President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast. Catholics Won't Get Fooled Again

By Deacon Keith A. Fournier
2/8/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

This President is leading a rapidly expanding Secularist State which fails to respect fundamental human rights including the Right to life and the Right to Religious Freedom

During the last Presidential campaign many Catholics were deluded by then Senator Barack Obama. His rhetoric uses language which sounds as though he agrees with Catholics on issues such as our obligation to the poor and the needy. His administration has acted in a manner which proves the opposite. The most egregious example is his failure to hear the cry of the children in the womb.

President Obama at the National Prayer breakfast

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WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - President Barack Obama spoke to the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton on Thursday, February 2, 2012. His words were well delivered. As a Christian, a Roman Catholic, I want to give him the respect due his office. I also try to give him the benefit of the doubt because he professes to believe in the same Savior whom I also profess - but it is getting harder and harder.

I will not refrain from pointing out the blatant and dangerous contradictions between his words and his actions as the President of the United States. You can read the full text of his address on several sources. Here is one with no discernible partisan leaning.

I am sure these words will soon be on the White House web site. I am also sure they will be utilized repeatedly as his campaign for reelection moves into high gear. He will attempt once again to persuade Catholics and other Christians to support his candidacy. The campaign has a "catholic strategy". It is precisely because of my deep concerns over that effort that I write.

President Obama has opened the flood gates to the unchecked killing of our youngest neighbors through legalized abortion. He has made it clear that Catholic and other Christian institutions will soon be forced to violate their conscience or face punitive consequences. Clearly, this administration intends to violate the constitutional rights of the Church under this unjust edict.

His Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius issued an Edict which demanded that Catholic hospitals and institutions dispense contraceptives (some of which are abortifacients) and offer sterilization under the so called "Affordable care Act". This government seeks to force the Catholic Church to violate conscience. Failure to do so will bring punitive measures from the new Caesar.

The unjust Edict came one day after Pope Benedict XVI addressed a group of US Bishops during their ad limina visit. He warned them of the growth of radical secularism in the United States and the accompanying threats to the fundamental Right to Religious Freedom. He was right!

Congresswomen Nancy Pelosi has stepped forward as the chief advocate for this unjust edict. Her choice and the actions of Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services - in failing to offer conscience exemptions - sent the signal of the upcoming campaign strategy of the committee to reelect the President. He will use dissident Catholics to do his bidding.

Both of these public servants are unfaithful to the teaching of their Church. They have been repeatedly corrected by their Bishops. Their choice as the Administrations "catholic spokespersons" reveals this plan. This administration intends to foment rebellion among Catholics in America in order to further its violation of the Fundamental Human Right to Life and its blatant disrespect for the constitutional rights of the Catholic Church in America.

President Obama spoke of his Christian faith at the Prayer Breakfast. He claimed he was trying to integrate his faith into his decisions saying, "We can't leave our values at the door. If we leave our values at the door, we abandon much of the moral glue that has held our nation together for centuries, and allowed us to become somewhat more perfect a union."

He referred to the Golden Rule, "I know that far too many neighbors in our country have been hurt and treated unfairly over the last few years, and I believe in God's command to "love thy neighbor as thyself." He spoke of solidarity, the teaching of the Old and New Testaments that we are our brother and sisters keeper, "To answer the responsibility we're given in Proverbs to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute..Treating others as you want to be treated."

Like a preacher in chief he spoke of "Requiring much from those who have been given so much; living by the principle that we are our brother's keeper; caring for the poor and those in need. These values are old. They can be found in many denominations and many faiths, among many believers and among many non-believers."

"And they are values that have always made this country great -- when we live up to them; when we don't just give lip service to them; when we don't just talk about them one day a year. And they're the ones that have defined my own faith journey."

The utter hypocrisy of these smooth words reeked from that podium. I wanted to cry out, "Mr. President, what about our youngest neighbors? What about the ones who have no voice but our own? Those in the first home of the whole human race, children in the womb."

Just weeks ago hundreds of thousands of ...

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1 - 10 of 96 Comments

Rob
1 year ago
You are right Judy. Lukewarm Catholics are just contracepting just like the rest of greater society. No arguements that Obama stepped in this. But given the direction they have gone, I'm beginning to think we just got baited. But seriously, do you think this is going to be more than just a back and forth with Obama and lawyers. Will this really be a revolution in the Chruch to finally teach sexuality and everything that comes with it? And do you really believe that our lack of living this part of our faith out did not have any bearing on where we find ourselves today?
Nicole L
1 year ago
I am appalled to hear many comments made about Obama being right and the faithful are sinners anyway. Well let's put it this way: Would many of you say because people drive crazy any way we don't need no traffic law? Therefore we all agree that stop sign is not necessary, Traffic lights, lines to divide the streets are just nuisance. Should the police arrests people who decide to vandalize them? Should those who try to interfere with the functions of those signs be stopped or even be punished?
It is true, many people are going to ignore the law just like many of the faithful ignore the teaching of the church, but the teaching still remains. Interference with the law to bring chaos is wrong, it cannot be ignored.
Obama has no business interfering with the church teaching, that is why we have separation of Church and state. This is not a communist country for God sake, this is America (USA).
Judy
1 year ago
Rob. Rob, Rob, as JoAnn would say. Stop blaming lukewarm Catholics. Lukewarm Catholics don't have their mouth open like Obama, or his
Patrick Hynes
1 year ago
I was never fooled by Barak Obama. May God forgive those who voted for him.
Michael
1 year ago
Let us not forget the sins of prior leaders not criticized for violations against humanity. For example, invading a country without assuring protection for their water supply, or protecting their hospitals causing an incredible death toll with government sanction.
Rob
1 year ago
vance, I tink the real enemy of our church are luke warm catholics. Obama is merely affirming what is already going on. Catholics by and large and contracepting at almost the same rate as non-catholics. If the only result of this blow up is going to be more hatred for Obama, then we've already lost. IF there is no coversion achieved from this then it really doesn't matter. If I were a bishop I would be less concerned about what Caesar is doing and more concerned about my own flocks. Their focus on everything but their flocks has created the environment that made the government believe they could pull this off. They would have never tried this if we actually live our faith in this regard.
Vance
1 year ago
Once again, Obama is telling America and Christianity, "What part of I hate you don't you understand". This man is a straight up enemy of our church and country. He is a treasonous traitor who should be immediately brought to justice.
Celine
1 year ago

Dear Deacon,
Have we not come to a point where because of the changes in Vatican II we are facing these problems. I also want to know what were Protestant ministers doing at
Vatican Council II, from what I read they weren't there as observers but to participate actively. There was a rabbi as well I believe.
What was wrong with our Traditional mass? Are we not One Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church?
We need to return to our roots.

The Second Vatican Council

In 1962 through 1965 the Second Vatican Council was called together by the Catholic Church. The goal behind the council was to “update” or give a “renewal” to the Catholic Church. Attending the council was Pope John XXIII, who passed away while the council was still in session, and was replaced by Pope Paul VI. In addition, to the surprise of many, many Protestant ministers also attended and were involved in the decisions of the council. This was a huge red flag to many Catholics since involving Protestants in Catholicism in any way has always been forbidden by the Church throughout Her history. The final decisions of the Second Vatican Council were drastic changes to the Catholic Church and the Mass, despite the fact that changes to the Mass too had always been forbidden by the Church throughout Her history. Looking at the papal encyclical, "Quo Primum" (Promulgating the Tridentine Liturgy) written by Pope St. Pius V (a canonized Saint) in 1570, we can very clearly see that changes to the liturgy of the Mass were forever forbidden and declared to always remain under the Tridentine Liturgy ratified by the Council of Trent.

The Changes to the Catholic Church in General.

If we compare the Catholic Church in general before the Second Vatican Council to the modern day church today, we can see MANY differences. Obviously these differences vary parish to parish and all may not apply to all parishes, though there is no doubt these changes are WIDESPREAD:

Traditional Church

New Church (1969 and later)

Full churches on Sundays and Holy Days

Near-empty churches on Sundays and Holy Days.

Abundant religious vocations (priests and nuns)

Drastic drop in religious vocations

Altar used

Altar replaced with a table

Tabernacle kept on altar in center

Tabernacle removed or moved to the side

Crucifix over the altar

Crucifix removed, and other pictures such as that of John Paul II are hung instead
Communion rail Communion rail removed

Statues of Jesus, Mary, Angels & Saints

Most if not all statues removed

Veneration of Saints

Little or no veneration of Saints

Little variations in churches across parishes

Large variations across parishes
Modesty regulations strictly adhered to Modesty regulations lax or abolished

Goal of the Church to convert others to Catholicism

Conversions no longer a goal – instead Ecumenism is preached

Heresy strictly forbidden by the church

Heresy no longer discussed

Staying in the state of grace and receiving the sacraments mandatory to save our souls

Sacraments optional. Little emphasis on the state of the soul, mortal sin, penance, judgment or hell

Liturgy and sacraments consistent throughout the centuries

Liturgy changed and validity of the sacraments now questionable

Tradition held sacred in every aspect

Modernism now replaces tradition

Priests ordained with traditional rite

Priest validity of ordination questionable due to changes in ordination rituals
The Changes to the Catholic Mass

If we compare traditional Catholic Mass (before the Second Vatican Council) to the modern “new mass” that exists in churches today, all of the differences below have also been witnessed. Again, these differences may vary parish to parish and all do not apply to all parishes, but nevertheless, these changes are undeniably WIDESPREAD:

Traditional Mass (followed since the earliest days of the Church)

New Mass (1969 and later)

Mass was the solemn worship of God offered as a “sacrifice” for our sins

Mass now more of a memorial, instructional service or meeting

Mass said in Latin for centuries

Mass inaccurately translated to English

Rituals & prayers untouched since the early days of the Church

Rituals & prayers changed or removed despite prior Popes' disapproval

Priest faces Our Lord in the Tabernacle

Priest has his back to tabernacle (if there is a tabernacle)

Communion received on the tongue

Communion received in the hand

Communion received kneeling

Communion received standing

Communion distributed by priest only

Communion distributed by anyone

Silence, reverence & devotion during Mass

Talking and little devoutness during Mass

Sisters sing beautiful hymns at Mass

Modern, profane music at Mass

Priest reverent and restrained during Mass

Priest very casual and frequently joking

Frequent signs of the cross & genuflections by priest and laity

Far fewer signs of the cross & genuflections

No variations in Mass across parishes

Large variations across parishes (ONE Church should have NO variation)

High Mass with incense

No more high masses or use of incense

Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Benediction completely changed or abolished

Altar boys only

Altar girls
Only clergy and altar boys in sanctuary Anyone in the sanctuary
Only Traditional missal used according to decrees of Council of Trent Traditional missal discarded, contrary to decrees of Council of Trent

Traditional Canon of the mass intact and is a true sacrifice with true transubstantiation

Words changed – true transubstantiation doubtful which likely makes the new mass no longer a true sacrifice. This change is the single most devastating change that resulted from Vatican II

Notice that many of the changes to the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council resemble changes proposed by Luther in the 16th century, many of which are seen in Protestant churches today. During the Reformation, Luther's motive was to destroy the belief that the Catholic Mass is a true sacrifice and to also push ecumenism (i.e. one religion is as good as another).

How can this “new mass” and new doctrine, forbidden by prior Popes and forbidden throughout the history of the Church be true and pleasing to God?

How can this “new mass” and new doctrine, forbidden by prior Popes and forbidden throughout the history of the Church be true and pleasing to God?

Looking at the changes to the Catholic Church and Mass above, it is not surprising that there has been a drastic drop in religious vocations and people practicing their faith today. Clearly many characteristics in today’s Catholic Church have similarities to Protestant churches. Since there were Protestant ministers involved with the “renewing” of the Catholic Church at the Second Vatican Council, is this not a surprise? If you were born after 1969 and have only attended the “new mass” in English and have always thought it was the norm, you have now been shown it is NOT the norm.
KEEP IN MIND:

Truth doesn’t change. If the traditional mass was right before Vatican II, then it is right now. If the new mass was wrong before Vatican II, then it is also wrong now.

”Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.” Thessalonians 2:2

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. (Matthew 7:15-16)
If You Currently Attend Mass Regularly

If you are Catholic and currently are a member of a parish in your area, take note of the changes just mentioned above. If you are a sincere Catholic and you see these changes in your parish, it is your DUTY as a Catholic to make these issues known to your pastor. If your pastor disagrees, then it is your DUTY as a Catholic to seek out a validly ordained priest who offers the true Mass and sacraments elsewhere to the best of your ability. Simply put, no true Catholic should knowingly attend a Protestantized or ecumenical service (see the directory of Churches across the US and Canada below that offer the traditional Catholic Mass and sacraments). Note that a true, sincere Catholic will even relocate if required to be able to attend a true Catholic mass, since the true mass and sacraments should be a priority in life for EVERY Catholic.
Rev. David Demarest
1 year ago
"... government should not intrude on private family matters." Is our Chief Executive suggesting that that beating your wife or shaking your girlfriend's baby to death is a private family matter, so the government should not intrude? Of course not. The government has not only a right but also a responsibility to protect human beings from family members who would hurt them.
Forgotten 1%er
1 year ago
History will judge us for our ability and willingness to protect those whom cannot protect themselves, whether the unborn, the old or the poor.

Martin Luther King had a couple of quotes that are right on point:

"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal."

"The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict."

That pretty much sums up the next election.

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