Archbishop Listecki - Support Pro-Life Candidate

Milwaukee Archbishop Says He Could ‘Not Support’ Candidate Who Doesn’t Support Life, as Supreme Court Election Looms https://t.co/zqZbyJPbAz via @wisconsin_now

— Vicki McKenna (@VickiMcKenna) April 3, 2023

Janet Protasiewicz is an advocate for the wholesale slaughter of innocent life in the womb.

If you claim to be Catholic, then vote like you're Catholic. Vote for the most fundamental right, the right to life. Vote for Dan Kelly.

Archbishop Jerome Listecki and Wisconsin's Election

From the Archbishop of Milwaukee, Jerome Listecki:

Tomorrow, March 29, we will celebrate Pray, Reconcile & Rejoice: Twelve Hours of Reconciliation. Confessions will be available to the faithful in designated parishes in all the deaneries in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. I encourage everyone to seek the convenient parish in their area and participate for the sake of their souls and the sake of our community.

This reconciliation opportunity was initiated a few years ago and has been remarkably successful. This year, thousands of faithful Catholics will once again take advantage of a number of confessors available to hear confessions in English and Spanish. Many confessors are edified that individuals who have not been to confession for some 20 or 30 years will embrace the sacrament on this day. For others, this will be the fulfillment of their Lenten journey. Many who approach the sacrament with some regularity realize that the sacrament is grace giving, which strengthens our ability to face the problems of the world with a sense of virtue.

There is a statement in one of the acts of contrition, “In what I have done, and in what I have failed to do.” We are responsible for our actions and also for our inactions in the face of evil and sin. Many who oppose the Church’s teachings will characterize their positions as something other than what they truly are. They mask the horror of the act that they are supporting. Current positions on abortion state that it’s a woman’s health issue or that it is a “right.”

Imagine if those supporting slavery claimed that it was a right of ownership – not the denial of a person’s dignity, but an economic right. Slavery supports the economy. Would there be anyone, knowing the dignity of the human person, who would support that justification?

There is only one problem with the pro-abortion argument – it is not “pro-choice.” It is pro-death, and the reality is that a life is taken. Imagine this gruesome sight: a fully developed infant, nine months in the womb, and then this preborn is sliced up. Now, imagine a year-old infant, sliced up. Underneath the picture of the nine-month, fully developed preborn is the statement: “This action is protected by the law,” and underneath the one-year-old is the statement: “This is an act of murder.”

The killing of the innocent has never been supported by Catholic Church Teachings. As citizens, we have an obligation to support the laws that protect the innocent. We must take our responsibility, as citizens before God’s judgment, for the times we have supported the destruction of the innocent. We must also take responsibility for the lack of support for the protection of the innocent when we vote for candidates and laws that liberalize abortion laws.

There is nothing enlightened about an individual who fails to realize that the denial of the right to life for the most vulnerable among us is an attack on the dignity and personal value of every citizen. I could not and would not support a candidate whose position on life is contrary to the teachings of the Church – a position contrary to the teachings and love of Jesus. A personally imposed blindness to this most fundamental of all rights for human beings would have us support the agenda of the evil one embracing the darkness over the light. Did I do “something” to protect the innocent?

As we make our way to the sacrament of reconciliation, let us also remember not only what we have done, but what we have failed to do. How could we not embrace the innocent when we are called to LOVE ONE ANOTHER?

Archbishop Listecki doesn't mention any specific race on the ballot of the 2023 Wisconsin spring general election.

He doesn't mention the names of any candidates.

Archbishop Listecki does clearly state that Catholics are obligated to take responsibility to "support the laws that protect the innocent."

He writes:

I could not and would not support a candidate whose position on life is contrary to the teachings of the Church – a position contrary to the teachings and love of Jesus. A personally imposed blindness to this most fundamental of all rights for human beings would have us support the agenda of the evil one embracing the darkness over the light.

In effect, a vote for Janet Protasiewicz is contrary to the teachings of the Church because she is campaigning to support laws that deny the right to life for the most vulnerable.

In effect, vote for Dan Kelly.

Archbishop Jerome Listecki Grants St. Patrick's Day Dispensation

This is important.

From FOX6 News:

Archbishop Jerome Listecki has granted a dispensation for March 17, 2023 which lifts the obligation of abstinence from meat on Fridays during Lent. This is so Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

"A feast day in the Church means what it says – it calls for celebratory feasting," Archbishop Listecki said in a news release. "However, Catholics who partake in the St. Patrick’s Day feast are encouraged to engage in another sacrificial or charitable act that day or give up meat on another day."

The last time St. Patrick's Day fell on a Lenten Friday was in 2017. CELEBRATE! It's a feast day.

Then, remember to offer another sacrifice or charitable act today or abstain from meat on another day.

Milwaukee Archdiocese Cancels Holy Week and Triduum Celebrations

#BREAKING from the @archmil ... https://t.co/8ahdw5Wws8

— FOX6 News (@fox6now) March 24, 2020

Archbishop Jerome Listecki writes:

Holy Week and the Triduum are the most solemn time of our liturgical year. Public celebrations for Holy Week, Holy Thursday and Good Friday are canceled in all of our parishes. I will celebrate both days from the Cathedral and those services will be live-streamed. The modifications in the liturgical celebrations decreed by the Vatican will be observed. Instructions for accessing the live-stream will be posted. I will also offer the celebration of the Easter Vigil, as accommodated in the same Vatican decree, from the Cathedral. That Mass will be live-streamed.

This announcement was inevitable.

Although expected, it's still upsetting.

Archbishop Listecki Dispenses Catholics from Sunday Mass

Statement from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee:

MILWAUKEE ― The Archdiocese of Milwaukee announced today that Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki has dispensed Catholics from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19, the coronavirus. The dispensation will cover the next two weeks, including Masses for Sundays March 15, 22 and 29. Masses will still be celebrated across the 10 counties of the archdiocese, but the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will be lifted, leaving attendance to people’s individual judgment.

“If people are fearful about crowds or if there are people who are older or suffer from an existing medical condition, we do not want to put them at any additional risk,” Archbishop Listecki said. “These are measures to prevent an increase in the spread of a virus and serve as a safety net for the next two weeks. After that, we will reevaluate.”

Sunday Mass is available in the archdiocese via broadcast in two forms, on the radio, at 9 a.m., Sunday mornings, on Radio 920 AM, W.O.L.F., and on broadcast television on WVTV, My24 at 7 a.m., and 9 a.m., and on WITI Fox 6, at 5:30 a.m.

In place of attending Mass for those Catholics who choose to remain home, the Church asks that they set aside a similar amount of time for private prayer and reflection.

The obligation to attend Sunday Mass dates back to the 4th century. The Second Vatican Council reiterated the Church’s requirement that the faithful attend Mass on Sunday, as the chief act of worship for Catholics.

Published:2020-03-12

This is a good approach to take. The dispensation alleviates concerns about missing Mass and encourages sick and at risk individuals to stay home.

Mass will still be celebrated, offering the sacrament for those able to attend.

St. Patrick's Day Dispensation Decree - Archbishop Jerome Listecki

When I saw that St. Patrick's Day was on Friday this year, I hoped Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki would grant dispensation to Catholics.

From the Archdiocese of Milwaukee:

Each year, Catholics throughout the world are expected to abstain from meat and meat products on Fridays during Lent. Once or twice a decade, we are faced with a quandary: when St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday during this time of penance, may we eat the corned beef?

After careful consideration, Archbishop Jerome Listecki has decided this year that Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee can take part in this tradition with a clear conscience. He has granted a dispensation which allows the consumption of meat on Friday, March 17, 2017.

Although Archbishop Listecki has waived the rule for this St. Patrick's Day, Catholics who choose to make use of this dispensation are encouraged to engage in another sacrificial or charitable act that day.

Here's the official decree:

JEROME EDWARD LISTECKI

Miseratione Divina et Apostolicae Sedis Gratia
Archiepiscopus Milvaukiensis

DECREE

The disciplinary practice of abstaining from meat on the Fridays in Lent is an important dimension of the penitential nature of the season. This year, the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17, 2017, falls on a Friday in Lent. Given the many celebrations that occur on this day and especially as we in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will be ordaining our two new auxiliary bishops, in accord with the norm of law, I herewith grant to all Catholics of the Archdiocese as well as all present here that day, a dispensation from abstinence from meat and meat products. I encourage all who make use of this dispensation to engage in another sacrificial or charitable act that day.

Given in Milwaukee, this 1st day of February, 2017.

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

I'm no vegetarian, but I don't eat a lot of meat. It's not difficult for me to abstain from meat on Fridays. Nonetheless, a St. Patrick's Day corned beef dinner on Friday during Lent is really a treat.

Sr. Margaret Held

Please remember Sr. Margaret Held in your prayers as her funeral was today, celebrated by Archbishop Listecki. pic.twitter.com/EfYlMw3UBs

— The Catholic Herald (@MilCathHerald) September 2, 2016

National Marquette Day

Today, February 21, 2015, is National Marquette Day.

What is National Marquette Day?

In its present form, National Marquette Day has been around since 1992. The celebration was preceded by Spirit Day, with roots dating back to the 1960s. From the early days of satellite coordinates to today’s digital TV and online streaming, NMD has evolved into a global celebration of the Marquette family. Share your NMD memory on Facebook or Twitter using #nationalmarquetteday.

This alleged celebration of the Marquette family is also a fundraising ploy.

This is our day: National Marquette Day. Celebrate a lifetime of pride by participating in the National Marquette Day Giving Challenge.

We need your help to reach 500 donors in 48 hours. A gift of any size to any fund counts toward the challenge -- and will help give students a transformational Marquette education.

Support Marquette nation Feb. 20-21!

No way.

If you want to celebrate the "Marquette family," don't give the university any money.

Help get Marquette back on track by withholding support.

President Michael Lovell is presiding over a PR disaster for Marquette.

Lovell has permitted a tenured professor, Dr. John McAdams, to be harassed, banned from campus, his classes cancelled. McAdams has been informed that the process is underway to fire him, because of a blog post.

Shocking?

Yes.

This is Michael Lovell's Marquette.

Check out the national exposure the supposedly Catholic university is getting:

From The Atlantic:

Stripping a Professor of Tenure Over a Blog Post, Marquette University's attack on academic freedom

From Slate:

Firing a Professor Over a Blog Post

From Bloomberg:

Free Speech and Ivory Towers

From The American Conservative:

Defending John McAdams

From Breitbart:

Marquette University Intends To Fire Tenured Conservative Professor

Marquette looks awful, stifling free speech and trampling on academic freedom.

It's not surprising that McAdams is receiving support from people across the political spectrum, across the country.

What Marquette is doing is outrageous. It's just so wrong.

Hopefully, as the story gets more national attention, members of the "Marquette family" will rally and express their concerns about Lovell and the direction he's taking the university.

Has Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki weighed in on this?

I can't find any public statements.

Is Archbishop Listecki OK with the teaching of the Catholic Church being off limits in a Marquette ethics class?

Perhaps Archbishop Listecki should talk to the very devout Catholic Lovell, and suggest that merely speaking about Catholic teaching should be tolerated on campus. Perhaps he could also remind Lovell that it's inappropriate to FIRE a professor over an innocuous blog post.

The most constructive way to celebrate National Marquette Day is by not participating in the Giving Challenge.

"Help give students a transformational Marquette education"?

Absolutely not.

Unfortunately, a "transformational Marquette education" now refers to one that prohibits the free exchange of ideas and the teaching of the Catholic Church.

Do the right thing. Save Marquette. Withhold financial support.

National Marquette Day - Giving Challenge

February 21, 2015, is National Marquette Day.

What is National Marquette Day?

In its present form, National Marquette Day has been around since 1992. The celebration was preceded by Spirit Day, with roots dating back to the 1960s. From the early days of satellite coordinates to today’s digital TV and online streaming, NMD has evolved into a global celebration of the Marquette family. Share your NMD memory on Facebook or Twitter using #nationalmarquetteday.

This alleged celebration of the Marquette family is also a fundraising ploy.

This is our day: National Marquette Day. Celebrate a lifetime of pride by participating in the National Marquette Day Giving Challenge.

We need your help to reach 500 donors in 48 hours. A gift of any size to any fund counts toward the challenge -- and will help give students a transformational Marquette education.

Support Marquette nation Feb. 20-21!

No way.

If you want to celebrate the "Marquette family," don't give the university any money.

Help get Marquette back on track by withholding support.

President Michael Lovell is presiding over a PR disaster for Marquette.

Lovell has permitted a tenured professor, Dr. John McAdams, to be harassed, banned from campus, his classes cancelled. McAdams has been informed that the process is underway to fire him, because of a blog post.

Shocking?

Yes.

This is Michael Lovell's Marquette.

Check out the national exposure the supposedly Catholic university is getting:

From The Atlantic:

Stripping a Professor of Tenure Over a Blog Post, Marquette University's attack on academic freedom

From Slate:

Firing a Professor Over a Blog Post

From Bloomberg:

Free Speech and Ivory Towers

From The American Conservative:

Defending John McAdams

From Breitbart:

Marquette University Intends To Fire Tenured Conservative Professor

Marquette looks awful, stifling free speech and trampling on academic freedom.

It's not surprising that McAdams is receiving support from people across the political spectrum, across the country.

What Marquette is doing is outrageous. It's just so wrong.

Hopefully, as the story gets more national attention, members of the "Marquette family" will rally and express their concerns about Lovell and the direction he's taking the university.

Has Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki weighed in on this?

I can't find any public statements.

Is Archbishop Listecki OK with the teaching of the Catholic Church being off limits in a Marquette ethics class?

Perhaps Archbishop Listecki should talk to the very devout Catholic Lovell, and suggest that merely speaking about Catholic teaching should be tolerated on campus. Perhaps he could also remind Lovell that it's inappropriate to FIRE a professor over an innocuous blog post.

The most constructive way to celebrate National Marquette Day is by not participating in the Giving Challenge.

"Help give students a transformational Marquette education"?

Absolutely not.

Unfortunately, a "transformational Marquette education" now refers to one that prohibits the free exchange of ideas and the teaching of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis

"Habemus Papam!"

We have a Pope!

On March 13, 2013 the College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who has taken the name of Pope Francis, as our next Holy Father.

Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki and Auxiliary Bishop Donald J. Hying both express great joy in the announcement:

“With joy in our hearts and gratitude to God, we give thanks for our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, "said Archbishop Listecki. "May the Holy Spirit guide him in his ministry to the Universal Church as the Spirit guided the College of Cardinals in his election as pope. As the Archbishop of Milwaukee, I pledge to Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, my love and support, along with the prayers of the entire Church of southeastern Wisconsin.”

"With great hope and joy, we thank Almighty God for our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, as he begins his Petrine ministry," said Bishop Hying. "We pledge our prayers and support to him, as he continues the challenging but fruitful task of shepherding the universal Church. Amidst the challenges of rising secularity, materialism, violence and poverty, the voice, example and leadership of Pope Francis will continue to call the world to the light of Christ, the One who offers everyone peace and salvation."

"What an exciting time for us, as we join fellow believers around the world in proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord with fresh enthusiasm, in union with our new Holy Father."

As a Catholic, I don't like a lot of what's being said in the media about Pope Francis and the Catholic Church. I don't like the public dissection of the Holy Father. I don't like hearing non-Catholics pass judgment on his selection.

"He's 76. That's bad!"

"He's from Latin America. That's good!"

"He's anti-abortion. That's VERY bad!"

Blah, blah, blah.

Will the media rip him to shreds like they did to Pope Benedict, the "Nazi pope" and "God's Rottweiler"?

The anti-Catholic contingent will no doubt find a way. He's the enemy, unless he declares abortion to be a choice. He's the enemy, unless he declares that women should be priests. He's the enemy, unless he declares his support for gay marriage.

Forget the fact that he's a man of great faith and conviction and humility. His Latin American connection will probably score him some points, but not for long.

He does need our prayers.

I heard Archbishop Jerome Listecki give some interesting perspective on the weight of being chosen as pope. He said it's not an election, it's a "sentence." The pope sits in the throne of the Cross of Jesus. It's not a throne of glory. It's not an easy role to assume.

Personally, I am thrilled with the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as our new pope.

I love the name he selected.

In choosing to call himself Francis, the new pope was associating himself with the much-loved Italian saint from Assisi associated with peace, poverty and simplicity. St. Francis was born to a wealthy family but later renounced his wealth and founded the Franciscan order of friars; he wandered about the countryside preaching to the people in very simple language.

He was so famed for his sanctity that he was canonized just two years after his death in 1226.

St. Francis Xavier is another important namesake. One of the 16th century founders of the Jesuit order, Francis Xavier was a legendary missionary who spread the faith as far as India and Japan - giving the new pope's name selection possibly further symbolic resonance in an age when the church is struggling to maintain its numbers.

I hope there will be a resurgence of faith among Latin American Catholics in the U.S.

I hope they will reconsider their support for officials aligned with the culture of death.





________________

Video from FOX 6 News, of Archbishop Listecki's reaction to the election of Pope Francis.

Audio of Archbishop Listecki discussing Pope Francis with Jerry Bott, sitting in for Mark Belling. The interview begins at 4:20.

Catholics and Obama

As a Catholic, the results of the presidential election have been difficult for me to process.

Catholics chose Obama over Mitt Romney.

The fact is Mitt Romney acts like a better Catholic than most Catholics in America.

Overwhelmingly, Hispanic Catholics voted for the most radical pro-abortion president in American history.

In spite of Obama's assault on the BILL OF RIGHTS and religious liberty, targeting Catholics, Hispanic Catholics voted for Obama.

Although Romney won among white Catholics, many of them also ignored Obama's stunning extremism on abortion and his attack on one of our fundamental freedoms, choosing to vote for Obama.

Obama waged war on the Catholic Church in America and he still won the Catholic vote.

He bet on the fact that most Catholics' faith is not a priority in their lives, and he won. He was right.

I'm shaken by that.

Latino Catholics: Immigration, Not Religion, Decided Vote

The Catholic Vote Went to Obama Over Romney Despite Contraception & Religious Freedom Debates

Despite HHS mandate, Catholic voters narrowly favor Obama over Romney

Most Catholics vote for Obama, but Latinos and whites divided

Reuters/Ipsos exit polling found that 51 percent of Catholics favored President Barack Obama, compared with 48 percent for Republican contender Mitt Romney. A report by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life had a similar finding, with 50 percent of Catholics for Obama and 48 percent for Romney, the same as the popular vote in the general population.

Hispanic Catholics were far more likely to favor Obama - by 76 percent to 23 percent - than white Catholics, who favored Romney by 56 percent to 43 percent, according to the Reuters poll. Black Protestants favored Obama by 97 percent to 3 percent, while white Protestants favored Romney by 69 percent compared to 29 percent for Obama.

"When you talk about Catholics, there are really two Catholic votes, the white vote and the Hispanic vote, which look starkly different," said Robert Jones, chief executive of the Public Religion Research Institute. He said exit polls found that overall, voters were focused mainly on economic issues.

This election year saw strong advocacy on the conservative side of some issues by Catholic bishops, which caused discomfort for liberal Catholics. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops protested the Obama administration's health care mandate which requires Catholic hospitals and colleges to carry insurance that provides free contraception as a violation of religious liberty.

...The bishops' stands did not seem to have much influence on the vote, said Jones. Catholic attitudes on the healthcare mandate were unchanged in March and September polls, despite advocacy by church leaders.

"If the (Republican Party) has some reflecting to do about its inability to reach an increasingly multicultural country, Catholic leaders could benefit from similar soul searching when it comes to their own diverse flock," said John Gehring, Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life, a liberal advocacy group.

Liberal John Gehring believes the Republican Party and Catholic leaders need to bend to fit his agenda, one that does not include respect for LIFE and respect for the CONSTITUTION, religious liberty.

I completely disagree.

Catholic leaders are failing, but not because they need to "soul search" their way to mirroring the majority of voters self-identified as Catholics. The leaders are failing because they aren't communicating as they should. So much of Catholic teaching is ignored.

It seems many priests are comfortable with that, avoiding issues that are controversial.

Yes, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops did take on Obama and his abuse of Catholics' freedom. They are to be commended for that. They issued strong statements expressing their concerns and organized efforts to raise of awareness of Obama's abuse.

But that's pretty much where it stopped.

While at Mass this weekend, I was thinking about how little is said by priests to guide Church members when it comes to practicing our faith in a way that reflects Catholic teaching.

There seems to be a great effort not to offend, a lot of sitting on the fence. There's a certain cowardice that is disturbing.

I was sitting in the pew, truly troubled about the lack of backbone, the weekly sins of omission that occur at Mass during the homily.

I'm still really upset about the results of the election. I'm fearful about the future. I was hoping for change, for things to get better for my family and friends, to get back on track. Adding to my uncertainty is how I feel about my Church.

To say I'm disillusioned is an understatement.

Catholic Voters: Rejecting Obama

Catholic voters, like me, rejected Obama in 2008.

In 2012, many more Catholics are turning on Obama, and supporting Mitt Romney instead.

I wonder if it has something to do with Obama's assault on the Bill of Rights and his attack on Catholics' freedom to exercise their faith.

From Joel B. Pollak, Breitbart's Big Government:

Yesterday, the Romney campaign told reporters that it expected to win at least some of the “blue states” in which it is now competing with Obama in the Midwest, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The campaign did not give a specific reason for its optimism, but one thing these states have in common is a high proportion of Catholic voters. And Catholic voters have shifted dramatically towards Mitt Romney.

In September, the left and the media were exultant when the Pew poll seemed to show a surge for Obama among Catholic voters. He led by fifteen points, 54-39.

Today, that bubble has burst completely, and Obama is back down to a two-point lead, 48-46. (Few headlines this time from the mainstream media.)

Among white Catholics, Romney has jumped to a 14-point lead (54-40) after being tied with Obama in September in the poll.

To understand just how significant that is, consider that in 2008, Obama won Catholics by 9 percent (54 to 45) and lost white Catholics by just 5 percent (47 to 52). In 2004, the Catholic vote went narrowly to Bush overall (more widely among white Catholics), and in 2000 it went narrowly to Gore (and narrowly to Bush among white Catholics).

The 14-point lead Romney currently enjoys among white Catholics is almost without precedent.

Catholic voters are abandoning Obama for the same reason many other voters are: the sluggish economy, Romney’s strong performance in the presidential debates, Obama’s dishonesty and failure in Benghazi.

Yet Catholic voters have reason to feel particularly aggrieved, given the Obama administration’s battle with the Catholic church over the mandate in Obamacare that employers cover abortion drugs and contraceptives.

...Obama’s collapse among Catholic voters, and especially white Catholics, also suggests that the 2012 election is about much more than the economy, even if the economy is the most important issue. For many voters, the choice is also an ideological one, between a president who has attempted to increase the power of the government at the expense of religious liberty, and one who has committed to traditional values and small government.

I have so many reasons to vote for Mitt Romney and not Obama.

Near the top of that list is Obama's abuse of power and oppression of Catholics.

In addition to Obama's disastrous performance as president, I am at odds with him ideologically.

It definitely deeply concerns me that my religious freedom is under assault.

As Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki wrote in January 2012, "We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law."

I really never thought an American president would have the audacity to so flagrantly disregard the Constitution. It is unconscionable.

Cardinal Dolan and Scott Walker - Holy Hill Mass (Video)

At Cardinal Dolan's Mass of Thanksgiving at Holy Hill yesterday, Cardinal Dolan recognized some individuals during his homily, including politicians.

Governor Scott Walker and his wife, Tonette, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, Rep. Paul Ryan, Tommy Thompson, and Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke were in attendance, and named by Cardinal Dolan.

He said, "Distinguished civic leaders - did you see the great array of civic leaders who we have? I'm so honored to welcome you and salute you as true friends."

When Cardinal Dolan welcomed Gov. Walker, the congregation burst into robust and lengthy applause and cheers.

The others received applause as well, but the applause for Gov. Walker definitely seemed to be a statement of support. It must have been comforting to Gov. Walker to be embraced so warmly.

After the applause for our governor subsided, Cardinal Dolan joked, "Governor, take heart. I got recalled back here from Archbishop Listecki."

Question: Why wasn't Tom Barrett, mayor of Milwaukee, at Mass? Other than David Clarke, who's really more of a conservative, there were no Democrat politicians. Why?

I know Barrett, as mayor, met with Cardinal Dolan when he was the Archbishop of Milwaukee. Why would Catholic Barrett not be at Mass to welcome back the beloved Cardinal Dolan?

No Democrats from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee?

Their absence was remarkable.

Barrett, a Catholic, apparently determined that attending the Mass would not be in his political interest.

I can't imagine what would have been on Barrett's schedule that kept him from Holy Hill yesterday.

Take note, Wisconsin Catholics.


Here's video of Cardinal Dolan's homily:



As usual, Cardinal Dolan's homily was uplifting. It's theme was Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He displayed sincere humility and, of course, his sense of humor.

We, in Wisconsin, were so blessed to have Cardinal Dolan as our shepherd for seven years. He truly is a man of God.

Weakland Signs Walker Recall Petition

Rembert Weakland, the disgraced former archbishop of Milwaukee, wants Scott Walker out of office.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

So much for separation of church and state.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki has already spoken out on the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker, telling WITI-TV (Channel 6) that he respects the first-term Republican and opposes the attempt to oust him.

“You have a recall when you have corruption, you have clearly something that's done that's illegal," Listecki said. "If there was something which was morally detrimental to society, I think you do that.

"Otherwise," he continued, "you have an election, you live with an election for four years, and you vote the person out of office.”

How utterly lame to write, "So much for separation of church and state."

Members of the clergy do have the right to vote and sign petitions.

Moreover, Archbishop Listecki "spoke out" on the recall when he was asked about the matter during a WITI interview.

The Journal Sentinel's Dan Bice makes it sound like Archbishop Listecki is campaigning for Walker. That's absolutely false. He gave an honest answer. That has nothing to do with the government infringing on the practice of religion or the government establishment of a religion.

Now comes word that one of Listecki's predecessors has come out in favor of a recall election for Walker, the son of a Baptist minister.

Former Archbishop Rembert Weakland, who stepped down in 2002 at the age of 75, confirmed to No Quarter that he signed a recall petition on Nov. 22 but declined further comment.

"I'll just leave it at that," he said last week as he left a daytime performance of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He lists a Milwaukee apartment as his address on the recall petition.

Weakland resigned as archbishop amid revelations that he had used church money to pay a $450,000 settlement to a man with whom he had had a relationship years earlier.

Weakland signed the petition.

Of course, he did. He's a Leftist, among other things.

In his June 2008 deposition, Weakland said some appalling things, chilling, creepy things.

Anyway, Weakland, the victimizer, agrees with the anti-Scott Walker proponents.

I'm not surprised at all.



"We all considered sexual abuse of minors as a moral evil, but had no understanding of its criminal nature."

--REMBERT WEAKLAND

Obama Mandate: Six Things Everyone Should Know

Here's an informative press release from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

WASHINGTON— The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers the following clarifications regarding the Health and Human Services regulations on mandatory coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs.

1. The mandate does not exempt Catholic charities, schools, universities, or hospitals. These institutions are vital to the mission of the Church, but HHS does not deem them "religious employers" worthy of conscience protection, because they do not "serve primarily persons who share the[ir] religious tenets. "HHS denies these organizations religious freedom precisely because their purpose is to serve the common good of society—a purpose that government should encourage, not punish.

2. The mandate forces these institutions and others, against their conscience, to pay for things they consider immoral. Under the mandate, the government forces religious insurers to write policies that violate their beliefs; forces religious employers and schools to sponsor and subsidize coverage that violates their beliefs; and forces religious employees and students to purchase coverage that violates their beliefs.

3. The mandate forces coverage of sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs and devices as well as contraception. Though commonly called the "contraceptive mandate," HHS's mandate also forces employers to sponsor and subsidize coverage of sterilization. And by including all drugs approved by the FDA for use as contraceptives, the HHS mandate includes drugs that can induce abortion, such as "Ella," a close cousin of the abortion pill RU-486.

4. Catholics of all political persuasions are unified in their opposition to the mandate. Catholics who have long supported this Administration and its healthcare policies have publicly criticized HHS's decision, including columnists E.J. Dionne. . . , Mark Shields. . . , and Michael Sean Winters. . . ; college presidents Father John Jenkins. . . and Arturo Chavez. . . ; and Daughter of Charity Sister Carol Keehan. . . , president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

5. Many other religious and secular people and groups have spoken out strongly against the mandate. Many recognize this as an assault on the broader principle of religious liberty, even if they disagree with the Church on the underlying moral question. For example, Protestant Christian. . . , Orthodox Christian. . . , and Orthodox Jewish. . . groups--none of which oppose contraception--have issued statements against the HHS's decision. The Washington Post. . . , USA Today. . . , N.Y. Daily News. . . , Detroit News. . . , and other secular outlets, columnists. . . , and bloggers. . . have editorialized against it.

6. The federal mandate is much stricter than existing state mandates. HHS chose the narrowest state-level religious exemption as the model for its own. That exemption was drafted by the ACLU and exists in only 3 states (New York, California, Oregon). Even without a religious exemption, religious employers can already avoid the contraceptive mandates in 28 states by self-insuring their prescription drug coverage, dropping that coverage altogether, or opting for regulation under a federal law (ERISA) that pre-empts state law. The HHS mandate closes off all these avenues of relief.

Additional information on the U.S. Catholic bishops’ stance on religious liberty, conscience protection and the HHS ruling regarding mandatory coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs is available at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/index.cfm.

What should give Obama serious pause is the way leaders of other religions have joined Catholics in their opposition to this unconstitutional assault on religious liberty.

As Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki wrote:


"We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law."

Jerome Listecki: Response Contraception Mandate

Read Archbishop Jerome's Listecki's response to the Obama administration's attack on the Constitution and religious freedom:

January 31, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

In conjunction with the U.S. Bishops and the Bishops of the State of Wisconsin, I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies. My recent blog on this topic is available at www.archmil.org.

In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. As a result, unless the rule is overturned, Catholics must be prepared either to violate our consciences or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Administration’s sole concession was to give Catholic institutions one year to comply.

We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God-given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.

I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I recommend visiting www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Administration’s decision.

We cannot stand idle and allow the infringement of government in the practice of our faith.

With assurance of prayers, I am,

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee

Archbishop Listecki makes it very clear:

"We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law."

He spells out the seriousness of the assault on our freedom:

"People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God-given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less."

Obama is counting on the silence of Catholics on this matter. He thinks Catholics will back him rather than stand up to protect our freedom.

Prove him wrong.

Archbishop Jerome Listecki: Christmas Message (Video)

Archbishop Listecki reflects on Christmas and the importance of giving.

I'm MAD as Hell - Assault on Taxpayers

My family has been hit hard by the economic crisis of recent years.

We've lost wages and benefits.

Immediate and extended family members working in the private sector, and currently out of work in the private sector, are struggling.

Those of us with jobs go to work and pay taxes.

The government takes a large portion of the fruits of our labor.

It makes me sick that our tax dollars are funding and enabling the thugs in Madison.

From the New York Times:

The fury among thousands of workers, students and union supporters rose to a boil on Thursday, as state lawmakers prepared to vote on landmark legislation that would slash collective bargaining rights for public workers. Protesters blocked a door to the Senate chambers. They sat down, body against body, filling a corridor. They chanted “Freedom, democracy, unions!” in the stately gallery as the senators convened.

Certainly, I'm in no way suggesting that all public employees are selfish, irresponsible thugs. Absolutely not.

But there are public employees, including the president of the United States, who are self-centered and indifferent to the assault on taxpayers.

Assault on unions? Give me a break.

It's time to focus on the assault on taxpayers.

The Democrat-Union-Media Complex is skilled at putting out its propaganda, so far successfully controlling the narrative, focusing on the "fury among thousands of workers, students and union supporters."

Newsflash: There's justified fury among TAXPAYERS.

P.S. - Archbishop Listecki, isn't there a "moral obligation" to tend to the needs of those of us in the private sector?

The "workers' struggle" isn't just a union thing. Private sector, non-union workers struggle, too.

I thank Scott Walker for understanding that.

Archbishop Listecki and Union Protests

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki has commented on the union protests in Madison.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki on Wednesday described Gov. Scott Walker's efforts to limit the rights of public employee unions as "union busting," and in a statement he said there is a "moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers.”

Listecki, who was installed as archbishop on Jan. 4, 2010, said in a letter to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee that, "this much needed call for cooperation and communication between workers and management comes as opposition to Gov. Walker’s union busting budget continues to grow."

Whoa.

As a Catholic and graduate of Catholic schools, I respectfully ask that the Archbishop address the "moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers" in Catholic schools.

They work for dramatically less in salary and benefits than public school employees. They have no union. Why isn't the Archbishop speaking up for them?

There's a striking inconsistency there, bordering on hypocrisy.

I also think using the term "union busting" is unfair.

Furthermore, he certainly should understand the difficulties of being responsible for an institution facing dire economic woes.

Scott Walker doesn't have the option of declaring the state of Wisconsin bankrupt. Of course, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee under Archbishop Listecki took the bankruptcy route to manage its fiscal problems.

Notice how the media, like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other liberal outlets, reliable anti-Walker "willing partners," are running to dispense information attacking Scott Walker's proposals.

The Packers oppose Walker.

The Archbishop and the Catholic Church oppose Walker.

Who's next?

It's interesting that the Journal Sentinel considers Archbishop Listecki's remarks on the protests to have merit considering that the news outlet is usually bent on criticizing him.

Hypocrites.
______________

Read Archbishop Listecki's statement:

Statement Regarding the Rights of Workers and the Value of Unions

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki, archbishop of Milwaukee and president of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, has issued the following statement regarding the rights of workers and the value of unions.

February 16, 2011

The Church is well aware that difficult economic times call for hard choices and financial responsibility to further the common good. Our own dioceses and parishes have not been immune to the effects of the current economic difficulties. But hard times do not nullify the moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers. As Pope Benedict wrote in his 2009 encyclical, Caritas in veritate:

Governments, for reasons of economic utility, often limit the freedom or the negotiating capacity of labor unions. Hence traditional networks of solidarity have more and more obstacles to overcome. The repeated calls issued within the Church's social doctrine, beginning with Rerum Novarum [60], for the promotion of workers' associations that can defend their rights must therefore be honored today even more than in the past, as a prompt and far-sighted response to the urgent need for new forms of cooperation at the international level, as well as the local level. [#25]
It does not follow from this that every claim made by workers or their representatives is valid. Every union, like every other economic actor, is called to work for the common good, to make sacrifices when required, and to adjust to new economic realities.

However, it is equally a mistake to marginalize or dismiss unions as impediments to economic growth. As Pope John Paul II wrote in 1981, “[a] union remains a constructive factor of social order and solidarity, and it is impossible to ignore it.” (Laborem exercens #20, emphasis in original)

It is especially in times of crisis that “new forms of cooperation” and open communication become essential. We request that lawmakers carefully consider the implications of this proposal and evaluate it in terms of its impact on the common good. We also appeal to everyone –lawmakers, citizens, workers, and labor unions – to move beyond divisive words and actions and work together, so that Wisconsin can recover in a humane way from the current fiscal crisis.

Jodi O'Brien, Marquette: Settlement

The Jodi O'Brien - Marquette University saga is over, at least in terms of the legal wrangling.

I suspect that many at the university and others interested in the case aren't ready to let bygones be bygones.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Marquette University announced Wednesday that it had reached what it called a "mutually acceptable resolution" with Seattle University professor Jodi O'Brien regarding a decision to rescind an offer to be dean of the school's College of Arts and Sciences.

In a letter sent to the Marquette community, Marquette President Father Robert A. Wild wrote that, in reaching this resolution, "we have apologized to Dr. O'Brien for the way in which this was handled and for the upset and unwanted attention that we have caused to this outstanding teacher and scholar. We have also extended our gratitude for the graciousness with which she has addressed the situation these past six weeks."

Read the letter here.

..."I have received hundreds of messages, including many from local Catholics, expressing dismay at the University's decision to suddenly cancel my hire," O'Brien said in a statement. "This support has inspired me to work toward an agreement that acknowledges the pain and damage to the Marquette community as well as to myself."

Marquette spokesman Mary Pat Pfeil would not say whether a financial payment was involved in the settlement, but a Marquette source knowledgeable about the deliberations leading up to the settlement said Wild told the Board of Trustees that the school would take a "financial hit."

Pfeil said the university was considering research projects, conferences, courses and service learning projects exploring the topics of Catholic identity and gender and sexuality issues, and details about some of these projects might come out when the fall semester nears. Pfeil would not say whether the settlement requires Marquette to explore any of these issues.

O'Brien said: "I appreciate the responsiveness of the Marquette representatives to suggestions regarding a legacy of community betterment, including research and education regarding issues of gender and sexuality."

It's not at all unusual for the specifics of a settlement to be confidential.

That's as it should be. Privacy is one of the incentives to settle out of court and avoid messy litigation.

However, it's only natural for one to wonder how much Marquette paid out to O'Brien. I assume it was a very costly mistake for Marquette. O'Brien's monetary gain is the students' loss. Oh, well.

Some lessons don't come cheap.

It disturbs me that Marquette was so careless in its hiring procedures. Remember that this isn't about O'Brien's sexual orientation. It's about her extremist, controversial writings. A heterosexual with a similar body of work in opposition to the Catholic Church would have also been a poor choice to be dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

I still wonder if Marquette faculty and students would have passionately protested the breaking of a contract with an academician promoting white supremacy. Would they have cried foul in terms of academic freedom if a deanship regrettably had been offered to a defender of slavery?

Would the same people complaining about Archbishop Listecki for giving his opinion on the hiring of O'Brien complain if Listecki voiced his objection to the hiring of a white supremacist?

My point: Is the upset at Marquette, the upset that's sure to linger, really about academic freedom?