know the feeling? We’re getting rain on Wed and Thur.Back to snow on Friday.

At the UK’s Catholic Herald, for which I write a weekly column, find the following:

Nearly 500 priests in England and Wales urge synod to stand firm on Communion for the remarried

Priests says that doctrine and practice must ‘remain firmly and inseparably in harmony’

Almost 500 priests in England and Wales have signed a letter urging those attending this year’s family synod to issue a “clear and firm proclamation” upholding Church teaching on marriage.

In the letter, published in this week’s Catholic Herald, the priests write: “We wish, as Catholic priests, to re-state our unwavering fidelity to the traditional doctrines regarding marriage and the true meaning of human sexuality, founded on the Word of God and taught by the Church’s Magisterium for two millennia.”

Last year’s extraordinary synod provoked heated debate on the question of whether remarried Catholics should be permitted to receive Holy Communion – a proposal presented by retired German Cardinal Walter Kasper.

In what is thought to be an unprecedented step, 461 priests in England and Wales have joined together to urge synod participants to resist the proposal.

via Fr. Z's Blog | Once named: What Does The Prayer Really Say? – Commentary on Catholic issues & slavishly accurate liturgical translations – by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf o{]:¬).

i’ve been keeping up with you to see if you are someone I could support for President.

You’ve been in my top tier list from the beginning.Then i watched your interview on Hannity and impressed is a mild word.

I was blown away.I still remain in a wait and see mode but you’re definitely a top top top choice at this point.

It’s a good thing though Sen Cruz. Not one to make snap judgements on a candidate. I have to think this over first and get all the information i can. Not impressed with the establishment candidates and there’s 2 i’ve put on the no go list. Chris Christie and Rand Paul. I just can’t bring myself to support them. If they would win the nomination i would have to give it a lot of thought.
However,that’s not the main reason I’m writing you.I wanted to give you a heads up on the Catholic vote.

Last time around 50% of Catholics voted for Obama. Mind boggling isn’t it? I would call these the Pelosi Catholics. They either don’t know Church teaching or don’t care or BOTH.

I feel safe in saying they are probably not faithful Catholics who forgot we have a Pope.They would probably say they are following their conscience. Yes,we have a moral obligation to follow our conscience. We also have to identify what KIND of conscience it is-dead,misinformed,uninformed? Catholics have a moral obligation to follow an INFORMED conscience.

There are 5 non negotiable issues. They are:

Abortion

EMBRYONIC stem cell research(the Church does NOT oppose adult stem cell research)

Euthanasia

Same sex marriage

Cloning

The Church INFALLIBLY  teaches they are intrinsically evil.

[You will notice that the death penalty and war are not in that list.]

You may be able to get the vote of some of these Pelosi Catholics. It would probably be a very small percentage.

Speak to the  other 50% of faithful devout Catholics who follow Church teaching.We are not monolithic in the best approach to poverty,hunger, immigration,foreign policy and other issues. We believe they must be addressed but we don’t speak with one voice in how best to address them. There is a section in the Catechism on Social Justice.Progressives also use this word; a correct understanding is necessary.Conservatives hear the words Social Justice and go into panic mode.The progressives consider Socialism (Marxism)synonymous with social justice. It’s not.

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a7.htm

A key word in Catholic teaching re social justice is subsidiarity.

Also from the Catechism:

1882 Certain societies, such as the family and the state, correspond more directly to the nature of man; they are necessary to him. To promote the participation of the greatest number in the life of a society, the creation of voluntary associations and institutions must be encouraged “on both national and international levels, which relate to economic and social goals, to cultural and recreational activities, to sport, to various professions, and to political affairs.” ⁵ This “socialization” also expresses the natural tendency for human beings to associate with one another for the sake of attaining objectives that exceed individual capacities. It develops the qualities of the person, especially the sense of initiative and responsibility, and helps guarantee his rights. ⁶

1883 Socialization also presents dangers. Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. The teaching of the Church has elaborated the principle of subsidiarity, according to which “a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to co- ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good.” ⁷

I know that many evangelicals stayed home and didn’t vote at all during the last election cycle.

Thankfully,this time, I’m sure you can count on them. Between these 2 groups you would have a powerful base.

The Obama administration has attacked Christianity in general and the Cathoilc Church in particular.

Unfortunately, Mr Cruz, there has been an anti Catholic bias in the United States since its founding. It hasn’t died. It’s more subtle in most instances; it’s very apparent with the Obama administration.Obama is a secular humanist so there’s no love lost between him and Christianity(in practice).

Anti Catholicism is the last standing acceptable bias in the United States.I hope you don’t write off the Catholic vote though. There is that 50% you could count on because you are pro life and marriage but it does help to have an understanding if you’re willing to reach out to us.
Sincerely,
“The Ratz Pack” @theratzpack @boxerpaws60 

 POST SCRIPT: What we all need at this point in time is what we have lacked from the Obama administration and SOME Republicans:

INTEGRITY,TRANSPARENCY,HONESTY.

Hope your week started off on the right foot! Stay safe,stay warm,have a peaeful night.

God Bless!
Anyone catch Sen Ted Cruz on Hannity? Your thoughts.Someone you could vote for? If so,why so? If not,why not?