...it is just one more example where the abandonment of the classical teleological system of science (which includes the empirical science espoused by the researchers). This abandonment has sparked a widespread perception that any discussion of "the good" or "justice" or abstract ideas must be excluded  from any discussion or action based on the same--science in the classical sense. God help us....because we know

Meanwhile, the Canon lawsuit at Georgetown seems to be progressing nicely. www.fatherkingsociety.org

Interested in Learning Gregorian Chant?

Corpus Christi Watershed has their newest contribution online. In theory if you follow the steps, the infamous squares and squiggles between lines will mean as much to you as regular sheet music. Take a look at their page:

The goal is to be able to read Gregorian chant. Good news! With a little effort, anybody can learn to do this. However, as a teacher, it is difficult to know where to begin and what progression to follow. No doubt some singers will, with profit, go through the following lessons “out of order.”

Lesson 1: The Principles of “Movable Do”

Lesson 2: Intervallic Relationships

Lesson 3: Do Clef and Fa Clef

Lesson 4: A Practical Example

Lesson 5: Names of the Notes

Lesson 6: The Vatican Edition of the Chant

Lesson 7: Syllabic Moræ Vocis in the Vatican Edition

Lesson 8: Salicus vs. Scandicus

Lesson 9: Ecclesiastical Pronunciation of Latin

Lesson 10: Modality and Psalm Tones

Lesson 11: Thoughts on Gregorian Rhythm

http://www.ccwatershed.org/Gregorian/

The Über Value of the Holy Mass (Learn a bit more about it if you find it dry)

Recently, Serra has launched a new quarterly magazine called Serra Connects. The last issue (and first issue) released earlier this summer included an article written on the human and eternal value of the Mass which I have posted below.

The Human and Eternal Value of the Mass

By Jon C. Haines 

The words written herein come nowhere close to explaining fully the value of the Holy Mass or how we can come to value it more. However, I hope that this will help those reading it to value the Mass more than before by understanding the reason it is the way it is and how to fully participate. I will examine two main points: first, the Mass as a human liturgy and manner of catechesis and secondly, how the Mass nurtures the body of Christ in the world as the highest prayer.

Mass Liturgy

When we consider what the Holy Mass is, we might like to take a step back and view it in light of liturgy in general. Liturgy is not something unique to Roman Catholics, Catholics in general or even to religion itself. Nearly every movement or revolution in thought has an art or liturgy that comes to be associated with it because the human spirit cannot help but express in a fully human way the new insight to which it feels it has come. The word tradere in latin means to literally “hand on,” and is the origin of the english word tradition, with a lower case ‘t’. When handing on our ‘insight’ or anything at all, we easily tire of logic and words and usually prefer to transmit and express our beliefs about the world around us through gestures, symbolism and ritual because this is often much more effective than words. It is like passing a regular 10mb file on a USB drive vs. a 5mb zipped/compacted version of the same file. The saying remains true: “A picture is worth a thousand words, or reformulated as in Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil: “Even when the mouth lies, the way it looks tells the truth.”[1] Consider the rituals of the most ancient Aztecs with human sacrifice, the Hebrew temple where a room was secured only for the priest, the intricate graphical symbolism of freemasonry or even gang signs.

A relevant example of liturgy and art changing with beliefs is that as soon as the prevailing view in the renaissance that the world around us is more or less subjective (called idealism-dependent on the person and the object may not even exist if I am not viewing it) then the artwork changed along with it. Artists stopped pursuing the idea that their work should be as objective and realistic as possible (photography was soon introduced later anyways) and instead should contain a subjective element where the viewer impresses his own experience on the painting...hence, impressionism developed. As time went on the art became more vague advancing even from modernism to post-modernism where one person’s interpretation could be nearly opposite another’s. Have you ever heard of Pink Floyd, Salvador Dali or Samuel Beckett?

The point in all of this is to give a brief explanation of why the Church uses formulaic prayer--it is standard, symbolic and, when it is orthodox, didactically effective. It is confusing, conflicting and creates a ‘wash’ of symbolism when it is heterodox. To think that we have reached a stage (as many 1960’s liturgists did) in evolution where liturgy and ritual should be left behind in favor of ‘reason’ or mere words with the artistic aspect remaining interpretive and vague is just silly (and boring). Art and ritual must not only remain, but also to avoid doctrinal corruption of the Tradition (capital ‘t’) of the deposit of faith, it must remain in a spirit of continuity with our past, since being able to read symbols is the origin of their value. In this way we are assured that we hand on what we were given because the principle of the game telephone applies more to words than it does ritual. As an example, a specific type of symbol in the Mass which is often abandoned is that of mystery, which remains important to us as Catholics because it reminds us that, though Christ is our friend, he is also our God who is far beyond our comprehension. Without the symbols of, for example, the veil over a tabernacle centrally located, genuflections or even contemplative music...God seems pretty, common, ordinary and well, profane. Profane simply means in latin--anything outside/in front of the temple, rather than in it. The purpose of “prayer postures” in nearly every religious tradition--is one more thing to set that time apart from any other time. This is why for at least 1900 years the priest and the people faced a golden box containing something rather important, and this is why today there is a push in many places today to re-introduce this practice. Nicholas Gomez Davilla once famously said: “The gesture, rather than the word, is the true transmitter of traditions.” When, in many places the congregation does not act like Christ is present convening at the altar as though it were just like any other meal, it it comes as no surprise that in the U.S.A. in 2003, only 27% of Catholics believed in the real presence. (U.S Catholic survey) The old law “Lex orandi, lex credendi (the way we pray is the way we believe) does not cease to be true.

Pope Benedict said the following in his 1989 book, Milestones:

A renewal of liturgical awareness, a liturgical reconciliation that again recognises the unity of the history of the liturgy and that understands Vatican II, not as a breach, but as a stage of development: these things are urgently needed for the life of the Church. I am convinced that the crisis in the Church that we are experiencing today is to a large extent due to the disintegration of the liturgy.”[2]

Even more strongly in the preface to Msgr. Gambers book, The Reform of the Roman Liturgy he stated:

"What happened after the Council was something else entirely: in the place of liturgy as the fruit of development came fabricated liturgy. We abandoned the organic, living process of growth and development over centuries, and replaced it - as in a manufacturing process - with a fabrication, a banal on-the-spot product. Gamber, with the vigilance of a true prophet and the courage of a true witness, opposed this falsification, and, indefatigably taught us about the living fullness of a true liturgy."[3]

Consider reading Cardinal Ratzinger’s book, The Spirit of the Liturgy, the encyclical Sacramentum Caritatis, the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, or any of his recent homilies or press statements on the liturgy.

You might find that there is a great misunderstanding of what Vatican II intended in the way of adjusting the Holy Mass.[4] Ask yourself, does your music sound like a folk music or dance club or something from heaven? Have you been edified, lifted up and pointed towards God on a human level by Mass lately? If not, consider the orthodoxy of your liturgy, because the Roman rite in both its forms cannot help but lift the human spirit towards heaven, especially because of this next part.

Communion Far Beyond Words

So far we have only looked at the Mass from a human perspective, but as you might already know and believe, the Mass is a liturgy but not mere liturgy. It is the event where heaven and earth meet and the Holy Sacrifice of Calvary is re-presented to us, allowing us to come into profound communion with Christ. The manner in which we remember this action has developed and our Christian theology has become more and more crystallized in the liturgical actions by tradition. This means celebrating the Mass is more than just saying the words, it is praying the Mass in the form prescribed by the Church and emanating from tradition--not for the sake of fulfilling a formula as if it were magic--but for the sake of communing with Christ and his body throughout the world.

We, the Catholic Church, are the body of Christ in the world--his hands and feet and mouth. Since Christ of course is in heaven with the Father and the Holy Spirit, when we say “We are the body of Christ, obviously we are not Christ in an identical way since he and we are more than just a body, but nonetheless we carry out his humanity in the world. Bodies need to be nourished...and what better gift could Christ give us before he left to help us on our individual journey to continue to participate in the body of Christ? Well, the body of Himself would be hard to beat. Once baptized, we are full members of the body of Christ, which, though by sin can be damaged and by mortal sin become dormant and disconnected, allows us to receive and ‘consummate’ our relationship God in a most elevated way. The blood, carrying oxygen, reaches the cells of His body so to speak. That is why the Mass is valuable beyond words. Where else can you commune with the living God in a tangible way? It almost sounds silly. But because of this intense spiritual encounter (though we may not feel it) the Catechism of the Catholic Church goes so far as to say, “In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith...and the summit of Christian Life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1327)

Massive Prayer

Some terminology may be useful in communing more deeply. As the highest prayer Holy Mass, on a practical level, is still multifaceted because we are praying in common at times (external participation) and at times we find ourselves on a personal level with Christ himself (internal participation). Both are essential to the Mass. It is important to note that through personal and spiritual participation we become united to other Christians throughout the world, rather than him simply appearing in our midst just by fact of us being in the same location. It is true that where one or more are gathered Christ becomes present, but as the Holy Father has pointed out, when the Mass becomes focused on ourselves we detract from the sacrificial and unique character of the Mass. It is our time to receive Christ and meditate rather than focus on giving him to one another by the gathering of the body. That is why the Catholic Church has an age old tradition of having coffee and donuts after Mass.

As the great saints and doctors of the Church say, external participation leads to full internal participation. St. John of the Cross in the Ascent of Mount Carmel and Theresa of Avila in The Interior Castle explain that Verbal prayer facilitates meditative prayer which is difficult and requires hard work but occasionally leads to contemplation which is the highest manner of prayer.[5] It can be helpful to keep in mind that the orations (said privately or in common) of the Mass have four purposes before of God: Propitiation, or atonement for our sins, thanksgiving, adoration/worship and petition of God for our temporal and spiritual needs. All four of these can be sentiments in each of the four manners of prayer, externally or internally. As John of the Cross says, words and even thoughts themselves are merely stepping stones to the highest manner of prayer, whether inside or outside of the Mass: contemplation. The silence after communion or at the silence of the consecration (in the extraordinary form of the Mass) are ideal times to commune in this way with the Creator. Communion is what it’s all about.

 

In summary, it is important to understand the Mass from both a human but most importantly a divine and spiritual standpoint. The Catholic tradition is so rich that it is very important continue to inquire beyond this puny and insufficient article about the profound symbolism contained in the Mass and to attend Mass as frequently as you would like to receive the living God-that’s a no brainer. So as you feel the slow pull Benedict XVI’s “New liturgical movement” or “Reform of the reform,” you can know that, rather than forgetting the mystery of God by keeping the liturgy consisting of the mere profane, ironically, mystery is meant to aid you in grasping as much of the mystery of God as you can. Even with theology, God is far beyond our language--we know it and should express it. The furthest/oldest observed part of the universe is 93 billion light years away. The Holy Mass pokes a hole in that.

---

[1] Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, and Walter Arnold. Kaufmann. Basic Writings of Nietzsche. New York: Modern Library, 2000. Print. 282.

[2] Benedict XVI. Milestones: Memoirs, 1927-1977. San Francisco: Ignatius, 1998. Print.

[3] Gamber, Klaus. The Reform of the Roman Liturgy: Its Problems and Background. San Juan Capistrano, CA: Una Voce, 1993. Print.

[4]  For example, Radio Vaticana, VIS, 31 January 2012: “...the Holy Father’s intention is rather to implement conciliar teachings on the liturgy which have been ignored up till now. Present day liturgical practice does not always have any real basis in the Council. For example, celebration versus populum [facing the people] was never mandated by the Council...A renewal of the form of divine worship is necessary for the interior renewal of the Church: “Since the crisis of the Church today is above all a crisis of the liturgy, it is necessary to begin the renewal of the Church today with a renewal of the Liturgy.” Cardinal Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

[5] John, Of The Cross, and Kieran Kavanaugh. John of the Cross: Selected Writings. New York: Paulist, 1987. Print. 109.

All rights reserved. 2012.  

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