A Congressman: Day 3

Didn't know that this was going to keep on going.  But, it seems that I'm not the only admirer of Congressman Ryan.  George Weigel has done a write up about his speech a Georgetown and has added his own, typically incisive and clarifying observations to the congressman's tussle with the Georgetown faculty.  Read on at The National Review...  Enjoy! :)

There's also an article by Robert Costa which is very informative with regards to Ryan's thought.

A Congressman: Day 2

Just thought I'd share a link to this story about Congressman Ryan's speech at Georgetown.  Such excellent points about his sincere attempts to apply Catholic social teaching to the problems he has been charged with addressing in Congress.  I especially like his point regarding the need for charity in dialogue.  Share your thoughts!

A Congressman I Can Admire

     There are so few politicians I feel that I can admire.  Sad to say, chief amongst those that I have difficulty admiring are those claiming to be Catholic.  There are so few Catholic politicians who seem to truly understand Catholic teaching, particularly where the bishops teach us that something is non-negotiable.  John F. Kennedy, Mario Cuomo, Ted Kennedy, Joseph Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Andrew Cuomo, Jim Doyle, Patrick Quinn, Tom Barrett, and on, and on, and on...  So many with so many opportunities to do the good, the holy, the right thing.  Alas, they capitulate to the schrill voices of the abortion lobby.  So much good that could be done - down the drain because they must defend the so-called "right" to kill unborn children.

     Paul Ryan comes along and wins the right and privilege of representing Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District.  He has risen to become the chairman of the House of Representatives Budget Committee.  And now he gets slammed by a bunch of professors at "Catholic" Georgetown.  They object to his speaking at Georgetown because he doesn't, in their exalted opinion, truly represent Catholic social teaching.
     Let's see, Mr. Obama, the most rabidly pro-abortion, big-government president in recent times gets to speak at Notre Dame with barely a squawk from the faculty (but NOT the students!  There is hope for the future!!).  Mr. Ryan, a Catholic (in truly good standing) is castigated for his application of Catholic social teaching in an area that is actually up for debate.  Said Pilate to our Lord: "What is Truth?"  And Judas, maybe even with the best of motives according to some scholars, sold out our Lord for 30 pieces of silver and lost his life (and soul?) in the process.
     I've read Mr. Ryan's article in the Wall Street Journal.  If the details of his proposed budget are in some ways questionable to some, at least he is falling short in areas that are debatable.  But, at least, he has a true grasp of the Catholic teaching he is purporting to apply in his policy decisions.  Much better than those listed above who have to wantonly twist Catholic teaching in order to justify their soulless policy positions.
     Finally, a Catholic for whom I would actually vote.  Unfortunately, I'm in the 3rd Congressional District.  Alas, at least I can pray for him, and I hope that you will too!  (Maybe he'll eventually run for the senate, or governor!)  St. Thomas More, ora pro nobis!

Tempus Fugit!

Uff-da!  I realized that I haven't posted anything since January!  Of course, with settling into the new parishes, teaching school, and all such things I could claim that I've just been too busy and tired, however, the truth of the matter is that I just haven't felt ambitious or convicted enough to say much beyond what I've been saying from the pulpit and in my parish bulletin.  I'm starting to get the itch to share again, however, especially since what I can say from the pulpit (where my job is to teach in an authoritative way the Catholic faith) or in the bulletin (which is more purposefully directed to the immediate needs of the parishes) is more limited than what I feel the need to say as a convicted Catholic and as an American.  So...  here I go again.  As always, please be charitable in any comments you might have.  This is my space for thinking out loud, "emoting" and otherwise saying what I really feel.  That being said, I reserve the right to modify or even change the views expressed since they are always subject to further revelation of the truth and of the Truth!  Needless to say (though I'll say it anyway for the sake of any knuckleheads out there who might not get it), the views expressed are NOT necessarily the views of the Diocese of La Crosse or any other official organ of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church!