Catalyst March Issue 2011
Following the publication of the last issue of Catalyst, we received word that two more governors proudly displayed the crèche we sent them: Gov. Rick Perry of Texas and Gov. Sean Parnell of Alaska. Gov. Parnell displayed the crèche in his office and Gov. Perry said that the nativity will be an addition to the Capitol Christmas decorations “for... [Read more...]
AIR FORCE ACADEMY FOES LOSECatalyst March Issue 2011
On February 9, a federal judge upheld the right of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) to hold a prayer luncheon. The Catholic League hailed it as a victory for religious liberty and free speech. On January 24, Bill Donohue wrote to Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould, Superintendent of the USAFA, applauding him for standing by the decision to welcome... [Read more...]
CHRISTIAN AND SIKH STUDENTS’ RIGHTSCatalyst March Issue 2011
Two news stories recently emerged that display the contrast on how the religious rights of students are dealt with. First, a fifth-grader in a Los Angeles public school was allowed to sing a song at a talent show that mentions Jesus, but only because his mother acquired the services of the Alliance Defense Fund threatening a lawsuit: he was initially... [Read more...]
WHO WANTS MANDATORY REPORTING?Catalyst March Issue 2011
A 1997 letter by the Apostolic Nuncio in Ireland to the Irish bishops recently surfaced wherein the bishops were advised not to contravene canon law when dealing with cases of alleged sexual abuse of minors. Many critics focused on the sentence which reads, “In particular, the situation of ‘mandatory reporting’ gives rise to serious reservations... [Read more...]
PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS ANTI-WOMENCatalyst March Issue 2011
Thanks to Lila Rose, the president of Live Action, the public is learning more and more about the deeply entrenched culture of corruption that permeates Planned Parenthood. The latest videotape of Planned Parenthood employees showed how cooperative they are in offering friendly advice to persons posing as pimps and prostitutes in the Bronx: the imposters... [Read more...]
FALSE ALARM OVER DORITO/PEPSI ADCatalyst March Issue 2011
We got a lot of complaints before the Super Bowl that one of the advertisements during the game featured churchgoers receiving Doritos and Pepsi at Communion in place of bread and wine. A video was made disrespecting the Eucharist, but neither Doritos nor Pepsi had anything to do with it. Moreover, it never aired. To be sure, there was a contest sponsored... [Read more...]
KNIGHTS OF MALTA DEMONIZEDCatalyst March Issue 2011
At a recent speech in Qatar, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh indicted the Knights of Malta for being anti-Muslim. Hersh also alleged that Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan who previously headed the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and the man who succeeded him at JSOC, Vice Adm. William McRaven, are “members... [Read more...]
DAILY NEWS SMEARS NUNSCatalyst March Issue 2011
In February, we took issue with a news story that ran in the New York Daily News. On the front page of the Daily News, in huge bold letters, read the headline, “THE LYIN’ ‘NUN.’” Below, in smaller letters, it read, “Spins rape tale, recants.” The quotation marks around “nun” did not give the newspaper cover: the average reader would... [Read more...]
RELIGIOUS COMPOSITION OF THE 112TH CONGRESSCatalyst March Issue 2011
The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life recently published data on how the religious makeup of the 112th Congress compares with that of the American public (click here to see chart). The Pew Forum provided the following summary: “The 112th Congress, like the U.S. public, is majority Protestant and about a quarter Catholic. Baptists... [Read more...]
DENIS LEARY DEFAMES POPE, PRIESTS AND NUNSCatalyst March Issue 2011
Recently, Comedy Central aired “Denis Leary & Friends Present Douchebags & Donuts.” A couple of days later, Comedy Central Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment released the DVD nationwide. After watching the opening segment of the video, we were quick to address it. The standup special opened with a clip of Pope Benedict... [Read more...]