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Contents © 2002
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
MAY 2002

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MORE BRUNSMAN'S WORLD

In the April 2002 letters, Karen Whitson of Fremont defended Father Barry "Let's ignore the Mass' rubrics" Brunsman by saying "Father Barry knows the Gospel word for word, or very close to it, and he does not need to read from the sacramentary." His disregard for the rubrics aside, the point is not in knowing Scripture word for word (after all, even the devil can quote Scripture). The point is understanding it with the mind of the Church, something, judging by the letter to the editor on the good padre, Father Brunsman does not. As St. Augustine said, "Holy Scripture is good, but heresies arise through its not being understood properly," a perfect case in point, it seems, being Father Brunsman. As prudently noted in the Navarre Bible commentary on Matthew 4:6, "Catholics should be on their guard against arguments which, though they claim to be founded on Scripture, are nevertheless untrue." In the case of the devil, he quotes Scripture to suit his own ends. Father Brunsman does so to suit his ego, evidently. The bottom line is that any interpretation of Scripture or the rubrics not in line with the teaching contained in the Tradition of the Church should be rejected.

Father Brunsman's likeness to the devil does not stop at quoting Scripture to suit his particular purpose. As with Satan, Father Brunsman has apparently decided to tell the Church, "Non serviam." How else to explain his utter disregard for the rubrics that the Church imposes on the Mass and which priests must follow. As has often been said before, if someone is disobedient in the small things, they will be disobedient in the large ones, as well. The question is: Is Father Brunsman obedient in either, or would he create his own Church, a la Martin Luther?

In any case, there are many things in life that someone can tinker or fool with. The Mass, however, is not one of them. It is too bad that this point has eluded Father Brunsman -- and Ms. Whitson, for that matter.

William Ross
San Francisco


LITURGICAL PIRATES

San Francisco Faith is a source of irritation to misguided, liberal, cafeteria Catholics. Karen Whitson's letter where she attacks you for exposing falsehood and liturgical abuses speaks volumes how much publications like yours are needed. To defend a priest, or liturgical pirate, who takes liberties with the Mass shows either ignorance, stupidity, rebellion, or all three. It is the height of pride for anyone -- in particular a priest, to refuse to address God as Father, as His Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told us to do. Whitson's claim that her priest "knows the Gospel word for word" -- perhaps he missed those passages where Jesus tells us how to address our Heavenly Father. The clowns, the liturgical pirates, the liberated "nun persons," formerly sisters, and the men without testicles who control most diocese are responsible for the most serious problems facing the Church today.

Keep up the good work that you are doing. Meanwhile, orthodox Catholics -- line your birdcages with diocesan newspapers!

Constantine Santos
Atascadero


SHOULD CATHOLICS SUPPORT BLANAS?

After reading the story in the March Faith, "Arrest Us," I have to wonder why it is that the Sacramento County sheriff's deputies took the homosexuals' side and threatened to instead arrest elderly parishioners for protesting the homosexual meeting on the grounds of their Catholic Church. Why is it that the Sacramento sheriffs' department is so sensitive about how homosexuals perceive them but not Catholics? Maybe Lou Blanas should talk to his consultants about this because there are far more active Catholics than active homosexuals in Sacramento County. Blanas should know that some of us don't appreciate our tax dollars going to support his pro-homo thugs and will not forget this slap in the face in November.

Thad Voegel
Sacramento


ANOTHER 911 TO FATHER SMOLICH

The following was sent to the Faith.

Dear Father Provincial [of the Society of Jesus]:

We were saddened to learn that Father Gregory Miller is sitting on a board of directors that endorses and encourages the gay lifestyle for the youth in Sacramento (GLSEN) and promotes this in the schools of Sacramento [see "Arrest Us," March Faith], contrary to explicit instructions by the Holy See (Pope John Paul II approved A Letter to Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons). We are Roman Catholic and teach in the public schools of Elk Grove. We are the parents of 3 children. Certainly affirming children in any form of sexual activity outside of marriage is certainly sinful and not in conformity with chastity vows and Church fidelity.

We were saddened, sickened and disheartened that Father Miller and his crew of activists had "ice breakers" for teens during this recent Sacramento Jan 26, 2002 "conference" that encouraged children to "come up with their drag queen name." This conference was held on the grounds of a Catholic Church and elementary school. The message is unclear. Is the Jesuit order of Saint Ignatius, a great and holy Saint, promulgating the homosexual lifestyle not only amongst themselves but also amongst our children? The web-sites for your recruitment has been somewhat cleaned up of some of the pictures of the novices in drag. However this recent letter by Father Miller to all the High Schools, is flagrantly against the Catholic Faith and certainly is disruptive to the purity of children.

Please give us some answers here. The Bishop of Sacramento has requested that we write you for the answers on this question. What is worse is that the scandal perpetuated on the teens is immeasurable, goes against the expressed wishes and prayers and hopes of parents trying to raise children according to the teachings of the Church. In fact, it expressly contradicts the role of parents. Are you aware that this is going on? And if so, what measures will be taken against priests who are rebelling against the Church and their priestly vows? We need to know that our children and Church will be protected from such scandal. Please write as soon as possible about this matter. We need to know that some sort of disciplinary action is being taken. The Apostles were not gay, did not promote homosexuality nor scandalize children and their parents. We pray the California Jesuit Order follow the teachings of their patron founder and Holy Mother Church.

Sincerely,

Mr. & Mrs. JD Maher
Sacramento

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