Catholic Advocate

Charitable Deductions Under Attack

Admin — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:37:13 +0000

The “charity” deduction was created in 1917 to preserve America’s centuries-old tradition of philanthropy. It is the only section of the U.S. Tax Code that “rewards” a taxpayer for giving their resources away. Tax benefits for charitable contributions and tax-exempt organizations are approximately $100 billion annually.

Unfortunately, some political leaders see the charitable deduction as $40 billion in “lost federal revenue.” President Obama, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and the Bowles-Simpson Commission have proposed modifications that would decrease private giving.

Modifying or doing away with the charity deduction will disproportionately harm nonprofits that rely heavily on private giving. Even a 28% cap on charitable deductions, as some including President Obama have proposed, will lower total giving by $9.4 billion annually. Most donors won’t stop giving, but they will likely give smaller amounts and/or less frequently.

Contact Congress and tell them to protect charitable deductions.

Reaction to HHS mandate

Admin — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:44:08 +0000

The 60-day comment period for the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate came to a close on Monday.

But the Obama administration announced that the free contraception mandate will go into effect in August before the deadline! HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Monday, “As of Aug. 1, 2013, every employee who doesn’t work directly for a church or a diocese will be included in the benefit package.”

According to Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, “in our Catholic tradition, the right to religious freedom proceeds from the inherent dignity of each human person.” This is why Catholic Advocate has done so much over the past three years to alert people of faith to the Obama administration’s assault on religious liberty and lobby Congress to pass conscience protection legislation. So today I want to take a moment to highlight some of the formal comments issued by Catholic organizations. I believe you’ll not only find these comments interesting, but a source of hope that we haven’t lost this battle yet.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Anthony R. Picarello, Jr., Associate General Secretary & General Counsel
Michael F. Moss, Associate General Counsel

“…Under the current proposal, no exemption of accommodation is available at all for the vast majority of individual or institutional stakeholders with religious or moral objections contraceptive coverage. Virtually all Americans who enroll in a health plan will ultimately be required to have contraceptive coverage for themselves and their dependents, whether they want it or not. Likewise, unless it qualifies as a “religious employer,” every organization that offers a health plan to its employees (including many religious organizations) will be required to fund or facilitate contraceptive coverage, whether or not the employer or its employees object to such coverage. This requirement to fund or facilitate produces a serious moral problem for these stakeholders. We have raised all these issues previously…”

“…The Administration continues to exclude from the definition of “religious employer” a wide array of organizations that undeniably are “religious” and undeniably “employ” people. Just as before the NPRM, most Catholic ministries of service—such as Catholic hospitals, charities, and schools—are deemed not to be “religious employers” and therefore remain subject to the mandate. By its own admission, the NPRM’s change to the definition of “religious employer” will “not expand the universe of employer plans that would qualify for the exemption beyond that which was intended in the 2012 final rules.” 78 Fed. Reg. at 8461. The exemption was too narrow before the NPRM, and having changed only slightly in scope, it remains too narrow. Instead, the definition of “religious employer” should include all bona fide religious employers…”

Knights of Columbus
Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight

“…The newest proposed rules change some minor details but the critical moral and Constitutional offense remains the same. Individuals and entities that object to paying for abortion-inducing drugs, contraception, and sterilization must pay for these interventions either directly or indirectly, and they must initiate coverage for these interventions, either directly or indirectly. The Mandate specifically fails to exempt individuals, even though the First Amendment expressly protects individual religious belief and practice. The government places itself in the untenable position of deciding that some consciences are fit for protections, while others are not.

Our Church teaches that, “[n]obody may be forced to act against his convictions, nor is anyone to be restrained from acting in accordance with his conscience in religious matters in private or in public, alone or in association with others, within due limits.” This teaching on human freedom flows not from a hoped-for tolerance of religious belief by state, but rather from the dignity of each human being, who is bound to seek the truth and to hold it as he comes to know it. To require a person to violate his conscience, then, is to require him to surrender not only his rights, but also his dignity.”

Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association
Sister Clare Christi Schiefer, OSF, President

“…PCHA urges that employers, charitable, health care and educational facilities, insurers and individuals with religious or moral objections be excluded from the mandate. The assault on religion mounted by this mandate is staggering. It is time for the mandate to be amended to shed the bias against the very ministries created to advance Christ’s gospel values. Finally, PCHA urges removal of the inclusion of prescription contraception including abortifacients, surgical sterilization and counseling from the list of preventive services…”

While voicing our opinions formally during the comment period was good, there should be no illusions based on Secretary Sebelius’ comments that the Obama administration will take our concerns into account when releasing their final rule. This is just part of the on-going fight. Here at Catholic Advocate, we’ll continue doing everything in our power to speak out against the HHS mandate and defend religious liberty for all people of faith.

Same-sex Marriage

Admin — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:25:32 +0000

By electing President Obama in 2008, we in turn got two hyper-liberal Supreme Court Justices—Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor—and a host of new laws that violate the very core of our beliefs. And by re-electing Obama in 2012, America exacerbated the situation.

As a direct result of Obama’s successful appointments to the highest court, same-sex marriage may soon be the law of the land. We cannot sit back and watch Obama and his radical allies trample our beliefs. We must defend our faith and do everything in our power to stop this assault on religion in America. The reality is there isn’t much we can do to influence the Supreme Court’s rulings on same-sex marriage.

They say it’s not over until the fat lady sings.The team here at Catholic Advocate will not stop fighting for traditional marriage, or any of our core beliefs.

You can contact your Member of Congress here and tell them to support marriage between a man and a woman.

Pope Francis Calls Us to Action

Admin — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:10:19 +0000

Did you hear or read Pope Francis” Homily at his Installation Mass on the Feast of St. Joseph?

He spoke of Joseph the “protector” and then transitioned to what that means to each of us in today”s world.

We wanted to share with you an excerpt:

“The vocation of being a “protector”, however, is not just something involving us Christians alone; it also has a prior dimension which is simply human, involving everyone. It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world, as the Book of Genesis tells us and as Saint Francis of Assisi showed us. It means respecting each of God”s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about. It means caring for one another in our families: husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents. It means building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness. In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God”s gifts!

“Whenever human beings fail to live up to this responsibility, whenever we fail to care for creation and for our brothers and sisters, the way is opened to destruction and hearts are hardened. Tragically, in every period of history there are ”Herods” who plot death, wreak havoc, and mar the countenance of men and women.

“Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be “protectors” of creation, protectors of God”s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment. Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world! But to be “protectors”, we also have to keep watch over ourselves! Let us not forget that hatred, envy and pride defile our lives! Being protectors, then, also means keeping watch over our emotions, over our hearts, because they are the seat of good and evil intentions: intentions that build up and tear down! We must not be afraid of goodness or even tenderness!”

Our new Holy Father, with the world watching, called us to protect life. Pointing out “in every period of history there are ‘Herods’.” Friend, it is our duty as faithful laity to respond to this call by holding our elected leaders who disregard the sanctity of life, and any of the settled issues of the Church, accountable. That means electing only men and women who will uphold our values and fight to eliminate the practice of abortion, define marriage as between one man and one woman, and defend religious liberty for all Americans.

As we begin Holy Week, we hope you’ll reflect upon why Jesus Christ died for us and how you can fulfill your duty to your fellow man. From all of us here at Catholic Advocate may your family have a blessed Easter.

U.S. Delegations Disrespect Holy See

Admin — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:29:42 +0000

The Mass of Installation Tuesday for our new Pontiff is a world event. All the diplomats from various countries assigned to the Holy See will be in attendance in the traditional formal tuxedos with tails. Countries are sending delegations to pay their respects or, in the case of the United States, their disrespects for the teachings of the Church.

With regular quadrennial attention to the Catholic vote in the United States and the recent attacks on our religious liberties, there is no misunderstanding among the Executive Branch or Legislative Branch in Washington D.C. about where the Catholic Church stands on the settled issues of life and marriage.

The White House is delivering a clear, dismissive message of disrespect for the teachings of the Catholic Church by sending the two poster children for dissenting Catholic politicians. The “official” U.S. delegation is led by our Vice President Joe Biden who on May 6, 2012 during an appearance on ‘Meet the Press’ endorsed same-sex marriage. He is joined by former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader of the United States House of Representatives. Any faithful Catholic who pays attention to politics is familiar with Leader Pelosi’s votes against life and marriage and her knack for attempting to twist Church writings to justify her positions. It is easy to understand why Georgetown University President Dr. John J. DeGioia, the oldest Jesuit institution in the United States is on the delegation. However, Pope Francis is not a “Georgetown Jesuit” and it is safe to assume he would not have allowed a pro-abortion Cabinet Secretary like Kathleen Sebelius to be honored during commencement activities. And, in a nod to bi-partisanship and American Latinos, the pro-life Latino Governor of New Mexico is being included as almost an afterthought. Seventy-five percent of the U.S. delegation personifies the persistent frustration with Catholics in public life and our institutions of Catholic higher education, something our new pope addressed as Cardinal and our last two pontiffs repeatedly criticized during their papacies.

The House of Representatives’ delegation led by Pro-Life Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is a little better by including pro-life members Sean Duffy (R-WI), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), but it falls short with very troubling additions. Even though the House of Representatives’ delegation was announced by the Speaker’s Office, these appointments are often done with each party in the chamber selecting their respective names for the delegation. Therefore, the names of the “Catholics” who consistently vote against the teachings of the Church were likely submitted by the Office of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

Rep. Chris Smith should be applauded for his statement this past Saturday about leading the delegation, where he said: “The new Pope builds on the extraordinary work of his immediate predecessors—Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. He calls us to imitate Jesus Christ Himself by loving God above all things, by loving and tangibly caring for our neighbor—especially the weakest, the poor and most vulnerable—by forgiving unconditionally and by courageously advancing the culture of life no matter the cost.” Unfortunately, Congressman Smith’s demonstration of respect is overshadowed by his traveling companions.

The inclusion of Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the recipient of a special award from Planned Parenthood for her role in preserving abortion provisions in the new health care law, is one of the most out-spoken leaders in Congress consistently defending and encouraging the advancement of abortion. The remaining four members of the congressional delegation Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Jim Langevin (D-RI), and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) have all voted in the last two years against defunding Planned Parenthood’s abortion business, against pro-life attempts to fix abortion funding in the new health care law, against preserve marriage as between one man and one woman, against access to education for poor children in failing schools, and conscience protections.

For some Catholics in the United States, the consistent knee jerk reaction revolves around calling on the Church to excommunicate these “Catholic” politicians. Another thought will be to blame statements and writings out of the USCCB. But is it really the Church’s fault? The Church doesn’t repeatedly elect and re-elect these types of politicians – we, the laity, do! The bishops in the United States have made “educational” statements about the intrinsic evil that accompanies voting for candidates that support anti-life and anti-marriage policies. While they stop short of specifically naming names and, yes, their message should be repeated more often, nonetheless the statements are made publicly and in diocesan paper columns.

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio’s choice to be the first named Francis has led many to give a fair amount of attention to the words “Francis, repair my church” heard by St. Francis of Assissi during prayer. Many are taking a license to interpret what this might mean. One thing it does not mean, and this has been repeatedly made clear by Vatican officials, is that our teachings will change on settled issues, much to the disappointment of media and certain “progressive” elites.

When we, the laity, repeatedly elect and re-elect this type of politician it is no wonder there is not a second thought given to include them in official delegations. We thumb our noses at the teachings of the Church by electing them which makes it easier to do the same with their presence at the formal installation of our new pontiff. While those politicians in attendance at the Vatican tomorrow have a solemn obligation before accepting communion, we too have an obligation to pray for them, pray for our Holy Father, and in our own way accept responsibility to repair our house when it comes to allowing Catholic politicians to remain in office.

By Matt Smith, president of Catholic Advocate

Habemus Papam!

Admin — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:10:33 +0000

After just two days of the conclave, Habemus Papam (we have a pope)!

Shortly after 6:30 PM in Rome, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel indicating the cardinals had selected a successor to Peter. An hour later, French Cardinal Jean-Louis Pierre Tauran appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica pronouncing, “Habemus Papam” — we have a pope! — and introduced Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina.

Cardinal Bergoglio, who has chosen the name Francis I, entered the balcony to deliver his first papal blessing, and did something amazing — he asked the entire world watching to pray together. An act of a humble man faithful to the Magesterium of our Church.

We are a man described by many to be a “compassionate conservative” is our new Pope. We at Catholic Advocate encourage all to pray for our new pontiff and our Church.

Below are the first words to the faithful from Pope Francis I:

Brothers and sisters good evening.
You all know that the duty of the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have come almost to the ends of the earth to get him… but here we are. I thank you for the welcome that has come from the diocesan community of Rome.
First of all I would say a prayer pray for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI.. Let us all pray together for him, that the Lord bless him and Our Lady protect him.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory to the Father…
And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood . My hope is that this journey of the Church that we begin today, together with help of my Cardinal Vicar, be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city.
And now I would like to give the blessing, but first I want to ask you a favour. Before the bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence.
[The Protodeacon announced that all those who received the blessing, either in person or by radio, television or by the new means of communication receive the plenary indulgence in the form established by the Church. He prayed that Almighty God protect and guard the Pope so that he may lead the Church for many years to come, and that he would grant peace to the Church throughout the world.]
[Immediately afterwards Pope Francis gave his first blessing Urbi et Orbi – To the City and to the World.]
I will now give my blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.
Brothers and sisters, I am leaving you. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and I will be with you again soon.
We will see one another soon.
Tomorrow I want to go to pray the Madonna, that she may protect Rome.
Good night and sleep well!

Religious Liberty

Admin — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:00:32 +0000

The Obama Administration continues to push its secular agenda and has no qualms about destroying our religious freedom in the process. We cannot stand for this. More importantly, we cannot compromise.

The latest HHS mandate announcement is a veiled attempt by the Obama administration to silence us. The religious entities able to “opt-out” are still a minority of those affected. Our government should not be picking winners and losers when it comes to preserving our most cherished religious liberties.

Americans of all faiths must stand united and say no — to the HHS mandate and its new “compromises”, to the Obama Administration’s anti-faith agenda, and to the culture that accepts trampling upon the Constitution.

People of faith must unite. We cannot give in; we must stand strong.

Take action today!

Recent Blog Posts:

Reaction to HHS mandate (April 10, 2013)

Holy Father Announces Retirement

Admin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:39:12 +0000

“Dear Brothers,

“I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.

“After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

“However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

“For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

“Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

“From the Vatican, 10 February 2013″

BENEDICTUS PP XV

Taxpayer Funded Abortion

Admin — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:18:18 +0000

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R, TN-07) has introduced H.R. 61, the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act of 2013, which would stop the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from providing federal family planning assistance under Title X to abortion businesses unless they certify they won’t provide and refer abortions.

The reintroduction of this legislation in the 113^th Congress made technical corrections to Congressman Mike Pence’s H.R. 217 which was introduced in the 112^th Congress. Rep. Blackburn is Vice-Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee which oversees Title X of the 1970 Public Health Service Act. She hopes to build on the support her former colleague and good friend, Congressman Mike Pence, garnered in previous Congresses including successful efforts to attach the language as an amendment to pending legislation. In 2010, a GAO report showed that America’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, received over $340 million from the Title X family planning program.

Senator David Vitter (R, LA) has introduced the companion legislation S. 135 in the U.S. Senate.

Take action today.

Follow the link below to contact your Represenative and Senators and urge them to support the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act of 2013.

Protecting the Vulnerable from Predatory Gambling

Admin — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:16:48 +0000

Today, Catholic Advocate joined with other leading grassroots organizations 60 Plus Association and American Majority Action to address the impending crisis of an on-line gambling explosion set to begin in 2013 as a result of a 2011 Obama Administration Department of Justice ruling that opens the door to all forms of on-line gambling.

The letter [text below and original copy here] was sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi urging them to act to restrict on-line gambling during the “Lame Duck” session of Congress.

The groups have also joined together to educate Capitol Hill and others about the seriousness of the issue with a special website located at http://restrictonlinegambling.org/.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Letter to Congressional Leadership

A year ago December 23, the Department of Justice issued a weight of law ruling against the Wire Act of 1961 opening the floodgates for states and other entities to pursue unregulated on-line gambling. This unilateral Executive Branch decision by Attorney General Holder violates the clear intent of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed by Congress in 2006 and historical bi-partisan interpretation of the Wire Act.

We recognize Congress did not create this problem. Congress, though, does have the power to protect our seniors, our children, and give law enforcement the tools they need to protect the vulnerable from illegal predatory gambling interests. We urge congressional action before the end of this year to restrict the imminent expansion of on-line gambling throughout states, lotteries, and off-shore operators as early as this coming January.

Several states have either passed on-line gambling statutes or are in the process of passing them quickly when many return to work in capitals across the country to take advantage of the Department of Justice ruling. Often, Congress is put in situations where issues that are already problems require solutions. Here is an opportunity to address an impending matter before it becomes a crisis.

Federal restriction of on-line gambling is vital, urgent, and consistent with recent congressional intent. The legislation proposed by Senator Kyl and Senator Reid is a sensible solution and with the divided Congress, it is the only legislative solution that could pass both chambers. It will restore the Wire Act and on-line gambling in the U.S. will be substantially reduced from what is going on today and the race by states to expand internet gambling will be stopped. We hope a bi-partisan group of Members can join together before the end of this year to pass this legislation that addresses our concerns.

Sincerely,

Jim Martin, Chairman

60 Plus Association

Ned Ryun, President

American Majority Action

Matt Smith

Catholic Advocate