Baptist Pamphlets Spew Anti Catholic Rhetoric

As a Catholic child of the South, these false beliefs about the Catholic faith are nothing new to me, however, it shocked a good friend of mine (from "up North") enough that she sent it to me. We both were saddened that this erroneous and very false teaching about the Catholic faith and the faithful is still going on in this day and age. I reminded her that I encountered some very anti- Catholic rhetoric on my local newspaper's website, not too long ago, including the ridiculous statement that Catholics are not Christians, we do not read a Bible, our spiritual leader is the anti-Christ, etc, etc.

I just do not understand why anyone would deliberately spread such falsehoods about other Christians. It isn't that hard to call the local Catholic church and ask them to verify or help explain some of the concerns one might have about the Catholic faith. OR jump on the web and use some genuine resources for information. If one is truly interested in knowing what Catholics believe about Holy Communion it is not that hard to find out. It seems to me, that finding out the truth about another Christian religion before spreading falsehoods, would be a great act of charity.

Nevertheless, the irony of these ugly pamphlets appearing as we Christians are deep into the season of Lent preparing for the Easter season, does not escape me either.
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Baptist church pamphlets cause controversy with Catholic church in Pigeon Forge
PIGEON FORGE (WATE) - Two Baptist church pamphlets are causing controversy with a Roman Catholic church in Pigeon Forge.

The pamphlet suggests the Roman Catholic church isn't Christian and the pope is an anti-Christ.
While some people say the pamphlet expresses religious freedom, others say it's a hate crime.

Father Jay Flaherty, of Holy Cross Catholic Church, said he first learned about the pamphlets when one of his youth brought one to him.

read it all here

Some Moral Clarity on Pro Abortion Politicians

Finally, we are seeing some moral clarity from our leaders in the Church. I pray this won't be the last leader to boldly speak the truth.
h/t Catholic Knight

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(Inside Catholic) - Throughout his 50-minute address, the archbishop returned again and again to the scandal of Catholic politicians who support abortion or same-sex marriage. He did not mince his words:

"It is not possible to be a practicing Catholic and to conduct oneself in this manner.""Neither Holy Communion nor funeral rites should be administered to such politicians," said Archbishop Burke. "To deny these is not a judgment of the soul, but a recognition of the scandal and its effects."With obvious reference to the Kennedy funeral, he argued that when a politician is associated "with greatly sinful acts about fundamental questions like abortion and marriage, his repentance must also be public." He added, "Anyone who grasps the gravity of what he has done will understand the need to make it public."It's not uncharitable to point out the scandal caused by these Catholic politicians. "The Church's unity is founded on speaking the truth in love. This does not destroy unity but helps to repair a breach in the life of the Church."read full story here

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, Archbishop Raymond Burke, does not mince words. You cannot be Catholic and "pro-choice" or support so-called "homosexual rights." The highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church is laying the law down with American clergy, particularly Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston, after having permitted a "Catholic" funeral for the pro-abortion, pro-gay-rights Senator Ted Kennedy.

It's about time! I'm afraid however, it's going to take a lot more then speeches. The Holy Father is going to have to start implementing disciplinary action, reassignments, and early retirements for many bishops in the United States. Cardinal O'Malley is just the tip of the iceberg.

The Catholic Knight did not mince words on this matter either. In a previous entry (see here) I railed against the Kennedy funeral scandal, pointing out why it was wrong, in a manner similar to the recent argument used by Archbishop Burke. I love it when my positions are vindicated by Prefects within the Vatican!
http://catholicknight.blogspot.com/2009/09/vatican-official-kennedy-funeral.html