Randall Terry Arrested at Thomas More Cathedral
"The great irony is that we were arrested at St. Thomas More Cathedral.St. Thomas More was arrested, tried, and beheaded because he believed that the authority of the Church is not subject to the state."
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ARLINGTON, Va. (Catholic Online) - Randall Terry, the Founder of Operation Rescue and convert to the Catholic Church,has issued the following Press Release:
"It is with great grief that I report to you that I, Randall Terry, along with Brian Sherwood and Joseph Landry, were arrested on Respect Life Sunday, October 5, at St. Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington, Virginia. We were charged with trespass, held by the police for four hours, then released.We were arrested for handing out a pro-life brochure on the church parking lot entitled, Faithful Catholic Citizenship. Faithful Catholic Citizenship is based upon quotes from John Paul II from Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life.) Read it at www.humbleplea.com. (See link for Faithful Catholic Citizenship.)
The reason certain bishops find this literature alarming, is because it actually names Obama as a die hard supporter of child-killing. The argument is simple: since Obama would extend the murder of the innocent, a Catholic cannot vote for him with a clear conscience in this election. Certain bishops are hamstrung with the fear of losing their "tax-exempt status" if they name a candidate in an election cycle. So the name "Obama" is off limits, and so is any literature that names him.
The great irony is that we were arrested at St. Thomas More Cathedral. St.Thomas More was arrested, tried, and beheaded because he believed that the authority of the Church is not subject to the state.A greater irony still is that St. Thomas More refused to follow the English bishops in their servitude to Henry VIII. Those bishops betrayed God and the successor of St. Peter by their silence and obedience in the matter of Henry VIII's divorce, remarriage, and his hellish proclamation that he was the Supreme Head of the Church.
The parallels between those English bishops and American bishops today are disturbing and glaring to any student of theology and history.In exchange for silence and obedience, English bishops saved their lives. In exchange for silence and obedience, American bishops save their tax exempt status.But oh! Behold the horrifying fruit of cowardice in English bishops! Millions of the faithful were led astray, and the Church of England is now reprobate – embracing a multitude of heresies and abominations.
And oh! Behold the horrifying fruit of the silence of American bishops! Millions of the faithful are so poorly formed in conscience that they believe it is no sin against God or innocent babies to vote for a man committed to slay millions of children. The bishops keep their tax exempt status, while the faithful lose their way, and the innocent lose their very lives. One can at least sympathize with -- though never honor -- the fear of English bishops. To speak against Henry's marriage and his claim to supremacy over the Church would have cost them their lives -- as it did St. John Fisher -- the only English bishop to oppose Henry VIII.
By contrast, American bishops face no prison, no torture, and no execution. It is the lives of others they forfeit, not their own.If American bishops had a portion of the courage of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher - and followed the church's history and pattern of naming the names of heretics, scandalous evildoers, and tyrants - what would it cost? Bishops would face a few rocky years of bad press and annoying litigation. (See Matt 5:10-12) But in the end, with a little nerve, and a united front with Catholics and evangelicals that groan under this unholy yoke, the IRS bit and bridal would be stripped from the mouths of prelates and preachers alike. This gag would be thrown to the ground and trampled into the earth. And no – the Church would not go broke.
Some well-meaning souls believe that we can submit to the IRS -- and not name Obama's name -- and yet remain faithful to God and the Church.They are mistaken.It boils down to this: who is Lord of the church? Our Lord Jesus Christ, or Uncle Sam? Who is the supreme head of the Church on earth? The successor of St. Peter, or the IRS?
If Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, St. John the Baptist, St. Justin Martyr, St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Fisher, and a host of others would have simply held their tongue and not named names, none of them would have been hunted, or scorned, or martyred. And the tyrants of their day would have prevailed.I close with the words of St. Thomas More recorded in a "Man for all Seasons." Their echo fits our current crisis:
"The indictment is grounded in an act of Parliament which is directly repugnant to the law of God and his holy Church - the supreme government of which no temporal person may by any law presume to take upon him.This was granted by the mouth of our Savior, Christ himself, to St. Peter and the bishops of Rome, whilst he lived and was personally present here on earth. It is therefore insufficient in law to charge any Christian to obey it….Nevertheless it is not for the supremacy that you have sought my blood but because I would not bend to the marriage!"
Our "crime" is that we will not join our Bishops in their silence; we will not abandon the babies for money; and we will not "bend to the marriage" between U.S. Bishops and the IRS. We will uphold the authority and freedom of the Church, we will defend the lives of the innocent, and we will resist the slayers of mankind by name - even if they won't."
Randall Terry
Founder, Operation Rescue
www.humbleplea.com
"It is with great grief that I report to you that I, Randall Terry, along with Brian Sherwood and Joseph Landry, were arrested on Respect Life Sunday, October 5, at St. Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington, Virginia. We were charged with trespass, held by the police for four hours, then released.We were arrested for handing out a pro-life brochure on the church parking lot entitled, Faithful Catholic Citizenship. Faithful Catholic Citizenship is based upon quotes from John Paul II from Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life.) Read it at www.humbleplea.com. (See link for Faithful Catholic Citizenship.)
The reason certain bishops find this literature alarming, is because it actually names Obama as a die hard supporter of child-killing. The argument is simple: since Obama would extend the murder of the innocent, a Catholic cannot vote for him with a clear conscience in this election. Certain bishops are hamstrung with the fear of losing their "tax-exempt status" if they name a candidate in an election cycle. So the name "Obama" is off limits, and so is any literature that names him.
The great irony is that we were arrested at St. Thomas More Cathedral. St.Thomas More was arrested, tried, and beheaded because he believed that the authority of the Church is not subject to the state.A greater irony still is that St. Thomas More refused to follow the English bishops in their servitude to Henry VIII. Those bishops betrayed God and the successor of St. Peter by their silence and obedience in the matter of Henry VIII's divorce, remarriage, and his hellish proclamation that he was the Supreme Head of the Church.
The parallels between those English bishops and American bishops today are disturbing and glaring to any student of theology and history.In exchange for silence and obedience, English bishops saved their lives. In exchange for silence and obedience, American bishops save their tax exempt status.But oh! Behold the horrifying fruit of cowardice in English bishops! Millions of the faithful were led astray, and the Church of England is now reprobate – embracing a multitude of heresies and abominations.
And oh! Behold the horrifying fruit of the silence of American bishops! Millions of the faithful are so poorly formed in conscience that they believe it is no sin against God or innocent babies to vote for a man committed to slay millions of children. The bishops keep their tax exempt status, while the faithful lose their way, and the innocent lose their very lives. One can at least sympathize with -- though never honor -- the fear of English bishops. To speak against Henry's marriage and his claim to supremacy over the Church would have cost them their lives -- as it did St. John Fisher -- the only English bishop to oppose Henry VIII.
By contrast, American bishops face no prison, no torture, and no execution. It is the lives of others they forfeit, not their own.If American bishops had a portion of the courage of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher - and followed the church's history and pattern of naming the names of heretics, scandalous evildoers, and tyrants - what would it cost? Bishops would face a few rocky years of bad press and annoying litigation. (See Matt 5:10-12) But in the end, with a little nerve, and a united front with Catholics and evangelicals that groan under this unholy yoke, the IRS bit and bridal would be stripped from the mouths of prelates and preachers alike. This gag would be thrown to the ground and trampled into the earth. And no – the Church would not go broke.
Some well-meaning souls believe that we can submit to the IRS -- and not name Obama's name -- and yet remain faithful to God and the Church.They are mistaken.It boils down to this: who is Lord of the church? Our Lord Jesus Christ, or Uncle Sam? Who is the supreme head of the Church on earth? The successor of St. Peter, or the IRS?
If Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, St. John the Baptist, St. Justin Martyr, St. Catherine of Siena, St. John Fisher, and a host of others would have simply held their tongue and not named names, none of them would have been hunted, or scorned, or martyred. And the tyrants of their day would have prevailed.I close with the words of St. Thomas More recorded in a "Man for all Seasons." Their echo fits our current crisis:
"The indictment is grounded in an act of Parliament which is directly repugnant to the law of God and his holy Church - the supreme government of which no temporal person may by any law presume to take upon him.This was granted by the mouth of our Savior, Christ himself, to St. Peter and the bishops of Rome, whilst he lived and was personally present here on earth. It is therefore insufficient in law to charge any Christian to obey it….Nevertheless it is not for the supremacy that you have sought my blood but because I would not bend to the marriage!"
Our "crime" is that we will not join our Bishops in their silence; we will not abandon the babies for money; and we will not "bend to the marriage" between U.S. Bishops and the IRS. We will uphold the authority and freedom of the Church, we will defend the lives of the innocent, and we will resist the slayers of mankind by name - even if they won't."
Randall Terry
Founder, Operation Rescue
www.humbleplea.com
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I don't see a conflict...Terry is acting as the laity ought to act. He shouldn't expect the bishops to act in ways more appropriate to the laity. What needs to happen is the RICO act needs to be enforced in those Baptist churches that SUPPORT OBAMA.
+render unto Caesar that which is Caesars ----my kingdom is not of this world.
I've met Randall Terry, and he is a lunatic. However, in this case he is right. The bishops are afraid to actively campaign against a specific candidate because they don't want the Church to lose its tax exempt status. While there was a time where simply saying "You cannot vote for a pro-abortion candidate" might have been sufficient, so many Catholics are being led astray by groups like "Catholics for Choice" that the bishops' duty requires them to take more active steps in the political realm by mentioning specific candidates (not just Obama) by name.
Shame on you Bishops for leading your flocks a stray. Any catholic who votes for a candidate who promotes abortion is also guilty of the same crime. Have catholics forgotten what being a catholic is? Have these Bishops forgotten they are to obey God,not mammon. Remember dear Bishops, God watches your every move. You will have much to pay for in your eternal life, same goes for catholics who vote for Obama. All who decide to vote for Obama,go watch a movie of an abortion taking place,then if you can still vote for Obama, may God have mercy on your soul.
It would be better for our Catholic Church to give up the tax-exempt status than to fail to defend the unborn... perhaps it is time for our bishops to remove the shackles of fear and to speak out courageously for Jesus Christ!
May God Bless this man who has done so much to call our bishops to task. When will they stop embarrassing the laity and saying "no" to our Lord? Souls are being lost because they are no longer sure of where the truth lies?
Many Priests, Bishops, Cardinals are not following the teachings of the Church. Pray for them and the people the lead astray.
What's more important: standing up for one's faith or losing tax exempt status? Our faith says that abortion is wrong, which it is. By not speaking out against abortion for fear of losing their tax exempt status, bishops are putting money ahead of a child's life. Is that what our religion is about?
I can guarantee you that there is more to this story. Randall is a divisive man and I wouldn't allow him to hand out anything to anyone. Most of his literature is over the top and I don't find him very trustworthy. The Bishops definitely need to do their part, there is no question about that, but not for a moment do I believe that Randall Terry is a victim here. A little more reporting on what happened would have been nice instead of just putting up Randall's press release.
as catholics, we should stand up for truth & storm heaven with our prayers - that pro-life candidates john mccain & sarah palin be graced by our Lord & our Lady to lead our country in these times of uncertainty. we need to pray for them & other pro-life candidates who defend life (from conception to natural death). right now, we are being besieged & deceived by barack obama/dems/media by their oratorical rhetoric/messianic promises & a left wing agenda. the rosary is the best weapon to confront & defeat evil. we should trust in the Lord always!
Many of our priests and bishops are part of the problem. Just as the politicians, Truth has no value. They are far from the truth of their vocation. Why would they fight for truth something they have no passion for.
God bless people like Randall Terry for having the strength to speak out in defense of the truth.
Amen, Amen and Amen! I only wish more Catholics, but especially Priests, Bishops and Cardinals, would feel as strongly as Randall Terry. Your true reward is in heaven Terry!
God bless you for all you do and for your stance. These are, indeed, hard times, and those who speak for the voiceless little ones, unborn and born, may feel, sometimes, that all is lost; but have hope and strength: the Good Lord sees all, and continue your work for him. One day, we all pray, there will be an end to the horror of abortion. In the meantime, you are His "good and faithful servant." Thank you.
Our Lady in many of her apparitions speaks to her "sons" and tells them they can not serve two masters. I am ashamed of the lack of courage of these priests and bishops. But not all. As many of us stand and pray outside of abortion mills, there are those who join us and more who speak out at the pulpit. Pray for priest and pray for all who are being misled by the lack of courage from our priests!
I am so proud of you Randall !!!! Stand for TRUTH and make them see if they don't help us. They are for Baby killing. Right is Right and Wrong is Wrong. God will repay.
So, who were the lowlife dirtbags who had this man arrested? We need names. We need specifics. Faithful Catholics who actually believe what the Church teaches about abortion (and contraception, the Eucharist, etc) need to DEMAND a formal, written apology and a formal, written explanation of why they chose to have a man arrested on Church property because he was teaching what the Church teaches. WHO WAS IT? Yes, no doubt it was one of those spineless "progressives" who care more for folk masses than for the unchangeable TRUTH of the Catholic faith. But, we should know exactly who it was. Name names, folks. It's time to take off the gloves and get serious about the dissent from the TRUTH and the abandonment of the faithful by Church leaders.
May God bless you, Terry, and your fellow protestors and grant you the continued courage and wisdom to persevere in standing up for what is right and good. We need MORE men and women in this world like you! I know that Our Lord and Our Mother are beaming graces upon you to continue your work. Praise God! Thank you, Maryellen Ortiz
These are the days of fierce battle. We face a war between demonic forces and good forces raging every second and every minute of our days. It is happening in both the spiritual and physical realms. We live in the physical realm and we cannot see what is beyond the veil, but we can feel and we can experience its effects in our daily lives. Each time a person like Randall Terry, Brian Sherwood and Joseph Landry draws people to the truth and the love of God, a demonic force controlling some people will prevent this and other crucial information to reach as many people. Each time a group moves forward to build the Kingdom of God, an attack is set by Satan. Many people will believe Satan’s and the demons’ lies and the efforts of righteous people is doubly difficult but is crucial to people’s salvation. That’s why we all have to support any group that builds the Kingdom of God, promote God’s teachings and the Truth of Jesus. We can do this by active participation, by our prayers, by mass offerings and fasting. We need to realise that we are all warriors in this fierce battle. We must be equipped with God’s armour – the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and Sword of the Spirit so that we all can stand firm against the devil's schemes. Let’s pray that Randall, Brian and Joseph and all others will be able to stand all the way through the battle. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:12
Thank You Randall - It just is beyond belief that the Bishops are not standing up for whats right. Make no mistake-God is prolife. So what side are they on. They say Obama's plane stinks - could it be half of Hell is in there. God bless
As an artist, I find an outlet for my frustrations with our American church leaders. I created several cartoons which has been widely circulated on the internet in which, in one, I depict a bishop handing out the host to a line of Catholic politicians who are pro abortion (Pelosi, Kerry, Kennedy Leahi and Biden) and placed a blindfold on the bishop. I have titled the illustration with three words,"See no evil". The second cartoon there is two individuals, on the left is a man dressed in Roman attire with the date "208 AD. He is making the following statement "If I speak as a Christian I will lose my life, I will speak". To his right is another figure dressed in a black suit and roman collar with the date "2008" and he is making the following statement,"If I speak as a Christian I will lose my tax exemption, I will not speak". The saying that one picture is worth a thousand words applies to this cartoon.
Why aren't we banning together and marching in protest in front of the offending dioceses' offices? Yes, name names PLEASE so that we, too, can stand up for what is right!
God bless you, Randall for taking up the issue for what it is. The world is caving in supposedly to the modernist philosophy that undermines all that is holy. It is the job of the lay people to do what is necessary to uphold the teaching of the Catholic Faith. I am doing my little part. I claim the blood of Jesus Christ to save us from the evil of abortion, that the genocide going on in America among black Americans who are aborting at an incredible rate stops. Jesus we bind the evil of abortion to the foot of your cross with the love that led you to Calvary and we ask you to send upon our black brothers and sisters the spirit of truth - that they come to understand that Jesus loves them, too. Jesus protect all peoples from the evil of abortion, and bless us with the spirit of reverence for God and therefore for ourselves.
cast your stones when you are sinless. do you pray for your bishops or just bash them? most bishops are exhorting their flock to vote pro-life, and you'd have to live under a rock to not know which candidate is pro-life and which isn't. have some humility and follow your shepherds: they're good men.
God bless Randall Terry, Brian Sherwood and Joseph Landry for their dedication and commitment to doing the Lord's work and standing up for what is right. Shame on those bishops who like Judas,are betraying God once again. The Democratic party is no longer the party of the people but has now become the party of death with Mr.Obama at the helm. Simply stated you cannot be Catholic and pro choice. If you think so, then you are only fooling yourself and not God. This election could be our last chance of mercy. God is watching and taking note.Pray for those bishops to have courage to do the same as these brave men.
I think it was J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote "Sheep become like shepherds, and shepherds like sheep". Seems befitting of the bishops of today. They like to leave the unpleasantries of standing up for the truth to the laity. To quote another source...I believe it was Archbishop Fulton Sheen who said that it would be the "congregation, NOT the clergy" who would lead the Church back to holiness.
Enough bishop bashing. God sees to it in the end they get an eternal heavenly radiance or nukish glow. I know the situation, Martha, though not Mr. Terry's, and protested with an embarrassing lemon at the local abortion site. I was also embarrassed at myself for talking a dignified elderly couple from church into attending, to have them yelled at as "idiot Catholics." The stench blows both ways. The local war zone had its reward, a premature life saved who will be remembered long past Mr. Terry's moment of fame.
I read this article last night, and it did echo my sentiments for the last forty years, that the bishops of this country have been unduly silent about abortion and extremely derilect in their duties of handing down the faith, untarnished, to the majority of American Catholics. Certainly, the sex scandals haven't helped. I don't know Randall Terry, but felt the article was well written. Been thinking about the IRS. Catholic Answers has a 'Voting Guide for Serious Catholics' that has been approved by the IRS, that can be distributed in any parish. I think most people, excluding maybe the Hispanic population because of language barrier, are aware of the fact that OBAMA is PRO-ABORTION. I think the Bishops need to stress, that anyone voting for a candidate that has an extremely pro-choice-pro-abortion stance is commiting a mortal sin and may even be incurring atomatic ex-communication from the Church. The bishops need to stress priorities in this election. Life comes first--the rest will take care of itself. God made this election simple if one has the eyes to see--THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM=THE CULTURE OF DEATH---THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM=THE CULTURE OF LIFE. How would Jesus vote?
More power to you brother. There is a reckoning day for all of us even bishops. We must also remember they are also still (as off track as they may be) the representatives of Christ on earth. We must pray that their hearts change and stand strong in Christ like you are (on all issues). We also must ask God to help us to forgive their choices. God Bless you and your family. I know He will. Thank God we have folks like you. As for Mr. William Bailey; never be embarrassed to stand up for Jesus Christ. That is a tool of the devil. You will also have to stand before God and account for all of your choices just as the bishops, Randall Terry, and I will have to do. I pray we are all unified and know who we are serving (Jesus Christ) and not fall into any traps of deception. REMEMBER also, THE BLOOD OF THE KILLED BABIES IS NOT ONLY ON THE DOCTORS HANDS BUT ON ALL WHO SIT BY SILENTLY AND WATCH AND DON’T MAKE THE RIGHT VOTING AND LIFE CHOICES. John
Why don't good people stand up for what is RIGHT? Do they not know or do they not care for what is at stake? Christ called us friends and shared the truth of the Father. It pains me beyond understanding how a nation that prides itself in being so compassionate and generous can kill it's unwanted people in the name of what is right and good and that the state that is supposed to defend the common good is actually a participater in the execution. We must succeed in protecting life and then everything else falls into place. Free choice is never free but comes with a grave responsibility to do what is RIGHT. Taking innocent life is never RIGHT. We must succeed.
May God bless Randall Terry for all he stands for. For those of you who do not know him, he has given up everything in pursuit of the right to life for the unborn. Our judicial system denied his ability to own property without being turned over to Planned Parenthood. Talk about being committed, this man is. We all should be graced with that resolve. Maybe then those pro-abortion candidates would change their platform.
These bishops are COWARDS! They have no faith in the power of our God. They are a disgrace. Thank God for Terry and others like him who are true Warriors for Christ and Knights for our Lady.
There is another side to this story. I am a very pro-life woman who attends Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. I attended the 9:30 AM Mass and found a brochure stuck to my car when I left Mass. Several people were unrolling giant posters showing aborted babies so that we could all see them as we left Mass (the 9:30 Mass has the more children than most other Masses at the Cathedral). I've attended many pro-life rallies in my life and I still hate to see those giant posters - they are terribly upsetting even to a seasoned pro-lifer. I also know the priests at the Cathedral and they are all strong pro-life proponents. (We had just left Mass after hearing a homily about Respect Life Sunday.) The Bishop of Arlington has also stood outside abortion clinics to pray the rosary. I attended one pray session with him. This Church is not pro-abortion and it's awful to read Terry make such accusations. Why did Randall Terry chose the Cathedral of St. Thomas More? Did he want some publicity by going to a Cathedral in a liberal city right outside Washington, D.C.? If he was trying to find a pro-abortion Bishop or priests he could have gone to many other places around the country instead of our Cathedral. By the time my husband attended Mass in the evening he said things were out of hand. These people were told to stop distributing materials and they refused and continued doing it throughout the day. I'll say one more thing. I read the brochure - it was pretty good. But at the end of reading, I kept looking for information on WHO provided the brochure. It is silent. The brochure does not identify the publisher. Even though the brochure was good, I've read many other brochures by so-called Catholics (particularily at pro life marches) who claim that the Virgin or Jesus appears to them and they want us to do this and that. There is a reason why we can't all publish brochures! This whole affair with Randall Terry smells rotten to me. If he is going to distribute materials he should stand up and admit that he's published them. I faithfully stand behind my priests and my Bishop. I also stand with the pro-life cause and believe Terry was wrong in what he did. This is a big publicity stunt. He should pass the brochures outside of the Unitarian Church of Arlington instead of a Roman Catholic church.
The catholic voters are the solution to this election. 67 million catholics, about 24% of the voters, only we don't know our faith, having never been instructed in it since Vatican II,and so we vote 55% for the Abortion Party each election. Never corrected, never instructed, never preached to about the reality of hell, Automatic Excommunication for involvement in abortion(it means you go to hell if you dont repent and have sacramental confession before you die) or any matters of faith or morals. Do the bishops ever send a letter to be read at all masses except for $? No. Thanks Randall and companions. You live the faith. Cardinal Chaput, Bishop Bruskowitz and Bishop Burke, we love you for being faithful. My note is for the other ones who know who they are and so do we.
Randall Terry here. I admit, I am grieved over what is happening. I will discuss this later, after we see what happens tomorrow. In the mean time... A dear lady who wrote above gave false witness against me in many respects, including that I did not take responsibility for the flyer. That either means she did not read the flyer, or she is lying on purpose. As it clearly says on the flyer, I created it, and take full responsibility for it. I invite all readers to read this flyer, and other materials we have created for the use of the faithful in our fight to protect babies from murder at www.humbleplea.com Please keep us in your prayers. We will be at the Cathedral for the vigil Mass. Randall
It is interesting that only pro-life or other orthodox Catholics are targets for arrest by Church leaders. Sodomites and other theological deviants are given a free pass.
I understand that Mr. Randall and his group feel passionate about taking a stand against abortion, as every devout Catholic should. What appalls me is his desire to do so in such a disturbingly graphic way. I say this only because he and his group do not take into account the sensibilities of others. Pictures of an aborted fetus is NOT something a 5 year old needs to see while entering or exiting mass, a holy sacred time where we learn about the love and promise of God. It is detrimental to young children who clearly don't understand what is going on in those images. It appears to me that Mr. Randall and his group have no compassion for women who have had an abortion. His concern is for the child, which is not altogether bad, but if a woman chooses to go through with an abortion, must she be expected to also endure the "love" of protesters who call her a murderer, whore, slut, etc? Yes, that happens and often. And having been one of those women who has had an abortion, those images and words do far greater damage to me than people like Mr. Randall can ever understand. Women like me need to receive compassion, kindness, forgiveness and acceptance, so we can learn to accept those things from God. Most people don't know that there are some sever after-effects of abortion on women. They range in from depression to drug/alcohol abuse to suicide. Women need love, compassion and hope, not condemnation. None of us are perfect and my sin of abortion is no greater than or worse a sin than that of people, like Mr. Randall, who scream names at me for my choice. If a woman reading this has had an abortion, I urge you to go to http://www.hopeafterabortion.com/ (Project Rachel, or http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/ to start your journey of healing after your abortion. Know that God loves you, your child loves you and both are waiting to meet you and forgive you.
It is not so unbelievable that Catholics do not seem to know what is Right and what is Wrong according to our teachings, since there has been no one teaching from the pulpit those serious matters for 40 plus years, but it is indeed a heartbreak to see it, to be so concerned about souls, and our children's and grandchildren's futures. Let's ALL pray the Holy Rosary, Catholics and other Christians alike and see what can happen when we band together in prayer, but we MUST do it, the time is late. Perhaps when the voters enter the booth the Holy Spirit will hit them with His Awesome Power to do what is RIGHT!! In Jesus' Name, Amen. Sharon R. (Louisiana)
Randall Terry is a hero in my Catholic book, he helped me to understand the consequences of abortion for the child, the mother and me back in the 80s. Keep up the good work!
Randall Terry claims to be a martyr for the right to life cause. He criticizes the very Church that has done so much to protect the innocent lives and assist the mothers who have chosen to keep their babies. There is a wisdom in the Church that you are missing Randall and I encourage you to get off your white horse and self righteousness and work with the Church. You bring scandal to the Church and the Right to Life movement.
As for John Smith, since he's addressed me, yes you will have to stand before God to account for all your choices. Consider Our Lord's biggest complaint to pharisees that their hearts were far from Him. As it is in my religion to resist the devil I have done that. However, it is against my religion to face a fool in his folly (better to face a she-bear missing her cubs) so my correspondence to you John is done.
Where is my Church? I drive around to find it but it is not there. Maybe I'll find a good priest, but a dead congregation, but most often I find liturgical abuse and either heresy or total worldly focus and lack of truth. On the other hand, I find apparition junkies who are convinced that you have to spend $2,000 to go to Medjugorje to experience God and rely on visions and locutions for their faith. I can't seem to find a place to fit into this. In the meantime, I go to Mass and go to Jesus and usually, in those few moments after I receive Him, if some abuse hasn't occurred to distract me, I feel like I'm home. These are tough times and apparently, the only thing we can cling to is Jesus, Son of the Living God.
I found the hard way that nothing is as simple as black and white. We need to pray for our bishops. Politicians are back and forth a lot/ Obama might change his mind before the end of his run for president, we need to pray for that. As well as let him know the reality of the issue. "When The Times invited several eminent authors to write essays on the theme "What's Wrong with the World?" Chesterton's contribution took the form of a letter: Dear Sirs, I am. Sincerely yours, G. K. Chesterton"
I agree with Nancy. The American Church has made itself religiously irrelevant in order to make itself "socially relevant".
This criticism of the Bishops is not just. They have NOT sat silently. Bishops all over the country have been speaking out against the unspeakable evil of abortion again and again. Look how many came out with public statements in response to Pelosi and Biden's Meet the press interviews in which they each in turn misrepresented Church teachings! My own bishop joined a group of parishioners outside an abortion clinic as part of the the 40 days for life vigil. I think it quite ridiculous, when they have made it so clear where the Church stands on abortion again and again, that we should expect them to throw aside the laws of our country and start naming names. The fact is we ALL already know the names of these politicians who support abortion. The real problem is that the average American Catholic has gotten the idea that compliance with even the most basic of Catholic teachings is somehow optional and just isn't listening. Randall Terry, being a layman, can name names all he wants to without any legal quagmires to deal with. More power to him. But he'd be well served to start respecting the hierarchy of the Church he claims to love while he does so.
Maybe it is time we told our government they can have our tax exempt status. How can our church leaders turn their back on unborn children for the almighty dollar. It was Jesus who said "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God". Every living soul belongs to God! How can we willingly destroy these souls for the sake of freeing ourselves from TAXES. We will pay the taxes to God in the end.
The bishops have not been silent. Indeed, the Church is now under attack again for her lack of silence. We all already know the names of these politicians, and it is perfectly reasonable for the bishops to respect the law and stick to the issues rather than naming names. Randall Terry, being a layman, is free to name names all he wants. But don't blame the bishops for the basic facts: The average American Catholic currently thinks even the most basic of Catholic teachings is somehow optional and isn't listening. For the most part, they probably aren't even reading sites like this one where they would see or hear the bishops' statements. Those of us that are, have already sided with the Church. Meanwhile with the media helping promote the opinions of prominent Catholics that have defied Church teachings on abortion, like Douglas Kmiec and Nancy Pelosi, they all feel validated in their opinion. And so our Church remains as polarized as the country at large, with surveys of so called religious voters revealing that a little over 50% of Americans who call themselves Catholic are prochoice. Sad as it is, there is little the bishops can do to bring them into line. We don't burn heretics at the stake anymore. As for Terry's arrest, if his group was really unrolling posters showing aborted babies outside the cathedral following Sunday Masses, I'd have asked him to leave, too. There is no need, especially when preaching to the choir, to display such images in front of children attending church with their families. Yes, sometimes such media might be appropriate, but that's clearly not the time or place.
I think Terry is not sincere and might be trying to use arm twisting methods to achieve his aim which may not necessarily be connected with protecting the rights of the unborn...The Church Fathers have been unanimous...Stand by your bishops!
Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington, Virginia. Bishop Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde is not part of the 62 Bishops that support Pro Life. This Bishop is fence sitting and needs to be removed, for his poor leadership in the church. The Cathedral of St. Thomas More is the Cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. St. Thomas More is also a vibrant multi-cultural parish with over 2800 active parishioners serving the Arlington, Va. community. Multicultural means that Pro Choice Catholics are given the Eucharist at Mass. There are also many Catholic Politicians who attend this church who work in Washington D.C. The Arrest of Pro Life Catholics in a Catholic Church parking lot is a disgrace - this Bishop has demonstrated that he should be Excommunicate for his heresy against the Catholic Faith. Many of these multicultural Catholics will vote for a Pro Abortion Candidate Barack Obama. Is the Bishop of Arlington just another so-called Catholic who supports Obama a Marxist who is extremely Pro Choice.
This is the list of Bishops who are Pro Life. See Below Where are the rest of those 200 plus bishops who are silent. Archbishop Chaput will very shortly be issuing another statement on this election. I hope it has a very sharp edge, one that serious Catholic voters can rally around. Here is the updated list: 1. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver 2. Bishop James Conley, auxiliary of Denver 3. Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. 4. Justin Cardinal Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities 5. Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine 6. Edward Cardinal Egan of New York 7. Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo 8. Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh 9. Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs 10. Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio 11. Bishop Oscar Cantu, auxiliary of San Antonio 12. Bishop William Murphy of Rockville 13. Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa 14. Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas 15. Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin 16. Sean Cardinal O'Malley of Boston 17. Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando 18. Archbishop John Nienstedt of Saint Paul/Minneapolis 19. Francis Cardinal George of Chicago, President of the USCCB 20. Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker 21. Bishop Jerome Listecki of La Crosse 22. Bishop Richard Lennon of Cleveland 23. Bishop Ralph Nickless of Sioux City 24. Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco 25. Bishop Glen Provost of Lake Charles, LA 26. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn 27. Bishop Joseph F. Martino of Scranton 28. Archbishop Raymond Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura 30. Bishop Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte 31. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh 32. Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City, KS 33. Bishop Robert Finn, Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph, MI 34. Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, WS 35. Bishop Ronald Gilmore, Bishop of Dodge City, KS 36. Bishop Paul Coakley, Bishop of Salina, KS 37. Bishop Michael Jackels, Bishop of Wichita 38. Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, Bishop of Palm Beach 39. Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, Bishop of Dallas 40. Bishop Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Fort Worth 41. Joint Statement by the bishops of New York State (22 bishops)
The Lord Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me." Very sobering words, especially in this time. We would be wise to heed them. Rich Maffeo
I can't speak directly regarding the bishop of Arlington, but your list of Prolife bishops does not include any of my own bishops, none of whom could be described as fence sitters. They have published many statements in our archdiocese, and Archbishop Hughes himself is regularly seen at pro life activities. He has already slammed the sate senator who popped off about the possibility of a sterilization program for poor women to control poverty, he launched and promoted a petition campaign which resulted in a statewide cloning ban, and throughout the archdiocese, voter registration Sundays were held at every parish which included distributing the USCCB Booklet on Faithful Citizenship. At least one issue out of every four in our archdoicesan newspaper includes a prolife statement of some sort from one or more of our bishops, and, since the campaigning began, every issue. Many of our parishes also have local Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations in which life issues are emphasized. I would suggest that just because you personally have seen a statement from one bishop or another does not give you the right to sit in judgment over them.
Bishop Loverde of the Arlington diocese IS pro-life . I'd like to direct your attention to his recent article in the Catholic Arlington Herald :http://www.catholicherald.com/bishop/detail.html?sub_id=7939 While he may seem to take awhile to make his point & therefore may not seem to be "in your face" with his pro-life stance- he is. At a niece's confirmation held this past year at St. Leo's in Fairfax Bishop Loverde was NOT subtle when imploring the kids to be pro-life now and in the future . I was there to witness that. I also witnesses his aux . bishop speaking at a pro-life fundraising dinner in D.C. . I REALLY think people should get their thoughts straight about Bishop Loverde if they are questioning his stance .
There is no President who can execute the law so effectively that people will stop aborting babies. For numerous centuries people have been aborting babies, with/without the consent of the law. We have to stop expecting the law to fix all of our social ills/evils for which we are all in some way culpable.If I can't afford to keep my car on the road so as to get to Mass, and to the local baby-mill to pray and proclaim the GOOD news Who is Christ Jesus what good does it do me or you or the unborn children in question, to have elected the "RIGHT" President.---PEACE!
Respect the collar!!!
Once upon a time when I was 'unborn' I had Cardinal Spellman to speak for me. Then I was born and had Cardinal Cooke to speak with. These Cardinals (and their Bishops) really loved us and applauded our lives took their stand very seriously. I was born on Father's Day with Holy Church as my mother and so I am well versed on all these issues. It's not political or religious for me. It's very personal. Catholic bishops want us unwanted to know we are loved -- ergo we were dressed well (Bloomingdale's), educated well (of course college for all females) and handed over to the Sisters of Charity of New York who were founded by the New York Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. As for entertainment........Randall Terry's really really funny. He's like a puppet show that would have been brought to the NY Foundling Hospital for our amusement. What a show he puts on..... but it does get very tiresome very quickly.... time to get the hook and on with another show. I think I once read that his mother tried to abort him. Poor puppet, he has 'mommy' issues. Just shows ta go ya.....we catholics turn away no one.... how compassionate and charitable we are....and what a poor pitiful sight he is.