US Bishops Suspend Acorn Funding

Well, better late than never... but the damage has been done.

Still, we correct our ways and move on.

US bishops’ agency suspends ACORN funding

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has suspended funding of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) following reports of embezzlement, according to CCHD executive director Ralph McCloud. The CCHD has given over $7.3 million to ACORN projects in the past decade despite concerns raised over the years by the Wanderer Forum Foundation, the Capital Research Center, and others.
MORE

'Obama Catholics' to the left of me... 'Obama Catholics' to the right of me...

AP tries to put out all the scorch-earth antics from the pro-Obama catholics.

Thanks AP for your dedication.

On lying to American Catholics about Obama

I've reached that moment of feeling powerless to put out all the fires being started by pro-Obama "Catholics." Maybe if I received funding from George Soros like some of these "Catholic" groups do, I'd have the free time to take all of this on. But I don't.

I will, briefly, however, simply point out the many lies published on the "Catholics For Obama" website, specifically it's "Catholic Case for Obama." Just one example:

"Senator Obama and Senator John McCain hold indistinguishable positions on embryonic stem cell research"

False. Obama wishes to dramatically expand it, while McCain allows for the use of already-created embryos. This leads to very different results, as Robby George points out. CFO also makes the claim that recent technology is acceptable to Catholics. Some of it is - but that's not the kind that Obama supports. He wants to create and then kill (more) embryos. That doesn't stop CFO, however, from quoting an irrelevant statement by Cardinal Rigali. They use the same tactic in their other points: misquote, misrepresent, misapply (oh, and avoid). I sure hope they haven't deluded themselves into thinking they are being objective.
MORE

Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good: The George Soros Connection

Follow the money's from Pro-Choice to supposed catholic organizations like "Catholics United" and "Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good"

AP has the story:

Follow the money (pro-aborts --> "Catholic" organizations)

"Catholics United" and "Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good", first of all, don't deserve the name "Catholic."

I've written before about Catholics United, showing them to be a pro-democrat front group.

Archbishop Chaput has criticized both groups by name:

"[I think] the work of Democratic-friendly groups like Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, [has] done a disservice to the Church."


Yesterday, someone exposed where these two groups get their funding (formatting mine):

Catholic League president Bill Donohue exposes the nexus between George Soros and two left-wing Catholic groups, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good and Catholics United:
MORE

Archbishop Chaput: Full Text

Here's the full text of the address Archbishop Chaputof Denver, Colorado gave at a dinner sponsored by ENDOW.

"The Homicides Involved in Abortion Are 'Little Murders'”

DENVER, Colorado, OCT. 17, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is the address Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver gave tonight at a dinner sponsored by ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women). The talk is titled "Little Murders."

* * *

I want to do three things with my time tonight. First, Terry asked me to talk a bit about my book, "Render Unto Caesar," and I’m happy to do that. Second, I want to talk about some of the lessons we can already draw from this year’s election. And third, I want to talk about the mission of ENDOW.

Before I do any of that though, I need to say what a friend of mine calls my “Litany to the IRS.” Here it is. I’m not here tonight to tell you how to vote. I don’t want to do that, I won’t do that, and I don’t use code language -- so you don’t need to spend any time looking for secret political endorsements.

I plan to speak candidly, but I can only do that if you remember that I’m here as an author and private citizen. I’m not speaking for the Holy See, or the American bishops, or any other bishop, or even officially for the Archdiocese of Denver. So the things I say tonight are my personal views, nothing more. I think they’re pretty solidly grounded in Catholic teaching and the heart of the Church, but it’s your task as Catholics and citizens to listen, evaluate and then act as you judge best.

As adults, each of us needs to form a strong Catholic conscience. Then we need to follow that conscience when we vote. And then we need to take responsibility for the consequences of the vote we cast. Nobody can do that for us. That’s why really knowing and living our Catholic faith is so important. It’s the only reliable guide we have for acting in the public square as disciples of Jesus Christ.

So let’s talk for a few minutes about "Render Unto Caesar." When people ask me about the book, the questions usually fall into three categories. Why did I write it? What does the book say? And what does the book mean for each of us as individual Catholics? This last question will be a good doorway into talking about the 2008 election, but let’s start at the beginning first. Why did I write this book, now?

MORE

Catholics for Obama: They're coming out of the Woodwork

AP addresses the 'Termites' in the Catholic Church.

Confused as they are, AP sets the record straight on Catholic Obama supporters 'coming out of the woodwork'.

Why is it that all these catholics have waited until now to come out for Obama?

It's not like he's new to the scene. Why the 11th-hour endorsement that serves to comfort Obama-leaning catholics that "people in high places agree with me", but does not allow time for a sustained debate about Obama's merits, or the merits of catholics voting for him.

It's called a pile-on, and the gates are apparently wide open.Over the very same weekend that catholics in the pew heard the famous "render unto Caesar" gospel passage, numerous Catholics have decided who they are giving their denarius to this November.

Lisa Sowle Cahill of Boston College criticizes the "partisanship" of American bishops in the National Catholic Reporter (I know - what a surprising venue for such views!):


"Abortion is a moral tragedy for Catholics and many Americans. But when the Catholic church is perceived to be cheerleaders for one political party a rich faith tradition is badly damaged and loses its prophetic voice. Bishops should correct Catholic politicians who misrepresent Catholic teaching on life and justice issues in public interviews."

Why is it impossible for some to see that the bishops aren't cheerleaders for one political party, they are cheerleaders for the unborn, who happen to be defended better by one party?! Why, when the vast majority of culprits who "misrepresent Catholic teaching on life and justice issues" are democrats, is it the bishops and republicans who are criticized for being partisan on this issue?

MORE

Obama: The Colin Factor

The MSM made a big deal about Colin Powell's announced support for Barrack Obama.

It's no big deal to me... however it's clear this morning that there are rewards for Mr. Powell's support.

An endorsement today = a place in the cabinet tomorrow.

CHANGE: sounds like politics as usual to me...

Obama: I Would Make Powell and Adviser in My adminstration

One day after the former secretary of state endorsed him, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says if elected, he would offer formal or informal role to Colin Powell.

Fireproof: Your Marriage

A good friend pointed out this movie that I was unaware of. I haven't been to the movies for a while.

... just hasn't been anything worthy to see. And let's face it at almost $10.00 a ticket, I don't feel like watching Chihuahua's on the big screen.

But this one, "Fireproof" looks pretty good.

It's time to make a date with the wife and make an evening of it.

Here's the website for more details: Fireproof

Archbishop Chaput: Obama "most committed" abortion-rights candidate from a major party in 35 years..

You know, I wish all the U.S. Bishop's would lead their flocks with the passion, love and truthfulness as Archbishop Chaput of Colorado.

I'm trying to get my diocese to allow my parish to show the CatholicVote, 3:00 minute video and I'm getting nothing but road blocks. Now, I will respect the decision of my bishop but it's very frustrating.

Anyway, reading what the good bishop of Colorado has to say is very refreshing.

Archbishop criticizes Obama, Catholic allies

Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput labeled Barack Obama the "most committed" abortion-rights candidate from a major party in 35 years while accusing a Catholic Obama ally and other Democratic-friendly Catholic groups of doing a "disservice to the church."

Chaput, one of the nation's most politically outspoken Catholic prelates, delivered the remarks Friday night at a dinner of a Catholic women's group.

His comments were among the sharpest in a debate over abortion and Catholic political responsibility in a campaign in which Catholics represent a key swing vote.

MORE

I love this extract:

"To suggest - as some Catholics do - that Senator Obama is this year's 'real' pro-life candidate requires a peculiar kind of self-hypnosis, or moral confusion, or worse," Chaput said according to his prepared remarks, titled "Little Murders."

And for you Kmiec fan's:

While applauding Kmiec's past record, Chaput said: "I think his activism for Senator Barack Obama, and the work of Democratic-friendly groups like Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, have done a disservice to the church, confused the natural priorities of Catholic social teaching, undermined the progress pro-lifers have made, and provided an excuse for some Catholics to abandon the abortion issue instead of fighting within their parties and at the ballot box to protect the unborn."

And there are those that would like to silence Archbishop Chaput from preaching the Gospel of Life.

Chris Korzen, executive director of Washington-based Catholics United, which has argued in direct mail and TV ads that taking the "pro-life" position means more than opposing abortion rights, criticized Chaput's statements.

"We are concerned that Archbishop Chaput's comments - even those made in his personal capacity - will have a chilling effect on this dialogue," Korzen said in a statement. "It is also profoundly unfortunate that Archbishop Chaput has chosen to make personal attacks on lay Catholics acting in good faith to promote Catholic values in the public square

Please read the good bishop's book. It's the best book you'll read as a Catholic or non-Catholic this year.

Instead of buying a lotto ticket (see previous post) by the book.

Render Unto Caesar

How to Buy an Election: Obama Style

And the money's keep rolling in.

I must say for an economy that's on the brink and all those desparate, struggling people out there that are just making ends meat, Mr. Obama sure seems to be raking in the remainder of their life's savings.

150 million dollars, that's an unheard of amount in election time history.
(Mccain is limited to 87 million because of an early election promise)

I must say that's impressive by any means, however it reminds me of all those people who struggle everyday but still manage to buy up those Lotto tickets, hoping to strike it rich.

.... Hmmm, HOPE'n to strike it rich. There maybe some rational for their thought process.

After all 'Wealth-redistribution' sure does sound good to some ( ...it appears many). Like flies on an empty candy wrapper, I'm afraid that's all they'll find.

No candy.

With all the bailout money's already pledged and future bailouts in the making (auto industry) and on top of that Mr. Bernanke's signaling to the House and Senate majority to put together a pork-barrel package, I mean stimulus package, well I don't think Mr. Barrack's promises will add up to much.

I HOPE their dreams of CHANGE do come true.

But then again, I pray that their odds are better than this weeks Lotto Ticket purchase.

Obama raises stunning $150 million in September

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama raised more than $150 million in September, a stunning and unprecedented eruption of political giving that has given him a wide spending advantage over rival John McCain.

The campaign released the figure on Sunday, one day before it must file a detailed report of its monthly finances with the Federal Election Commission.

Obama's money is fueling a vast campaign operation in an expanding field of competitive states. It also has underwritten a wave of both national and targeted video advertising unseen before in a presidential contest.

Campaign manager David Plouffe, in an e-mail to supporters Sunday morning, said the campaign had added 632,000 new donors in September, for a total of 3.1 million contributors to the campaign. He said the average donation was $86.

The Democratic National Committee, moments later, announced that it raised $49.9 million and had $27.5 million in the bank at the start of October. The party has been raising money through joint fundraising events with Obama and can use the money to assist his candidacy.

MORE

... like taking candy from a baby.

Joe Plummer: Character Assassination

Character Assassination at it's best... or Not!

This is a very sad story of someone... an 'ordinary Joe'... who asked a certain media darling Presidencial candidate a question on his economic plan for his administration.

The reward for his inquisitiveness?

Very simple. The media is scratching through every closet and trash can they can find to discredit the 'ordinary Joe.'

You think that 'ordinary Joe' would have left well enough alone by not taking the bait of the MSM to honor their invitations to come on their T.V. shows. So one could say he deserved it.

On the other hand one could say that the deer who freezes on the road when the headlight go on, deserves to get hit by the car.

Well....

In our 'ordinary Joe's case I don't believe all the dirt that is being published by the MSM is very necessary and really doesn't matter. He merely exposed what he sees as a flaw in Mr. Obama's economic plan.

Mainly, that Mr. Obama is taking away the American Dream. You can succeed as long as you don't succeed too much .

Think of it as a ladder where if one reaches a certain height the rungs are missing beyond a certain point.

$250,000 a year is well beyond my economic capacity but I don't want the government saying "Don't even think about reaching that limit... or else will take it away and give it to whomever we choose."

Anyway, I feel for "ordinary Joe" .... he got caught in the headlights.

It use to be in certain countries (still today) if you spoke out of turn or said something that offended someone, a car would pull up late at night and take you away, never to be heard of again.

Now we just send the MSM after you to splash your life on T.V. and news outlets for everyone to see.

Joe Plummer

HOLLAND, Ohio -- Joe the Plumber's story sprang a few leaks Thursday.

Turns out that the man who was held up by John McCain as the typical, hard-working American taxpayer isn't really a licensed plumber. And court documents show he owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes.

"Joe," whose name is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, was cited repeatedly in Wednesday night's final presidential debate by McCain for questioning Barack Obama's tax policy.

Wurzelbacher instantly became a media celebrity, fielding calls during the debate and facing reporters outside his home near Toledo on Thursday morning for an impromptu nationally televised news conference.The burly, bald man acknowledged he doesn't have a plumber's license, but said he didn't need one because he works for someone else at a company that does residential work.

But Wurzelbacher still would need to be a licensed apprentice or journeyman to work in Toledo, and he's not, said David Golis, manager and residential building official for the Toledo Division of Building Inspection.

State and local records show Wurzelbacher has no license, although his employer does. Golis said there are no records of inspectors citing Wurzelbacher for unlicensed work in Toledo.

And then there was the matter of his taxes.
MORE

JPII Attack - Update

I found this very short video on the web, which really doesn't show much. However it's another link to the puzzle.

Also a write-up from a reporter who suppositly was present.




Here's the write-up: (liveleak.com)

By David Willey BBC News, Rome Previously unpublished details of an assassination attempt on the late Pope John Paul II in Portugal in 1982 have been revealed in a film based on the memoirs of the Pope's former private secretary.

In the film, due to be shown at the Vatican this week, the late Pope's aide Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz tells how a deranged priest drew blood when he tried More.. to kill John Paul with a bayonet during a religious ceremony at the Fatima shrine.

Cardinal Dziwisz served as John Paul's private secretary for nearly 40 years, including all his 27 years as Pope, and is the cardinal of Krakow in Poland.

I was covering the event for the BBC from Portugal at the time of the attack, and reported immediately from Lisbon the rumours that there had been another attempt on the Pope's life.

It came exactly a year after a Turkish gunman, Mehmet Ali Agca, had shot and wounded the pope in Saint Peter's Square in Rome.

Attack denied

But that same evening, the Vatican formally denied there had been another assassination attempt.

The following day, Portuguese television broadcast footage of the attack.

It was carried out by a mentally unbalanced Spanish priest who was arrested after being jumped on by the Pope's bodyguard, Archbishop Paul Marcinkus.

Archbishop Marcinkus laughed this off when I asked him what had happened.

"You can't always believe what you see on television," he told me.

The Pope continued his trip without disclosing his wound.

The priest who carried out the attack, Juan Maria Fernandez y Krohn, was later tried and sentenced to over six years' imprisonment for his crime. He was then expelled from Portugal.

The Vatican has always been secretive about the health of a reigning pope, although the huge increase in media interest in Vatican affairs as a result of the long reign and foreign travels of John Paul II - which lasted more than a quarter of a century - has led to slightly greater transparency than in previous centuries.

The assassination attempt by Ali Agca in May 1981, which led to many months of hospitalization for John Paul, took place in the full glare of international publicity.

The Pope was being driven through Saint Peter's Square in his Pope-mobile when he was shot.

Pope John Paul was rarely reticent about his subsequent health problems caused by the Turkish gunman, and once announced directly to the crowds in Saint Peter's Square that he was going into hospital for a check-up.

But the officials of the Vatican Press Office have always been excessively discreet about providing information about the pontiff's state of health.

Long decline During the reign of Pope Paul VI, the only information that used to be given to the media was that the Pope was in good health - until he was actually dying. The long, drawn-out decline in health and final illness of Pope John Paul II was evident to everyone.

During his final weeks, the Pope became unable to speak after a tracheotomy operation and struggled to say just a few words from the window of his private study overlooking Saint Peter's Square.

Security considerations in recent decades since the rise in terrorist threats against well-known international personalities also play a part in leading the Vatican Press Office to minimise the personal details it gives out about the pope's movements and his state of health.

Basically, the Vatican exercises strict control over news on practically everything that goes on inside the tiny city state.

When the commander of the Swiss Guard, the Pope's private army, was shot dead in 1998 inside his private Vatican apartment with his wife by a member of the Guard who then took his own life, very little information filtered out either at the time of the crime, or subsequently.

The Vatican's former official spokesman Joaquin Navarro Valls took pride, he once told me, in the fact that he believed about 80% of news about the Vatican published in the world's media came through his office.

Damage control, rather than public information, still seem to be the watchwords at the premises in the Via della Conciliazione just next to Saint Peter's Square, which houses the Vatican Press Office.

Here, accredited correspondents like myself have to swipe a personal identity card to gain admission and are subjected to strict rules about embargoes of papal speeches whose texts are issued in advance.

And enquiries about most subjects are usually answered with the Italian words "non risulta" - "we have no information".

Catholic Church Hot Spot - Prop 8, Yes

Violence and intimidation at the St Stanislaus Catholic Church in Modesto, California.

Attack outside of Catholic Church...

This past Sunday, a parishioner at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Modesto, California was attacked while helping promote Proposition 8, which will define marriage as only between a man and a woman in California. According to promoters of the initiative, the assault is part of a “wave of violence” throughout the state.

Jose Nunez, 37, was waiting outside of St. Stanislaus for Mass to finish so he could distribute yard signs to Prop. 8 supporters when he was approached by an opponent of the initiative.

The unidentified man grabbed about 75 of the “Vote Yes on 8” signs and ran. Nunez then spotted the man trying to throw the signs over a wall and approached him.
When he got nearer, the man shouted, "What do you have against gays!" to which Nunez replied that he had nothing against gays.

When Nunez attempted to take the stolen signs from the assailant, the man punched him. The blow sent Nunez to the hospital, where he received 16 stitches for the wound below his left eye.
“Yes on 8” press secretary Chip White told CNA that the irony of the whole episode is that, the opponents of Prop. 8 “are the ones who are claiming to be tolerant and open-minded.”
MORE

JPII attacked with Dagger

Woa, didn't know this.

I'll have to check other sources to see if this is true, but the story is interesting.

Attack on Pope kept secret.

An attack on the late Pope John Paul II in Portugal by a deranged Spanish priest in 1982 that wounded the pontiff was kept secret, according to Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, his former secretary.

Cardinal Dziwisz, now Archbishop of Krakow, has made the disclosure in a documentary entitled "Testimony" to be shown at the Vatican tonight (Thursday) in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI.

The cardinal says the attack occcured on 12 May 1982 while the then Pope was visiting the Marian shrine at Fatima in Portugal to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for saving his life during an assassination attempt a year earlier, when he was shot in St Peter's Square by the Turkish right wing gunman Mehmet Ali Agca.

During the Fatima ceremony a right wing Spanish priest, Juan Fernandez Krohn, attacked the pontiff with a dagger. The priest was tackled by police and disarmed. The event was reported at the time but downplayed, and the fact that the Pope was injured was suppressed. "I can now reveal that the Holy Father was wounded" Cardinal Dziwisz says. "There was blood".
MORE

Sources: Catholic Voters Guides

Carl at InsightScoop has compiled some great resources as far as voter guides is concerned.

Now, keep in mind that these Catholic voters guide to not say "vote for...." and " don't vote for..."
They only serve the purpose of educating Catholics (non-catholics too) on the teachings of the church and how they relate to the social issues.

Thanks Carl..
WCC +<><

A quick round-up...

... of some things related to Catholics, voting, and life issues:

...the anti-abortion movement just has to get over its fixation with overturning Roe

... the anti-abortion movement just has to get over its fixation with overturning Roe.



So goes the argument as pointed out by Amy over at Charlotte was Both.



I guess we that support Life just have to get over it and assume abortion is here to stay with it's killing of 4,000 lives a day.



Let's put the abortion issue aside this election and vote for our pocket books.



.... NOT



Amy as a few words to say:



Straw Everywhere



So much, it’s making me sneeze.


One of the points that is frequently raised by those who say they are opposed to abortion but who nonetheless give their support, advice and endorsement to candidates who are unequivocally and proudly supportive of unrestricted access to abortion (phew)…
…goes something like this:


You know, the anti-abortion movement just has to get over its fixation with overturning Roe. Instead of obsessing about criminalization, the anti-abortion movement should take the energy it puts into politics and work to find ways to decrease the number of abortion and improve the lives of women, children and families.

MORE

Obama's Pro-life Supporters

DarwinCatholic over at American Catholic has a good post examining Robert Georges' thoughts on Obama Pro-lifers.

Robert George on Obama’s Pro-Life Defenders

Obama FOC and Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood, I never undstood that term... I mean doesn't it really mean 'Planning NOT to be Parents-hood' ?



Anyway, AP has some video's up that tell us were Mr. Obama stands on Life issues.



....directly from Obama himself.



Obama On Abortion

Bet you haven't seen this Poll !

Polls, Polls, Polls,

Here's one poll you won't see on the MSM or the Obama cable network (Dishnetwork).

Shocking Poll on Abortion

...

The poll asked respondents to state which of six statements came closest to describing their opinion on abortion.

-- 8% of US residents chose option 1, that abortion should be available to a woman any time she wants one during her entire pregnancy;

-- 8% chose option 2, that abortion should be allowed only during the first 6 months of pregnancy;

-- 24% chose option 3, that abortion should be allowed only during the first 3 months of pregnancy;

-- 32% chose option 4, that abortion should be allowed only in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother;

-- 15% chose option 5, that abortion should be allowed only to save the life of the mother; and

-- 13% chose option 6, that abortion should never be permitted under any circumstance.

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson is quoted as saying the results are "indicative of the fact that term 'pro-choice' - when applied broadly - needlessly polarizes the discussion of abortion and masks the fact that there is broad consensus among Americans that abortion should be significantly restricted.

"I've seen many polls skewed to ask the question whether people favor overturning Roe V Wade which garners unimpressive support. And the media uses that as a cudgel to call us extreme. But the thing is that people don't understand that overturning Roe v Wade would only allow the people to get to vote on abortion. People know that abortion is evil. I think much of the groundwork has been laid by the efforts of pro-lifers for decades. Now is the time to act. Now is the time to push.
MORE

McCain - Obama: A Quick Glance at Their Stance

Catholic Net has a quick glance sheet on the election issues and where each presidential candidate stands on on each one.

McCain and Obama on 'Catholic' Issues

John McCain

Opposes the “Freedom of Choice Act” (FOCA), a bill which would prohibit states from placing limits on abortion.

On Supreme Court: “Chief Justice [John] Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito would serve as the model for my own nominees.”

In the U.S. Senate:
Voted YES, make unborn children eligible for the SCHIP health-care program.
Voted YES, keep federal money out of abortion.
Voted YES, use taxpayers’ money to kill human embryos in stem-cell research.
Voted YES, a parent must be notified when a minor gets out-of-state abortions.
Voted NO on promoting contraception to teens.
Voted YES, unborn victims of violence count.
Voted YES, ban partial-birth abortion.
Voted YES, ban abortion on military bases.
Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortions.
Voted YES on banning human cloning.

Barack Obama

Co-sponsored the “Freedom of Choice Act” (FOCA) and says his first act as president will be to prohibit states from placing any limits on abortion.

On Supreme Court: Obama sharply criticized the Supreme Court for its 2007 decision upholding the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

Voted to allow “live birth abortion” when the “Born-Alive Infants Protection Act” came up in the Illinois Senate.

In the U.S. Senate:
Voted NO, don’t make unborn children eligible for the SCHIP health-care program.
Voted NO, parents needn’t be told if their children get abortions in other states.
Voted YES, use taxpayers’ money to kill human embryos in stem-cell research.
Voted NO, parent should be notified when their children get out-of-state abortions.
Voted YES on promoting contraception to teens.
MORE

California Proposition 8: YES!

Proposition 8 on Novembers ballot in California, basically outlines a same Sex Marriage agenda. But it has further reaching implications.

Check out the video... (Thanks Paul)



Family's need to ask themselves if they would accept this intrusion on their parental rights which the folks in Massachusetts have to live with under their State law.

A YES vote will prevent this.

Our Lady of Fatima: Miracle of the Sun

I almost forgot today is the 91st anniversary (hope I did the math right) of the Miracle of the Dancing Sun at Fatima (October 13, 1917).

Creative Minority has an interesting post on the 10 top scientific explanations for this event.

Top Ten Scientific Explanations...

The Miracle of the Dancing Sun at Fatima which was seen by 70,000 people on October 13th, 1917 has been written about often. I truly do enjoy reading about all the "scientific" explanations for the "anomaly of Fatima." The way that science has bent itself into a pretzel to explain away the vision of the sun dancing in the sky at a foretold time is always fun.

So, last year, I got together my top ten "scientific explanations" for Fatima that I was able to find on the internet.

First I'll start with a little history history: A writer named Avelino de Almeida who wrote articles for O Século, (a big newspaper in Portugal at the time). The papper took a strong anti-religious stance. Goodness, even then, the media wasn't a big fan of religion, huh? In fact, all of Almeida's previous articles had mocked the previously reported events at Fatima but here's what he wrote that day 81 years ago:
MORE

The Acorn US Bishops Connection

Did the US Bishops Conference give the radical ACORN organization over 1 Million dollars!

Why is the US Bishops Conference giving to a secular organization especially this one with all it's fraud charges?

To me this is the equivalent of giving to one political party.

Here's the report: 1 Million to ACORN

Catholics in the Public Square has the POST

Obama, Obama, Obama - Morning Joe

Will the real Obama please stand up...

So any articles this morning. Large cup of coffee will be needed, maybe some toast.

A President Obama Will Silence Catholics

Obama, ACORN and the US Bishops' Conference

Obama Plans 30-minute commercial

What's Up with The Poll?

Scientific Advance: Please God, Make It Stop

Incrdible Video: First 24 Hours Of Life!

Racism is the New Hitler

How The Bishops Found Their Voice

Obama's Glass House (Health Care)

Planting Seeds of Disaster (ACORN)

There's Nothing Wrong With Single-Issue Politics

Kmiec's Contradictions

Barak Obama Messaging Machine - "Faith, Family & Values Tour"

My daughters' friend is a performer at the Magic Castle in Hollyweird. He has some pretty amazing 'slight-of-hand' tricks.

But there's another performer who would like to perform on the 'world stage' and his minions are there to assist him.

The Obama campaign is about to kickoff something called 'Faith, Family & Values Tour'. A sort of grass-roots evangelization tour to convince Believers that he is the choice of the faithful. He's trying to pull the ultimate 'slight-of-hand' trickery.

'Believe what I say, not how I voted.'

Here's the article:

Unholy Messaging

The Barack Obama “messaging machine” is now in full overdrive mode, seeking to mislead religiously committed Americans into thinking that Obama has a middle-of-the-road position on abortion policy and will promote “abortion reduction.

”In late September, the Obama campaign kicked off a “Faith, Family & Values Tour.” A team of Obama surrogates — including Pepperdine University law school professor Douglas Kmiec, evangelical author Donald Miller, and former congressman Tim Roemer of Indiana — will travel from state to state, seeking the votes of religiously committed Americans. According to a report on BeliefNet.com, the surrogates will be “doing grass-roots evangelizing for Obama in community centers (neutral sites — no houses of worship) and homes. The tour will continue for weeks in most of the key battleground states.”

Another article, on ChristianityToday.com, said that the states to be visited by the tour during the next month include Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Florida, New Mexico, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

One important part of the “faith outreach” sales pitch has been to insist that Obama would promote “abortion reduction” policies — that is to say, policies that would have the practical effect of reducing the number of abortions performed, without actually restricting abortion directly. This spiel was really a public relations strategy cooked up at a liberal think tank called third way, where veteran pro-abortion activists develop “messaging” strategies to help pro-abortion politicians camouflage their positions. The third way “Culture Program” (responsible for the “abortion reduction” strategy, among other projects) is directed by Rachel Laser, whose previous job was with the Health and Reproductive Rights group at the National Women’s Law Center, and who before that worked for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, a major abortion provider.

But despite such efforts, more and more Americans are learning that the real Barack Obama is firmly committed to an agenda of sweeping pro-abortion policy changes that, if implemented, could be expected to drastically increase the numbers of abortions performed.

MORE

National Right To Life - Congressional Voting Records

Keep on top of the facts: National Right To Life

U.S. House Scorecard-to-date

U.S. Senate Scorecard-to-date

Voting Records for Congress

Presidential Records On Life

Much More...

More Intellectual knots

Looks like I'm not the only one witnessing the intellectual back flips used to deny the affects Abortion. (4,000 abortions a day)

Catholidoxy post his encounter's...

Evangelicals: Sucking Up to Bandwagons Day by Day

Had to endure a chat the other day in which an evangelical went on and on about all the issues confronting us and how we must get out into the world and confront all these issues:

Economic mess -- check.

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- check.

Global warming -- darnwell better check. (Of course, we were told that even though we're not sure of the cause, we are sure it's happening, and ergo we have to take it seriously and confront it. Uh...if we're not sure of the cause, how might we confront it?)

Poverty -- check.AIDS -- check.Racism -- check.

Abortion, euthanasia, ESCR, etc -- [sound of birds chirping in the silence]

Breakdown of the family and demographic collapse -- [sound of birds chirping in the silence]

It was so interesting -- and infuriating -- that the latter two found no mention. It's not that the other things aren't worth thinking about. But you would think that 4,000 abortions a day might move the Christian conscience. You might think that supposedly thoughtful people might draw the connection between the breakdown of the family and social pathology. *Chirp chirp*

Later the speaker did some seriously sharp complaining about people who think that human sexual love is a reflection of divine love. Isn't that Augustine 101? I also know that this person gets really pissed at those who think contraception might be a bad idea...*sigh*

It was all I could do not to blow a gasket, stand up, walk out, cause a scene. I mean, I can deal with idiocy in the world. You expect it. But in the church? You would hope leaders in the church -- or, better, various ecclesial bodies -- would have their heads screwed on straight.
MORE

The Intellectual 'Pro-choice vs Pro-abortion' Neck Tie

I'm amazed at the intellectual knot people are tying themselves into justifying a non-vote or a vote supporting a Pro-Choice candidate.

"Pro-Choice is not the same as Pro-abortion", they seem to say, splitting hairs finer than the human eye can see.

Sheesh! (that's my second "sheesh" of the day)

Carl Olsen as an excellent post on the matter.. a must read.

"Pro-choice" vs. "Pro-abortion"? Or, "Pro-choice" = "Pro-abortion"?

A reader responds...

The problem with this parody, of course, is that Obama is pro-choice rather than pro-abortion. This is not to say that a pro-choice stance is morally defensible. It is not. But one would be unfairly slandering Obama to say simply that he is pro-abortion because of his pro-choice stance. Obama has spoken out and worked consistently to lower abortion rates. The moral problem with an Obama candidacy is its opposition to making abortion illegal. Legal abortion, however, is not the same as abortion accepted on a moral level.

For Obama to support the act of abortion would be for him to support an intrinsic evil. To say simply, however, that it is not the place of the state to restrict abortion is a morally wrong decision and an indefensible political stance. It is not, however, the same as an anti-racist supporting a racist. It might be the same as an anti-racist supporting someone who thinks racism is a terrible thing but does not think that the government should criminalize the racist practices of private businesses or people. This would be a troubling moral stance, to be sure, and not necessarily one that is defensible. It is not, however, fairly characterized in Donahue's parody.

I think that valid arguments could be made against pro-life Catholics who support Obama, but the overly-simplistic approach to the problem taken by this site and others only does a disservice to Catholic moral reasoning.

Well, goodness, I do dislike being perceived at being overly-simplistic, so let's see if I can be a little more complicated this time around. Let's start with the statement: "Obama is pro-choice rather than pro-abortion."
First, what does that mean? I ask the question seriously. In other words, what does it mean when someone says, "I am pro-choice"? What is being chosen? What choice is being supported, upheld, and favored? And why is that choice being supported, upheld, and favored? I think it is fair to say that most of those folks who use the description "pro-choice" claim they support a woman's right to choose to either bring a pregnancy to term or to terminate the pregnancy; they uphold a woman's right to make choices about her body, especially when it comes to issues that are sexual and reproductive in nature; and they favor the government abstaining from any infringement upon those rights and choices.

MUCH, MUCH MORE


Thanks Carl...

Obama: Freedom Of Choice Act

If Obama is elected....

.... he is a major supporter of the proposed legislation entitled 'Freedom Of Choice Act'. It essentially invalidates any "statute, ordinance, regulation, administrative order, decision, policy, practice, or other action" of any federal, state, or local government or governmental official (or any person acting under government authority) that would "deny or interfere with a woman's right to choose" abortion, or that would "discriminate against the exercise of the right . . . in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information."

Clearly, FOCA’s reach is very broad. This single piece of legislation would apply to any federal or state law “enacted, adopted, or implemented before, on, or after the date of [its] enactment.” (Denise M. Burke - AUL Vice President & Legal Director)

American Catholic has the post with the text of the Freedom of Choice Act.

Let's not mince words here: Obama is the most pro-abortion candidate to ever run for national office on a major party ticket.

Anyone who believes that Obama will reduce the number of abortions and is the preferred Pro-Life candidate is either not studying the issue, in denial of the facts, or is just plain won over by the deceptive Obama charm.

You've heard it a million times but I'll say it again 'ABORTION IS INTRINSICALLY EVIL'. DO NOT SUPPORT IT EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OR SUPPORT IT THROUGH ANY "THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS" TYPE OF LOGIC.

Sorry of the rude upper case lettering. It's getting rather frustrating debating individuals who say they agree abortion is evil and that's why they're voting for a candidate that supports abortion.

sheesh!

That's like saying "I'm going to supply a drug attic clean needles so he doesn't get sick"

...Oh wait, that's already a law in San Fran.

Proposition 8: Dissent by Catholic Priest

This is a sad story.



Father Geoffrey Farrow of the St. Paul Newman Center In Fresno, California decided to voice his dissent to support Catholic teaching on a marriage between a man and a woman.



He decided voice this during mass of all places (a time to worship and praise, celebrating our Lords presents in the Eucharist). He also acknowledged his self claimed homosexuality.



Here's the story.



Bishop Reaffirms Support for California Marriage Amendment Following Dissent by Homosexual Priest



The Catholic Bishop of Fresno, California, has reaffirmed his support for a state constitutional amendment that would prohibit the institution of homosexual “marriage” after a priest in his diocese announced his opposition to the measure during Sunday mass. The priest, Father Geoffrey Farrow of the St. Paul Newman Center in Fresno, called the media before the mass and told them about his plans. With television cameras filming his statements, Farrow denounced the amendment, which has the support of California’s bishops.

MORE (Catholicexchange)

To Regulate or De-Regulate

Michael Novak has a post on The Catholic Thing that I think should be read.

It seems to me that the masses are not doing their homework on the issue of Regulation (which is what the Dems are pushing) and De-Regulation (which the Republicans ...well seem to be backing away from).

Everyone it seem, is looking for the handout and nobody wants to take responsibility for their own actions.

A nation of victims

... is this the new American way?

A Historical Change In Guidance Systems

Some social democrats and socialists, especially in Western Europe, view the current financial crisis in America with a certain gladness. They think this may discredit “democratic capitalism,” and confirm the superiority of social democracy.

This stance returns our public conversation to the questions of the 1972 electoral campaign, during which a significant number of left-wing American thinkers and activists began to rebel against statist institutions, habits, and ways of looking at things propounded by the New Left, and the many promoters of the large omnivorous state.

Looking at the state of social welfare in the United States at that time, these liberals (social democrats) were “mugged by reality.” They saw that social democratic programs did not work. Since they had begun to find socialism in all its forms unsatisfactory (and self-destructive), they sought a better guidance system. They found it in the American tradition of limited government, personal initiative, and economic inventiveness. They wanted to trim government by cutting both taxes and expenditures. They wanted to preserve the welfare state, by limiting its functions, and restoring responsibility to individuals and families. Enemies called this movement “neo-conservative.” It was actually neo-progressive. It gave primacy to the initiative, creativity, individual moral maturity, and to Aristotle’s conception of virtue. Without recognizing it, they adopted something like the Thomistic evaluation of the human person as the most noble and beautiful of God’s creatures. In their eyes, the common good meant nurturing citizens in virtue and happiness.

By 1980, many in this young movement had begun to coalesce around presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, who believed that a just government had to be a great deal more limited than the government he would inherit, and that its budget needed to be greatly restrained. Mostly, he believed that the most dynamic propellants of a modern economy are the inventions and risk-taking of imaginative entrepreneurs.

Reagan recognized that more than 80 percent of new jobs in this country are created by businesses that employ twenty-five persons or fewer – and that the crucial incentives that lure entrepreneurs from the sidelines to the creative arena are marginal tax rates—which he cut from 70 to 28 percent. By also dropping the tax rates on capital gains (assets) to 30 percent, Reagan offered entrepreneurs a lure that they could not resist.
MORE

Debate II - My 2 Cents

I'm still waiting for some discussion, debate, on the following topics:

1. Abortion - there are over 4,000 abortions a Day! Why aren't we talking about it! We talk about health care, Iraq, MONEY, I would think this LIFE topic would come up.

2. Judicial Nominations - There will probably be two or more open chair for the next President to fill on the Supreme Court. Do we really want legislation from the chair? Debate about it guys!

3. Immigration - Both candidates want the illegal vote, then after they place the 'I voted (illegally)' sticker on their shirt... let's round you up. We need to seriously talk about this, in a townhall filled with immigrates, legal and illegal. Now that would be an interesting debate.

4. The Marriage Act - Between one Man and one Woman... where do you stand.

5. Gun Control - Now I don't personally own a gun myself. But I do have a concern with those who want to tamper with our Amendments.

WCC +<><

October 17 - Pray the Rosary Today

An email from CatholicVote.com

The economy is strained, a presidential debate tonight, and the election in less than 30 days away.

We have an urgent request for you and it does not involve money. We need you to pray... today.

October 7th marks the anniversary of the naval victory won by the Christian fleet at Lepanto, Greece, in 1571. The Christian fleet was vastly outnumbered and was expected to be destroyed, but they invoked the help of the holy Mother of God through the Rosary. Their prayers were answered and they prevented the Ottoman Turks from invading Europe.

Western Civilization today is also in turmoil. Now, more than ever, it is important for Christians to pray to God for help, especially as we are close to deciding who will lead our nation for the next four years.

If you are Catholic (or if you're not catholic), please join with us and Bishop Baker of Birmingham, AL, and pray the Rosary, today. Like the Christians in 1571, we are perhaps outnumbered, but it is important that we place our trust in Divine Providence.


Bishop Baker asked Catholics to pray the Rosary today "for our Nation and Our World."

Here are his prayer intentions, which we think can be echoed by Catholics and all Christians alike:

"That the Holy Spirit may guide our government leaders as they address the current problems facing our nation’s economy and as they seek proper paths to peace in our world, we pray to the Lord…"

"For the guidance of the Holy Spirit as voters choose the best possible candidates as leaders for local, state, and national offices, people who will protect the least vulnerable among us, especially the unborn, and promote the cause of life in all its forms and family life, we pray to the Lord…"

N.Y. Times mentions Catholic Vote video

The CatholicVote video was highlighted Sunday in a New York Times article about Catholics and the 2008 elections.

Here's an excerpt of the article, in case you missed it:

The Cathedral of St. Peter in Wilmington, Del., where Mr. Biden lives, is promoting a video produced by the conservative Catholic group Fidelis that is intended to persuade Catholic voters to put opposition to abortion rights and same-sex marriage above all other issues when they go to the polls.

“Many issues are at stake,” a caption reads as the video displays a fetus and choral music swells. “Some are more important than others.”

Brian Burch, president of Fidelis, said the group had created the video as “a voter guide for the 21st century.” Many Catholic churches across the country have put it on their Web sites, and Mr. Burch said some statewide advocacy groups had been distributing it to their members.

It is because of your effort and support that this video has been so successful!

Thank you,

- The CatholicVote.com Team

P.S. Today, October 7th, marks the anniversary of the great naval victory at Lepanto in 1571. The date has been celebrated for centuries by Christians. Please consider saying the Rosary or another prayer of petition for our Nation on this important day. Thank you for your continued support of CatholicVote.com

NEW: The American Catholic

A new website promoting Catholic involvement in the political system and keeping Catholics and everyone really, informed on what's happening in our Nation and in the World.

LINK: American Catholic

Welcome to American Catholic

We are twelve Christians who love our Catholic faith looking to engage the world through our writings to better express the teachings of Jesus for the betterment of the common good. American Catholic is the outward expression of this engagement with the world.

MORE

Obama's Voting Record - for the record

All on record and verifiable for those that dare to look.

Not something to be proud of and surely not something to take to the Oval Office.




There is nothing in his record that says Pro-Life or a reduction in abortions.

Obama 'Change & Hope' for all ... expect

Time for a dose of reality folks.

Mr. Obama's slogan of 'Change & Hope' as resonated far and wide. His speeches to thousands in venues around the world and at every campaign stop seems to be a message meant for all.

All that is expect one group of people... the young, the innocent,

...the unborn.



This is the kind of change and hope we can do without.

59% Boot Every Congressman

3 in 5 voters say boot the whole congress....

.... SO DO IT!

WND
If given the choice, a new poll reveals, 59 percent of Americans would sweep Capitol Hill clean of the current batch of senators and representatives to elect an entirely new Congress.

Only 17 percent of voters polled said they would be willing to keep the current legislature.
MORE

Ny Bishops Prioritize "Life" NOT MONEY in Vote

I'd rather meet my maker (God) with a baby in my arms instead of an extra dollar in my pocket...

NY Bishops: Prioritize "Life" in vote
New York's Catholic bishops today urged people to vote -- and place the "right to life" above other issues.

"To the extent candidates reject this fundamental right by supporting an objective evil, such as legal abortion, euthanasia, or embryonic stem cell research, Catholics should consider them less acceptable for public office," said the statement from Cardinal Edward Egan and the states bishops.

Democrat Barack Obama supports stem cell research and opposes a constitutional amendment to overturn Roe vs. Wade. John McCain calls Roe vs. Wade a flawed decision that should be overturned. He said the abortion question should be the jurisdiction of individual states.
In the latest Siena Research Institute statewide poll, 40 percent of New York Catholics favored Obama and 47 percent McCain.

"Overall, Catholics are not as supportive of Obama as is the population as a whole," said poll spokesman Steven Greenberg.
MORE

Money makes the World Go Around - B16 "NOT!"

It's beginning to look like the magical cure all 'Bailout' remedy has some side affects and once again the money people are looking for a bigger fix. The markets opened down around 500 points and today will be a bumpy ride for investors.

It seems everyday life is focusing on the issue of MONEY. Pope Benedict XVI throws some good'ol cold water over our heads and attempt to wake us back into reality.

"One who builds his life on these realities, on objects, success, on everything that's visible, builds on sand" - B16


American Papist has the post, Whispers has some commentary, Catholic Culture has the headlines.

Pope Benedict XVI opened the 12th ordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Sunday, October 5, with a Mass at the Roman basilica of St. Paul-outside-the-Walls. In his homily the Pope said that the theme of this Synod, the Word of God, is timely today because the international financial crisis underlines the evanescence of worldly wealth and power. "Only the Word is solid," the Pope said; "It is the veritable reality on which we should base our lives."

"When man eliminates God from his horizon, when he declares God to be 'dead,' is he truly happier?" the Pontiff asked. On the contrary, he said, modern man, alienated from faith, "finds himself more alone and society more divided and confused."
MORE

Archbishop Burke: Dem's in danger of becoming "Party of Death"

Archbishop Burke's thought's on this are covered at 'Catholics in the Public Square'

Here's the actual article:
U.S. archbishop at Vatican says Democrats becoming 'party of death'

The Democratic Party in the United States "risks transforming itself definitively into a 'party of death,'" said U.S. Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, prefect of the Vatican's highest court.

An interview with the former archbishop of St. Louis was published in the Sept. 27 edition of Avvenire, a daily Catholic newspaper sponsored by the Italian bishops' conference.
MORE

Can a Catholic vote for a Pro-Choice Candidate?

Is it permissible for a Catholic to vote for a Pro-Choice candidate?

Patrick Madrid, editor of Envoy Magazine, has a short video showing scriptures answer to this question.

NY Bishop's:Equal Moral Value For All Issues?

Good article posted at InsightScoop.

New York Bishops: "not every issue is of equal moral gravity..."

We Catholics are called to look at politics as we are called to look at everything – through the lens of our faith. While we are free to join any political party that we choose or none at all, we must be cautious when we vote not to be guided solely by party loyalty nor by self interest. Rather, we should be guided in evaluating the important issues facing our state and nation by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church.

Our national and state elected officials have profound influence on countless matters of great importance, such as the right to life, issues of war and peace, the education of children and how we treat the poor and vulnerable. We must look at all of these issues as we form our consciences in preparation for Election Day, November 4.

MORE

Catholic Voting

Patrick Madrid & Envoy Magazine have put together a nice article on Catholic Voting to go along with the 'Faithful Citizenship'.

Special Report: Catholic Voting & The "Seamless Garment" Theory

Brothers AT WAR

I found this sight referenced from another blog. I just don't remember which blog so forgive me if I don't link them, but I do want to say thank you...

This is a project under taken by an individual who has two brothers that decided to go of to war and fight the good fight. This particular brother is not a soldier like his other two brothers, but he wants to know and understand the reasons why his brothers decided to take this path.

He has decided to follow them to Iraq and film them and come closer to them in a way that makes me kind of envious. I don't have a brother, though I do have some wonderful sisters.

The bond shown in this short clip (below) touches the heart and though some of us don't have brothers, it may steer us to want to know our Brother's in arms in Iraq or Afghanistan and other parts of the world.

Why do they volunteer?

What do they hope to accomplish?

What, in following this need to do something as dangerous as being a soldier, do they give up at home.

Thank you Brothers (and Sisters) AT WAR

Bailout Plan part II - The Earmark Come-th

Tubador almost made me lose my lunch...

He outlines the bailout minor adjustments which the Senate hopes will bribe...opps... did I say that out loud. I mean help the House vote for the bill.

Will the new additions releave our ecomonic woo's any better?

Well, you be the judge.

Thanks for the resource Tubador & Capt. Ed

However, the Senate did add a few winners to this new version:

New Tax earmarks in Bailout bill
- Film and Television Productions (Sec. 502)
- Wooden Arrows designed for use by children (Sec. 503)
- 6 page package of earmarks for litigants in the 1989 Exxon Valdez incident, Alaska (Sec. 504)

Tax earmark “extenders” in the bailout bill.

- Virgin Island and Puerto Rican Rum (Section 308)
- Auto Racing Tracks (317)- Wool Research (Sec. 325)

MORE

The whole bill and nothing but the bill HERE (hint: use the search feature to lookup Sec. No.)

Catholics for Abortion Candidates? Yes, they are out there...

I've been running into fellow Catholics out there who have pressed me with the argument that sums up in nutshell "Obama is the real Pro-Life candidate in this election"

WRONG! Nothing could be further from the truth.

They seem to tie themselves up in an intellectual knot... a pretzel mind you. (more on this in a later post)

Catholic Culture has a good post addressing this phenomena of sorts...

The gloves are off... so here we go.

On Voting For Pro-Abortion Candidates

It’s election season again, and we should make one more attempt to convince our fellow citizens, our fellow Catholics and even some users of CatholicCulture.org that they cannot morally allow any issue to take precedence over abortion in their decision about how to vote in the U.S. presidential election. This statement may strike some readers as just another example of knee-jerk conservatism or, worse, sycophantic advocacy for the Republican Party. But it is neither. It is simply a moral fact of life. This time around, I’m taking the gloves off.
MORE

YouTube:Eucharist Desecration - Update

A followup on the YouTube Video and the whole Myers episode. Looks like we have copy-cats now. Who would have thought that would happen.



Update: YouTube User, Paul Myers Respond to Eucharistic Desecration Article

Amidst Catholic outcry about a series of “Eucharistic desecration” YouTube videos, two other voices have emerged in ridicule of Catholicism – the YouTube user himself and University of Minnesota professor Paul Z. Myers, who was credited for inspiring the videos in the first place.
The YouTube user, who lists his first name as Dom, posted a video on Sept. 26 in response to Headline Bistro’s article about his videos.

Dom concluded by mocking the concept of Catholics defending Christ.

“You need to defend God against me, a simple human?” he asked. “Whoa. That’s a weak god you have.”

He also waved a host around for portions of the video, referring to it as a cookie, cracker and wafer before splitting it in half and eating a portion. He did not mention whether or not it had been consecrated.

MORE


My original post: HERE