Over the past week, there has been a lot of media hub-bub regarding politics, the sanctity of human life, and the Catholic Church. On Sunday, Representative Nancy Pelosi erroneously represented the Catholic Church and its position on abortion. An excerpt of her statement reads:
“as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition . . . St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know. The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose.”
In the past 48 hours, the archbishops of Denver, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. and other bishops have made formal statements regarding those of Nancy Pelosi. One of the most ardent was that of Edward Cardinal Egan. Directly from the Archdiocese of New York website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2008
STATEMENT OF EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN CONCERNING REMARKS MADE BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokaw of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.
We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being “chooses” to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.
Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
August 26, 2008
Cardinal Egan is an outspoken champion for the unborn and the integrity of the Catholic Church's teaching on this abortion. In April, Kevin and I had the opportunity to attend a mass celebrated by Cardinal Egan during Catholic Public Policy Day in Albany. His homily centered on this very issue and was just as strong and poignant as the statement above. In the end, who are Catholics and the American pubblic going to believe? A misinformed politician claiming skills in moral theology, or a faithful, learned man of the church who gives his life for defense of the truth?
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sugar and Spice to Snakes and Snails
What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice, and everything nice,
That's what little girls are made of.
Some of my old psychology professors would scoff at the "sage wisdom" of that old rhyme, but a recent article on CNN says otherwise:
Boys will be boys, girls will be girls from birth
On a related note, when I was an undergraduate, I worked at a coffee shop near campus for two years. During my time there, I got to know "the regulars": students, townies, and the homeless. One particular regular still sticks out to me. This person almost always wore dark clothing that could not typically be characterized as feminine or masculine and thick-soled black boots. This person's hair was shorn to about a half inch. While it was, at first glance, difficult to discern this regular's gender, their figure was definitely more feminine in nature. After a few months of seeing this person on a regular basis, I found out through a co worker that this person, though chromosomally female, had decided to abandon her gender and all of the outer trappings associated with femininity. She had and lived out the viewpoint that humans control gender and predetermined genetics had no hold on her identity.
I do not know what caused her to think and live this way, but over and over again, according to research and even my own personal experience, she and others who purport this viewpoint are missing the boat-in terms of cognition, emotion, relationships and spirituality. Having spent time with children, most recently nephews and nieces, I've noticed a distinct difference in behavior in accordance with the gender line in many cases. How is it that my nephew knows how to use his voice to "shift gears" without prior instruction while playing with cars and trukcs? Why is it that my niece was obsessed with Strawberry Ortcake (as she used to say) and pranced about wearing fairy wings with no encouragement from her parents? Granted, every child's genetic predisposition and environment lead to variance in behavior. But for the love of pete, let's let boys be boys and girls be girls!
Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice, and everything nice,
That's what little girls are made of.
Some of my old psychology professors would scoff at the "sage wisdom" of that old rhyme, but a recent article on CNN says otherwise:
Boys will be boys, girls will be girls from birth
On a related note, when I was an undergraduate, I worked at a coffee shop near campus for two years. During my time there, I got to know "the regulars": students, townies, and the homeless. One particular regular still sticks out to me. This person almost always wore dark clothing that could not typically be characterized as feminine or masculine and thick-soled black boots. This person's hair was shorn to about a half inch. While it was, at first glance, difficult to discern this regular's gender, their figure was definitely more feminine in nature. After a few months of seeing this person on a regular basis, I found out through a co worker that this person, though chromosomally female, had decided to abandon her gender and all of the outer trappings associated with femininity. She had and lived out the viewpoint that humans control gender and predetermined genetics had no hold on her identity.
I do not know what caused her to think and live this way, but over and over again, according to research and even my own personal experience, she and others who purport this viewpoint are missing the boat-in terms of cognition, emotion, relationships and spirituality. Having spent time with children, most recently nephews and nieces, I've noticed a distinct difference in behavior in accordance with the gender line in many cases. How is it that my nephew knows how to use his voice to "shift gears" without prior instruction while playing with cars and trukcs? Why is it that my niece was obsessed with Strawberry Ortcake (as she used to say) and pranced about wearing fairy wings with no encouragement from her parents? Granted, every child's genetic predisposition and environment lead to variance in behavior. But for the love of pete, let's let boys be boys and girls be girls!
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Dignity of Little Women
Yesterday I got wind of this news story about a Chinese government official who, at the last minute, decided to oust a 7 year old girl who won the chance to sing at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies for another 7 year old who was deemed prettier and would lip sync to the former's voice. The article spins this story to be an affront by the Chinese government: yet another totalitarian, communist move to make the Western world think that all is perfect and beautiful in their land.
I think it runs deeper in that. The judgment rendered by the Chinese government that physical beauty is better received than the beautiful voice of this 7 year old girl who competed and won the chance to sing is a reflection of Western culture as well. We see this same behavior in American pop culture all the time-from music to television to movies. We can criticize this Chinese official for being totalitarian, but in the end, we cannot ignore our dominant, consumeristic, "beauty" obsessed culture that leads people the world over to believe that a little girl with a full face and crooked baby teeth is not good enough. The messages received by the singer (your not pretty enough) and the lip syncer (your physical beauty is the better asset) at such a tender age will undoubtedly follow them beyond the Olympics.
When will we put the truth and the dignity of women, especially the littlest women, first?
I think it runs deeper in that. The judgment rendered by the Chinese government that physical beauty is better received than the beautiful voice of this 7 year old girl who competed and won the chance to sing is a reflection of Western culture as well. We see this same behavior in American pop culture all the time-from music to television to movies. We can criticize this Chinese official for being totalitarian, but in the end, we cannot ignore our dominant, consumeristic, "beauty" obsessed culture that leads people the world over to believe that a little girl with a full face and crooked baby teeth is not good enough. The messages received by the singer (your not pretty enough) and the lip syncer (your physical beauty is the better asset) at such a tender age will undoubtedly follow them beyond the Olympics.
When will we put the truth and the dignity of women, especially the littlest women, first?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
If I were a Narnian...
Click on the banner below to take the quiz. Once you answer the questions, you're matched to a character from The Chronicles of Narnia.
I'd be Tirian, who is a character in The Last Battle.
As Tirian, you are valiant, brave and loyal. While you may have a silly name, you help others in the face of adversity and always uphold what is right.
A pretty tall order...at least I'd have a silly name!
I'd be Tirian, who is a character in The Last Battle.
As Tirian, you are valiant, brave and loyal. While you may have a silly name, you help others in the face of adversity and always uphold what is right.
A pretty tall order...at least I'd have a silly name!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Headliner
Well, I think I've used up about 2 minutes and 30 seconds of my allotted 15 minutes of fame! Our diocese is having a random drawing for tickets to the papal mass at Yankee Stadium in April and yesterday was the last day to enter. So, I drove myself down to the diocesan offices to fill out an entry ticket and who should be there but CBS 6 news. Before I knew what was happening, I was being coaxed into a "staged" conversation about why I wanted to go to the mass with a camera in my face. I now have a whole new respect for celebrities. So many say silly things in front of the camera and are berated for it. Now I understand why they say these silly things. There is no time to really think about what you're saying! Fortunately the editor was very kind and I don't appear too doltish. Thank God they cut the italicized portion of my musings (see below). I giggled enough in the video as it is.
News Anchor: So why are you entering this drawing to see the pope?
Andrea: My husband and I would love to be at a mass celebrate by the pope. It would be a dream!
Here's the link to the video. You have to select it from the menu on the right side of the page.
Please say a prayer that we get some tix! It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Perhaps the "lot" will fall to us.
News Anchor: So why are you entering this drawing to see the pope?
Andrea: My husband and I would love to be at a mass celebrate by the pope. It would be a dream!
Here's the link to the video. You have to select it from the menu on the right side of the page.
Please say a prayer that we get some tix! It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Perhaps the "lot" will fall to us.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Do you hear what I hear?
Last night, Kevin alerted me to this "saintly" conversation on The View daytime talkshow.
JOY BEHAR: I’m going to get in trouble for this, but you know what? I have a theory that you can’t find any saints any more because of psycho-tropic medication. I think that the old days the saints were hearing voices and they didn’t have any thorazine to calm them down. [laughter] Now that we have all of this medication available to us, you can’t find a saint any more.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK: I don’t think so, Mother Teresa.
BEHAR: That’s why Mother Teresa had issues. Let’s not forget, she didn’t really believe 100 percent like these saints who were hearing voices. She didn’t hear voices. So the Church said "okay, she does good deeds. Let’s make her a saint." In the old days it used to be you heard voices. They can’t do that anymore.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: They’d cut your hair off. They’d set you on fire. Don’t forget what they did to Joan of Arc.
BEHAR: Because she was hearing voices.
GOLDBERG: They set her on fire. That’s why people stopped saying anything.
BEHAR: Well it was- no, no, no, in the last century before you had medication, they still were hearing voices. I’m telling you.
HASSELBECK: I don’t think they were hearing voices. I think they were committed to their faith and they’d go to death for it.
SHERRI SHEPHERD: Because I hear voices. I hear voices in my head.
BEHAR: Well, duh!
[laughter]
HASSELBECK: I hear voices too.
BEHAR: Medication is in order perhaps!
While Behar's assertions are nothing short of asinine, they reinforce the need for Catholics to stand up for the Church's teaching concerning our relationship with God and what it takes for the Church to declare anyone a Saint. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
"...we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples!" CCC 957 (emphasis added)
The Catholic Church does not declare anyone a saint simply because they claimed to have heard God's voice, thereby giving evidence to the need for psychotropic drugs. The Saints are declared as such because of their devotion to Christ. A saintly life is evidenced by a life of holiness: prayer, sacrifice and service to Christ and his people. It is a life lived in cooperation with God's grace. A saintly life cannot be equated to symptoms of certain mental disorders.
Ms. Behar, before you start airing your opinions about Catholic teaching for impressionable minds to hear, please do your homework! Facts are far more beneficial than intrigues.
JOY BEHAR: I’m going to get in trouble for this, but you know what? I have a theory that you can’t find any saints any more because of psycho-tropic medication. I think that the old days the saints were hearing voices and they didn’t have any thorazine to calm them down. [laughter] Now that we have all of this medication available to us, you can’t find a saint any more.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK: I don’t think so, Mother Teresa.
BEHAR: That’s why Mother Teresa had issues. Let’s not forget, she didn’t really believe 100 percent like these saints who were hearing voices. She didn’t hear voices. So the Church said "okay, she does good deeds. Let’s make her a saint." In the old days it used to be you heard voices. They can’t do that anymore.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: They’d cut your hair off. They’d set you on fire. Don’t forget what they did to Joan of Arc.
BEHAR: Because she was hearing voices.
GOLDBERG: They set her on fire. That’s why people stopped saying anything.
BEHAR: Well it was- no, no, no, in the last century before you had medication, they still were hearing voices. I’m telling you.
HASSELBECK: I don’t think they were hearing voices. I think they were committed to their faith and they’d go to death for it.
SHERRI SHEPHERD: Because I hear voices. I hear voices in my head.
BEHAR: Well, duh!
[laughter]
HASSELBECK: I hear voices too.
BEHAR: Medication is in order perhaps!
While Behar's assertions are nothing short of asinine, they reinforce the need for Catholics to stand up for the Church's teaching concerning our relationship with God and what it takes for the Church to declare anyone a Saint. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
"...we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples!" CCC 957 (emphasis added)
The Catholic Church does not declare anyone a saint simply because they claimed to have heard God's voice, thereby giving evidence to the need for psychotropic drugs. The Saints are declared as such because of their devotion to Christ. A saintly life is evidenced by a life of holiness: prayer, sacrifice and service to Christ and his people. It is a life lived in cooperation with God's grace. A saintly life cannot be equated to symptoms of certain mental disorders.
Ms. Behar, before you start airing your opinions about Catholic teaching for impressionable minds to hear, please do your homework! Facts are far more beneficial than intrigues.
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