O my Jesus, I beg You on behalf of the whole Church ... give us holy priests. You yourself maintain them in holiness.
O Divine and Great High Priest, may the power of Your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil's traps and snares, which are continually being set for the souls of priests.
May the power of Your Mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring the naught all that might tarnish the sanctity of priest, for You can do all things. - St. Faustina (Diary, 1052)
JANUARY 12, 2012 PRESS RELEASE by Father Michael Rodríguez
It is unfortunate that Bishop Armando Ochoa, Administrator of the Diocese of El Paso and no longer our bishop, has decided to pursue legal action against me. Such legal action is unjust. Over the course of 9 1/2 years as the parish priest of San Juan Bautista Catholic Church, I poured my heart and soul into caring for this parish, both in terms of temporal goods, and especially spiritual goods. I’m confident that hundreds of my former parishioners will eagerly testify to this. In his January 11, 2012, press release, Bishop Ochoa stated, “Fr. Rodríguez’s handling and use of donated funds has compromised the financial integrity of San Juan Bautista.” This is not true. Bishop Ochoa’s statement also refers to “Fr. Rodríguez’s mishandling of funds.” Again, this is not true. I have always honored, respected, and made good use of the financial patrimony of San Juan Bautista. I stake my entire reputation on this claim. On September 20, 2011, I opened my heart to my bishop, like a son to a father, and was completely honest and forthcoming with him as to the financial affairs of San Juan Bautista. I told him everything. He chose not to believe me. For the past four months, my canon lawyer has made repeated efforts to resolve this matter with Most Rev. Armando Ochoa, and he has refused. I have a great love for my former parish of San Juan Bautista, and my former parishioners. I am ready to fight for and defend them, whatever the cost. I am also ready to protect my own good name and reputation. I have never misappropriated or misused parish funds. Finally, I am convinced that the real reason for my former bishop’s actions against me is due to my defense of the Catholic Church’s teaching with regard to homosexuality as well as my adherence to the Roman Liturgy of 1962. If necessary, I will present prodigious evidence to support this contention. I will continue to do my best to be a good and holy priest, no matter the cost. I will continue to proclaim and teach the truths of the Roman Catholic Church, especially in the area of sexual morality, no matter the cost. I will continue to adhere to the Ancient Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, no matter the cost. Please keep me in your prayers during this difficult trial. Please entrust me and my priesthood to the loving protection of Sancta Dei Genetrix, the Most Holy Mother of God. Thank you and may the good Lord bless you as this joyous Christmas season continues.
Fr. Michael Rodríguez,
Parochial Vicar, Santa Teresa de Jesús Parish
Presidio, TX
___________________________
Please only forward to prayer warriors who will pray for these two servants of God. Please do not FaceBook this.
“We are going through a crisis of Catholic identity both in terms of individuals who claim to be Catholic, but neither talking nor acting in accordance with Church teachings, and in terms of institutions such as universities and health-care organizations.”
— Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, following his decision that St. Joseph’s Hospital can no longer be considered Catholic.
“Solid marriages and families are essential to a thriving society.”
— Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, a champion for God’s definition of marriage.
“The important series of articles on the theology of the body in these pages is an effort to show the pastoral effectiveness that is within the Holy Father’s rich catechesis. The theology of the body is not over our heads. It is deep in our hearts.”
— Cardinal Justin Rigali introduces “Theology of the Body: A Register Symposium.”
“By his teaching and his manner of life, he made the Christian proposal interesting and compelling in a world that imagined it had outgrown the ‘need’ for religious faith.”
— Papal biographer George Weigel on the Christian witness of John Paul II.
“We are a believing society. The overwhelming majority of Americans have a personal faith in God. Religion is an important part of our life, but it’s less and less seen as an integral part of our public life. There’s a push to relegate religious faith to the private realm alone.”
— Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George
“As we began to think about certain matters, our hearts began to melt, and we moved towards Rome.”
— Father Mark Lewis, rector of a church that was formerly St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Bladensburg, Md.
“As the Pope’s representative here, Archbishop Sambi put a face on that presence that was happy, cheerful and welcoming. We saw that same warm spirit during the Pope’s visit, and after the Holy Father’s departure, his caring presence remained in the person of Archbishop Sambi.”
— Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, about the late U.S. papal nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi.
“Jesus Christ shows you the way and the aim of real happiness. Not only to you, but also to your fellow friends. … Jesus is asking you to put down roots in the hearts of young people of the third millennium.”
— Cardinal Antonio Ruoco speaks to youth in his homily at the opening Mass of World Youth Day on Aug. 16.
“It was a time of great tragedy, but also of great heroes. New York and the world saw examples of self-sacrifice that I don’t think have ever been matched in our time. … We saw heroism and self-sacrifice — expressions of great holiness.”
— Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop emeritus of New York, about 9/11 tragedy, 10 years later.
“This visit has demonstrated that the Christian belief is something which relates to today’s society, and this was evident in some of the speeches of the Holy Father, in the people he met, and overall in the emotional presence of the flock.”
— Jesuit Father Hans Langendorfer, chief coordinator of the Pope’s visit to Germany.
“Our world would often have us believe that culture is light years ahead of a languishing, moribund Church. But, of course, we realize the opposite case: The Church invites the world to a fresh, original place, not a musty or outdated one. It is always a risk for the world to hear the Church, for she dares the world to ‘cast out to the deep.’”
— Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the bishops’ conference, in his opening address at USCCB fall meeting.
John Paul II “helped believers throughout the world not to be afraid to be called Christian, to belong to the Church, to speak of the Gospel.”
— Pope Benedict XVI at beatification Mass for John Paul II.
We “prepare our hearts and our lives for the coming of Emmanuel, God-with-us.”
— Pope Benedict XVI in an Advent Angelus address
“Christ is risen; he is alive, and he walks with us. For this reason we sing and we journey on, faithfully carrying out our task in this world with our gaze fixed on heaven.”
— Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter message.
“The ‘door of faith’ is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. It is possible to cross that threshold when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows itself to be shaped by transforming grace.”
— Pope Benedict in declaring a ‘Year of Faith’ for 2012
“If a bishop experiences the fatherhood within his own vocation and office, he will not only demand what Christ calls from all of us, but live that call himself.”
— Archbishop Charles Chaput on the need for a bishop to take a firm stand against abuse for the good of his flock.
“Mary didn’t expect the Annunciation. She didn’t expect to be mother of the Redeemer. And yet her act of obedience changed the course of history and led to a new covenant of love and fruitfulness. I have no illusions of being worthy of this ministry, but I do trust in the wisdom of the Holy Father. So I’m deeply grateful for his confidence and the privilege of serving this Church.”
— Archbishop Charles Chaput in his homily at his installation Mass as archbishop of Philadelphia.
Mark Steyn comments here about the left wing Mainstream Media being so crass and cruel as to mock the death of Rick Santorum’s newborn child. He says how the left are all big on “empathy” in order to defend abortion, but they are quite willing to mock Sarah Palin’s child who has Downs’ Syndrome and the behavior of the Santorum’s after the death of their child. I wonder if anyone else noticed how sneering they were toward Sarah Palin’s daughter being a teenage mom who kept her baby while at the same time they are full of ”empathy” for teenage moms who choose to kill their baby.
Robert Royal also comments over at The Catholic Thing. It reminds me of another feast in the Christmas Season which did not get enough attention. Each year we celebrate the Slaughter of the Innocents on December 28. This feast, it seems to me, ought to be used more by the Pro Life Movement as a national day of prayer and reparation for the crimes against the unborn in our land. We’re a nation of little Herods–willing to slaughter the little ones who threaten our prosperity and power.
Later this month I’ll be in Washington for the March for Life, and will join thousands of others in the campaign against the slaughter of the innocents in our land. I’ll be blogging and tweeting from the MFL, and hope you’ll follow me there and I hope to meet many of you if I get the chance.
In the meantime, ponder how the liberal media would have reacted to the news in Judea around 4BC: Todd Unctuous would have written something like, “Have you heard some snotty nosed farm workers came in from the hills to Bethlehem the other night? Geesh, what were they smoking? They come shuffling down with stories about “angelic hosts of heaven” appearing to them. Not likely. Haven’t they ever heard of group hallucination? Then they turn up at a little shed where a homeless couple are camping out for the night. The unwed mother is being looked after by this old guy, and that’s kind of creepy in itself. What’s he after??? She gives birth (the anti aborts would say she ‘chose life’) and all I can see is that there is another squawking mouth to feed, and who’s going to pay for that I ask you? The taxpayer as usual…Not only that, not long after these three aristocrats show up looking for ‘the King of the Jews’. Quite sensibly they go to Herod’s palace. We have to admit that Herod is not everyone’s cup of tea, but hey, nobody’s perfect! At least he’s a strong ruler. He’s canny. He’s nobody’s fool. We can respect that in a ruler. He’s calm under fire. He has the backbone to make tough choices for the sake of peace. These three foreigners tell him a new king of the Jews has been born and Herod takes the tough, but sensible decision. There’s no room for two kings, so he weeds them out. You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs, and if we can avoid a civil war or a rebellion a few years down the line–who’s complaining–anyhow, what about the famines we’ve been having? Those children were likely to grow up in poverty and misery. And the women? Why should those women be punished by having a child? They’ll look back on it in a few years and realize that Herod did them (and all of us) a favor.”
1. I urge all of the Catholic faithful to treat homosexuals with love, understanding, and respect. At the same time, never forget that genuine love demands that we seek, above all, the salvation of souls. Homosexual acts lead to the damnation of souls. Any Catholic Who Supports Homosexual Acts
2. Furthermore, a Catholic would be guilty of a most grievous sin of omission if he/she neglected to actively oppose the homosexual agenda, which thrives on deception and conceals its wicked horns under the guises of “equal rights,” “tolerance,” “who am I to judge?,” etc. Any Catholic Who Supports Homosexual Acts
3. Remember: Every single Catholic, out of fidelity to charity and truth, has the absolute duty to oppose (1) the murder of unborn babies, and (2) any and all government attempts to legalize homosexual unions. Any Catholic Who Supports Homosexual Acts
4. “I was ordained to the Catholic priesthood to offer sacrifice and teach the only truth which brings salvation and happiness. . . The priesthood is my greatest joy. In the present circumstances, I intend to try even harder to be a good, holy priest. Obedience to my bishop is essential to the priesthood.” Bishop Publicly Disciplines Fr. Rodriguez
5. “Today, throughout 21st century America, elementary school children are being indoctrinated by homosexual activists that there are “different kinds of families.” Jesus Christ preached against the man who looks upon a woman and lusts after her. (Mt 5:28). Today, 21st century man, a slave to the fires of his passion and lust, cries “equal rights” in order to justify the abomination of male-male or female-female “unions.” The stench of moral decadence surrounds us, and yet we insist on spreading the lie that we of the 21st century are “enlightened and progressive” because we’ve “moved beyond the prejudices of the past.” The Truth About Homosexuality, Part IV
6. A truly pastoral approach will appreciate the need for homosexual persons to avoid the near occasions of sin. We wish to make it clear that departure from the Church’s teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral. The Truth About Homosexuality, Part IV
7. Above all, we are to show love and compassion towards homosexuals by leading them to the truth, and helping them to reject sinful homosexual activity. Remember, it’s about saving souls! We must be firm, yet humble, patient, and caring. Love and compassion means assisting the homosexual person to live chastely, form wholesome friendships, and grow in the virtues: peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, and modesty. (Gal 5:22) Happiness and self-fulfillment can never be gained through sinful relationships and disordered sexual activity. The Truth About Homosexuality
8. Under no circumstances can sinful homosexual acts ever be approved. Woe to the Christian who denies the reality of sin! It is never loving and respectful to lie to homosexuals by telling them that homosexual behavior is o.k. or “normal.” Don’t be fooled by the well-orchestrated campaigns of misinformation and deceit by pro-homosexual groups which have infested the media. Instead, trust in God and His commandments! Trust in the teachings of His Church! Homosexual acts were, are, and always will be an abomination before God and man. This is an infallible moral teaching of the Catholic Church to which every Catholic must give assent. The Truth About Homosexuality, Part II
“Our heroes are sorcerers. The characters we admire spend seven years studying, and a lifetime becoming proficient in, something that is intrinsically and gravely evil – sorcery. No room for doubt here. Magic is good, Dark Magic bad.This is a false dichotomy. In the real world, in God’s Eyes, all sorcery, the manipulation of preternatural powers – which means, yes, demons – is dark, is evil.” Fr. Donal Callaway, MIC
The Eucharist is moving into enemy territory as a powerful weapon against abortion. Across the country, adoration chapels are being set up next to abortion businesses. It’s a growing movement that Father Steve Imbarrato, chaplain of Holy Innocents Chapel in Albuquerque, N.M., says he hopes will increase.
“I want to promote Eucharistic adoration to fight abortion,” Father Imbarrato said. As the director for Project Life, he said everything he does to promote life involves the Eucharist. “The chapel is the spiritual center of all our pro-life work,” he stated.
By setting up a Eucharistic chapel, Jesus has a close, permanent presence right next to the enemy. “Our Lord has been across the street from the Planned Parenthood clinic here for almost 12 years,” Father Imbarrato said. “It began when our bishop gave permission for the Eucharist to be kept in a tabernacle in an office cubicle across the street.” When the priest was asked to oversee the chapel in 2004, he formed a 501(c)(3) for Project Defending Life. The landlord, not happy with the makeshift chapel, was threatening to throw them out.
That’s when another 3,000 square-foot office space became vacant just 50 feet from the facility. The group moved there and renamed it Holy Innocents Chapel. Mass is celebrated there three days a week.
“We’ve been taking Our Lord in procession after Mass, two days a week, and we just added a third day,” Father Imbarrato said. An average of 30 or more participants join in a Rosary and other prayers before processing back.
When Father Price Oswalt, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, heard Father Imbarrato’s story on Catholic radio, he said he knew he wanted to get the Eucharist as close to the local abortion facility as he could. “If we can get people praying with Our Lord on the front lines, we can change everything,” he said. “Darkness cannot exist in light; the presence of God’s goodness will change hearts and minds.” ‘Everything Has a Price’
When the question of financing came up, Father Oswalt said Father Imbarrato told him not to worry. “Father said, ‘Just let people know about your plan, and God will provide the money.” That is exactly what happened. “People started donating, including a $25,000 and a $35,000 check,” Father Oswalt said. “I was going to rent a building, but people said, ‘Why don’t you buy one?’”
A building is in the process of being purchased. Father Oswalt said the Holy Innocents Chapel will be operational as soon as possible. His goal is perpetual adoration to pray without ceasing against the evil taking place next door. “The clinic doctor murders scores of babies six days a week,” he said.
Initially, a building nearby was not even for sale, but a pro-life businessman assured Father Oswalt, “Father, everything is for sale for a price.” Sure enough, the owner of a building 21 feet from the abortion business was looking to pay off a debt, so he accepted an offer. Ironically, he warned the future buyers, “The only thing wrong with this building is that there’s a doctor next door who does women things, so sometimes there are protesters.” The buyers did not reveal that they were the protesters.
Although money readily came forward, many details had to be addressed. The bishop needed to give permission to reserve the Blessed Sacrament, which he did as long as the chapel can be properly staffed with volunteers for perpetual adoration. There need to be at least 168 people — two per hour — to commit to an hour a day, seven days a week, before the Blessed Sacrament. Attorneys volunteered to file the legal papers for Holy Innocents Foundation of Oklahoma’s nonprofit status. They also made sure the chapel would be in compliance of city rules for setting up churches and holding processions.
After all this work, what if the abortionist moves to some quieter location? “If he moves, we move,” Father Oswalt said. “We will follow him wherever he goes.” ‘The Lord Is There’
In Robbinsdale, Minn., right next to an abortion facility, there is a renovated home that has served as a Eucharistic chapel for three years. The Eucharist is reserved in a back bedroom, and a 10-foot crucifix and five-foot statue of Mary sits in the front yard. Father Thomas Duffner meets with a group on the property every Saturday, rain or shine, where they pray 15 decades of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
“The Lord is there,” Father Duffner said. “There’s no question that there is power in this. I have no doubt whatsoever.” He said that just as the whole Church is being renewed through perpetual adoration, so too the fight against abortion is being renewed through the Eucharist. “We go to the abortion clinic, to the foot of the cross, where Jesus is suffering; and through the Eucharist, he is there with us.”
In North Dakota, there are no abortionists and only one business. Practitioners come from out of state, usually on Wednesdays, to perform abortions. Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo said that the Visitation Chapel opened on the third floor of an office building directly across from the abortion facility this past June. “I opened it with the first Mass,” the bishop said. “There is Mass every Wednesday at 8am and adoration from 8:30 until 4pm, the time abortions are done.”
The Fargo Respect Life Office directs the chapel, but it relies completely on donations from the laity. “The response has been very positive,” said Bishop Aquila. “People come from all over to pray here. They see the chapel as a real witness to the dignity of the unborn.”
Bishop Aquila, who presides over an annual Eucharistic procession on Respect Life Sunday, cautions that it is important to involve the local bishop and study the rules for establishing a chapel and holding processions.
“Certainly, with our belief in the Eucharist as the body, blood and divinity of Jesus Christ, we are putting our trust in the second Person of the Trinity to assist in the battle against the culture of death,” he said. “Jesus is the one who gives life. We know that Our Lord is with us in this battle.”
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Benedict ushered in Christmas for the world’s 1.3 billion Roman Catholics on Saturday, urging humanity to see through the superficial glitter and commercialism of the season and rediscover the real significance of the humble birth of Jesus.
The 84-year-old pope, celebrating the seventh Christmas season of his pontificate, also urged that those marking the holiday in poverty, suffering or far from home not be forgotten.
At the start of a Christmas Eve service, he was wheeled up the central aisle of St Peter’s Basilica standing on a mobile platform which he has been using since October.
The Vatican says it is to conserve his strength, allow more people to see him and guard against attacks such as one on Christmas Eve, 2009, when a woman lunged at him and knocked him to the ground. He is believed to suffer from arthritis in the legs.
But he seemed to be in good shape during the solemn service in Christendom’s largest church as choirs sang, cantors chanted and organ music filled the centuries-old basilica.
Benedict, wearing resplendent gold and white vestments, urged his listeners to find peace in the symbol of the powerless Christ child in a world continually threatened by violence.
“Today Christmas has become a commercial celebration, whose bright lights hide the mystery of God’s humility, which in turn calls us to humility and simplicity,” he said in his homily to about 10,000 people in the basilica and millions more watching on television throughout the world.
“Let us ask the Lord to help us see through the superficial glitter of this season, and to discover behind it the child in the stable in Bethlehem, so as to find true joy and true light.”
The Christmas story of how Jesus, who Christians believe is the son of God, was born powerless “in the poverty of the stable” should remind everyone of the need for humility.
“… let us strip away our fixation on what is material, on what can be measured and grasped. Let us allow ourselves to be made simple by the God who reveals himself to the simple of heart,” he said.
PEACEMAKERS
The pope, who earlier placed a “candle of peace” on the windowsill of his apartments as the life-size nativity scene in St Peter’s Square was inaugurated, called for an end to violence, for oppressors to put down their “rods” and for all to become peacemakers.
“God has appeared – as a child. It is in this guise that he pits himself against all violence and brings a message that is peace,” he said.
“At this hour, when the world is continually threatened by violence in so many places and in so many different ways, when over and over again there are oppressors’ rods and bloodstained cloaks, we cry out to the Lord…” he said.
“…we suffer from the continuing presence of violence in the world, and so we also ask you: manifest your power, O God. In this time of ours, in this world of ours, cause the oppressors’ rods, the cloaks rolled in blood and the footgear of battle to be burned, so that your peace may triumph in this world of ours.”
Those celebrating Christmas in comfortable circumstances should remember those less fortunate.
“And let us also pray especially at this hour for all who have to celebrate Christmas in poverty, in suffering, as migrants, that a ray of God’s kindness may shine upon them, that they – and we – may be touched by the kindness that God chose to bring into the world through the birth of his Son in a stable,” he said.
On Christmas Day, the pope will deliver his twice-yearly “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message and blessing from the central loge of St Peter’s Basilica.
He continues his Christmas and New Year’s celebrations on Dec 31 with a year-end Mass of thanksgiving known by its Latin name Te Deum.
On January 1 he marks the Roman Catholic Church’s World Day of Peace, on January 6 he marks the Epiphany and on January 8 will baptise several newborns in the Sistine Chapel.
He is due to visit Mexico and Cuba in March.
(Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Peter Graff)
Well, something very unusual came up at after Mass this week. It’s the stained glass windows.
They are in need of vital repairs before permanent damage ruins them. These windows are stunningly beautiful! You would have to go to a major Cathedral or to Rome in order to find stain glass windows this eloquent. I am not joking, to have these windows custom built today would cost $5 to $6 million dollars. The repairs will cost almost $190,000.
Here is what is shocked me. After Mass they announced the ability to have a memorial for your family if you sponsored one of the windows. They almost sold out 15 minutes after the last Mass. People were politely interrupting others just to ensure they could sponsor the window they wanted.
Why did these windows go like hot cakes? Here are three reasons why I believe they went so fast.
These stained glass windows portray the Bible stories more majestically than any I have ever seen. While in church, I often find myself struck by the beauty of the sunshine coming through the windows.
It is a unique chance to have a permanent memorial for your family on one single item, not a plaque with 100 other names. The true rewards for a Memorial inside a church will only be revealed in heaven. I can’t tell you how many times I prayed for the “Buckman family” that sponsored a stained-glass window in the church where I grew up.
How often does the opportunity present itself to have your family name inscribed on something that is utterly breathtaking? As you can see from the pictures, these windows are true works of art that lift your heart and mind to heaven.
Would you prayerfully consider sponsoring this stained glass window of Christ’s Ascension?
The Ascension of Christ
Stain Glass Window at St. Rose Lima Church, Quincy IL
St. Rose run by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter - FSSP
To have your family Memorial attached to the last stained-glass window available is $25,931, which can be fulfilled in installments, 48 months comes to $541.
The majestic High Altar is also available to be sponsored.
St. Rose of Lima High Altar
To have your family Memorial attached to the High Altar is $27,500 which can be fulfilled in installments, 48 months comes to $573.
To reserve your family’s legacy in a Memorial and have your name associated with either of these masterpieces of Divine works of art you will need to call me at 573 – 735 – 2002.
I know the prices are high, but eloquence comes at a price.
Thank you so much for your time. Please join me in saying an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for all worthy Catholic fundraising efforts.
St. Rose of Lima is an old Quincy, Illinois Church, listed on the National Historic Building Register. They recently were allowed by the good Bishop to have the Traditional Latin Mass run by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter – FSSP. Pictures here. Home page here.
Merry Christmas and God bless you,
John Quinn
P.S. If God has placed it on your heart to sponsor the Ascension stained glass window or the high altar, you might want to know that over 3,000 other people of good will will see this post. You may want to go ahead and call me at 573 – 735- 2002 before someone else does.
ETWN NEWS – By Kevin J. Jones : The Catholic bishops of Illinois have said their Dec. 16 meeting with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn was meant to remind him that the Catholic faith cannot be used “to justify positions contrary to the faith itself.”
“As Catholic pastors, we wanted to remind the Governor that conscience, while always free, is properly formed in harmony with the tradition of the Church, as defined by Scripture and authentic teaching authority. A personal conscience that is not consistent with authentic Catholic teaching is not a Catholic conscience,” the bishops said Dec. 17.
" . . . that’s what the Church’s social mission is all about "
The Illinois governor, a Catholic, has drawn rebuke from the bishops for his support for a same-sex civil unions bill and for his presentation of an award for a pro-abortion rights group.
Catholic Charities adoption agencies in the state were also forced to shut down when state regulators ruled they must place children with homosexual couples or lose their state contracts.
The governor said on Dec. 17 that his two-hour meeting with the bishops was only “a little bit” about his positions that are contrary to Catholic teaching in areas like abortion and homosexual adoption.
“A lot of the discussion was how we could work together to fight poverty, help the people who are less fortunate and need a helping hand,” Quinn told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Getting people jobs, helping people who don’t have enough food to eat — that’s what the Church’s social mission is all about.”
The bishops’ statement came in response to Quinn’s comments to the Sun-Times.
They said that from their point of view, the Friday meeting was “a meeting between pastors and a member of the Church to discuss the principles of faith, not the works of faith.”
“It is a matter of personal integrity for people who call themselves Catholic to act in a manner that is consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition, since he holds a highly visible and influential position, the Governor’s statements about conscience or other matters of faith can affect many other people for whose spiritual care bishops are responsible,” they explained.
Despite their other concerns, the bishops expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the governor.
“We share the governor’s concern for the poor. Many poor people fill our parishes. The life of the Church has been marked for centuries by the care of the poor in our charitable, educational and health care institutions, works we hope that the state will allow us to continue to perform as expressions of faith.”
Quinn told the Sun-Times there was only “brief” discussion of Illinois’ new civil unions law, despite the ending of state contracts with Catholic Charities for adoption work.
“We have a law. We have to uphold that law. We can’t allow anyone not complying with the law to continue to hold a contract,” he said, adding that he thinks the Catholic Church should partner with agencies that will work with homosexual couples.
Mary Massingale, communications director with the Illinois Catholic Conference, told EWTN News on Dec. 19 that the bishops and Gov. Quinn previously agreed the decision about whether to go public about the contents of the meeting was up to the governor.
The 84-year-old pope, celebrating the seventh Christmas season of his pontificate, also urged that those marking the holiday in poverty, suffering or far from home not be forgotten.
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