Sound Off!

Here's a sampling of recent comments from Sound Off! Also located at the foot of every news Feature Story and Off the Record, Sound Off! gives every donor the chance to post a small "editorial" regarding any news item.

• Today 2:04 PM EST Posted by: Yvonne | Story:

  The last paragraph sounds like Pelosi and Obama. They know what is good for us, we do not!

• Today 1:02 PM EST Posted by: Pete | Story:

  If they're serious about "sustainable development" and "managing climate changes", they'll shut up about birth control, abortion, and family planning. The "hot air" saved will help climate control and give religions the opportunity to educate people about family planning, which will lead to truly "sustainable development".

• Today 8:35 AM EST Posted by: mikezart6808 | Story:

  I remember reading in the 1980's as reported by the Wanderer that Bishops were not looking into allegations of sexual scandals by some of their priests. I believe the response was pretty much the same...that those were outrageous allegations.

• Today 7:31 AM EST Posted by: raschfamily4452 | Story:

  This is the kind of attitude I expected when I converted and it is in part the reason I did so.

• Today 9:52 PM EST Posted by: Steve214 | Story:

  From below: "This is not a matter of faith and morals, just baseball."

  JUST baseball? You, sir, are a heretic! (Well actually, I don't care for baseball either, but I've learned to not mess with those who think otherwise...which would include my wife.)

• Today 9:42 PM EST Posted by: normnuke | Story:

  These 'deaf' people ... do they include the bishops?

• Today 8:37 PM EST Posted by: thepaines3642 | Story:

  Jeff,

  You need to chill out. This is not a matter of faith and morals, just baseball.

• Today 8:22 PM EST Posted by: ltluca7192 | Story:

  It's so refreshing to finally see the Bishops of the Catholic Church getting the backbone to stand up to the political catholic office holders in America. I had about given up hope that someone would defend Christ's Church. When I heard statements made by Cardinal McCarrick that he couldn't admonish his 'catholic' friends, it made my skin crawl. He is supposed to be the representative of the Apostles. Jesus admonished Peter telling him "get thee behind me, Satan.'

• Today 6:39 PM EST Posted by: Chestertonian | Story:

  When my older son was in high school, and I had introduced him to the joys of PG, I took to calling him--fondly, mind you--'young blot on the family escutcheon.' I shall now toddle off to have a gander at one of my favorite tales of the Mulliners, or perhaps Psmith. Oojah come spiff!

• Today 6:02 PM EST Posted by: Minnesota Mary | Story:

  I'm sorry to learn that Archbishop Neinstedt of the diocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul is urging people to contribute to CCHD this weekend in his diocesan column in "The Catholic Spirit." He has apparently been misled by the bishop who calls the shots for CCHD.

• Today 5:03 PM EST Posted by: Minnesota Mary | Story:

  Hallelujah!!! Thanks be to God! We have a great Archbishop who is not afraid to stand up for the teachings of the Church.

• Today 4:22 PM EST Posted by: DrJazz | Story:

  How does the prohibition against ordaining women "enhance the life of communion"? To use the Doctor's words: By keeping it unimpaired! Catholics prefer our communion that way: Unimpaired.

  Conversely, for the Doctor: The challenge to recent Anglican thinking on this would have to be: In what way does the ordination of women and buggers help to keep intact anything that can honestly be called "communion"?

• Nov. 20, 2009 1:54 PM EST Posted by: GabrielAustin9013 | Story:

  It is difficult to understand the fury of those opposed to "reparative" therapy. For the Church, homosexual activity is as sinful as heterosexual activity outside of marriage. Both are addictions, like drunkenness. COURAGE refutes the notion that it is impossible to be chaste. This is what the argument is about - chastity.

• Nov. 20, 2009 1:46 PM EST Posted by: GabrielAustin9013 | Story:

  Am I wrong in noting that many of the priests accused of sexual harassment seem to come from the same dioceses? Is it perhaps time to turn our attention to the bishops? Among many characteristics of these curious bishops is the failure to preach "in season and out" that contraception is a mortal sin.

• Nov. 20, 2009 1:40 PM EST Posted by: GabrielAustin9013 | Story:

  Good answer!

• Nov. 20, 2009 1:38 PM EST Posted by: GabrielAustin9013 | Story:

  Curious that in all discussions about the new document, little reference is made to Newman's thorough analysis of the reasons why the Anglican group is but another Protestant sect. Williams sounds like Arius, a man whom he likes. He made a feeble effort to discredit Newman's unveiling of Arius as just another civil servant - like Williams.

• Nov. 20, 2009 12:57 PM EST Posted by: Paladin | Story:

  Having been in the seminary during the 1970’s I can attest to the homosexual subculture. It was not only present it was pervasive. To say that homosexuality is not a factor is to deny the obvious and risk repeating this crisis. You can't fail if you follow the Natural Law, that's why we have it.

• Nov. 20, 2009 11:03 AM EST Posted by: mwizfiji025489 | Story:

  sounds a bit like a papal conclave!

• Nov. 20, 2009 9:33 AM EST Posted by: tasha1996 | Story:

  Another observation: In the beginning of the CCHD collections, on two occasions, our diocese, therefore our church, used a slide show to present the needs of the poor with our Bishop speaking in the background. I thought to myself, how much money was really going to the poor if part of it was used to produce a show with large screen for the congregation to listen to during a homily. It smelled fishy!

• Nov. 20, 2009 8:44 AM EST Posted by: DrJazz | Story:

  Then forget about "applying for contracts and grants." Just be a Catholic organization that accepts donations and offers charitable services within its ability to do so. Most importantly, let the city council know that Catholic Charities of Washington plans to be faithful to the teachings of the Church in its policies regarding employment, adoption and foster care.

• Nov. 20, 2009 8:20 AM EST Posted by: peggyann | Story:

  I believe the bishops are complicit and they need to change their stance. In the meantime, call your own Senators and voice your personal disapproval and request a NO vote on this bill. Abortion will not end, but taxpayer funds are totally unnecessary.

• Nov. 20, 2009 8:12 AM EST Posted by: stonewall2678 | Story:

  Phil, I was inspired by your story and read a Wodehouse story to my wife last night! It was most enjoyable. Thank you for the idea.

• Nov. 20, 2009 1:38 AM EST Posted by: walterbrietzke3151 | Story:

  It seems to me that with this attitude Dr. Williams is distancing himself further and further away from unity. He still does not seem to have any idea of the concept of the Church. To say that with "its sharp internal differences" that it could offer a model for other Christian "communions" not churches is a ridiculous statement. What kind of model is it that accepts these kind of differences.

• Nov. 20, 2009 12:13 AM EST Posted by: Ken | Story:

  The fact that a Roman Catholic bishop felt compelled to say: "I reiterate that we are absolutely pro-life from conception to natural death. We are pro-life and committed to support of life-- the full spectrum of life. CCHD’s work for life and dignity does not diminish, but advances our commitment to the sacredness of all human life," speaks VOLUMES about this issue. Not another dime until I am confident CCHD has completely cleaned up its act.

• Nov. 19, 2009 11:13 PM EST Posted by: opraem | Story:

  look who's signing the check. the consultants will deliver the report/recommendations wanted by the guy who's paying them.

• Nov. 19, 2009 10:51 PM EST Posted by: wvcatholic | Story:

  To refine the argument: Where women are not available such as in prison or to a lesser extent boarding schools and the military otherwise heterosexual men may engage in homosexual acts. Also homosexual men (think British aristocracy) may marry and father children. So certain constraints MAY change a person's sexual behavior. The problem is that in most abuse cases there were no constraints - the perpetrator could have easily chosen a boy or a girl. This is where their explanation falls apart.

• Nov. 19, 2009 10:30 PM EST Posted by: michaelrafferty5029 | Story:

  Please read Konrad Lorenz, On Aggression, first published in 1966. Be sure to read the part about male pigeons isolated from female pigeons. Those horny birds ended up doing mating dances to folded napkins.

  How many convicts do you think enter prison are homosexual? Testosterone is a powerful thing. As any self-respecting convict, priest or pigeon will tell you.

• Nov. 19, 2009 9:54 PM EST Posted by: papania20063402 | Story:

  What a shane for Rowan Williams trying to dirty the waters. He knows full well we do not and will not be involved with female priests or bishops...why is he making a effort to dirty the waters? What is his reasoning?

• Nov. 19, 2009 9:33 PM EST Posted by: kmbold | Story:

  It has been at least ten years since I first learned from Capitol Campaign (I believe from Sacramento but not certain) of the egregiousness of Catholics supporting CHD (before they added Catholic and became CCHD). The employees of CHD were, among other things, schmoozing with Planned Parenthood at cocktail parties in D.C. Probably hosting them. Looking for "common ground", naturally. The bishops had to have known that. Anybody who contributes to CCHD should have his/her head (and heart) examined

• Nov. 19, 2009 9:27 PM EST Posted by: benjohnfischer4971 | Story:

  The statistics may corroborate the statement that abusers did not identify themselves as gay, but the followup explanation was absurd: they compared the situation to straight men in prison having gay sex. But surely a man in prison has limited options while a priest has equal access to girls as with boys? Unless all the abusers were basketball coaches with access to the locker room?