Karl Keating's E-Letter of August 16, 2005

[Forum Admin]

Karl's E-Letter of August 16, 2005

Topics:

San Diego Professor Undergoes Fake Ordination
She Should Take A Leaf From Emperor Norton
Still Complaining About The Voter's Guide

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http://www.catholic.com/newsletters/kke_050816.asp

[manualman]

Fun and informative, as usual! Reminds me of the old 'Dragnet' format in This Rock. (Why did that drop anyways?)

Perhaps Jane Via read your book. You note in Catholicism & Fundamentalism that the fringe wacko (my paraphrase) anti-catholics make the less frothy ones look respectable.

Perhaps she feels that merely reaching for the diaconate gives her an aura of humility?

On the voter's guide, have you considered dropping the 'serious' from the name? Might actually be more effective in convincing fence-sitting, but left leaning people than a title that implies that they are not 'serious' catholics if they have previously voted the wrong way on an issue.

In fairness to the Detroit staffer, the question must be asked: Are you still a member of the BAR, or are you REALLY on the wagon....?

[contemplative]

Via's identity as "Jillian Farley" came after a second round of "ordinations," this time on the St. Lawrence River. Given the inconvenience she went through in disguising her identity and lying low for more than a year, it is a little surprising that she did not choose to be ordained to the priesthood. Why settle for deaconess when one can be a priestess? Why not go whole hog and be ordained a bishopess or even popess? Karl Keating

and

For $11.95 plus shipping and handling we could all get this nifty crusader action costume and 'play' real hard.

[qmvsimp]

Karl wrote: "Many of these same folks misunderstand the Virgin Birth. This teaching says that Christ was born of a virgin. It has nothing to do with the birth of the Virgin Mary herself, about which there is no defined teaching."

I thought the Church had defined the Immaculate Conception, meaning Mary was born without original sin. Am I wrong? Are we making a distinction between conception and birth?

While on the topic, many people think the Immaculate Conception refers to Jesus' conception.

[Karl Keating]

Yes, we are making a distinction between conception and birth. Christmas celebrates Christ's birth, not his conception. The feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates Mary's conception, not her birth.

[chadwilliams]

Karl,

You discussed a 2006 version of the Voter's Guide. That is great to come out with that.

But I'm wondering if you have discussed putting together a tract debunking the DaVinci Code for when the movie comes out.

I think it would be futile to "protest" the releasing of the movie, as it would probably cause more people to go see the movie. However, if we could all be armed with a brief pamphlet to hand out to movie goers on the way in or out of the film to let them know that the 2 hours they just experienced is JUST A MOVIE, I think it would be most helpful.

[RichSpidizzy]

I'm very excited to see the new Voter's Guide when it comes out. A fun and informative e-Letter as usual Karl! Keep up the great work!

[St.AnneLine]

Oh my gosh! Jane Via also teaches the annual session on Catholic scripture over at the Newman Center at UCSD!(this is a different university than USD, it is not Catholic). She's very involved in the community over here also. I had no idea she had it in her to do such a thing. I'm shocked. . .

[severinus]

Via et al envision some point in the Church's future when they will be able to practice their 'ministry' openly as priests. They look upon their diaconal 'ordinations' as a first step. Their belief is that, when the ban on female priests is lifted, they will be ready to take their rightful places in the Church. They are gravely mistaken on all counts.

Humility may have something to do with it as well, but genuine humility would involve obedience to the pope and the bishops.

[Singingjohn]

What is a recovering lawyer?

Can you not be a good catholic and a lawyer too?

[quam]

As a former student at USD, I was more than interested in your e-letter. My wife took courses from Dr. Via and loved her teaching style, while I was a bit confused over her (Via's) views on many topics, including Adam and Eve being just a story, that it was not a real event. It is scary that she is still teaching there.

As we have been researching Catholic universities as of late, we have been perplexed by the lack of Catholic in them. Is there any credible source for info on authentic Catholic universities on the west coast? As a parent of a 16 year old, I'm a bit worried that we are simply not going to find one.

God Bless

[shopkeeper]

Karl,

So you're revising the “Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics”? Here's a suggestion: Incorporate Fr. Torraco’s approach in “A Brief Catechism for Catholic Voters.” I remember reading that you thought this catechism paired nicely with the Guide. It would add a further thoughtful dimension to the Guide to explain how to apply the principles in situations that are often difficult to sort out--an essential ingredient, in my opinion, if the Guide is to have a bigger impact on its readers, especially those who’ve seldom or never seen an explanation of the application of moral principles, e.g. critics of the Guide. (For any interested reader, Karl writes about Fr. Torraco’s Brief Catechism here, and the catechism itself can be found here .)

As usual, Karl, great e-letter: intelligently written, faithful, and sprinkled with great humor... hard combination to find. Thanks for all you do.

[St.AnneLine]

Originally Posted by quam

As a former student at USD, I was more than interested in your e-letter. My wife took courses from Dr. Via and loved her teaching style, while I was a bit confused over her (Via's) views on many topics, including Adam and Eve being just a story, that it was not a real event. It is scary that she is still teaching there.

Actually Jane never finished her doctorate, from what I understand.

[contemplative]

That's right. We already are working on the 2006 edition of the "Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics." Karl Keating

Being the webmaster for my parish website during the last election I chose to link to the Catholic Answers Voter's Guide. I never heard any complaints but I was well aware that the parish website I oversaw was the only one with this link. As far as I am aware, no other parish websites in the diocese of Rochester, NY had the link.
Since I have given up being webmaster for the parish I have noticed a trend in my diocese. More and more parishes have control of what is published rather than individuals. Many more parishes have website commitees with naturally the parish priest overseeing the content of what is published.
What is my point? Ideally all parishes with websites should link to Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics. Ultimately it is the parish priest that must be contacted to help facilitate the Catholic Voters Guide.

[bettyk28]

What A Great Letter!!! I Am Not The Least Bit Surprised That Dr. Via Is Teaching At A "catholic" University. My Alma Mater, Loyola University Of The South, In New Orleans Also Claims To Be A "catholic" University. They Had A Production Of "the Vagina Monologues" On Campus This Past Spring Over The Objections Of The Archbishop. They Also Honored The Landrieu Family (moon, Verna, Mary And Mitch) At The Spring Graduation Ceremonies, In Spite Of Sen Mary Landrieu's And Her Brother (lt. Gov. Of The State Of Louisiana) Mitch's Support Of Abortion Rights. Again The Archbishop Refused To Attend The Ceremonies And Rebuked Loyola For Choosing To Honor This Family.
I Can Only Imagine That The Holy Jesuits Priests Who Taught Me Back In The Late 40's Must Be Turning Over In Their Graves Over What This Once Great University Has Become.

As To The New Issue Of Votieng Rules, Please Put My Name On The List To Receive A Copy. And Keep Those Letters Coming. I Look Forward To Every One Of Them.

Sincerely,
Betty Keating Ketchum
Covington, La

P.s. Keating Is My Maiden Name. Do You Think We Might Be Related?