Liberal Utopianism

Dr. Jeff Mirus over on Catholic Culture had a very compelling analysis of liberalism:

The underlying attitude of liberalism is locked into a direct conflict with Christianity. It is an opposition so fundamental as to take on a quasi-religious character of its own. It is hardly surprising, then, that while still an Anglican, Newman saw in liberalism the explanation of the spiritual shift which he predicted would soon engulf the Western world:

It will be said that the benefit which Christianity has done to the world, and which its Divine Author meant it should do, was to give an impulse to society, to infuse a spirit, to direct, control, purify, enlighten the mass of human thought and action, but not to be a separate and definite something, whether doctrine or association, existing objectively, integral, and with an identity, and forever, and with a claim upon our homage and obedience. And all this fearfully coincides with the symptoms in other directions of the spread of a Pantheistic spirit, that is, the religion of beauty, imagination, and philosophy, without constraint moral or intellectual, a religion speculative and self-indulgent. Pantheism, indeed, is the great deceit which awaits the Age to come. (Tracts for the Times, #85, 1838)

Let the reader familiar with today’s quasi-spiritualities—the New Age, anti-human environmentalism, and the widespread claim to be “spiritual” without any specific religion at all—judge of Newman’s prescience! In a private letter three years later, he asked, “Are you aware that the more serious thinkers among us are used, as far as they dare form an opinion, to regard the spirit of Liberalism as the characteristic of the destined Antichrist?... The spirit of lawlessness came in with the Reformation, and Liberalism is its offspring.”

Again, what ties all these things together is liberalism’s ultimate rejection of the objective claims of truth, and with it the rejection of every claim of religious authority. This makes liberalism not only incompatible with Christianity but ultimately destructive of the human person. Either man is made in the image of God or he is not. Either he is made for God or he is not. Either he is ever dependent upon grace, or he is not. Either he is called to respond to a religious authority which transcends the limits of his own nature, or he is not. Catholicism affirms and insists on all of these things; liberalism is their absolute negation.

It is precisely in this that liberalism is such a profound disservice to man, for by its very nature liberalism insists that human societies must at all costs be shaped and organized to do exactly the one thing that human persons can never really do at all. I mean to succeed without God—to make it all on our own, bereft and isolated, with no help in heaven or earth.

My similar analysis: When God is brushed aside and the Almighty is no longer the Authority, Framework, and Source of our laws and regulations, then God is eschewed for a new artificial form of societal regulation.  When heaven no longer becomes the prize and goal of individuals in societies, those societies in their heart of hearts still desire heaven nevertheless, but begin barking up the wrong tree.  Liberal utopianism is being manifested in several examples throughout the world.  Venezuela has its socialist regime, China and North Korea hail communism, and America is embracing socialism.  Now New York City has declared a new Commandment of "Thou Shalt Not Purchase a Large Soft Drink."  Then there's the banning of after-school prayer groups, the banning of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization, from Catholic Gonzaga University, because it is exclusively for Catholics.   There's the declaration that "one nation under God" is somehow 'unconstitutional.'  There's the ban on smoking, and heavy penalties associated with purchasing a pack of cigarettes, the tearing down of nativity scenes, memorial crosses, and so on.  Here is a 2010 Super Bowl Ad that shows just how far society could go to fulfill their false dreams of that liberal utopia:

Attention Modern Catholics: Even the Poor Appreciate Tasteful Classical Music

And What Better Place to Express Beautiful Music than for God in Sacred Liturgy

With the election of Pope Francis who has been quoted as saying, "Oh, how I wish for a Church that is poor and for the poor!" many are fearing what liturgical changes may come.  Some modernists may even want to exploit these words to sink classical traditional expression in our liturgies once and for all.  The liturgical changes I'm speaking about are those that remove beautifully orchestrated polyphonic chant, classical music, and the best and most fitting adornment we can give to our worship of the Almighty with the best fruits of our labors and our best God-given talents from the Mass because it does not represent the poor.  Well, who said the poor don't appreciate beautiful music?  Moreover, who said the poor couldn't actively participate in providing such splendor to our liturgies?  The following video proves that, yes even the poor appreciate the splendor and glory of our classical musical tradition.  It further displays that these young musicians, using instruments from recycled garbage, can teach us lackluster Catholic musicians a few things about the splendor and beauty of our western classical music heritage:

Altar Boy Resources

Serving Mass Activates Spiritual Manhood and Introduces a Deep Understanding of Male Responsibility

I recall in the 3rd grade after our large group of young men graduated from altar boy training, we were each vested in our own surplus and given a ring to wear with the words 'altar boy' and a small cross inscribed.  The sense of dignity was felt by everyone.  It wasn't just the ring we now wore on our finger, but knowing that we had just crossed a threshold of spiritual manhood and entered a new phase of male responsibility that gave us a newfound sense of Christian pride, purpose, and masculine motivation.  An awaking of the image of God within.  An activation of manhood that points to a path of honor and virtue.  

Being part of such holy service with other young men embarks a boy on  a supernatural trajectory in life apart from the world.  It sets a boy apart from mere primitive male identification and it unveils the spiritual man of God.  It unveils that image of God that man was created to follow.  Serving mass was, and should still be, a rite of passage and a thing of Christian pride in young men.

Mass Serving Dispositions

When it comes to serving mass, no amount of resources can replace good training, a pursuit of holiness, and good catechesis.  Patience, genuine love for God and His Holy Church, reverence, attention to detail, and a good prayerful grasp of divine worship are important.  Below you will find resources that I have either used or have heard are valuable in the training of altar boys and in maintaining their skills.  Qualified altar boys need periodic refreshing of their skills and these resources would provide some of that.

One can't start serving unless he is self-disciplined.  Young children can learn discipline early and are capable of being trained properly.  There is no reason for them to wait until their teens or until they are confirmed.  Our 2 sons began serving when they were 5 years old.  They were completely ready to serve on their own after a few weeks.  A trainer must have the will to succeed in training even young children to the highest serving expectations and to the minutest detail.  Children see right through a lackluster attempt.  They also respond with amazing ability when the highest serving standards are expected.  It can be done.  

A trainer should acknowledge who he is working with and explain concepts with clarity and detail.  Children understand detail when it is expected of them.  Sometimes a parent thinks that children are just going to be too restless, untrainable, and the worst outcome will follow - that is, the parents will be embarrassed.  Parents need to remember that it's not about them.  An altar boy trainer must therefore remain patient with the trainee and with himself and in time, the child will be molded into a reverent altar boy.  

Children should also understand Who they are serving.  Children will notice how important their role is when a trainer takes the time to point out each detailed action the server must perform and why they are doing it.   Serving is a manly action and can be likened to the ceremonial changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.  At the changing of the guard the soldiers' actions are deliberate and precise.  They are done this way out of reverence for the fallen soldier in the tomb.  Much more so should the altar boy be trained to perform his actions deliberately and precisely in reverence to the Almighty Whom they are serving and Who is going to make Himself present at the altar of Sacrifice.

The server should dress reverently: black shoes and black pants, regardless of what he wears to serve.  They should be encouraged to wear the cassock and surplice.  These are the classic Roman Catholic serving attire and if the parish does not have them, their pastors should be encouraged to provide them or, like where I grew up, parents can offer to purchase their own for their kids and donate them to the Church after the altar boys have outgrown them.  The altar boy should well groomed: hair combed nicely, fingernails cut and clean, and hands washed before arriving to church.

The following video can be viewed by altar boys, their parents, and trainers to understand the importance of the server's role and  to receive some helpful reminders:

A prayerful disposition should be expected from each server.  In fact, it is a prerequisite.  His entire day must be a prayer as St. Paul reminds us, "pray without ceasing." The server, like a priest (and all of us), must desire holiness as his priority in life.  Everything the server candidate does, should be centered on his role as God's holy servant.  Serving God at the altar is the most important task he will ever do at his young state in life.  Football players make football their life.  On game day, they carry with them a football and wear their jersey all day so their performance at game time is enhanced by their familiarity with the objects of the game.  The server doesn't have to carry a ciborium with him all day, but he must carry with him the light of Christ at all times so that at mass time, he is ready to shine for God at the altar with joy, love, and devotion. 

These are the essential predispositions a server should either possess or work to attain.  Without these, the server will find himself being drug through the mass, where instead, he should have a mastery of himself and the task before him:

• Self-discipline
• Obedience and humility
• Love for God and His Holy Church
• Desire for sanctity
• Dedication to fulfilling his baptismal and/or his confirmation promises (it is a good idea to periodically gather the altar boys together to repeat their baptismal promises as a group)

The Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite

In July 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued his Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, in which he stated that the Latin Mass must be allowed by Bishops, and may be celebrated by any Catholic priest in any parish, especially when a desire for the Latin Mass has been expressed by the faithful of the local parish. Since that time it has become of greater importance to understand the role, not only of priests, but of the altar server in the Extraordinary Use of of the Latin Rite.

I am not a regular Latin Mass worshiper so I can only present the limited exposure to the resources that I have had. There are many out there that I haven't explored, but here are the ones that I have found work best for training my children and studying for my own use.

Instruction Manuals
The manual (HERE) that I personally use fits into your pocket.  I don't serve the Latin Mass often and need the book as a guide during mass.  It contains all the latin responses and provides diagrams showing the movements and positions of the server.  Especially good for beginners, by Rev. William A. O'Brien, M.A.

Another manual (HERE), originally published in 1934, is updated with photos from St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago.  It's a little large to fit into your pocket so it should be studied and used for training, not for actually serving.  Photos illustrate specific actions, and diagrams show the sanctuary positions of acolytes, thurifer, master of ceremonies, etc. Also included are the Latin responses at Mass. 

The following resource is something you can print right now and be on your way.  A section at the end with prayers after mass and a short latin pronunciation guide are a nice addition: Correct Mass-Serving Made Easy
by Rev. H.E. Calnan, D.D.
Fifth Edition by Widdowson's, 1948
(from St. Joseph's Church.net)

Which is also captured in a different format HERE by Sancta Missa.

Sancta Missa has superb and concise instructional links HERE, actions of the server are in RED.

Instructional Videos

I have used this excellent DVD that instructs how to serve Low Mass HERE.  It can be used to learn serving with one server or two.  The video is made during mass and follows each server's actions where the film is paused and a narrator explains the actions.  Excellent video and highly recommended.

Also offered at a lower price by the FSSP HERE.  Part of the proceeds of this video will go to support the Parish of St. Peter, an apostolate of the Fraternity of St. Peter located in Tulsa.  Support the Fraternity of St. Peter.

The Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite

There's fewer resources available for the Ordinary Form because each parish seems to have their own way of doing things.  The same principles for proper dispositions of the altar server described above, however still apply.  The following recommendation is a great source for serving the new mass with reverence, attention to detail,  and understanding of the great responsibility and privilege of serving God at the altar.

Recommended by Father Z, here is a well done video on serving the Novus Ordo Missae, explained with great detail and reverence.

Lastly, I strongly advocate commissioning altar serving for boys alone. Serving mass is the fertile ground for planting the seeds of the priesthood. This is why it should be reserved for boys. It is a rite of passage for Catholic boys and more often than not, the single most contributor to fostering vocations to the sacred priesthood. Whenever girls serve the mass, they are occupying space that would be otherwise filled by a prospective priest.  If you know of people who are having a problem with this position refer them to the Magisterium's declarations on the priesthood being reserved for men (HERE) which confirms:

In his Apostolic Letter Ordinatio sacerdotalis (1994), the Holy Father Pope John Paul II, declared that “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful.”  This definitive statement leaves no “wiggle room” for those who would like to continue debating the question. As the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith made clear in 1995, the statement that the Church has no authority to ordain women as priests, is not merely a matter of Church discipline (which can be changed), but belongs to the deposit of faith (which cannot). “This teaching requires definitive assent, since, founded on the written Word of God, and from the beginning constantly preserved and applied in the Tradition of the Church, it has been set forth infallibly by the ordinary and universal Magisterium (cf. Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium 25, 2). Thus, in the present circumstances, the Roman Pontiff, exercising his proper office of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32), has handed on this same teaching by a formal declaration, explicitly stating what is to be held always, everywhere, and by all, as belonging to the deposit of the faith” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Concerning the Teaching Contained in Ordinatio Sacerdotalis).

and adds:

However, lest it seem that God has honored men above women, we should recall that of all created beings, including the hierarchy of Angels, God raised a Woman to the highest place, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Though she was not an Apostle, she was made Queen of the Apostles, Queen of Angels, Queen of the universe, and the Mother of her own Creator. 

The priesthood will forever be reserved for men, period.  Not convinced?  Let our past popes and the Dominican Order of Preachers try to explain:

In 1970 Pope Paul VI said in Liturgicae Instaurationes, “In conformity with norms traditional in the Church, women (single, married, religious), whether in churches, homes, convents, schools, or institutions for women, are barred from serving the priest at the altar.” And in 1980 Pope John Paul II stated in Inaestimabile Donum, “There are, of course, various roles that women can perform in the liturgical assembly: these include reading of the Word of God and proclaiming the intentions of the Prayer of the Faithful. Women are not, however, permitted to act as altar servers.” - The Southern Rennaissance Vol.4 No.7 July 2003

If there is a shortage of servers, boys will rise to the occasion.  It will happen. If people are thinking, the Church permits girls to serve therefore they should, they should stop for a moment and consider that just because the Church is being extremely pastoral in this regard and allowing girls to serve - that just because they CAN serve, doesn't mean they SHOULD.  It's a question of fittingness.  It is more fitting for boys to serve than girls.

Meteorite Explosion, Meteor Near Miss, Massive Solar Flares, Lightning Strikes Vatican

Okay Secular Earthlings, This Time You Can't Blame Manmade Global Warming

. . . Nor Can You Blame Ronald Reagan

Things are really starting to get interesting for us earthlings.  This latest event shows video footage of a meteorite coming to Earth over Russia after it explodes in the sky. 

Even ABC News reported:

The odd coincidence of the DA 14 asteroid flyby and the meteor explosion occurring in the same day has amped up concerns about what else is out there and whether the planet can be protected.

According to NASA, this was the biggest meteor to hit Earth in more than a century. Preliminary figures suggest it was 50 feet wide and weighed more than the Eiffel Tower.  

NASA scientists have also estimated the force of the blast that occurred when the meteor fractured upon entering Earth's atmosphere was approximately 470 kilotons -- the equivalent of about 30 Hiroshima bombs 

But the extreme weather, gun violence, terrorist attacks, solar coronal mass ejections cannot in any rational way be tied to some past ideology of "American industrialism."  Nor can these events in any logical way be tied to a consequence of a so-called "earth plundering mentality" that too many attempt to grasp for the secular answers to all of the world's calamities.

The secular explanations we have all heard - from manmade global warming (even though the world is the most environmentally conscious than its ever been in its entire history), to not enough taxes (even though workers only take home a fraction of their hard earned pay), from too much guns (even after seeing gun bans show a rise in gun violence), to too much homophobia (even with the broadest acceptance of sodomy unprecedented in the history of mankind) - all these excuses fall miserably short of making any sense out of the jolting events we are witnessing unfold in our lifetimes.  Perhaps it is because of our broadest acceptance of sodomy, our extreme attention to idolizing 'mother earth', our defrauding the laborer of his wages to fund government programs, many of them intrinsically evil, that is the cause of each life altering event that we are witnessing at a rapid rate.  It used to be that one Titanic a lifetime was enough of an event to ponder.  Today they seem overwhelming.  This latest event, but moreover its impeccable timing, should be awakening our consciences.

Luke Ch. 21:

5And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said,6“As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.”     7They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”8And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them.9“When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the enddoes not follow immediately.” Things to Come     10Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom,11and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.     12“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.13“It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.14“So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;15for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.16“But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death,17and you will be hated by all because of My name.18“Yet not a hair of your head will perish.19“By your endurance you will gain your lives. Acts Ch.2:

Peter’s Sermon     14But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.15“For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is onlythe third hour of the day;16but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,   ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;   AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,   AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,   AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; 18EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,   I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT   And they shall prophesy. 19‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE   AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,   BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. 20‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS   AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,   BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME. 21‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’

The continued drumbeat from secularists are trying to exploit these events for political gain and twist these events to ramrod their atheistic agendas.  Yet, these things should awaken the conscience of man and not the rabbit trail they would like to force society to meander through.  Nor should these events lead to end-times fever like we have seen lately, as we should also take caution to remember:

Matthew 24:35 and Mark 13:32:

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

USCCB: Govt. "Accommodation" to HHS Mandate Falls Short

HHS Proposal Falls Short In Meeting Church Concerns; Bishops Look Forward To Addressing Issues With Administration

February 7, 2013

Read USCCB News Release HERE 

. . . major points:

The Administration's proposal maintains its inaccurate distinction among religious ministries. It appears to offer second-class status to our first-class institutions in Catholic health care, Catholic education, and Catholic charities. HHS offers what it calls an "accommodation," rather than accepting the fact that these ministries are integral to our Church and worthy of the same exemption as our Catholic churches. And finally, it seems to take away something that we had previously—the ability of an exempt employer (such as a diocese) to extend its coverage to the employees of a ministry outside the exemption.

Second, United for Religious Freedom explained that the religious ministries not deemed "religious employers" would suffer the severe consequence of "be[ing] forced by government to violate their own teachings within their very own institutions."  After Friday, it appears that the government would require all employees in our "accommodated" ministries to have the illicit coverage—they may not opt out, nor even opt out for their children—under a separate policy.  In part because of gaps in the proposed regulations, it is still unclear how directly these separate policies would be funded by objecting ministries, and what precise role those ministries would have in arranging for these separate policies.  Thus, there remains the possibility that ministries may yet be forced to fund and facilitate such morally illicit activities. Here, too, we will continue to analyze the proposal and to advocate for changes to the final rule that reflect these concerns.

Third, the bishops explained that the "HHS mandate creates still a third class, those with no conscience protection at all:individuals who, in their daily lives, strive constantly to act in accordance with their faith and moral values."  This includes employers sponsoring and subsidizing the coverage, insurers writing it, and beneficiaries paying individual premiums for it.  Friday's action confirms that HHS has no intention to provide any exemption or accommodation at all to this "third class."  In obedience to our Judeo-Christian heritage, we have consistently taught our people to live their lives during the week to reflect the same beliefs that they proclaim on the Sabbath.  We cannot now abandon them to be forced to violate their morally well-informed consciences.

At the same time, we will continue to stand united with brother bishops, religious institutions, and individual citizens who seek redress in the courts for as long as this is necessary.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York

New Archbishop of Portland in Oregon!

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has made a selection!  

The Most Reverend Archbishop Alexander K. Sample from Marquette!  A holy and sound leader that is much needed in the Portland Archdiocese.  The Faith is hanging on by a thread in Oregon, and God has shown His great, loving, and beautiful mercy for the people of Oregon.

Here are some examples of the outstanding leadership of Archbishop Sample (Wikipedia):

In April 2009, Sample expressed his "disappointment and dismay" over the University of Notre Dame's decision to have President Barack Obama deliver its commencement speech and receive a honorary degree, given Obama's pro-choice views.^[7] He added, "It saddens me beyond words that the great university named after Our Lady would bestow distinction and honor on a politician who would seek to expand threats to such innocent human life."

Sample has stressed that permanent deacons should not regularly preach at Mass; rather, they should preach at other services and serve the Church in the course of their daily witness to Christ. Bishop Sample’s 19-page letter, titled “The Deacon: Icon of Jesus Christ the Servant,” cited the principle that the one who presides at a liturgical service or who is the principal celebrant at Mass should also give the homily: “This should be the ordinary practice." Deacons should preach the homily at Mass “for some identifiable advantage for the faithful in the congregation, but not on a regular basis.”

The Curt Jester provided this:

At a press conference Tuesday, Sample, who has been bishop of Marquette, Mich., for seven years, said some people see Oregon as a tough place to be Catholic.

“I see it as fertile ground to plant the seeds of a new evangelization,” he said. The facts that Catholics account for about 14 percent of Oregonians and that almost 24 percent of the state’s population don’t identify as members of a particular church don’t discourage him.

“I want to connect those who are longing in their hearts for spirituality with the one whom I believe is an answer to that longing, Jesus Christ.”

Sample also promised to speak out on moral issues addressed by Catholic Church teaching.

“I won’t look for reasons to grandstand,” he said, “but when something has to be said, I’ll say it.”

Archbishop Sample's September 4, 2011 homily during the Extraordinary Form of the Mass: 

God is Good.  God indeed is Very, Very Good.

What America Needs to do About Gun Violence

"Our hearts are restless, until they rest in you, O Lord."

The cold blooded murders that occurred in Newton, CT last week has finally struck home to Americans.  Everybody is talking change.  America does need to change.  Changing gun laws is just barking up the wrong tree.  A band-aid over a severed artery.  None of what our politicians have been proposing since the Newton slaughter will plug the sieve of evil manifesting itself in these horrific events.  God is our only solution and we can do nothing without him.  God defines true love and only God can cultivate a loving regard for our neighbor.  Society left to its own design only creates darkness. 

Our culture of death is to blame for America's violence.  Take abortion for example.  Abortion is society's, not God's design.  We cannot expect peace as long as we, as a culture, continue to condone the murder of innocents in the mother's womb.  America needs a change of heart in how they see their fellow man.

America's youth and young adults have grown up coming to grips with and trying to comprehend, rationalize, psychologically and morally accept the barbaric act and brutal crime of abortion.   The atrocity of murdering the innocent and helpless - a repeated practice that modern American society sanctions has its consequences.  Our culture has given its benediction to the slaughter of innocence since 1973 with the State sanctioning of murdering children in the mother's womb.  As long as this barbaric act remains legal and a part of our society, our American children must grow up having to grapple with this issue in their conscience - and many of them seem to be emerging a psychological mess.  Acceptance of abortion results in the shifting from an innocent, charitable outlook towards their fellow man, to a dark, sinister outlook that can justify snuffing out the lives of their neighbor, in or out of the womb for personal motive.  By sanctioning abortion as a society, we are creating an entire populace of darkened minds the likes of serial killers. 

Humans are not perfect and we repeat past mistakes.  To change our country, our children must acknowledge that society is guilty of a brutal crime and a state-sanctioned barbarism unheard of since the 18th and 19th century when American society sanctioned the widespread crime of slavery.  One has to undergo a moral and psychological twisting of conscience to accept abortion as a legitimate justifiable crime that can be embraced just as society once embraced the crime of slavery.  Like slavery, to rationalize abortion, one has to alter the mind and conscience and their perception of their fellow man in a way that sees their neighbor as soulless animals that can be easily dispensed with  "on demand" for any reason and at any time during the human lifespan.   

What America needs is to stem the tide of its culture of death.  It can't just be removed.  It must be replaced with love for and reverence for God and our neighbor.  No amount of tearing down nativity scenes is going to bring America that peace it desires.  America must follow the lead of the very people who the massacre affected most.  

The people of Newton, CT attended church services and prayer vigils immediately after the attack.  They didn't turn to government, they turned to God.  They turned to God because they know that only God can provide the peace and comfort they cry for.  Legalizing marijuana, legalizing gay marriage, perpetuating the state sanctioned crime of abortion, enacting more gun laws, accelerating environmental restrictions, or promoting euthanasia will never bring America the utopia and peace that liberalism promises.  On the contrary, these vices are the very cause of school, shopping mall, and movie theatre slaughters by our grown young adults.  Utopianism promotes vices as virtues with the delusion that the more vices get promoted, the greater the payoff will be.  Except the payoff never arrives, except in the form of an elementary school massacre.  

The people of Newton, CT know that God alone can bring them peace and comfort.  Their first act wasn't to lobby Washington - it was to lobby heaven; to seek out God.  In the same way, the people of America knew after 9/11 that only God must be sought in times of fear and sadness.  This was evident in the packed churches with standing room only of newcomers for several weeks after the 9/11 attacks.  All mankind knows deep down that only God will suffice.  God, not government, brings us comfort, paradise, and peace.  As St. Augustine said, 

"Our hearts are restless, until they rest in you, O Lord."