Catholic Democrats of Alabamatag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//332008-11-29T18:05:44ZCatholic Democrats of AlabamaMovable Type 3.31Archbishop's Articletag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.5082008-11-29T17:53:42Z2008-11-29T18:05:44Z By: Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi Archdiocese of Mobile 11-21-2008 Let us together pray for our new President-elect Obama We have experienced an historic election in our country. An African-American ran for president and a woman ran for vice-president. Although...Mark Reynolds
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Pope Expected to Welcome Obama at Vaticantag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4812008-11-23T19:06:57Z2008-11-23T19:09:30Z Breaking news reports indicate that the Holy Father will receive President Barack Obama at the Vatican early this summer. This may even have been discussed in the telephone conversation the Holy Father and the President Elect had recently. Many...Mark Reynolds
Breaking news reports indicate that the Holy Father will receive President Barack Obama at the Vatican early this summer. This may even have been discussed in the telephone conversation the Holy Father and the President Elect had recently.
Many American Catholics are very pleased with the warm relationship being developed by the President Elect and His Holiness so soon after the election. Normal protocol usually puts these matters off until after the inauguration, but both men seem to have an interest in each other and a desire to move beyond the standard formalities.
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Pope sends congratulatory message to Obamatag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4792008-11-10T06:29:53Z2008-11-10T06:31:39Z Pope Benedict XVI sent a personal message to President-elect Barack Obama yesterday, congratulating him and offering his prayers for Obama and for all the people of the United States. Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, Vatican spokesman, said the pope congratulated...Mark Reynolds
Pope Benedict XVI sent a personal message to President-elect Barack Obama yesterday, congratulating him and offering his prayers for Obama and for all the people of the United States.
Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, Vatican spokesman, said the pope congratulated President Elect Obama, his wife and family, and "assured him of his prayers that God would help him with his high responsibilities for his country and for the international community." The pope also prayed that "the blessing of God would sustain him and the American people so that with all people of good will they could build a world of peace, solidarity and justice." Asked if the pope mentioned any specific issues he was concerned about, Father Lombardi responded, "peace, solidarity and justice." The message to Obama was sent through the office of Mary Ann Glendon, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, also sent a message of congratulations. Plans are already underway at the Vatican to send a formal message for the Inauguration in January in addition to the Holy Father's personal message of yesterday. In past years, the Vatican custom has been that the pope congratulates a new U.S. president only when he formally takes office, so there was great appreciation for the Holy Father taking the special step of sending a personal message of good wishes.
Others joined with the Holy Father and Cardinal Betrone in sending positive messages about the election. The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, headlined a very positive commentary saluting the President Elect, entitled "A choice that unites." Vatican Radio called the election of Obama a "historic day" for the United States. Asianews, a Rome-based missionary news agency, ran under the headline: "I'm happy for the victory of Barack Obama." Written by Father Piero Gheddo, a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, the commentary listed three reasons for satisfaction at the result:-- Obama will give a positive impression of the United States at a time when "America is seen in a bad light and even hated throughout the world."-- The election of the first black U.S. president offers a lesson on racial equality, especially for Europe. It is an extraordinarily encouraging sign for black people around the world, who have often faced humiliation, it said.
President-Elect Barack Obamatag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4782008-11-10T06:21:27Z2008-11-10T06:29:22ZMark Reynolds
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VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN TODAY!!! We are who we have been waiting on...tag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4722008-11-04T05:02:01Z2008-11-04T05:05:52Z"People are coming together around a simple truth - that we are all connected, that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper. And that it's not enough to just believe this - we have to do our...Mark Reynolds
"People are coming together around a simple truth - that we are all connected, that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper. And that it's not enough to just believe this - we have to do our part to make it a reality"
- Senator Barack Obama, A Politics of Conscience, June 23, 2007, Hartford CT
Dear Friends,
You are, no doubt, being bombarded with emails as we head into the final day of the campaign. But we hope you can take a few minutes to help put Senator Barack Obama over the top tomorrow, and at the same time help strengthen the Catholic Democrats for the continued work we face in advancing the message of the common good. We also want to share with you a special reflection sent to the Catholic Democrats today by Professor Doug Kmiec, a courageous Catholic who has crossed the aisle to support Senator Obama.
Sign the Petition ... if you haven't already. Thousands of Catholics from across the country have joined their voices together in support of Senator Obama. Do not miss your opportunity to become a part of this historic movement.
Forward this email to Catholics you know and ask them to visit Catholics for Obama. There are still undecided voters. We know that Catholics for Obama has helped persuade Catholic voters to support Senators Obama and Biden. For those who do support them already, you will be giving them an opportunity to be part of the chorus for the change we can believe in.
Read Professor Doug Kmiec's Assessment of his Obama endorsement. Professor Doug Kmiec, the pro-life Catholic Republican who helped guide a national discussion on reducing abortion, has resoundingly reaffirmed his endorsement of Senator Obama.
The most important thing we all can do is to vote for Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden for President and Vice President tomorrow! With your vote, we can make the change we need happen.
Thank you for becoming part of an historic effort on the part of Catholics to bring their faith into the public square for the common good.
TEN DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!tag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4622008-10-26T07:58:32Z2008-10-26T08:35:27ZWe are ten days away from the most important and historic election in the history of our great nation. We are asking all of our members to write a letter to their friends and family explaining why you support Barack...Mark Reynolds
www.barackobama.com
These last ten days are crucial. Please volunteer!!!!!!
Also remember to volunteer for some of our down ballot candidates running for Congress and Senate and other offices throughout the State of Alabama.
We will need good Democrats in Congress and Senate to help Senator Obama move our country in a new positive direction.
Peace be with you,
Mark Reynolds
State Director Catholic Democrats of Alabama]]>
Bishops Speak Out Against One Issue Votingtag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4612008-10-26T07:40:57Z2008-10-26T07:42:36ZThe Most Rev. J. Terry Steib, Bishop of Memphis, called upon Catholics to avoid being one issue voters. He asked them to follow their consciences and weigh all the moral issues they face before casting their ballots. “We must recognize,”...Mark Reynolds
The Most Rev. J. Terry Steib, Bishop of Memphis, called upon Catholics to avoid being one issue voters. He asked them to follow their consciences and weigh all the moral issues they face before casting their ballots.
“We must recognize,” he wrote, “that God through the Church, is calling us to be prophetic in our own day. If our conscience is well formed, then we will make the right choices about candidates who may not support the Church's position in every case.”
Citing words from a statement, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” a voting guide issued last November by the Bishops of the United States, Steib wrote that "there may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons. Voting in this way would be permissible o nly for truly grave moral reasons, not to advance narrow interests or partisan preferences or to ignore a fundamental moral evil."
“A person might choose not to vote, but voting is a necessary part of our witness to Jesus Christ and a witness to our Baptism. So, sometimes hard choices will have to be made.”
Steib wrote that within the past few weeks some denominations have taken on the task of challenging the policy of the IRS concerning the Church and politics and that they were deliberately endorsing candidates and urging people in their congregations to vote for those persons in order to force the IRS to determine if the current policy of forbidding such endorsements is proper.
The Bishop called upon Catholics to be prudent when they form their consciences. “Prudence is not easy to define, but according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, prudence helps us to ‘discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it.’"
He posed the question facing many Catholics, asking what is a voter to do when presented with candidates whose views do not reflect the full teachings of the Church.
Bishop Steib's statement that Catholics should not be one issue voters was also proclaimed this week by the Most Rev. Gabino Zavala, a Roman Catholic bishop in California.
Bishop Zavala "What I believe, and what the church teaches, is that one abortion is too many. That's why I believe abortion is so important. But in light of this, there are many other issues we need to bring up, other issues we should consider, other issues that touch the reality of our lives."
The Catholic Votetag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4602008-10-26T07:36:26Z2008-10-26T07:37:54ZNew opinion polls show not only a respectable lead for Barack Obama, but that much of the lead is due to the strong preference of Catholic voters for Obama. A Zogby poll released Friday (a firm usually thought to favor...Mark Reynolds
New opinion polls show not only a respectable lead for Barack Obama, but that much of the lead is due to the strong preference of Catholic voters for Obama. A Zogby poll released Friday (a firm usually thought to favor Republicans) shows a 10 point national lead for Obama. Among Catholic voters, the lead zooms to a 22 point advantage. Non-evangelical white Protestants give Obama a 4 point lead. White Evangelical or "born-again" voters back McCain by 60 per cent to 34 per cent for Mr Obama.
The poll follows one by the Pew Foundation that shows the same results. Currently, every significant national poll shows Obama in the lead among the general public and with Catholic voters. A run down includes: Diageo/Hotline (+7), ABC News (+11), Kos (+8), Gallup (+6), Tarrance (+3), IBP (+1), CBS News (+13) and Greenberg (+8). Of course, the only poll that counts is the one on election day. VOTE OBAMA-BIDEN!
Faith and Politics Summittag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4592008-10-25T16:19:43Z2008-10-25T16:34:32Z Alabama Congessman Artur Davis Faith and politics took center stage at the University of Alabama law school Thursday evening. U.S. Representative Artur Davis and Dr. Randy Brinson of the Christian Coalition of Alabama hosted the unique political discussion. Davis...Mark ReynoldsAlabama Congessman Artur Davis
Faith and politics took center stage at the University of Alabama law school Thursday evening.
U.S. Representative Artur Davis and Dr. Randy Brinson of the Christian Coalition of Alabama hosted the unique political discussion. Davis says the interplay of faith and politics is not a new concept, but he hopes to eliminate some of the myths associated with faith in the political world.
"We are doing it frankly to puncture some of the myths about faith. For example, some people think that Democrats have a problem talking about faith, and that's not true. And on the flip side, some people think Republicans talk too much about faith and that's not a fair judgment either," said Davis.
The second event of the forum is scheduled for October 28th at Jones Law School in Montgomery.
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Catholics For Obamatag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4552008-10-21T15:02:35Z2008-10-21T15:05:56ZThe Catholic Democrats announce the unveiling of its Web site, Catholics for Obama and a new book available on it, The Catholic Case for Obama. The Web site is available at www.catholicsforobama.org. Please visit this website and pass it on...Mark Reynolds
The Catholic Democrats announce the unveiling of its Web site, Catholics for Obama and a new book available on it, The Catholic Case for Obama. The Web site is available at www.catholicsforobama.org. Please visit this website and pass it on to your friends and family.
Hold A Catholic Values Debate Watching Partytag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4532008-10-14T15:59:51Z2008-10-14T16:03:39Z-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'You have been told, O human, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do what is right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8 Dear Friends, With...Mark Reynolds
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'You have been told, O human, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do what is right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God."
- Micah 6:8
Dear Friends,
With three weeks until the election, Catholic Democrats is having a nationwide impact in making the Catholic case for Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Now we are asking you to hold a Catholic Values Debate Watching Party for the final presidential debate, this Wednesday, October 15th.
Holding a Catholic Values Debate Watching Party is easy - just invite your Catholic friends and family members over one hour before the debate begins at 9:00pm EDT, at Hofstra University. Catholic Democrats has put together a simple agenda for you to follow, which is available at our Web site.
The debate house parties will bring Catholic Democrats together in small groups of 4 to 10 to share their faith and their political aspirations in the context of the final presidential debate. In addition to deepening relationships and strengthening commitments to help put the Obama-Biden Campaign over the top, these parties will continue to build the Catholic Democrats for the long-term.
If you hold a Catholic Values Debate Watching Party, please let us know. We want to share your efforts within Catholic Democrats, and would also like to help you publicize your effort to the local media. Hosting a party at your home will help us publicize the support of Catholics for the Obama-Biden ticket and Catholic Democrats across the country.
Thanks again for everything you're doing to make sure we have a White House that once again represents the best of our Catholic values.
The downward spiraltag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4422008-10-11T17:42:35Z2008-10-13T23:09:13ZIn recent weeks Catholic Democrats of Alabama have received a few emails from supporters of Senator John McCain that reflect a true glimpse of the culture of fear that exist in the GOP. In Alabama we are no strangers to...Mark Reynolds
There are a few things that turn me against Obama. I think he's somewhat more hype than substance. I'm far from a racist but...."
He then goes on to explain that because of the perception among many white conservatives about African American leaders such as Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton that America is not ready for an African-American President.
However, the writer never addresses nor defines his argument/statement that Senator Obama is more hype than substance.
The conflict within this young man is evident. He does not want to be viewed as a close minded angry racist. He knows that this is wrong. That racism is evil. That bigotry is neither moral nor Christian. He knows this deep within his heart. However, this young man is a by product of the culture of fear that the GOP have carefully cultivated for years in the United States to win elections and move forward their agenda of power and greed.
The most disturbing email we have received is from a 20 year old whom I discovered (through the powers of Google) is a young evangelical musician that plays in very popular Christian Rock band that performs concerts around the country. He became aware of our organization when an email I had sent out concerning John McCain's comments about a lack of respect for community organizers was forwarded to him. The following quotes are yet more examples of the culture of fear.
ur an idiot. period. Obama is the anti-Christ. Obama SUCKS!!!! He will be the fall of all freedom in the United States. Go to hell.
I was astounded by this email. I asked the young man: "Do you really believe this? How did you come to this conclusion?" I got the following reply:
Are you kidding me??? All that nigger Muslim does is talk trash about Bush and the republicans. I can't believe that you are going to help this man ruin the United States. The first thing he is gonna do is pull the troops out of Iraq and then they're gonna come over here and start bombing us. I pray to God every day that he does not get elected.
I sat at my computer in utter shock. I could not believe the amount hate and fear within this young man. I offered in reply a simple...peace be with you.
The next reply from the young man was even more disturbing. He wrote: "ur catholic....what do you know about God. The anti-Christ will come out of the catholic religion. OOOOHHHH Hail Mary!!! ur a moron....."
It is worth noting that in response I informed the young man about the Catholic Church and its origins. And that I guess that statement blew a hole in his theory that Obama is the anti-Christ because Obama is not Catholic. According to his earlier email Obama was Muslim. Right? I think we can see pattern of intolerance not only against certain political ideals but intolerance and prejudice against the Catholic Church. This is not only sad but disturbing.
Truly, it is hard to believe that in 2008 that there are young people in America that have this mindset. My realization, my epiphany is that these young people are the blooms of a culture of hate, fear, prejudice and cynicism. These young adults have heard this kind of talk everyday of their lives. Often they here this language from their parents and grandparents and other trusted adults such as teachers, coaches, ministers, talk radio hosts and yes...politicians.
John McCain and Governor Palin are setting a new low in presidential politics with their dishonorable campaign. Some of the comments by McCain supporters are not things for the faint-hearted. At a campaign rally in Ohio with Sarah Palin, one supporter makes the clearly racist remark that "Obama has the bloodlines of a terrorist!"
At another rally, a McCain supporter called out "kill him"(so much for pro-life).
This is how evil spreads, from domestic violence to genocide. People in a position to stop it choose to do nothing.
Everything we need to know about John McCain and Sarah Palin is summed up by their reaction to these incidents. Not only do they bring out the worst in people, but they feed the worst in people. They are basing their campaign on painting Barack Obama as a terrorist and monster. They are cultivating prejudice, racism, fear and ugliness. America has been down this path before, and it is the exact opposite of what this country needs right now. It is not only disappointing. It is wrong.
As Catholics, this is a time for us more than ever to turn to the comfort of our faith and prayer. We need to respond to this hatred with love. We need to seek strength from prayer - the Daily Office, the Rosary and, above all, Holy Mass - and from meditation on Scripture and the spiritual works of the Church Fathers.
It is likely to get worse in the coming days. But the answer is always to return hate with love.
Mark Reynolds
State Director Catholic Democrats of Alabama]]>
OBAMA SURGES WITH CATHOLICStag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4412008-10-11T17:39:12Z2008-10-13T23:14:32ZThe efforts of so many faithful Catholics and other people of good will, Barack Obama and Joe Biden have surged to an 11 point lead in the latest poll conducted by 'Faith in Public Life'. 51% of Catholics say they...Mark Reynolds
The efforts of so many faithful Catholics and other people of good will, Barack Obama and Joe Biden have surged to an 11 point lead in the latest poll conducted by 'Faith in Public Life'. 51% of Catholics say they will vote for Obama, with only 40% for McCain. This is 16 points ahead of John Kerry's performance with Catholics four years ago. Among young Catholics (ages 18-34) 55% say they will vote for Obama.
Also interesting in the poll was that while past surveys have consistently found that the Republican Party has been perceived to be more "friendly" to religion, it found that Obama is perceived to be slightly more "friendly" to religion than McCain (49% to 45%).
The increasing Catholic support for Obama has put states such as Minnesota, Michigan, New Mexico, Iowa and Pennsylvania in the category of very likely to vote for Obama. Remaining battleground states with large Catholic populations include New Hampshire, Florida, Ohio, Indiana and Nevada.
Yet Again, A Pro-Life Catholic Scholar Endorses Obamatag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4402008-10-11T17:33:02Z2008-10-13T23:26:09Z Dr. Callahan is an author, lecturer, college professor and licensed psychologist. Her most recent book is Created for Joy: A Christian View of Suffering. This blog entry appeared in America magazine, a national weekly published by the Jesuits. Why...Mark Reynolds
Dr. Callahan is an author, lecturer, college professor and licensed psychologist. Her most recent book is Created for Joy: A Christian View of Suffering. This blog entry appeared in America magazine, a national weekly published by the Jesuits. Why Catholic Pro Lifers will vote for Obama
Dr. Sidney Callahan
Why am I as a 'mass going' staunchly pro life Catholic, voting for Obama? Of course I disagree with his views on Roe vs Wade, but I think that his policies and programs more comprehensively follow Catholic social teaching than McCain's--and they even result in fewer abortions.
There's a lot of evidence that providing aid and support for women, children and the poor, lowers the number of abortions. Pro lifers can choose to see present results rather than repeating exhortations for the future.
After all, to roll back and change laws in a democracy, the legislators, the courts and the majority of voters have to be convinced, and this process of moral reorientation on abortion can be a slow process. Think of the arguments you have with your friends and family.
In the interim, when immediate overthrow of a flawed law is impossible it is morally permissible, as John Paul II expresses it, to recognize "the art of the possible" and try to "limit the harm done by such a law."
Moreover, Catholic pro life advocates for Obama desperately want to limit the grave moral evils and dangers to life arising from pursuing preemptive wars, defending the use of torture, continuing the death penalty, and flouting of Constitutional and international law. As billions are spent on the destructive Iraq war, the needs of the poor, the ill and the schools are neglected, and the whole economic system falters....
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Pro-Life Pittsburgh Catholic Scholar Cafardi Backs Obamatag:www.catholicdemocrats.org,2008:/AL//33.4392008-10-11T17:27:13Z2008-10-13T23:28:41Z Professor Nicholas Cafardi, a civil and canon lawyer who is a professor and former dean at Duquesne University School of Law, a Catholic university in Pittsburgh, PA, has become the most recent pro-life Catholic legal scholar to endorse Barack...Mark Reynolds
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