Happy 90th birthday Mother Angelica

Today, April 20th a woman would be born who would do much good for the Catholic Church in regards to media.  Born Rita Antoinette Rizzo in 1923, she would join the Franciscan order as a Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration in 1944 and would take the name Mary Angelica of the Annunciation.

In the 60's, she would move to Irondale, Alabama and found a community of sisters there.  Mother Angelica would tape programs for television networks in the 1970s.  However, when one of the networks refused to air a controversial program, Mother decided to stop producing her a program and founded her own network.

On August 15, 1981 EWTN or the Eternal Word Television Network was founded in a garage with the budget of only $200.  Many thought that this network would not last, but it did and grew in such a way that defies the normal growth of a television network.  By the late 80's, the network was broadcasting for 24 hours.  In the 90's, the network would go global and would have WEWN, its short-wave radio version.

As the internet became more accessible to the general public, EWTN went online with www.ewtn.com.  It began to broadcast on there as well and provided more resources for those interested in the Catholic faith.  Many people have joined or returned to the Catholic Church because of EWTN.  EWTN provided a channel where people can learn on the Catholic faith, call in to have questions answered and have a sense of connection with the global Church since secular media hardly covers Papal events.

EWTN and Mother Angelica did face some controversies due to fallen human nature in the Church.  Some bishops, in particular Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles took to heart Mother Angelica's blunt attitude.  They saw her as trying to overthrow the bishops.  Cardinal Mahony tried to get Mother Angelica off the air, but failed to do so.  Mother Angelica would then hand over authority and possession of the network to lay people after an attempt was made to take over the network because as a religious, Angelica falls under the authority of the Church.

Some have accused EWTN of being pre-Vatican II orientated and teaching errors; however, Pope Benedict XVI awarded the network and Mother Angelica the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award.  Others claim Mother is rude, arrogant, uncharitable and condescending.  Mother Angelica has battled health issues since her days as a novice.  She had a back brace for a while until she was cured when a visionary visited EWTN.  Mother would then suffer a stroke which would take away her voice.  She eventually retired from the network and is recovering the best she can.

I want to wish Mother Angelica a happy 90th birthday.  She is a blessing to the Catholic Church.  In my opinion, if bishops and priests were more like her, we would not have the problems we have today.  Mother is a true evangelical in the sense of evangelizing the world, not denomination.  The fruit of many conversions and vocations is testament to this religious sister's faith, prayers and hard work.      

    

Cardinal Mahoney's Baloney

Once again, Cardinal Mahony has offended Catholics with his lack of prudence.  He tweeted this:

So long, Papal ermine and fancy lace!Welcome, simple cassock, and hopefully, ordinary black shoes! St. Francis must be overjoyed!!
— Cardinal Mahony(@CardinalMahony) March 16, 2013

At our meeting today with Pope Francis, I noted that is still wearing his older black shoes. I pray that he keeps them as a sign for us all
— Cardinal Mahony(@CardinalMahony) March 15, 2013

Mass with Pope Francis: moving from HIGH Church to LOW and humble Church!What a blessing that we are encountering Jesus without trappings!
— Cardinal Mahony(@CardinalMahony) March 15, 2013

He is obviously indirectly attacking the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI who wanted to bring back the traditions in regards to vestments of our Church which enrich the senses.

Cardinal Mahony is being extremely disrespectful to the Pope Emeritus.  He is causing public scandal by posting these tweets.  Mahony is in no position to criticize or attack the Pope Emeritus especially after documents show that he aided and abetted the ease of sexual predators to go about and abuse minors.  As a matter of fact, while he was in the Conclave, he was named in a case that the Archdiocese settled.

The Pope Emeritus was not being vain by bringing back traditional attire.  God deserves the best man has to offer.  If we can dress up for job interviews, clubs, dinners, dates, weddings and what not; what is wrong with dressing nice for the Lord?  The vestments and other clothing that the clergy wear are not for them, but to show the dignity of the priesthood and the importance of who we are worshiping - God.  I personally use surplices with lace - old school style.

It is unfortunate that Cardinal Mahony would resort to this childish nonsense.  I think I speak for all Catholics by stating that it is better to have a well dressed Pope than a sloppy dressed Archbishop who protected criminals who abused our most precious asset - children.  

 

Mahony - You Reap What You Sow

Recently, Cardinal Mahony set the media ablaze by posting a blog about humiliation and even insinuating that he is a scapegoat.  In most cases, I would be attacking the media for distorting Catholicism; however, in this case I share their outrage.

Cardinal Mahony has no right to claim that he is a scapegoat.  All the attacks and hate he has received comes from his lack of action in defending God's most presence human beings: minors.  The arrogance to present yourself as a victim when you allowed priests to abuse minors and then tried everything possible to protect those perverts from the law is disgusting.

The Cardinal writes:

"I have tried to live out--poorly and inadequately far too often--his two implications of humiliation:

1.   the acceptance of being scapegoated, pointing out the necessary connection between humiliation and redemption;

2.   this scandal is putting us, the clergy and the church, where we belong--with the excluded ones; Jesus was painted with the same brush as the two thieves crucified with him."  (Carrying a Scandal Biblically)

Scapegoated?  Are you kidding me?  Your eminence, you sowed the seeds that eventually grew into a tree with vines that is whipping and choking you.  Moreover, to use the scandal and claim that it is a world against us thing is ludicrous.  The world would exclude the Church in the spiritual sense because it believes differently than us, not because of crimes the world has every right to call attention to.

Those in the Catholic Church who aided and abetted the abuse of minors are not being hated because of the Catholic Faith.  They are being hated because of their abuse of power, corruption and lack of action in defending the real victims, instead of the perpetrators of crime.

In his "Called to humiliation" post, he writes:


"To be honest with you, I have not reached the point where I can actually pray for more humiliation.  I'm only at the stage of asking for the grace to endure the level of humiliation at the moment." 

The humiliation is part of the package when you are expected to live up to Christian values and instead behave like a CEO covering up criminal activity.  The outrage the people have is justified.  As Catholics, we fight to protect the young, especially the unborn from abortion.  Naturally, we will be upset if our own leaders are protecting perverts who infiltrated the seminary system and took advantage of innocent minors.  It would be hypocritical to defend the unborn and turn a blind eye to the abuse of the born.

Statue of Our Lady of the Angels

"Anna"  Queen reptilian alien from "V" 2009
version

Cardinal Mahony is no stranger to controversy.  In the 90's, he upset Catholics by allowing all kinds of strange "Catholic" manifestations in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

One of the most infamous ones is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels which has a statue of the Virgin Mary that looks more like a Pagan goddess, a Lesbian, or even desperate Irish singer Sinead o' Connor or the alien "Anna" from the 2009 remake of "V."

The cathedral itself looks like a hospital on the outside and inside looks like an Egyptian pyramid of some sort.  It does not look like a Catholic building, in my opinion.



The structure of it does not set up the psyche for worship or contemplation.  This cathedral was built in the spirit of "modernism" by using distorted interpretations of the Vatican II council documents.

Furthermore, Cardinal Mahony had a huge fight with EWTN's Mother Angelica.  Those of you who have watched Mother Angelica when she was live on air, or watch her reruns which were not edited know that Mother Angelica was no push over.  She spoke her mind and spoke it loudly.  She was not afraid to question the hierarchy, but without becoming a dissident like other religious sisters who feel it is a men vs women thing in regards to their role in the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Mahony wrote a Pastoral letter in 1997 regarding Sunday Mass which according to Angelica, reeked of modernism.  Mother Angelica publicly called him out on it only to receive backlash from him.  He demanded that she recant her opinion and even went to the Vatican to take canonical action against her.  He cited Canon 753 and 1373 in his defense:

Can. 753 Whether they teach individually, or in Episcopal Conferences, or gathered together in particular councils, Bishops in communion with the head and the members of the College, while not infallible in their teaching, are the authentic instructors and teachers of the faith for Christ's faithful entrusted to their care. The faithful are bound to adhere, with a religious submission of mind, to this authentic magisterium of their Bishops.

Can. 1373 A person who publicly incites his or her subjects to hatred or animosity against the Apostolic See or the Ordinary because of some act of ecclesiastical authority or ministry, or who provokes the subjects to disobedience against them, is to be punished by interdict or other just penalties.

After much back and forth, Mother Angelica eventually apologized to Cardinal Mahony.  Mahony took it to heart that a Franciscan Poor Clare questioned his teaching in his pastoral letter.  Ironically, the Vatican did not answer his request to punish Mother Angelica and he refused to go on air to discuss it with Mother Angelica at the invitation of Bishop Tobin.  

Can someone say EGO?   

I think the Cardinal let the "Prince of the Church" title get to his head a bit.  He is now claiming to be a scapegoat after documents show that he tried hard to obstruct justice in regards to perverted men who rose in the ranks of the priesthood.  

*Cardinal Mahony, during this Lent you should meditate on this verse:

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." - Galatians 6:7 

Do not be deceived!  You cannot live on Earth believing the anger expressed against you is part of Christian suffering.  You legitimately did wrong by your own choice and are reaping what you sowed.  There is no way around this.  This is not a Cross Christ gave you.  This is an anvil you threw in the air which now came crashing down on your head.  

No one is persecuting you for your faith. They are angry at you because of your criminal actions that are not befitting of a Cardinal - Prince of the Church.  

Take the hint:  When your successor publicly admonishes you, then that means what you did is serious.  Don't go and respond to your successor or write on your blog pretending to be the victim.  It is an insult to all Catholics and non-Catholics.  

My advice to Cardinal Mahony is to take a vow of silence.  The more he speaks out, the more he adds to the fire.  As a Spanish saying goes,

"En Boca Cerrada No Entran Moscas" (In a closed mouth, no flies enter.)  

Or as President Lincoln said, 

"Better to remain silent and be considered a fool, then to speak up and prove that you are a fool."

Show that you are humble by skipping the 2013 conclave.  I think the world will relax its attack on you if you do this noble act.    

P.S.  I wonder if Cardinal Mahony will whine to Rome about me now? :-)  







Sources:

http://cardinalrogermahonyblogsla.blogspot.com/

http://americablog.com/2013/02/disgraced-la-cardinal-mahony-believes-hes-kinda-like-jesus-on-the-cross.html

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/23/17057099-las-cardinal-mahony-calls-himself-scapegoat-ahead-of-deposition-conclave?lite

Church Hypocrisy?

Anti-Catholics often cite the bad behavior of Catholics in order to "prove" their case that the Catholic Church is a flawed institution that must be disposed of.  They will cite the burning at the stakes, inquisition, abuse of minors, cover ups and so on.  The Catholic Church to them is "morally bankrupt."

While the aforementioned are unfortunately a part of the history of Catholics, these acts were never sanctioned by the Church.  They are shortcomings from individuals who represented the Church.  Moreover, critics do not take into account the time and circumstance surrounding the bad events in the Church.  Those (heretics) who broke laws in their respective time received the punishment of that time.  We may see it now as cruel and unusual, but this is because we see things differently now in regards to justice and the treatment of prisoners.

The Past Haunts

In recent times, the sexual abuse of minors is what is focused upon when attacks against the Catholic Church are presented.  The moral authority of bishops and priests are questioned since they seemed to have allowed these abuses to go on and in some cases even tried to cover them up.   In the news recently, there was a report that files from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles show that retired Cardinal Roger Mahoney and Bishop Thomas Curry made attempts to conceal predator priests and obstruct justice.

The news has hit the Los Angeles Archdiocese so hard that Archbishop Gomez has prohibited Cardinal Mahoney from public duties within his Archdiocese and has accepted the resignation of Bishop Thomas Curry.  This basically means that Mahoney cannot present himself as an official of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  He can still function as a priest in private.  I applaud Archbishop Gomez for doing this.  He has publicly reprimanded two of his brother bishops and has shown that their actions cannot be excused.  Cardinal Mahoney responded with a letter of his own excusing his "mistakes."

I hardly call transferring priests from parish to parish who were known to have psycho-sexual issues a "mistake."  Furthermore, the attempt to prevent these disturbed priests from facing justice is just appalling.  Clergy who are found guilty of abuse and those bishops and others who covered for them should be in prison.  They should not be given a platform from which to shout "mea culpa."  The sexual abuse of a minor - or anyone for that matter - is disgusting and victims may never recover from it.    

Fetus Not a Person

If that is not bad enough, a Catholic hospital in Colorado is being sued because its lawyers have used the defense that a fetus is not a person in order to protect the hospital from litigation.  The news has caused a tidal wave among Catholics and anti-Catholics.  I myself have been bombarded with Tweets and messages regarding the supposed hypocrisy of the Church in implementing this defense.  What these people do not understand is that the Catholic Church is not on trial here.  A Catholic hospital is on trial for malpractice and its lawyers chose to use this defense.  Lawyers have the reputation of being "certified liars."  This is because they use a play of words in order to present a good case that will go in their favor.

The local bishop is investigating the matter.  I believe the lawyers used this defense because it reflects the current understanding of the law.  It would not be fair to sue a hospital for malpractice if the laws state that the fetus is not a person and fetuses are killed at abortion clinics daily without concern or litigation.  Therefore, lawyers must use the laws in the books in order to make their case.

A case that comes to mind that reflects this is that of Mary Ellen Wilson's who was the first documented case of child abuse in the United States of America.   She was beaten, starved and chained in a dark room all alone and overall was treated inhumanely.  Neighbors were concerned over the welfare of young Mary Ellen, but to their dismay, the abuse was not illegal.  Under the law, children were not considered persons and were mere property.  They were no different than cattle or dogs and could be beaten and abused.  The police could not do anything because there were no laws protecting children.

Neighbors told Methodist missionary Etta Wheeler about the situation and she tried to help.  Wheeler did not give up despite the non-existence of child protection laws in New York.  She would eventually contact the ASPCA or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals which was founded by Henry Bergh in order to protect horses.  At the time (1800's), New York used horses instead of cars.  The modern car was just being developed and horses were the only means to travel or transport goods.

Horses can be very stubborn creatures, so they were often beaten severely and treated badly.  The ASPCA would eventually get protection for them and other animals under the law.  This is why Wheeler sought the help of Bergh.  The ASPCA would help Mary Ellen Wilson and future children of child abuse by using the defense that children are part of the animal kingdom just like horses and they deserve protection under the law.  This is an example of how the current law and understanding of the law must be used in order to defend a client.


****UPDATE 2/5/2013****

The lawyers for the hospital have decided to recant the defense tactic of citing a law that does not include the unborn as human.  The change was made after Colorado bishops investigated and met with parties involved  http://www.lifenews.com/2013/02/04/catholic-hospital-reverses-wont-argue-unborn-baby-not-a-person/



No Help for Rape Victim

Lastly, a victim of rape in Germany claims that a Catholic hospital turned her away because of the advice the hospital would have given regarding keeping the pregnancy.  The Archdiocese of Cologne had this statement:

"We regret very much that the impression has been given to the public that rape victims are no longer able to be treated in Catholic hospitals. That is false,"

The Archdiocese confirmed that rape victims have always and will always get medical treatment and that no victim will be turned away.  They added that there was a misunderstanding among hospital officials which led to the refusal to treat the victim of rape.

The Catholic Church is made up of human beings.  The Church is perfect, but not perfect.  She is perfect in that she is the Bride of Christ and holds the deposit of Faith.  However, she is not perfect in that she is a collection of sinners who can do both good and bad in her name.  If all the Apostles except John ran off after Jesus' arrest, what makes you think the disciples of today won't abandon Jesus?  There will be clergy, religious and lay people who will abandon Jesus and do things their own way which will cause scandal and most likely harm themselves and others.  This should not be seen as a reflection of the whole Catholic Church, but a reflection on the reality that individuals in the Church can do stupid things that offends God and one another.  


Source:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-23/anger-as-us-records-show-catholic-sex-abuse-cover-up/4480824

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Sex-Abuse-Files-Catholic-Church-Los-Angeles-Mahony-Attorney-Shocked-188034191.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57565286/evidence-shows-bold-l.a-priest-abuse-cover-up/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57565286/evidence-shows-bold-l.a-priest-abuse-cover-up/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/catholic-hospital-argues-_n_2534383.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

http://reason-being.com/index.php/2013/01/24/catholic-health-initiatives-fetus-hypocrisy/#.UQGG_OQtTXY.twitter

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/catholic-hospital-argues-_n_2534383.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/catholics-argue-that-fetuses-are-people-unless-it-costs-the-church-money/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/9811443/German-rape-victim-turned-away-by-Catholic-hospitals-over-pregnancy-fears.html

http://www.catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=49547

http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=123889

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0203-lopez-mahony-20130203,0,612758.column

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22502929/cardinal-mahony-fires-back-at-gomez-defends-handling

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0201-mahony-curry-20130201,0,3889565.story

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-adv-church-curry-20130203,0,5584406.story

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/01/archbishop-takes-action-on-mahony-curry-over-abuse-scandal.html

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=49546

http://documents.latimes.com/los-angeles-archdiocese-priest-abuse-files/

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-gomez-praised-for-ideal-approach-to-la-removals/
http://cardinalrogermahonyblogsla.blogspot.com/

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-church-files-20130122,0,3114631.story