ARCHIVES (2012) - Patriarch excommunicates five Supreme Court Justices

WASHINGTON 28 June 2012 (ACNS) - In response to their five to four vote to uphold Obamacare as constitutional, the Patriarch of St. Stephen issued a bull of excommunication today for the five Justices who voted in favor of the legislation. The complete text of the bull is given below:

Lex Christi - The Law of Christ is supreme. It has ultimate and supreme authority over all, whether Christian or not. It is in all cases superior to the laws of secular governments, and the laws of secular governments are only legitimate if they are consistent with the Law of Christ. The Holy Church, by Divine authority, exists to uphold this law for the freedom and salvation of all mankind, for true freedom and salvation can only come through Christ. The Supreme Court of the United States has, in upholding the health care legislation of the Obama Administration, committed an act against the sanctity of life and in favor of intrinsic evil, which includes but is not limited to the facilitation of the murder of unborn children. As they are the supreme secular legal authority of the United States, they bear an awesome responsibility. It was in their power to act in accordance with the overarching moral principles, but they chose not to do so. Therefore, We, acting in Our Sacred Office as Patriarch, do hereby excommunicate John Roberts, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, reserved to this See. We further declare that all baptized persons in the United States of America who give direct or moral support to the legislation of the Obama Administration today upheld by the Supreme Court shall incur latae sententiae excommunication reserved to this See. Datum Aulae S. Mariae Walsinghamensis apud S. Stefanum, die xxviii mensis Junii A.D. xxii.

Encyclical on the Supreme Court Health Care Ruling

DE SANCTITATE

Encyclical regarding the Supreme Court Decision on Health Care

To the Bishops, Regular Clergy, and the Faithful of the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church, greetings and Apostolic blessings.

1. Of the sanctity of human life there can be no question. While society has grown in many ways, recent periods in some ways demonstrate a great lack of growth with regard to the sanctity of life. Secularization of society and a general malaise regarding religion, accompanied by great squabbling and disharmony within Christ's Church have made it all the more difficult for people to life a God-centered life according to Sacred Scripture and the norms, customs, devotions, and traditions of the Church.
2. On this day the Supreme Court of the United States of America voted five to four to uphold the Constitutionality of the recent health care legislation instituted by the President. As the Supreme Court has chosen not to uphold life and freedom guaranteed under Christ, it is essential that We comment on this matter.
3. We congratulate the Justices of the Supreme Court who voted against this legislation.
4. Legislation that requires persons and institutions to purchase health care has been held Constitutional, yet due to its provisions, it is inherently incompatible with the Laws of Christ and intrinsically evil. With evil there may be no compromise.
5. Christians may be forced under this new law to pay for contraceptives and abortions of others. The Supreme Court has chosen to uphold the culture of death. As We have said in general in the period leading up to this historic vote, the "individual mandate" places many devout Christians in the position of having to chose between violating their consciences and suffering legal penalties.
6. Neither the Supreme Court nor the President of the United States is above the Laws of Christ or of His Holy Church. Temporal governments and their authorities are only just insofar as they are consistent with the Laws of Christ. If they are not consistent, then Christians are not bound by them. We therefore call upon all Christians to oppose and disobey this legislation to the best of their abilities.
7. We pray for all who have been placed in difficult positions due to this Supreme Court decision and the legislation. We are reminded of Saint Lawrence and our glorious Patron Saint Stephen, and all the martyrs who stood firm against the evils of the world, even though it cost them their lives. We are reminded of the strength of the Confessors who devoted their lives to promoting the Truth of Christ under whom the only real justice exists. From them we draw strength in this present fight. This fight is not political, it is spiritual. It is a fight in which there may be no compromise.

Rutherford Card. Johnson
Patriarch of the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church
Given at the Court of Saint Mary of Walsingham
on the Feast of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr
28 June A.D. 2012.

Army Veteran Laid to Rest

HARDIN, Ill. 24 April 2012 (ACNS) - Clifford Retzer passed away on April 5th, Maundy Thursday, 2012, at the home of his daughter in Hardin Illinois. His son-in-law is Fr. Douglas Deffenbaugh, Chancellor of the Court of Saint Mary of Walsingham. Born in 1928, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Germany. He subsequently served as a U.S. Postal worker until 1997.

Clifford Retzer shortly after World War II

Mr. Retzer's funeral was conducted by Fr. Deffenbaugh after the Easter Triduum with full military honors.

Fr. Deffenbaugh leads the procession to the gravesite as the honor guard salutes the body.

The body is carried to the gravesite.



"Bully" is must-see movie

ARCHIVE: Vicariate-General of the Northeast Established

CAMDEN, N.J. 19 February 2012 (ACNS) - The Patriarchal See announces with great joy the establishment of the Vicariate-General of the Northeast to serve the faithful of the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church in that region of the United States. The Vicar-General Pro Tempore is the Rev. Salvatore Scuderi, a priest of significant experience and distinction in his personal service to others.

Update: Since this article, Salvatore Scuderi is no longer affiliated with the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church.



Obama administration Feigns Concern over Plan B

8 DEC 2011 (Catholic Online) Read more here.

Scouting Medal Presented to Distinguished Scout Leader

HUNTSVILLE 9 NOV 2011 (ACNS) - The Imperial Distinguished Scouter Award of the Holy Roman Empire was presented to Dr. Walter E. Whitacre, Scoutmaster of Troop 364 in Huntsville, Alabama. During Dr. Whitacre's long tenure with Boy Scouts of America, he not only led Troop 364 and an affiliated Sea Explorer ship, he served at all levels of Scouting and was instrumental in the development of several key programs.

The significance of the award is discussed with the Scouts.

The Imperial Distinguished Scout Award (called "Scouter Award" for adult leaders) is part of the Scouting ministry of the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. It is given to those Scouts and Scout leaders who fulfill set requirements. These involve demonstrating distinguished service, both within Scouting and in the community, religious education within their particular denomination, and writing a paper on the ways in which a chosen aspect of the history of the Holy Roman Empire can be applied to the modern era in making the world a better place.

Dr. Whitacre receives the Imperial Distinguished Scouter
Award medal and certificate as Imperial Chief Scout,
Chev. John Refieuna looks on.

Dr. Whitacre, though his service in Boy Scout, Cub Scout, Sea Exploring, and other Scouting programs, not only has personally rendered great service to humanity, he has inspired countless others to do the same. This is the chief principle of the award. Our actions should not only be in service of others, our actions should set an example to inspire others to service.

Following this link for more information on the Imperial Distinguished Scout Award of the Holy Roman Empire.