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KARL KEATING'S E-LETTER
TOPICS:
FUN AND GAMES IN CALIFORNIA
SPEAKING IN ILLINOIS
"GAY AND LESBIAN" MINISTRIES
Dear Friend of Catholic Answers:
On "Catholic Answers Live" I often say that I'll field questions on any topics other than
politics, sports, and soap operas. I never have watched soap operas (Is "As the World
Churns" still on the air?), and I do not follow professional sports, but I have
considerable interest in politics. Even though I try to refrain from talking about
politics on the air, I think I am at liberty to make a few comments here.
In fact, I hardly can help doing so, having just received one of the most bizarre
political publications ever, the "Official Voter Information Guide" put out by the
California Secretary of State. The "Guide" covers the election in which it will be
decided whether Gov. Gray Davis will be recalled and, if so, who his replacement will be.
Originally scheduled for October 7, the election's date has been put in limbo by a court
order. Also in limbo, it seems, are some of the candidates.
MEET CALIFORNIA'S NEXT GOVERNOR (MAYBE)
The "Guide" provides space for statements, up to 250 words, by the 135 candidates whose
names appear on the ballot. It seems that some of the candidates are hoping that name
confusion will work in their behalf.
Dan Feinstein (Dem.) probably hopes voters will mistake his name for that of Sen. Dianne
Feinstein. Michael Jackson (Rep.) might be looking for votes from pop music fans. S. Issa
(Rep., only first initial given) likely wouldn't be in the race if the recall petition
drive hadn't been funded by Cong. Daryl Issa. Edward Kennedy (Dem.) no doubt wants to
encourage thoughts of Camelot. Richard Simmons might lure a few votes from women who
watch afternoon television.
Some candidates are not hesitant to proclaim their religious inclinations.
Alex St. James (Rep.) describes himself as "once an Aspirant Catholic Priest [who
supports] life from conception to the grave." Vip Bhola says he "believe[s] in
Judeo-Christian principles." Daniel Ramirez says "the family is the most important
institution in society" and that he opposes tax money spent on "abortions and birth
control drugs and devices." Diane Beall Templin (Amer. Ind.) cites 2 Chronicles 7:14 in
her statement. Trek Thunder Kelly (Ind.) says, "Please vote for me, thus breaking the
Seventh Seal and incurring Armageddon."
There are single-issue voters, and there are single-issue candidates.
Audie Black (Dem.) describes herself as "a small businesswoman." Maybe she is short, but
I think she means she is "a small-business woman." She is "100% pro-choice" but also is a
"proud mother," which strikes me as an odd juxtaposition. Bob Lynn Edwards (Dem.)
redundantly says he is "Pro-Choice, Woman's Right to Choose." Perhaps unexpectedly, he
also is "Pro Death Penalty." Ned Rosco (Libertarian) is a grocer who "specializes in
selling cigarettes to adults who make their own decisions." (I thought grocers
specialized in selling food.) Daniel Watts has a six-word platform: "Support students'
rights. Lower student fees." My guess is that he is still in school.
Some candidates seem to think the election is an opportunity to display their sense of
whimsy.
David Sams (Rep.) wants to balance the budget by selling naming rights to freeways--we do
it for sports stadiums, so why not for highways? Ivan Hall (Green) asks simply, "What's
it all about?" Kevin Richter (Rep.) has the shortest candidate statement: "I breathe."
None of these people will become California's next governor. Too bad, in a way. It might
be interesting to have in the governor's mansion someone who thinks his biggest
accomplishment is breathing or who thinks his inauguration will bring on Armageddon.
What am I saying? We Californians already have that.
JOIN ME IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ILLINOIS
I look forward to returning to Vandalia, Illinois, for the sixth annual Celebrate the
Faith Conference, which will be held October 24-26. Vandalia is easily accessible from
St. Louis, Springfield, and Evansville.
Joining me as speakers will be Patrick Madrid ("Envoy" magazine), Deal Hudson ("Crisis"
magazine), Bishop David Ricken of Cheyenne, Fr. Peter Scott, Johnnette Benkovic, Kenneth
Howell (author of several Catholic Answers books), Msgr. Stuart Swetland, and more.
I much enjoy attending this event, which is organized by my friends Debbie Pryor and
Vanessa Keck. They always have done a fine job in arranging things, and they are examples
of what dedicated folks can do when they set their minds to an apostolic task.
If you are within driving or flying distance, please check out the details at:
http://www.oursorrowfulmothersministry.org/Events.html
For further information you also can call (618) 283-9448 or can send an e-mail to Vanessa at:
vkeck@starband.net
I urge you to attend, even if Vandalia is not in your backyard (which it probably isn't,
since it's a small town in farm country). Most years the conference has attracted about
1,500 people, so you'll be in fine company in a fine area, away from the distracting
bustle of city life.
READING BETWEEN THE (HOMOSEXUAL) LINES
The National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries commissioned a
study aimed to evaluate the state of parish-based outreaches to homosexuals. The study
was based on a survey sent to two groups: "leaders of parishes with a reputation as
welcoming lesbian and gay Catholics" and "leaders of active diocesan lesbian and gay
ministries."
Already I'm suspicious. Apparently there was no attempt to survey all parishes, just
those "pre-qualified" as already having "welcoming" programs, which is Newspeak for
programs that "accept" the homosexual lifestyle with but a few reservations. My guess is
that parishes that sponsor chapters of Courage (founded by my friend Fr. John Harvey) do
not figure much in the survey.
What did the survey conclude? "Accomplishments cited by respondents as among the most
significant are the very existence of a gay and lesbian ministry" (note the terminology:
"gay and lesbian," not "homosexual"; this is not insignificant) and "being in a parish
where gay and lesbian people are welcomed," which is to say that they are not encouraged
to conform their lives to the Church's moral norms.
This is made clear by this comment: "Many respondents view the Church's stance on
homosexuality as the greatest challenge they face in their ministry." Not encouraging,
folks. Imagine a ministry to kleptomaniacs, the leaders of which "view the Church's
stance on stealing as the greatest challenge they face in their ministry."
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