Don't Look Now! The Emperor Has No Clothes!

     It has been some time since I posted.  I apologize.  I've had a mother to care for and a handful of children to homeschool.  It's been a rough two months.  But as issues with my mother are improving and the children are managing, I thought I'd write some more on politics as I had promised in the summer.
     I had wanted to write a lot of things, particularly about the history of Catholics in the United States, but recent events of the Catholic Bishops in the U.S have come to the forefront.  And I think it's a good opportunity to address what is wrong with the modern Catholic Church and why so many Catholics are ignorant of their faith and confused about how to cast a vote in this upcoming election.

     

     In case, the above image is not familiar to you, this is a photograph taken on October 18, 2012 at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner in New York.  Okay.  So what?  Who is Alfred E. Smith anyway?  And why is this dinner occasion for Bishops to cozy up to politicians?  Interesting questions, really, with answers I had to research myself.
    First just who is Alfred E. Smith?  Most notably, Al Smith was the Governor of New York in the 1920s.  He was a Catholic and he was elected 3 times in New York to guide and serve the people of that state.  Al Smith was an Irish Catholic, born in Manhattan, and a member of  the Democratic Party political machine called Tammany Hall.  In spite of his involvement in Tammany Hall, Al Smith was smart enough to separate himself from it, expose the organizations corruption, and propose necessary reforms in the State of New York.  This made him both popular and unpopular, but made him a favored candidate for President in 1928 against Herbert Hoover.  Unfortunately, the religious sentiment across the country proved doom for the Democratic party ticket with a New York Catholic at is head and a Southern Protestant underneath.  The campaign was rife with problems and it brought to the forefront anti-Catholic bias in this country, particularly in the South.
     Anti-catholic sentiment was nothing new to the United States.  The first permanent settlements in the United States were made up of English and German Protestants fleeing their own persecutions.  They brought with them the propaganda and hatred borne out of Martin Luther's Protestant Revolt.  Catholics were routinely accused of horrible crimes, banned from communities, and prohibited from owning property, home educating their children, or participating in political activities.  There was, of course, the theological prejudices accusing the Catholic Church of being the "Whore of Babylon" and the accusations that Catholics, themselves, were Satan worshippers and idolaters.  In fact, it was dangerous in the early years of our Nation to be a Catholic.  
     Aside from the theological differences, many people in the Colonies feared the secular mindset of Catholics, in general.  It is perhaps why the Protestant legislators in the colonies enacted laws prohibiting Catholics from voting or holding office.  Catholics were primarily unafraid of a monarchical form of government.  They weren't opposed to municipalities governing with Catholic ideas or theology.  In fact, from a Catholic theological and political perspective, this was necessary.  As such, the Catholics weren't necessarily in support of freeing themselves from rule of a King, even if that King was not Catholic or corrupt.  It posed a great problem for the Protestant colonists in the colonies and there was always propaganda floating around to humiliate and isolate Catholics in the United States.
     As Catholic immigrants began flooding the United States in the 1800s, anti-Catholicism reached it's peak.  Protestant preachers ignited the flames in there sermons across the country.  They called for prohibiting Catholics from settling in many places and continued to ostracize them.  Across the country, churches were burned, Catholics were killed, and tempers flared.  It was a very nasty time in American history, and one of the only ways for U.S. Catholics to defend themselves was to fight back and separate themselves from the Protestants.  The U.S. soon became a nation divided between Catholics and Protestants.  
      One way the Catholics sought to defend themselves was through the school system.  In 1875, Pope Pius IX wrote a letter to the U.S. Bishops cautioning them of the danger to the souls of their children in the public schools.  In 1897, Pope Leo XIII issued an Encyclical insisting that Catholic children be educated in Catholic schools by Catholic instructors.  And as anti-Catholic sentiment continued to rise, it was this instruction that the Catholics in New York took seriously.  Tammany Hall, the political machine in which Alfred E. Smith was made, invested millions of dollars in Catholic schools across the country.  This caused such a controversy in the United States, that political cartoons sprung up further inciting the anti-Catholic bias in this country.  This was a very dark time for Catholics.
     Yet, in spite of the Catholic hatred in the country, Alfred E. Smith won the Democratic nomination for President in 1928.  And his nomination let loose another hailstorm of anti-Catholic sentiment, particularly in the South, where the KKK rose up in loud protest.  Of course, the campaign was doomed to fail, with Al Smith receiving merely 87 Electoral College votes.  In spite of the Democratic platform of improvements in education, federal money for farmers, and an end to Prohibition, the Republicans fostered the sentiment made by a Southern preacher:  "No subject of the Pope should be allowed to become President."  Even members of his own party campaigned against him out of fear that he would make America a Catholic nation.  
      After Al Smith's humiliating defeat, he attempted to run for President once more in 1932.  Of course, he lost that nomination to FDR, and he went on to become very outspoken against that President's New Deal.  He spent the rest of his life in vocal opposition to Roosevelt's New Deal policies, hoping for reforms.  He did in 1944.  In 1946, the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Spellman established the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation in memory of Mayor Smith and all the good works he had accomplished for Catholics in both politics and public service.  The goal of the foundation was and is to raise funds for the neediest people, especially children, in the Diocese of New York.  The main fundraiser for the Foundation has always been the Al Smith Dinner, the black tie affair where the wealthiest donors come for a night of fun and entertainment, with the explicit purpose of political elbow-rubbing.  Cardinal Spellman hoped to remind people of the importance and significance of Al Smith and Catholicism in our political history.  There have been only few occasions where current presidential candidates have not participated in the dinner.  In other words, it's a big deal for politicians and it's a big deal for Catholics.
     The Al Smith Dinner has a long history, then, in American politics.  It also has a long history with Catholic Charities and collecting donations for health care, schools, and food for needy families.  Perhaps these are the reasons why Cardinal Dolan saw fit to invite both the President and his rival to the dinner this year.  But for whatever reason, the Cardinal has left Catholics scandalized and confused.  Yet, this does seem to be the mantra of the modern Catholic Church---keep the faithful ignorant, confuse them more, and lead them to believe that evil is good, no matter what the degree.
     Bloggers all over the blogosphere are rightly outraged and confused by the Cardinal's actions this year.  There was a petition out to stop the Diner completely.  Others have just questioned why Cardinal Dolan would invite President Obama.  Some retained hope that Cardinal Dolan would use this as an opportunity to confront President Obama about his abortion views.     And then you've got the Catholics giving rounds of applause to His Emminence, Cardinal Dolan.      What are Catholics to make of this whole mess anyway?
     For clarity sake let's have a look at what the stink is all about anyway.  Most of the individuals in opposition to Cardinal Dolan's invitation to President Obama has to do with his view and policies on abortion, homosexual marriage, and his Marxist ideology.  They argue that the President's pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, pro-government control of health care are incompatible with Catholicism and, therefore, he should not have been invited to the dinner at all.  These same people argue that Mr. Romney should have been the only one to speak since his views are consistent with or are at-least not as extreme as the President's.  I suppose that's their opinion.  However mine is much different.
    Until the 1980s, neither abortion, homosexuality, or Marxism had been on the radar or lips of American politicians.  Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Walter Mondale, George H. W. Bush, Bob Dole, Al Gore, and Dick Cheney were at one time or currently are all supporters of abortion and or homosexual rights.  They have all been speakers at the Al Smith Dinner.  If these politicians have been invited and spoken at the Dinner, then why the outrage over Obama?  For what it's worth, Mitt Romney is also pro-abortion.  Why not be outraged that he was invited and spoke at the Dinner?  It's truly a puzzle to me.
     Why has there never been outrage before?  Simple.  Money.  The modern Catholic Church is no longer interested in saving souls or avoiding the cause of scandal.  The bishops and cardinals are only interested in one thing--political posturing to raise money for this project or that.  It's a real shame.  The Cardinal, if he had really taking his role as Shepherd seriously, could have refused to invite them both, and instead invited Rick Santorum who is both Catholic and unequivocably pro-life and pro-family.  He could have invited Mike Huckabee who is also.  Perhaps he could have invited Todd Akin.  Now wouldn't that have made a statement!  But no, His Emminence decided it would be best to continue to confuse Catholics by allowing them to think that Catholics can simply separate Catholicism from their life, from their political decisions, from the voting booth.
     This is a complete insult to the memory of Albert E. Smith.  There was a man who faced assault after assault for his Catholicism. Here was a  man who denounced the KKK, who openly tried to rid it's influence from the Democratic party.  He was ridiculed and derailed by members of his own party.  Why?  Only because he was a Catholic.  
     The Catholic Church has always been the last bastion of hope in the world.  She has always defended the helpless and hopeless.  She has always stood for Truth.  She has always protected her children from evil and guided them to the Son.  Yet, here we are with Cardinals hamming it up with two pro-abortion politicians telling you on one hand "This is a political dinner and we are raising money for a good cause." and on the other hand telling you "That both parties, both candidates are acceptable choices as long as you don't think too hard."  It is scandalous!
     So be careful, my Catholic friends.  You simply can no longer trust your Shepherds!  They are all wolves in disguise!

Our Lady of Fatima, ora pro nobis!
      

On the Day I Die, I’ll Ask God to Forgive Me and I’ll Go To Heaven

    This morning while I was doing my prayers and reading, I was not sure what I was going to write about. Today is the Feast of St. Alphonsus Ligouri but I didn't really want to write about him. There were several things I read in the news that I wanted to talk about but the words just would not come to me. I considered that it just might be distractions from some personal events of the last two days. I knew that I didn't want to write anything personal, not really. But when I couldn't find a voice this morning, I decided to read some of St. Alphonsus' writings. As I was reading them, I felt a little nudge from my Guardian Angel. I resisted his guidance at first, but still my Guardian Angel kept sending me back again and again to St. Alphonsus. So reluctantly, I share some of my personal life along with the incredible wisdom of St. Alphonsus Liguori.

    Yesterday, I had some harsh words towards my mother. I was particularly ashamed of that because I didn't believe she deserved it or that Christians should respond to people that way. The words came after a comment she made regarding our way of life, our willingness to participate in God's Providence by blessing us with 7 children. I looked her right in the eyes and declared her a heathen. Her expression immediately changed from shock to disgust. At first I thought I might have hurt her feelings, but it occurred to me later that I had really angered her tremendously. She refused to accept that label I had given her, by declaring that she did indeed believe in God and that when she "met Jesus face to face", she would ask him to forgive her and take her seat in Heaven. With that pronouncement, every hair on the back of my Trad Catholic neck stood straight up. I let it go because it is useless. The whole experience rocked me to the core and my evening was spent in counsel with my amazingly patient husband. The Lord gave me my husband to calm and comfort me last night and then this morning He sent me the words of St. Alphonsus Ligouri to strengthen and encourage me.

    Until today, I have never read anything about St. Alphonsus. I visit a traditional Catholic message board and St. Alphonsus repeatedly comes up as a must read spiritual writer. I've been meaning to get around to some of his works, and there are plenty, but I have a long list of other things I keep telling myself I should read. So this morning I sat back knowing I would probably have a lot to sort through to write a blog on St. Alphonsus. I was right.

    St. Alphonsus Marie Liguouri was born in Naples, Italy in 1696. He was the oldest of 7 children who had parents of exceptional piety and moral character. Although his family at one time had been part of the fairly affluent nobility, by the time Alphonsus was a young boy that comfort was replaced with a certain amount of poverty. In spite of this, Alphonsus was a bright and talented young man. His father found a way to educate him at home and St. Alphonsus complete his studies at age 16. He became a lawyer that same year and by 19 was practicing law in the courts. He was also known to be a morally upright young man, in fact, because he parents demanded it. But as often happens in young adulthood, Alphonsus became attached to the lifestyle that his position and success attracted. He immensely enjoyed his life in society, eventually neglecting his pious and prayer life for the satisfactions of the secular world he came to appreciate. But as in all the stories of all the saints, God had bigger plans for the gifted lawyer.

    Alphonsus was highly regarded in society as a completely honest lawyer. Because of his moral upbringing, he never wanted anyone to perceive that he was attempting to deceive them in any way. In 1723, he was hired to represent a very important client and was satisfied that he had presented his client's case fairly and accurately. But in the trial it was discovered that Alphonsus had overlooked a critical document and his case was lost. He concluded that all those involved would see him as an agent of deceit and he hid himself in despair. Once his humiliation had softened, St. Alphonsus recognized that God had used this moment to squelch his pride and weaken his dependence on the pleasures of this world. He abandoned his career, spent his days in prayer and penance, and became a priest in 1726 at the age of 30.

    St. Alphonsus went on to found an order of priests, the Redemptorists, and spent the rest of his time in missions for teaching the poor and engaged in his writings. He wrote a great collection of spiritual works, of which many Catholics find encouraging in improving their spiritual life. In the later part of his life, St. Alphonsus suffered terribly. He developed within himself terrible scruples and eventually despair, which made his spiritual life agonizing. He also suffered great number of physical illnesses and received the Sacrament of Extreme Unction eight times. Before his death, he suffered attacks from the devil in the form of apparitions and illusions. He died peacefully on August 1, 1887.

    St. Alphonsus Ligouri, though, had incredible insight and fortitude. He left for his Congregation of priests all sorts of instructions and devotions. He wrote on the conversion of sinners, God's Mercy and Justice, comtemplation, sanctity, and many other topics. He was absolutely dedicated to the Truth. He is the patron Saint against lying and also a Doctor of the Church for his great wisdom regarding theology and virtue.

    As I was reading some of his writings, I became encouraged by what I found. I also became saddened because I know, as my mother's reaction and attitude exemplifies, that the Truth, particularly regarding God's Mercy and Justice is completely lost or twisted in the various Protestant denominations. It is increasingly becoming so among Catholics. In his work Preparation for Death: Eternal Truths, St. Alphonsus warns us to watch our attitude regarding sin and God's Mercy. He tells us God's Mercy is not a given. God does not just "give us a seat in Heaven" because we desire it. We must merit it. Sadly, this concept is totally foreign to all Protestants. For them, God's Mercy is unfaltering and His Justice is reserved for the un-believers. This is just not so. God's Mercy exists for those who fear Him, not for those who sin without worrying about it until later.

"St. Augustine says that the Devil seduces men in two ways: through despair and hope. After the sinner commits his fault, he drags him into despair through fear of divine justice; but, before sinning, he encourages him to fall into temptation through hope of divine mercy. For this reason the Saint warns us, saying: "After sinning, do not lose hope in divine mercy; before sinning, fear divine justice." This is because the one who takes advantage of divine mercy to offend God does not deserve it. Mercy exists for those who fear God, and not for those who sin without fearing Him. "One who offends justice can have recourse to mercy," says the Abulensis, "but to whom should the one who offends mercy have recourse?" It is difficult to find a sinner in such a state of despair that he actually wants to be condemned. Sinners want to sin, but without losing hope of salvation. They sin and say: "God is goodness itself. Even if I sin now, later I will confess." Thus think sinners, and, as St. Augustine says, "thus thought many who are now condemned." … "Be careful," says St. John Chrysostom, "when the Devil (and not God) promises you divine mercy with the purpose of making you sin." And St. Augustine adds, "Woe to he who trusts in mercy with the aim of sinning! How many this illusion had fooled and led into perdition! Woe to he who abuses the goodness of God to offend Him more!" Even though God waits patiently for the sinner, He does not wait forever. For if the Lord would always tolerate us, no one would be condemned, but wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to perdition, and there are many who choose it (Matt 7:13). The trap the Devil sets to seduce almost all Catholics who condemn themselves is this: "Sin freely, because, despite all your sins, you will be saved." The Lord, however, curses the one who sins hoping forgiveness."

St. Alphonsus Ligouri also wrote instructions to his missionary priests on the conversion of sinners that I believe might be quite necessary and desirable in our times. There is a huge crisis in the modern Catholic Church where priests and bishops have become lax in their office. Since Vatican II, the modern Catholic Church has attempted to "love" people to Jesus. Those in authority and teaching roles spend so much time telling people about God's abundant Mercy and not any time telling them that it is necessary to avoid sin if we expect to receive that Mercy. Modern Christians have become hard-hearted to the nature of sin and the necessity of confession. They are unabashedly shameless in their sinfulness. They are in real jeopardy of losing their souls. Because of this, St. Alphonsus Ligouri believed that sinners should be approached firmly and, well, frightened.

"Maledicti qui declinant a mandates tuis"
(Cursed be those who leave aside Thy Commandments.)
This "curse of sinners" is precisely to instill terror in the souls of those who do not fear anything, and are deliberately heading toward the eternal curses."

In our days of "God wants me to be happy" and "God is a merciful God", St. Alphonsus Ligouri's life and words are much needed. It is very easy to become prideful with our desires and worldly accomplishments. It is also much easier and peaceful to encourage people's sinful behavior than to admonish it. At lot of Christians no longer believe in the Commandments or think they are necessary to live a good Christian life. However, we do ourselves and our loves one a great injustice when we continue to remain inactive and silent. If we can use Scared Straight to keep children off drugs and out of jail, why can't we use Scared Sinless to keep our loved ones out of Hell?


 
St. Alphonsus Ligouri, pray for us, that we may not abandon You for our worldly aspirations.

St. Alponsus Ligouri, pray for us, that we may be comforted by your Divine Mercy and encouraged by Your Justice.