Faith and Works

By Jimmy Akin

One passage Fundamentalists often cite as a proof against the Catholic view of salvation is Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."

Though this passage can often stymie Catholics in conversation, it is nothing to be threatened by.

Even if we assume that Paul is speaking of "good works" when he says we have not been saved by works, this in no way conflicts with Catholic theology. Notice that the passage speaks of salvation in the past tense-"you have been saved." In Greek this is the perfect tense, which denotes a past, completed action. (more below)

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1999/9909chap.asp

Contraception and the Catholic Vision

by Dr. Jeff Mirus, May 16, 2008

On May 10th, Pope Benedict XVI called Paul VI’s landmark encyclical On Human Life an act of courage which has “become a sign of contradiction.” He made his remarks at a conference on the fortieth anniversary of the encyclical held at the Pontifical Lateran University. While many Catholics still find Humanae vitae’s condemnation of contraception difficult to understand and accept, it should be more than evident by now that the Catholic vision of life and love enunciated by Pope Paul VI is one of the great keys to reviving our dying culture. (more below)

http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=247

The Rev. Michael Pfleger

(CNN) -- The Catholic priest who mocked Hillary Clinton in an animated sermon has been placed on leave from his Chicago, Illinois, parish.
art.pfleger.file.afp.gi.jpg

The Rev. Michael Pfleger, left, marched with the Rev. Jesse Jackson last year in Barrington, Illinois.

Father Michael Pfleger was asked to "step back from his obligations" at St. Sabina's parish for two weeks, according to a statement by Archbishop Cardinal Francis George.

"Fr. Pfleger does not believe this to be the right step at this time," George said in the statement.

"While respecting his disagreement, I have nevertheless asked him to use this opportunity to reflect on his recent statements and actions in the light of the Church's regulations for all Catholic priests." (more below)

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/03/priest.removed/?iref=mpstoryview

Beyond Politics at the White House: What the Pope said, and what he didn’t say

As I listened to Pope Benedict XVI’s speech at the White House this morning, I thought of a very wise statement about God: “He loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to let us stay that way.” (read more, website below)

http://www.godspy.com/opinion/beyond-politics-what-the-pope-meant-and-what-he-didnt-mean/

Check out this website: http://www.godspy.com/

Excellent stuff.

...Do Not Pass Go...Do Not Collect $200...YESSSSSS!!!!

Participants in Attempted 'Ordination' of Women Excommunicated

5/30/2008

Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com)

The decree from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is said to be absolute, universal and immediately effective.
(more - click on site below)

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=28092

Dissident Catholic Politicians, Refrain from Communion

Archbishop Naumann: Dissident Catholic Politicians, Refrain from Communion

By Michael Baggot
5/29/2008

LifeSiteNews (www.lifesitenews.com)

"It is my intention . . . to have similar pastoral dialogues with other Catholics in elective office who support legalized abortion"

The story of Governor Sebellius, a Dissident Catholic Governor who overtly rejects the teaching of the Catholic Church on the inviolable dignity of every human life, and her Bishop,who expresses concern both for her spiritual well being and for the faithful, now frames an increasingly contentious and important debate within Catholic circles and beyond.

KANSAS CITY, KS (LifeSiteNews) - Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City on Friday published a question and answer explanation and defense of his May 9 public request to Governor Kathleen Sebelius to refrain from receiving Holy Communion until repenting of her political support for abortion.
(more below: website)
http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=28077

English Government Coup in Catholic Orphanage Stand-off

New Book! The Faithful Departed: The Collapse of Boston's Catholic Culture
by Phil Lawler, CWNews.com Editor

English Church forced to drop adoption services

London, May. 27, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Catholic dioceses in England are pulling out of adoption agencies because of government policies requiring equal treatment of same-sex couples seeking to adopt children, the London Daily Mail reports.

The dioceses of Southwark, Portsmouth, and Arundel and Brighton have agreed to end their affiliation with the Catholic Children's Society. The group will be renamed Cabrini Children’s Society.

The Mail predicted that other dioceses would soon follow suit, while some Catholic agencies vowed a court battle to protect their right to continue offering adoption services without compromising their Catholic identity.

"The government has forced us into this position by obliging the adoption agency to place children with same-sex couples," Bishop Kieran Conry of Arundel and Brighton told the Mail. Last year Parliament approved new guidelines barring discrimination against same-sex couples, rejecting a bid by Catholic leaders to grant an exemption for Church-based charities.