I learned over the years being a cop, don't try to covert a drunk when they are drunk. And don't try to reason with a mentally disturbed person who is going through an outright meltdown. Sort of describes some of these people. Hard to reason with them. And you may get physically attacked just attempting to give them a water bottle. A lot look completely unpredictable like a combination of mental and spiritual possession. Seriously. Prayer & Fasting was the advice Our Lord gave to drive out certain demons which seems to be case with some of these folks. Not just one or the other, but both prayer & fasting. Most of us do the first but are not so good at the second.
Nancy Pelosi thanked the Pro Abortionists for protesting...If the USCCB really wanted to make a statement- they should quit giving her communion or excommunicate her. I work with a group of Evangelical Christians. They cannot understand how I can be Catholic because of Catholic Pelosi and Catholic Biden's view on abortion and other matters...
Why isn't Pope "Who am I to judge" Francis condemning Joe "Devout Catholic" Biden for his encouragement of the "Mostly Peaceful" - but illegal - protests at SCOTUS' homes? Not to mention the fire bombing of a pro-life office in Wisconsin and interrupting Mass
Hello all - the topics we're discussing in the comments today are important, and interesting, and I'm grateful to see people talking about them.
I thought I would pop by with a reminder that the only comment policy at The Pillar is Christian charity, both for our interlocutors, and for those we're discussing.
No one should be discouraged from speaking plainly and candidly, as long as we do so with the imperative of Christian charity foremost in our minds. Thank you!
I don't think a call to prayer is an authentically Catholic response if it excludes a concern for the physical world. Catholicism is not a dualistic faith. Two churches in Colorado have been vandalized. That's sacrilege. I don't see any condemnation of that or the disruption of worship (or the threat to the Eucharist) in the USCCB's statement or addressed in the intentions. I'm not saying the bishops are being un-Catholic; it’s an omission, which reminds me too much of 2020.
Certainly protestors shouldn't be allowed to waltz into churches and interrupt the liturgy. Just as pro-lifers aren't allowed to waltz into abortion clinics and interrupt abortions. If they want to stand across the street, off church property, with their signs, etc., I think that is their right. I wonder if a good response might be offering the protestors a valid forum in which to raise their concerns. Like, an open forum, town hall kind of event where folks can come and communicate their message in a non-disruptive way that also allows people of the opposing side to voice their views as well (offering coffee and snacks at such an event seems to me rather reasonable!). In a post-Roe society, spaces for actual debate are going to be really vital. Really vital.
Thank you for publishing this! I immediately sent the link for the announcement to my pastor, and asked if we could announce this at the Thursday and Friday morning Masses. I also asked if we could send it to everyone that is on our parish email lists for updates. He is checking with our bishop, of course. Hopefully, we will get the word out in our parish!
I learned over the years being a cop, don't try to covert a drunk when they are drunk. And don't try to reason with a mentally disturbed person who is going through an outright meltdown. Sort of describes some of these people. Hard to reason with them. And you may get physically attacked just attempting to give them a water bottle. A lot look completely unpredictable like a combination of mental and spiritual possession. Seriously. Prayer & Fasting was the advice Our Lord gave to drive out certain demons which seems to be case with some of these folks. Not just one or the other, but both prayer & fasting. Most of us do the first but are not so good at the second.
Nancy Pelosi thanked the Pro Abortionists for protesting...If the USCCB really wanted to make a statement- they should quit giving her communion or excommunicate her. I work with a group of Evangelical Christians. They cannot understand how I can be Catholic because of Catholic Pelosi and Catholic Biden's view on abortion and other matters...
Why isn't Pope "Who am I to judge" Francis condemning Joe "Devout Catholic" Biden for his encouragement of the "Mostly Peaceful" - but illegal - protests at SCOTUS' homes? Not to mention the fire bombing of a pro-life office in Wisconsin and interrupting Mass
Hello all - the topics we're discussing in the comments today are important, and interesting, and I'm grateful to see people talking about them.
I thought I would pop by with a reminder that the only comment policy at The Pillar is Christian charity, both for our interlocutors, and for those we're discussing.
No one should be discouraged from speaking plainly and candidly, as long as we do so with the imperative of Christian charity foremost in our minds. Thank you!
How would one appraise the mental or emotional state of Eric Rudolph, for example?
I don't think a call to prayer is an authentically Catholic response if it excludes a concern for the physical world. Catholicism is not a dualistic faith. Two churches in Colorado have been vandalized. That's sacrilege. I don't see any condemnation of that or the disruption of worship (or the threat to the Eucharist) in the USCCB's statement or addressed in the intentions. I'm not saying the bishops are being un-Catholic; it’s an omission, which reminds me too much of 2020.
« God won’t always hit you on the head with your vocation. If you’re lucky, like Sr. Maria Francesca, he’ll hit someone else. »
Favorite two-liner so far - genuinely made me laugh despite the troubled times!
Hello. I just want to say, thank you for your great reporting.
I think your publication is so important that I threw some money your way.
Certainly protestors shouldn't be allowed to waltz into churches and interrupt the liturgy. Just as pro-lifers aren't allowed to waltz into abortion clinics and interrupt abortions. If they want to stand across the street, off church property, with their signs, etc., I think that is their right. I wonder if a good response might be offering the protestors a valid forum in which to raise their concerns. Like, an open forum, town hall kind of event where folks can come and communicate their message in a non-disruptive way that also allows people of the opposing side to voice their views as well (offering coffee and snacks at such an event seems to me rather reasonable!). In a post-Roe society, spaces for actual debate are going to be really vital. Really vital.
Let's not forget that the laity could be martyrs for the pro life cause too.
Thank you for publishing this! I immediately sent the link for the announcement to my pastor, and asked if we could announce this at the Thursday and Friday morning Masses. I also asked if we could send it to everyone that is on our parish email lists for updates. He is checking with our bishop, of course. Hopefully, we will get the word out in our parish!