O Gender Confused Canada!

Oh, Canada! Your neighbors to the south have always had a good time teasing you about your love of hockey, the frigid cold you endure, your brightly colored law enforcement, and your lovable way of pronouncing things, but really? You’ve now let the liberal government ban the words “mother,” “father,” “Mr.” or “Mrs.” on all forms of communication in the schools??? Perhaps it’s been a little too cold lately?

https://education.alberta.ca/media/1626737/91383-attachment-1-guidelines-final.pdf

If only that were the only problem with the document below, though. Let’s look at the bloody highlights! And, please understand, it appears this is not limited to public schools.  (http://www.catholicworldreport.com/NewsBriefs/Default.aspx?rssGuid=in-canada-a-bishop-protests-gender-ideology-mandate-for-alberta-schools-60353%2F)

Self-identification is the sole measure of an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Silly society! It used to be that gender identity was determined, well, by gender. You know, science? That science thing is just so fact based. We should have ditched it a long time ago in lieu of rainbows and lollipops. What were we thinking?

All students and staff … have the right to be open about who they are, including expressing their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression without fear of unwanted consequences;

Gender expression. Interesting. So, if they now think themselves a sex obsessed teenage boy, do they now get to express this without fear of unwanted consequences? Outstanding! Now let’s look at some of their “best practices”:

5. Minimizing gender-segregated activities.

And

7. Providing safe access to washroom and change-room facilities

Well, which is it Canada? You really can’t have both.

As understandings of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions evolve, and learning environments and school communities evolve, best practices will also change and evolve.

Cannot wait to see what that brings! Hopefully it will evolve into sanity, but I’m not holding my breath.

Staff have access to information about available community resources and expertise. When needed, they can help a student (or the student’s family) identify and access relevant and appropriate resources and supports beyond the school. No student or family should be referred to programs which purport to ‘fix,’ ‘change’ or ‘repair’ a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

I found this particularly sad. What if a student wanted help in doing so? What if they wanted to change their notion of which gender they “identified” with? What if they discovered their lifestyle wasn’t what they wanted? “Nope! You are an anatomical male who “identifies” as a woman, and there you will stay, no matter how miserable it makes you!”

Some individuals may not feel included in the use of the pronouns “he” or “she” and may prefer alternate pronouns, such as “ze,” “zir,” “hir,” “they” or “them,” or might wish to express themselves or self-identify in other ways (e.g., Mx. instead or Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss, or no prefix at all).

Oh, my ever-loving goodness. It’s going to take teachers forever to try and formulate sentences without offending the multitudes of the “diverse!” This is totally and utterly insane. And, my gosh, can you imagine if someone screwed it up simply because they were trying to spit out an everyday sentence and got the pronoun wrong? Good luck teaching the conjugation of verbs, too! That’ll have to become a big no-no, or at least will take hours to get through a single verb when they’re done. There will be lawsuits abounding. Canada might actually succeed in making California look sane! Check that. I’m sure we’ll be following along soon!

Wherever possible, before contacting the parents or other adults involved in the care (such as social workers or caregivers) of a student who is trans or gender-diverse, consult with the student to determine an appropriate way to reference the student’s gender identity, gender expression, name and related pronouns.

And now the village idiots will have to stand around as a club and make sure all pronouns are in order.

While Alberta Education requires documentation to confirm a student’s legal name and birthdate, it does not require documented proof for a change of sex or gender. Schools and school authorities have the ability to change student gender information on a student record in the PASI system using PASIprep, or through their PASI-enabled SIS.

This might possibly be because your predecessors weren’t quite as insane as you and couldn’t comprehend a topsy-turvy world where that might be necessary.

When there are segregated educational, recreational or competitive activities, students who are trans and gender-diverse have the right to participate in these activities in ways that are safe, comfortable and congruent with their gender identity or gender expression.

Indicators of this best practice in action

• Schools work to reduce or eliminate the practice of segregating students by gender as much as possible. For example, they avoid structuring courses or activities based on gender-specific roles such as “boys” versus “girls” in academic, athletic or talent competitions.

I cannot help but hope the athletes rise up out of a sense of fairness. Are girls going to want to compete with boys in strength competitions? Will boys want girls on their football teams? Also, who do you think’s getting the role of Maria in the “Sound of Music?” Can’t wait to hear that one sung by a bass!

Providing safe access to washroom and change-room facilities.

Students with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions have a right to accommodation when it comes to the use of washroom and changeroom facilities that are congruent with their gender identity. This applies during school time and school-related activities on and off school property (such as field trips and athletic events). Although creating separate spaces may sometimes be necessary, emphasis should be on creating safe and inclusive spaces. As part of a comprehensive whole-school approach, strategies should be in place to ensure all areas of the school are safe for all students, all of the time. This may include implementing proactive strategies such as communicating clear behaviour expectations to all students, increasing adult presence and supervision, and monitoring key areas of the building and grounds.

So now, not only will kids be exposed to other kids of the opposite sex in bathrooms and locker rooms, they will also have to put up with more adults monitoring them? Also, don’t separate spaces violate their own code???

All students have access to change-room facilities that meet their individual needs and privacy concerns. This may include a choice of options such as: – a private area within the common change-room area (such as a stall with a door, or an area separated by a curtain); or – a nearby private area (such as a nearby washroom).

I don’t know about you, but there wasn’t room for 40 changing rooms in my high school locker room, and I think it had about 5 toilet stalls. I wonder if the dollar signs will ever click with this people?

A student who objects to sharing a washroom or change-room with a student who is trans or gender-diverse is offered an alternative facility (this scenario also applies when a parent or other caregiver objects to shared washroom or change-room facilities on behalf of their child).

And, again, what are you going to do if 40 object?

When travelling for competitions or events at another school, staff ensure accommodation for changing, showering, or washroom facilities. When staff make these arrangements, they take care to maintain the student’s confidentiality by not disclosing information related to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression without the student’s direct permission.

Wouldn’t that deny the right of the other students to make that objection?

Staff participate in targeted professional learning that is evidence-based and builds their knowledge about diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions and its implications for teaching and learning, social and emotional well-being, and personal safety.

This increased knowledge and understanding will also give staff information and strategies to help create positive environments that welcome and respect all members of the school community.

Translation: You will be reprogrammed.

Findings from recent Canadian research indicate that for many students with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, school is not a safe place. This is also true for students who may be perceived as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, two-spirit, queer or questioning, as well as students who are harassed about the actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression of their parents or other family members

Two-spirit? This is the second time I’ve seen this mentioned. What the heck? Is this a double-reverse trans? This is seriously getting out of hand! I seem to remember Archbishop Cordileone being ridiculed for suggesting that the list of letters would grow. Well, I’m not really sure why people were in a tizzy over that one. It’s totally and completely true!

The rest if their grand plan has to do with bullying. Nobody advocates bullying except those who would bully. If they think making everyone comply with all of these ridiculous measures is going to lessen the bullying, they’re in for a rude awakening. Making everyone dance circles around the few and forcing them to compromise their beliefs will likely only increase it. They would do themselves a world of good if they could simply encourage everyone to employ Christ-like behavior. Unfortunately, there’s no “safe space” provided for Him.

Just an aside…In writing this I looked up the lyrics of “O Canada!” which led me to look at the song’s history.  Here is the official lyrics:

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Interestingly enough, the usual offended crowd tried to get the lyrics changed to gender-neutral, Godless lyrics, but the people said “no” and the topic was dropped.  Here’s hoping Canada stands up for their children the way they’ve stood up for their anthem!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is Promoting the Rape Culture?

What a weekend! I’m still trying to recover from all the fabulous pro-life events in Northern California. I tried to hit as many of them as possible, because, quite frankly, it makes me very happy to be in a sea of kind people from all over the country standing up for life. They’re joyful, happy, and best of all, most of them young. I’m a tad bit jealous of that last one, but I’ll get over it. It was such an awesome contrast to the opposition!

I had three days straight of mixing it up with the Stop Patriarchy club. How can anyone look at that crew and say, “Yeah! I proudly stand with that side of the debate!”? Really, people. Take a long hard look at the people who think like you. I mean, they’re just plain vile. You’ve got families walking down the street praying and singing the rosary, and then you’ve got the demonic, profanity-laced chanting and screaming coming from those on the other side of the police line. I probably should have said naked, demonic, profanity-laced chanting and screaming coming from those on the other side of the police line. It is ironic that those people ranting that “forced motherhood” promotes the “rape culture” are walking topless down the street. Get just a little clue, ladies! You created that culture, sweeties! Could it possibly be the lack of respect you show yourselves that contributes to the rape culture? I mean, why would men have respect for you when you have such a twisted view of self-respect. Then there are the men of Stop Patriarchy. I’m pretty sure it’s not “forced motherhood” that concerns them. Might it be fatherhood and being held responsible for their actions? They want to do the crime without doing the time. They don’t want abortion going away, but it has nothing to do with a concern for the “enslavement of women.” It has everything to do with them getting to fulfill their selfish desires with no consequences.  Again, try and compare those idiots with the dads and members of the clergy walking down the street with their wives, daughters, and congregations. Yeah, no comparison.

And for even more of a contrast, how about twelve Sisters of Life whipping off their capes to cover some really sad, young women who thought it would be a grand idea to storm the Walk for Life  stage topless. Way to go, sisters, in protecting all the kids in the crowd from seeing that, not to mention protecting these young women from their very disturbed selves! I have to think you gave those girls some motherly love that they have never had in their lives.

Now, on the Stop Patriarchy website (http://www.stoppatriarchy.org/), they say, very briefly, they are against pornography,  that women should not be treated as objects and that women should not be used for the sexual pleasure of men.  On these points, I think we’d totally agree if they actually believed that. Reading the accounts above, does anyone actually come to the conclusion that is their mission?  I’m thinking that public nudity might not be the best way to go about ending porn or advancing sexual respect for women.  They might want to take a hard look at the Sisters of Life who were trying to accomplish those things Stop Patriarchy says they want.  I’m pretty those goals are lip service by Stop Patriarchy to try and make themselves look mainstream.  Sorry, guys, not so much.  Your actions hardly advance respect for women.

Sometimes, at the smaller events surrounding the walk, you had a chance to try and talk to some of these sad people who are pretty much protesting your existence. I stress “try.” They really don’t want to have a chat, they just want to scream hysterically. Having a heart to heart isn’t something they’ve given much thought to. Sometimes they’ll shoot a question at you, but when you offer to calmly answer them, they are out of there like a shot. Seriously, if you really want to clear the space around you of pro-abortion peeps, just say, “Great! Let’s talk about that!” It’s rather sad for a girl like me who likes a good debate. Even when some decide to take the challenge, they usually end up calling you a fascist (because they were apparently taught history in a California public school) or they mumble something about you being a hypocrite because you eat eggs. Huh? They must have also gotten their science in a California public school. Oh! Then there’s my favorite. “It’s a fetus, not a baby!” Yes, language classes are also poor here. Try asking them what fetus means and watch their heads spin and the screaming volume go up.

Fortunately, the opposition has really dwindled over the years. California has always had way more protestors than other places around the country. We grow them super obnoxious ‘round these parts. For whatever reasons, however, the numbers of counter-protestors at pro-life events have diminished tremendously in the past few decades. I think that they call that the “Roe Effect.” While we’ve been happily building our families and being generous with our lives, they have been selfishly birth-controlling and aborting themselves out of the debate. That’s probably the most ironic thing. We mourn for the loss of their children, who could have very likely ended up just like them.

Cardinal Wuerl Must Have Seen a “Call to Battle!”

This: http://cardinalsblog.adw.org/2015/12/at-the-service-of-the-truth-and-love-of-jesus-christ/  Please read while I’m putting my eyes back in my head, tongue back in my mouth, and getting my chin off the floor! What the heck?! Can we get more of THIS Cardinal Wuerl? Better yet, can he please write responses for the Pope on this issue?  Just a couple of months ago I was lamenting his ambiguous synod comments and now this?

 

First, any person who struggles in trying to live according to the revealed truth of Catholic teaching should know the Church recognizes his or her dignity as created by God and that the person need not face life’s challenges apart from the grace of the Lord and his Church, which seeks only the highest good for everyone.

The Church recognizes that we all need to grow in faith and in closeness to the Lord. Simply acting contrary to Church teaching on occasion would not preclude serving as a ministerial employee or volunteer. For us to acknowledge that we are sinners, as we do, is to admit that occasionally we too have at times not lived up to the truth. On those occasions, we are expected to acknowledge our failings and seek to amend our lives in Christ.

However, if one persists or effectively insists that they are right and the Church is wrong, in the face of such irreconcilable differences it is not discrimination or punishment to say that continued ministerial service is not possible. It is not a question of personal private activity, but the social consequences of conduct which undermines the Church’s ability to fulfill her mission. When there is the potential for scandal that might lead people astray regarding the Catholic faith, continued service becomes untenable. (Emphasis from here on out, all mine!)

<Snip for brevity – it’s all awesome though!>

“We all are at the service of the mission of Christ,” and particularly for those in ministerial positions, “no one can claim a right simultaneously to work for the Church and to work against her belief” (23). When a person involved in ministerial activity offers a counter-witness to Catholic teaching by words or public conduct, however earnest they may be, experience shows that it can lead people away from the truth and otherwise have an adverse effect on our mission. The Church not only must be free to then take corrective steps, it has an obligation in charity and truth to do so.

<snip>

And no official would ever continue to employ someone who in his off-hours publicly demonstrated that he was opposed to the official’s policies or campaigned for the official’s opponent.

That last line harkens back to Archbishop Cordileone’s comment during his handbook fight. It’s a big “Duh!” the liberals just don’t seem to get or it’s the double standard they want us to simply take with our mouths shut.

The Church we serve is not ours, but Christ’s. The greatest mercy of the Church is to be faithful witnesses of his truth and love. It is precisely through the witness of authentic Catholic teaching, which is the revealed truth of the Gospel, that the parishioners in the pews, the young people in our schools, the people served in our charitable ministries, and the world at large will find salvation.

This is kind of the perfect response I wish the Holy Father had given, rather than the “Who am I to judge?” response.  I think every cardinal and bishop should bookmark this one. No need to re-invent the wheel. Clear. Concise. No backpedaling and, most importantly, NO APOLOGIES for doing what the Church is supposed to do! Did I think I’d be giving kudos to Cardinal Wuerl twice in a year’s time? I’m not sure I thought I’d even do it once.  Here’s hoping 2016 sees that trend continue and here’s hoping our cardinals and bishops continue to focus on strengthening the mission of the Church in this new year!

 

 

More Awesomeness from Bishop Olmsted!

As a follow up to “Into the Breach” by Bishop Olmsted (http://www.intothebreach.net/into-the-breach/) – and if you haven’t read it, you are missing out – the Diocese of Phoenix has put out this FANTASTIC video called “A Call to Battle.” 

 

It seems that Bishop Olmsted is skipping the band-aids to fix the problems in our Church, the country, and the world.  He’s now just going for the full-out heart transplant!  I am so thankful to him, because it’s so dearly needed.  I’m seeing the world my kids and grandkids will have to live in, and it’s terrifying!

So many say, “We should be focusing on the poor and homeless!”, or “We should be focusing on drugs!”, or “Let’s stop human trafficking!”, but quite frankly, we need kill these ills at the root.  Pruning the bush does nothing.  The crud just grows right back.  Can we just stop banging our heads against the wall and admit where the real problem lies?  It’s the complete and utter destruction of the family.

Who’s to blame?  Pretty much most of society played a role at one point or another.  As a society, the Faith went bye-bye.  Feminists hurled the word “mysoginist” around like a verbal tick.  Men were relegated to their corners, afraid to open their mouths.  Masculinity went out the window for many men and grew in women.  The sexes were pitted against each other instead of working together.  We wonder why young men of the West are being sucked in by the radical, Islamic element?  They have a natural desire to being manly, and all they can find is this horribly disfigured version of it, because their own fathers are gone, on drugs, too busy with porn, completely emasculated, society tries to shame masculinity, etc., etc., etc.

Who’s going to fix it?  Bishop Olmsted knows. Time to “man up,” men!   From the time of Adam, you could’ve and should’ve fought the evil in the world.  And for those of you women who are offended and about to wag your tongue at me, save it.  You have a role, too.  Encourage the men in your life to be manly, whether it be your husband, brother, priest, friend, or son.  Stop opposing them, undermining them, and contradicting them.  I get so frustrated when I see people who want their husbands to be the leader of the family and then contradict them the second they do it.  Are they always going to get it right?  I’m sure that’ll happen just about the same time we women always get it right.  It doesn’t mean you can’t discuss it with them, or that you should keep your concerns to yourself, but you can do it in a non-opposing, non-undermining, and non-contradicting way.  Is it always going to be appreciated?  Probably not.  However, the reality is, the more you do it the “Corinthians way” (based in love and not pride), the less it occurs, because you won’t be seen as an adversary but a friend, and you can really hear each other.

Unless we turn back to God and embrace the true nature of our vocations, no matter what they be, we will continue to watch this world decay, and you can take on all of the charitable acts you’d like, but it’s doubtful any true gains will be made.

 

 

Input needed!

Hi all-

When I started this blog I tried different Word Press formats but settled on this one due to it’s ease (aka – the fact it didn’t make me cry).  Of course, I really didn’t think anyone not related to me would ever read it so I didn’t put a whole lot of effort into it.  I’ve had a couple of lovely people say the font is hard to read – especially on phones.  It looks good on my equipment but everyone’s is different.

Pleases take a gander at the last two blog posts.  I just updated the last one all in bold.  Does that help people?  I’ve tried different fonts and WP doesn’t give me an option to make the font darker.

Does the bold help, hinder, etc.?

Thanks,

OMM

 

Martha, Martha, Martha!

Letters to the editor like this make me want to knock people upside the head (http://host.madison.com/wsj/opinion/mailbag/where-are-the-priorities-of-the-catholic-church–/article_c187e142-821c-525f-b428-fed7aa7f6898.html):

Where are the priorities of the Catholic church — Jane Lynk

I was very angry after reading about the closing of the Bethel Lutheran homeless shelter. The article just below it was about Madison Catholic Bishop Robert Morlino’s push to move the tabernacle of churches to a more central location.

Really? Where are the priorities here? What needs to be central is helping the poor and using church funds to actually live the teachings of the Bible.

It makes this Catholic wonder about the priorities of the men making these proclamations, and not for the first time. Delusions of grandeur come to mind here.

Pope Francis is the church leader, and he is repeatedly asking all of us to help the poor. Maybe Morlino needs to open his mail. It’s enough to make a lifelong Catholic head to the Lutheran church.

— Jane Lynk, Marshall

First of all, anyone think it’s odd that Ms. Lynk is mad at the Catholic Church for the Lutheran church closing a shelter? And why is she mad at the Bishop Morlino, who had no bearing in that action? Wouldn’t it seem that her ire should go toward the city who refused to increase the budget and who chose to disassociate with the Lutheran Church? And the biggest question for Ms. Lynk is why doesn’t she get off her behind and do something for the homeless herself? So many different ways to do that these days, starting with three words: “GO FUND ME.”

Next, it’s clear Bishop Morlino has much work to do in this diocese, since “this Catholic” really doesn’t have a clue about Catholicism. She may want to wander through the bible to the story of Mary and Martha. This one is definitely a Martha. Martha, Martha!

Here’s a refresher for Ms. Lynk:

http://www.newadvent.com/bible/luk010.htm

38 In one of the villages he entered during his journey, a woman called Martha entertained him in her house. 39 She had a sister called Mary; and Mary took her place at the Lord’s feet, and listened to his words. 40 Martha was distracted by waiting on many needs; so she came to his side, and asked, Lord, art thou content that my sister should leave me to do the serving alone? Come, bid her help me. 41 Jesus answered her, Martha, Martha, how many cares and troubles thou hast! 42 But only one thing is necessary; and Mary has chosen for herself the best part of all, that which shall never be taken away from her.

I’m betting there’s more to her ire against Bishop Morlino. Clearly, she doesn’t understand ANTYHING about the Eucharist, which is why she doesn’t have a clue when it comes to Bishop Morlino’s plan to move tabernacles fron t and center. She’s the perfect example of why Bishop Morlino wants this! Some do not grasp the Source and Summit of our Faith!!! Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, should be the center of our world and given the highest priority, if we hope to have ANYTHING else fall into place. Bishop Morlino is trying to get us to choose “the best part of all” so that we can deal with all of the other ills of our society.

Big kudos to Bishop Morlino!

2015 Fishwrap of the Year

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here…except at NcR, apparently.  Sin and sinners fell off their radar a long time ago.

Well, vacation is over. We’re still enjoying the last of Christmas, but it’s back to work. I’m always hoping for a good old-fashioned Christmas miracle, but on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, I sadly saw that National catholic Reporter is still operating in its “anything but Catholic” way. This little piece caught my eye a few days back, but it’s as nauseating as ever:

 

https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/editorial-our-persons-year-2015

Editorial: Our persons of the year for 2015

As we live through them, it is often difficult to recognize truly important, history-changing events, events that will touch future generations intimately and profoundly. Very likely, though, the U.S. Supreme Court decision of June 26, 2015, in the Obergefell v. Hodges case, which found same-sex marriage a constitutional right, is one of those events.

“The nature of marriage is that, through its enduring bond, two persons together can find other freedoms, such as expression, intimacy, and spirituality. This is true for all persons, whatever their sexual orientation,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the 5-4 majority.

Catholic moral theologian Lisa Fullam was struck by “how strongly” the four principles and traditions the court cited as the foundation for its decision “echo Catholic doctrine on marriage.”

As the church formulates a response to this new reality, she suggested, “a good first step for Church leaders would be to applaud the Court’s decision in light of its overlap with Catholic values … and take note of the powerful spirit of love and commitment vivifying lesbian and gay marriages as well as straight marriages.”

Bahahahaha! It’s not surprising they found some “moral theologian” who agreed with their position under a Jesuit rock at Santa Clara. She, of course, is not unknown in these parts. The bats have not been totally cleared from the belfry around here. Not only is she a little sketchy on the “Catholic doctrine on marriage,” she’s also a little sketchy on history. It’s hardly a “new reality”. It’s older than Sodom and Gomorrah. The only difference now is that some “inside” the Church are now suggesting we embrace a court decision as some sort of mission for Catholics, because there might be an “and”, “but”, or an “or” that it has in common with a Church document.  Yeah, the court ruling and Church doctrine are twinsies.

I do give Ms. Fullam kudos for using “vivifying”, though. Fun word. Must be that Jesuit edjamacation. That said, sin doesn’t animate or bring alive anything. It does just the opposite. We don’t live in a Tim Burton world where the evil and the distorted are life-giving. We really need to start reading the classics again, people. Playing God and creating Frankenstein’s monster is contrary to life and beauty, and it never ends well. We need to stop trying to put a shiny new coat of paint on an old sin and calling it “new and wonderful,” and now, “just.” And, who in the heck is Ms. Fullam to tell the Church who She should applaud, anyway? I’m sure she’d have the Church applaud Nancy Pelosi for all her fine, Catholic missionary work!

The divided court, though, reflects divides in the nation. The day of the decision, NCR reported that the political and religious response ran the gamut from despair and anger to jubilation.

“Today, love prevailed and our nation became a more perfect union,” wrote Sarah Kate Ellis, president of the gay and lesbian anti-defamation group GLAAD. “#LoveWins,” President Barack Obama tweeted.

Well, silly me! If Barack Obama tweeted… Sigh! Clearly, the National catholic Reporter haven’t grasped that popularity is irrelevant to Truth. It hardly represents the mind of the Church, nor does it vivify God. That’s really what the NcR ilk hope to achieve, though, in their own distorted way. They hope to animate God and the Church like their very own personal puppet. I hate to tell you, but salvation doesn’t work that way.

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., called the decision “a tragic error.” Bishop Richard Malone of Buffalo, N.Y., declared himself “bitterly disappointed.”

The court’s decision did not surprise Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, he said. “The surprise will come,” Chaput continued, “as ordinary people begin to experience, firsthand and painfully, the impact of today’s action on everything they thought they knew about marriage, family life, our laws and our social institutions.

These are the gentlemen who hold to the mind of the Church. They speak the timeless Truth on marriage, unafraid of the consequences of doing so. Instead, they worry about the consequences of NOT speaking out. They’re the ones who really, truly care about all of the souls in their care and seeing each and every one of them gain heaven.

Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, on the other hand, celebrated “the increase in justice that this ruling ushers in” and noted that Catholics were at the forefront of the marriage equality movement. “Our commitment to the values of love, inclusion, family, and justice have inspired millions of Catholics — both straight and LGBT. … It is wonderful to see the true values of our faith and our country affirmed today.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Wrong on both counts Marianne.  Our Faith did not affirm “gay marriage,” nor did our country.  Five Supreme Court justices blew that one.  And justice? Let’s talk a bit about this. It’s clear that people like Duddy-Burke and the crew at NcR can’t really tell the difference from what the Church says about things and what their own crazy little world says. Let’s take a gander at what the Church actually says about justice:

http://www.newadvent.com/cathen/08571c.htm:

Justice is here taken in its ordinary and proper sense to signify the most important of the cardinal virtues. It is a moral quality or habit which perfects the will and inclines it to render to each and to all what belongs to them. Of the other cardinal virtues, prudence perfects the intellect and inclines the prudent man to act in all things according to right reason. Fortitude controls the irascible passions; and temperance moderates the appetites according as reason dictates. While fortitude and temperance are self-regarding virtues, justice has reference to others. Together with charity it regulates man’s intercourse with his fellow men. But charity leads us to help our neighbour in his need out of our own stores, while justice teaches us to give to another what belongs to him.

What belongs to us and why, you may ask?

Because man is a person, a free and intelligent being, created in the image of God, he has a dignity and a worth vastly superior to the material and animal world by which he is surrounded. Man can know, love, and worship his Creator; he was made for that end, which he can only attain perfectly in the future, immortal, and never-ending life to which he is destined. God gave him his faculties and his liberty in order that he might freely work for the accomplishment of his destiny. He is in duty bound to strive to fulfil the designs of his Creator, he must exercise his faculties and conduct his life according to the intentions of his Lord and Master. Because he is under these obligations he is consequently invested with rights, God-given and primordial, antecedent to the State and independent of it. Such are man’s natural rights, granted to him by nature herself, sacred, as is their origin, and inviolable. Beside these he may have other rights given him by Church or State, or acquired by his own industry and exertion. All these rights, whatever be their source, are the object of the virtue of justice. Justice requires that all persons should be left in the free enjoyment of all their rights.

The end of justice is not to simply have our desires met. Justice is supposed to help us reach our destiny of everlasting life. Everlasting life is something most often forgotten by Fullam and buddies.

<snipping most of the rest of this typical NcR article>

The question remains whether these days will be painful as Chaput suggests or, as Arthur Fitzmaurice, resource director for the Catholic Association for Lesbian and Gay Ministry, told NCR June 26, “a chance for us to step away from the charged political debate to a pastoral dialogue on what it means to be LGBT and Catholic.”

I’m reasonably sure the pastoral dialogue began a long time ago, Mr. Fitzmaurice. It might be a bit helpful if you took your fingers out of your ears and stopped stomping your feet long enough to hear your pastors. Heck, how about your fellow Catholics do the same? Here is someone else you’ve failed to minister to: http://www.cuf.org/2011/01/i-am-not-gay-i-am-david/   All should read, read, READ this one!  Please, show me something David Prosen says that doesn’t resemble justice in the eyes of the Church, then compare him with the “persons of the year.” How does their cause resemble justice?

<snipping a ton more>

NCR is already on record advocating for church personnel policies that ensure that employees can enter into legal, civil marriages without fear of losing their jobs.

NcR is kind of on record telling the Church to get over Herself and just let people jump on the expressway straight to spiritual death, but whatever.

Today, we address a more fundamental issue: How will we as a church live with our gay, lesbian and transgender brothers and sisters? We are past the time of “love the sinner” platitudes.

Sin, it’s so passe’.

<snipping the Cupich suck up and shaming of anyone who does not believe “gay marriage” to be a civil right and who refuse to jump on that bandwagon>

Bourke and DeLeon are emblematic of this major challenge facing the church today, because they force us to ask not how will we live out a hypothetical situation, but how will we live with Greg and Michael. They give flesh to an abstraction.

And here’s the usual “faithful Catholics don’t know a single soul who lives with a homosexual inclination” tripe. Yawn. I have to wonder where they think we live? Do they think we live in our houses with our curtains drawn and crocodiles in the moat surrounding it?

How will we live with Greg and Michael?  The same way we live with our friends, family, co-workers, etc.  We LOVE them.  We love them so much that their everlasting life is our priority.

The answers the church is giving now are confused, uneven and often cruel. Greg and Michael — and countless gay, lesbian and transgender Catholics — deserve better.

Oh, my! It’s rare, but I totally and utterly agree with this comment. Of course, for confusion and cruelty to cease, NcR’s superstar seamless garment crew would need to shut the heck up, and we all know that’s not likely to happen anytime soon. So, instead of wishing on those stars, I will wish that the Kurtzes, Cordileones, Paprockis, Chaputs, etc., start speaking even more loudly and lovingly, develop many different programs to reach those individuals and families who are suffering, and continue to love them!

For their historic roles as plaintiffs in Obergefell v. Hodges and for their faithful public witness as gay Catholics, we name Greg Bourke and Michael DeLeon NCR’s persons of the year for 2015.

And this, my friends, is why the National catholic Reporter will probably continue to earn the Fishwrap of the Year award in perpetuity.