See a cameo of Casimir Pulaski at 1:09 and Thales as a Beefeater.

The orthodox sisters across America are organizing.

Recogizing that their voices are not being heard and the feminist nuns are dominating the media regarding the Apostolic Visitation, the orthodox nuns have created a Yahoo Group to coordinate and share information about their support for the Visitation.

The untold story of faithful women religious of the last 40+ years is that they have been persecuted by the feminist disenters in their community who have mauvered into power.

Why is the Vatican pursuing an apostolic Visitation? Because these faithful nuns have been clamoring for it for years.

Please let your networks know about this new network that has been formed.

http://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2009/12/a-different-voice-regarding-the-apostolic-visitation.html

The groups site:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SistersSupportingApostolicVisitation/

Spread the word.

Another multi-million dollar donation, another AMU building named in someone's honor. Thankfully, there appears to be no skeletons in the closet, unlike last time. I wonder how many other buildings or items are up for naming rights at AMU? I like the sound of "The Thales Memorial Waffle Iron."

Thank God for YouTube, or I'd never believe people who tell me that Monaghan is growing idiots in giant pods plugged into the tomato vines of the Immokalee swamp. It's even worse that these are motivated Ave Maria University Students. Quote: "Fox 4 News shows there[sic] inability to objectively portray Ave Maria, taking most comments out of context."

It now makes sense to me why so many AMU students can't seem to grasp abstract concepts. Take a look at the real drama queens in the FOX 4 NOW coverage. Self-styled "real journalists" AMUForums has posted the entire interview segments, along with the names of the students appearing in the FOX 4 video.

One video, titled "Patrick Simmons and John Masek Talk To Fox 4 News" is hilariously sad that the person posting it thinks it proves something other than the low intelligence of the speakers. Patrick Simmons, who spells it "amature[sic] drama queen," appears to be modeling his speech after Clinton. Although admitting he created the page, he then denies having written any of the insults appearing on the page he created. He goes so far as to say that he doesn't know anyone personally who would say those things, but he doesn't deny that people out there exist who would. I also like the spin where he tries to say that his own family has harsh humor. Let's see the links his family created about him. I also like how he avoids calling himself fat, but rather calls himself "big." "Husky" is the nicer word, but he demonstrates that words and language aren't his forte.

Watch the rest of the videos for a laugh. You couldn't write this stuff if you wanted to. I've seen trial video of felons who appear far more credible and other deposition video of uneducated people who speak with less pauses, less "umms" and far less "you knows." It's scary that this is Ave's finest.

Likewise, the atrocious spelling found throughout the facebook page and even the YouTube page for AMUForums and video descriptions is priceless. These are short bus riders all the way.

Watch the videos yourself and you'll see that the FOX 4 Now coverage was very kind to these students. Simmons presented no better context for the clip FOX used, and frankly, if FUMARE had edited the FOX 4 clips, we'd have included all his Clintonisms so you could see how well that self-professed beacon of Catholic morality teaches our youngins to ignore any duty to speak the truth or measure one's words. What's funnier is that another student accuses Hemminger of lying.

Sadisvan must have a remnant of a conscience because he doesn't say lying, but rather talks about unknown people who speak "untruth" about his university irritating him. I like how their own rhetoric denies what they try to say.

These kids were stooged. Commenter Ivan Kasimirovich might be right after all, that these kids were plugged with talking points.

You can't make this stuff up. From far away it's hilarious. For Mr. Hemminger, it's not.

Chin up, Hemminger! The retards can't even spell their insults well, and if all they can muster is to call you fat, then you've already kicked their asses from the start. They claim to have the high moral ground, but they ignore even Healy's misdirected advice to "Let charity reign!" Apparently, it's all good if charity means destroying enemies with the retarded goon squad. Priceless.

I want more videos! Network TV writers can't get this good!

Dear Santa,
you know I've been a good boy this year, and well, except for that one thing, which I hope your elf delivered the thing I sent you about, we should be square, right? If not, have that elf see my elf and we'll make it square.

In consideration of the mutual promises expressed herein and in other collateral agreements, incorporated herein by operation of the Master Partnership and Mutual Understanding Agreement, dated on that fateful day when I caught you kissing someone other than Mrs. Claus in the shopping mall, please amend the following to the 2009 inventory sheet:


This should help AM and I continue to do such good work.

In the December 3, 2009 edition, The Wanderer ran the statement of the Cardinal Newman Society on the Golisano donation to AMU. A.J. Matt, Editor and Publisher, also ran an "Editor's Note" after the Newman statement. I offer it now for your consumption:

Editor's Note: We are somewhat heartened concerning the Newman Society's somewhat weak "shot across the bow" of AMU following the publicity surrounding the Golisano scandal. Our reporter, Marielena de Stuart continues to be banned from the AMU campus, because of her attempt to find out why she suddenly had been prevented from attending the Golisano press conference after earlier attaining official clearance from AMU representatives.

Thanks to an express order to AMU authorities from Venice Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Mrs. Stuart must be allowed access at any time to the AMU church (which is on AMU property). The Wanderer intends to issue shortly a formal request to AMU's president, and to its chancellor, to lift its un-Christian and unprofessional ban against Mrs. Stuart.

Meanwhile, the Monaghan money vacuum continues to be turned on at full power. Hundreds of parents of children in Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis received a "begging" letter from Monaghan.

Written on November 2 (All Souls Day) only days before AMU's public honoring of 4 million dollar donor Tom Golisano, Mr. Monaghan closes his appeal letter as follows:

"Yes, we have made great progress in building Ave Maria University, but we need to make more progress now. Your gift today will help in several ways--it will allow us to keep up the pace, it will show the broad base of support for Ave Maria which is so important to any national institution, and it will encourage others to support us too because they will see that they can be part of a great awakening in our culture--the new evangelization in our country that will so dramatically shape the future of the Church.

"Please, I ask you to pray, fast, and contribute today. You won't regret it. In fact, I have great hope that you and I will have an eternity to rejoice in the action we take today."

As the ancient warning declares: "Let the buyer beware!"

A.J. Matt Jr.
Editor Publisher
The Wanderer

...a look into Advocatus Militaris's wish list!

The Ave Herald is reporting that Ave Maria University has issued a statement responding to the Cardinal Newman Society on the Tom Golisano controversy. In the statement, AMU says that the Cardinal Newman Society is "mistaken" and that the evidence, including Golisano's own statement, indicates that Golisano has never been pro-choice. Some excerpts from the AMU statement:

The foundation of the CNS concern over the Golisano gift is that Mr. Golisano is a "publicly pro-choice individual." What is the evidence for this? The principal evidence cited is an article in the N.Y. Times from 1994 that purports to quote Mr. Golisano as saying, "I am pro-choice." As we have told the CNS, Mr. Golisano disputes this and says he was misquoted. We accept him at his word.

It is interesting that subsequent N.Y. Times articles note that Mr. Golisano is not pro-choice after all . . . . . Significantly, when Mr. Golisano ran for governor of New York on his own Independence Party the platform did not contain a pro-choice plank. So Mr. Golisano has never run as a pro-choice politician.

As we told the CNS, Mr. Golisano has personally assured both Chancellor Monaghan and President Healy that he is pro-life, and authorized us to publicize this. Just last week the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Michael Timmis, had lunch with Mr. Golisano. In the course of their discussion Mr. Golisano stated:

"I am pro-life. I have never been pro-choice, although the NY media has misrepresented me as pro-choice."

He has authorized us to publish these comments verbatim.

In view of the foregoing we believe that Mr. Golisano cannot fairly be said to be "publicly pro-choice." He is publicly pro-life, and maintains that he has always been pro-life.

Mr. Golisano has also shared with us that he has a mentally impaired son. He is a passionate advocate and philanthropist for those with mental disabilities, who are among the main victims of abortion. For this alone he deserves our honor and respect.

Unfortunately, AMU's statement doesn't address Golisano's donations to NARAL-approved NY politicians, the millions to the Bill Clinton Foundation, or the $1 million to last year's Obama coronation at the Democratic Party Convention. I suppose AMU is following Roberts Falls's advice: simply ignore any element of Golisano's past that is contrary to AMU's mission.

“You, young men, honour those with beards. And if there is a man of 30 with a beard and one of 50, or 60, or 100 who shaves, place the one with the beard above the one who shaves, in Church as well as at the table. On the other hand, I don’t say that a beard will get you to heaven, but good works will. And your dress should be modest, as well as your food and your drink. Your whole conduct should be Christian so that you will be a good example for others … I beg you, my fellow Christians, say three times for all those who let their beards grow: ‘May God forgive and have mercy upon them.’ Let your nobility also ask for forgiveness. And may God enlighten you to let go of your sins as you let your beard grow – Saint Cosmas of Aetolia.





Happy Thanksgiving!

Bishop Tobin was interviewed by news talk show hosts Bill O'Reilly and Chris Matthews about the Patrick Kennedy story. O'Reilly let Bishop Tobin speak, while Matthews wouldn't let Bishop Tobin speak and instead got onto a soapbox about how bishops shouldn't oppose abortion because bishops aren't legislators and it's really tough to make laws about abortion and if you aren't in the business of writing abortion laws, you shouldn't comment..... or something. Oh, and Matthews doesn't know the word "Magisterium."

The Golisano story just got a lot bigger. The Cardinal Newman Society, an organization committed to strengthening the Catholic identity at Catholic colleges and universities, has issued a statement on the controversy of Ave Maria University naming an athletic building after Tom Golisano, a businessman who has supported pro-abortion initiatives and politicians in the past. I'm glad to see that the Society has accurately identified the concerns with the honor. Some excerpts from their statement:

Nevertheless, Ave Maria University's decision to honor Mr. Golisano does at least give the appearance of violating the bishops' 2004 policy -- which for a committed Catholic university should be a concern -- and perhaps also in fact.
......

As long as there remains the perception and possibly the fact that Ave Maria University's athletic center is named for a publicly "pro-choice" individual, we fear a negative impact on a university that largely serves and employs faithful Catholics.

The Cardinal Newman Society and Ave Maria University have a shared, demonstrated commitment to faithful Catholic higher education. We continue to have a strong relationship. The Cardinal Newman Society trusts that the University will address this concern with a sincere reflection on its mission and will develop policies to appropriately address such situations in the future.

HT: AveWatch

UPDATE: Here is the Ave Herald's take on this new development.

Just a reminder: Mail your votes for the Ave Maria Law Alumni Board this week. They must be received in Florida by Tuesday, December 1, 2009. If you're wondering who to vote for, consider these candidates.

Whoa. This year, there were 19.8% more people taking the LSAT than last year, the highest in the exam's history.

Sept. 2009: 60,746
Sept. 2008: 50,721
Sept. 2007: 49,785
Sept. 2006: 48,171

Where are all these potential law students going to go? Does Ave Maria have any more room?

There are more developments in the showdown between U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Providence, RI Bishop Thomas Tobin. There was a recent article about the controversy which quoted Kennedy as saying that Bishop Tobin had personally barred him from Communion. Bishop Tobin has responded to correct the record and to express disappointment that Kennedy chose to air their private communications. Bishop Tobin:

I am disappointed that the Congressman would make public my pastoral and confidential request of nearly three years ago that sought to provide solely for his spiritual well-being.

I have no desire to continue the discussion of Congressman Kennedy's spiritual life in public. At the same time, I will absolutely respond publicly and strongly whenever he attacks the Catholic Church, misrepresents the teachings of the Church, or issues inaccurate statements about my pastoral ministry.

I must confess, in my humble opinion, that all of this talk about Ave Herald, Golisano, etc. is small potatoes in comparison to what should be investigated. I have long thought this, but I was recently reminded of it by a comment by Milos Forman.

In addition to Tom Monaghan, who is the one person who has his finger in every Ave Maria pot? The person who has been with Tom since the mid-'80s; the person who serves as his CFO; the one person who--over the years--seems to have known of all of the personal contracts, over and above the legitimately structured boards of the various entities (isn't he on the "executive committee" of the various Boards or some such thing?); the person who sits on the political entity that runs the town; and the person who sits on the board of the bank (whatever its name is now). In a word, the person who knows where all the proverbial bodies are buried: Mr. Paul Roney.

AveWatch has written a number of things on Mr. Roney. I also began to inquire about him back in 2007. Why is this important? Why does Fumare care? Why, according to our critics, don't we be less critical and more charitable (as if the two are mutually exclusive)? The reason is for what Monaghan and Ave Maria are holding themselves out to be: self-styled leaders in the re-building Catholic culture in the United States. Given the evidence of the various Ave Maria sagas, the shabby treatment of its employees, the obfuscation in releasing pertinent information--even to the entities' Boards--on issues of import (e.g., Dobranski's celebrated contract with the Foundation; the firing of Fessio without some AMU board members' knowledge), one must ask who is at the wheel. We have certainly picked on Tom as we should, but what about his willing accomplice?

• Does this man truly have a clue as to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church or is the Church merely a hobby to effectuate a secular business/political plan?
• In the Roney philosophy, if "transparency is the watchword" why does mystery surround the Ave Maria entities and what of these strange business structurings complete with executive committees etc.?

Most importantly, why do prominent Catholics lend their names and reputations to this cause without the slightest interest in the morality, legality, and prudence of its inner-workings? Perhaps all is "on the up and up," but given the proclivity of all things Ave Maria to ape the worst aspects of secular business-political-elite culture, I'm not sure that it is.