“EXTRAORDINARY and UNPRECEDENTED”– Release of Cardinal Bevilacqua’s testimony reveals the mind of an impostor

 By Marielena Montesino de Stuart

UPDATE:  Bevilacqua ordered to appear in court

BREAKING NEWS – August 4, 2011:  Philadelphia District Attorney Requests that Bevilacqua testify again– in spite of his “dementia”

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“They are monsters.  They are dangerous— and they are organized.”– From Tom Monaghan’s “invaluable” Cardinal Bevilacqua…

The betrayal

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has become the latest ‘ground zero’ of sexual abuse cover-ups inside the Catholic Church in America.

The  immorality and corruption being exposed through internal Church records and directives, as well as through years of criminal investigations–  is beyond gruesome.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, which has closely followed the events, obtained Cardinal Bevilacqua’s testimony before a grand jury—shortly before a judge sealed it.

The testimony has been published and is unprecedented, as a window into the mind of one of the most notorious protectors of pederasts and pedophiles, inside the Catholic Church.  It is impossible to encapsulate in words the reaction to such evil—which has existed under the authority of church officials—including popes.

It is also a testimony of how modernists—in other words, non-believers, have betrayed the Church.

Celibacy is a crowning jewel

Celibacy in the Roman Catholic Church is a crowning jewel.  Many men and women religious who uphold and defend their sacred vows find themselves often rejected by Church officials who are more interested in covering up sexual scandals, than embracing authentic holiness.

The Roman Catholic Church does not need to change her structure.

The Roman Catholic Church needs to rid herself of impostors—and their lay travelling companions.

A battle cry still echoes inside a 17^th Century church

Cuban political prisoner before being executed by a Communist firing squad

Our earliest experiences in life are essentially points of departure.

As a practicing Roman Catholic and one who respects Church authority I am drawn to reflect on the events of my Catholic experience,  growing up under Fidel Castro’s murderous Communist regime.

I was taught by my parents to defend our Catholic faith, in spite of the persecution that we suffered.

At least I survived.

But thousands of others have been imprisoned, tortured and executed — among them, members of my family– as they cried out “Long Live Christ the King!”

When we stood up as Catholics against the Communists in Cuba, we did so immediately and without hesitation.  Our defense of  the Church was based on faith and conviction.  We did not stop to consider “conspiracies” from the Communist bureaucrats.

Within the confines of our home I was secretly taught the Catechism by my mother— the Catechism being the authoritative expression of the Catholic faith.  Our formation had to be strong, in order to fight the evil that surrounded us.

We did not look for public relations maneuvers—nor did we appeal to Cardinals  for help.

We were Christian soldiers left in a battlefield of brutal violence and hatred against our God-given rights—and it was up to us to stand up and defend those rights.

Having lost our liberty, the only source of hope was our faith and our love for Christ and his Church.

The world chose to ignore our suffering.  To this day, it still does.

In fact, even the Holy See has increasingly betrayed and abandoned the plight of the Cuban people under Castro— through diplomatic maneuvers between Rome and Havana.

Under Communism, my living example of greatness and loyalty within the Church was the priest who risked his life to make sure that I received my First Holy Communion, while armed Communist military thugs threatened us– as they lined the walls of my hometown’s beautiful church, which dates back to the 17^th Century.

The battle cry in defense of our faith still echoes inside the walls of that church.

Not enough can ever be said about the lay Catholics who never wavered in their defense of the Church—in spite of the persecution they suffered under Communism.

I never knew liberty until I came to the United States.  I am still exhilarated by it.  But liberty did not prepare me for the realization that the Church we had defended against the Communists, was being attacked from within.  And an attack on the Church is a universal act that cannot be nuanced—even more so when the perpetrator of the attack is a Cardinal himself.

I had never seen a Cardinal growing up under Communism— given Castro’s repressive activities against the Church.

In the United States, my most vivid archdiocesan experience was under a modernist, Roger Cardinal Mahony—and one I would rather forget.  With his progressive exhortations and innovative social experiments, Cardinal  Mahony managed to destroy the Archdiocese of Los Angeles—both morally and financially.  Under Mahony’s reign, Los Angeles witnessed one of the city’s darkest periods, as victims of clerical sexual abuse began to step forward.

What is Cardinal Mahony’s legacy?

Abusive priests from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles still live unmonitored across the nation. (PDF).

A new reality sets in

Under Communism we at least knew who the enemy was—but in the Catholic Church, the enemy is hiding.

Catholic Church officials have run out of excuses.  The recently published testimony of the infamous Cardinal Bevilacqua, before a grand jury, puts to rest any notions that there is an external “conspiracy”— as more and more victims come forward, exposing how Church officials have covered up the sexual abuse of children in the Church.

If there is a “conspiracy”– it is internal—and it is hidden under the breath and whispers of certain members of the Roman Curia.

A cover-up is a lie—and Cardinals are not supposed to lie

Cardinal Bevilacqua’s role in the cover-up of the sexual abuse of children is a betrayal of the Church—which includes the faithful Catholics who gave up their lives in her defense.

What made Bevilacqua even more dangerous is that he isn’t just a Cardinal.

Cardinal Bevilacqua is a canon lawyer—as well as a civil lawyer admitted to practice before the Courts of New York State, the Courts of the State of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Supreme Court.

This is the ultimate insult to injury— considering Cardinal Bevilacqua’s background as a lawyer, and his understanding of the criminal implications of covering up and protecting dangerous sexual predators.

Bevilacqua’s history of cover-ups is not limited to Pennsylvania.  Memos reveal that during Bevilacqua’s tenure as Auxiliary Bishop at the Diocese of Brooklyn, he covered up and transferred an extremely dangerous predator, Father Romano J. Ferraro, who is now serving a life sentence.

While this was happening, Cardinal Bevilacqua  was also working closely with both Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

As recently as February 28, 2011, Cardinal Bevilacqua was listed as Chairman of The Papal Foundation — the Pope’s biggest monetary fund — an extremely powerful multi-million dollar American foundation which is managed by Benedict XVI.

A minimum $1 million dollar donation is required to become a steward.  A screen caption taken on July 30, 2011 of the Papal Foundation’s website now shows Bevilacqua as a “member” of the board of trustees—with Cardinal Wuerl, from Washington DC, having been moved up to the position of Chairman.

(Click to enlarge image)

But the Holy See is not the only place where the red carpet has been rolled out for Cardinal Bevilacqua, as a “prince of the Church.”

Wealthy lay Catholics for years have also been rolling out their own red carpets  for Cardinal Bevilacqua— even after a grand jury report had been issued, describing his involvement in covering up the sexual abuse of children—during his tenure as Archbishop of Philadelphia.

Is it that these wealthy lay Catholics—with their teams of powerful lawyers, simply ignore or do not care about such significant legal public records detailing the cover-up of the sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church?  Is this part of the “this-is just-a-conspiracy- against-Catholics” approach to defending the Church?

Or is there a motivation for power, greed and control behind their actions—while they hold meetings—sometimes at luxury resorts and hotels—to raise money in “defense” of  human dignity and human life—in the company and under the oversight of impostors like Bevilacqua?

And I say impostors—because  Cardinal Bevilacqua did not operate alone.

It is prudent that faithful, well-intentioned Catholics, question and investigate the background of lay Catholic organizations and movements—before lending their names, or giving their time and money—or they may find themselves seated next to another Cardinal Bevilacqua—amidst luxury, pomp and circumstance.

But questioning the rich and powerful requires courage – and can be time consuming.  So most people prefer to give in to that fancy luncheon—where they can feel good about themselves, while millions of dollars are raised and channeled in different directions—all in the name of “working for the Church.”

But are they– really?

It is of serious concern, and very disturbing, that someone like Bevilacqua is allowed to hold the purse strings at The Papal Foundation– in the management of millions of dollars.

In contrast, Jesus, who lived and walked amongst the poor was able to influence and change the course of humanity, without a cent in his pocket.

Fortunately, there are courageous  Catholics and organizations that continue to work in defense of human life and the family—without compromising their work.  It is a worthwhile  effort to seek them  out.

The “invaluable” Cardinal Bevilacqua

It appears that Bevilacqua was very much in demand.

Cardinal Bevilacqua served as Tom Monaghan’s “invaluable” Ecclesiastical Advisor in  Legatus, almost from its inception, in approximately 1988, until December, 2010.  Tom Monaghan is the former pizza king-turned-Chancellor of Ave Maria University.  Legatus is Tom Monaghan’s  Catholic rich men’s club which claims  “to study, live and spread the Faith in [their] business, professional and personal lives.” Legatus has chapters in many cities.

Tom Monaghan’s support and close involvement with Cardinal Bevilacqua (see calling the Cardinal “invaluable“) continued in spite of the first 423-page Grand Jury Report issued on September 15, 2005–  which began as follows:

“This report contains the findings of the Grand Jury:  how dozens of priests sexually abused hundreds of children;  how Philadelphia Archdiocese officials — including Cardinal Bevilacqua and Cardinal Krol — excused and enabled the abuse…”

Upon reflecting on Tom Monaghan’s Legatus and its advertised mission “to study, live and spread the Faith in [their] business, professional and personal lives“– it is interesting to note that Mr. Monaghan has erected a building on his Ave Maria University, Florida campus bearing the name of a billionaire who has given millions of dollars to extreme-left wing, pro-choice,  NARAL-endorsed politicians—including Barack Obama.  Why?  In exchange for a $4 million donation to the university.

Is naming a building in honor of a billionaire who has given millions of dollars to rabid pro-choice politicians Tom Monaghan’s way of “living and spreading the Faith”?

The testimony

 “Grand jury transcripts are rarely made public” – wrote the team of journalists that has been following the Archdiocese of Philadelphia sexual abuse scandals at the Philadelphia Inquirer–  adding that Bevilacqua’s testimony would be of interest and help on an international basis—since these scandals are not limited to the United States.

The Catholic Church in Ireland collapsed under the weight of corruption, homosexual activity and the sexual abuse of children.   Investigations and lawsuits are taking place in other countries, including Germany and Belgium.

A lawyer who has represented victims of sexual abuse referred to the prosecutor’s  release of Bevilacqua’s testimony as “extraordinary and unprecedented.”

Read  Bevilacqua’s testimony… and weep.

© Marielena Montesino de Stuart

CLICK on the following LINK to access the testimony through  the Philadelphia Inquirer website.  It is also available at BishopAccountability.org in detailed searchable format.

Related reading:

Tom Monaghan’s “invaluable” Cardinal Bevilacqua accused by grand jury of covering up sexual abuse of children

Short related video:  What’s a Modernist?

…or listen to audio clip:

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:  Modernists + Questioning Lay Catholic Organizations and Movements +  Questioning the Holy See about the Sexual Abuse of Children in the Catholic Church + Pederasty +  Pedophilia.

Marielena Montesino de Stuart

E-Mail:    ContactTRCW@aol.com

You may also read Marielena Montesino de Stuart’s commentaries through: RenewAmerica, USAToday, Forbes.com, The Dallas Morning News, U.S. Politics Today (an EIN Service for Political Professionals-*) Poynter Online, Spero News, Daily Estimate, The New Liturgical Movement-Poland, The Naples Daily News, Les Femmes-The Truth, Culture War Notes,  ProLife Blogs,  The Wanderer, The Times of India, etc. Notice to readers

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If… “it’s not Cut, Cap & Balance”– then it doesn’t solve the problem

by Marielena Montesino de Stuart

If…  “it’s  not Cut, Cap & Balance” then it doesn’t solve the problem

On Monday July 25 a new deal was announced by House Speaker John Boehner which sidesteps the core issues laid out under Cut, Cap & Balance.

So, what can we expect from the verbiage in this new deal from Speaker Boehner? — which has been described as “less than perfect” and “it’s not Cut, Cap & Balance.”

Not much.

It appears that this new nebulous proposal puts tax increases off the table—that is, until next year, when the issue of raising taxes would be debated again.  It adds trillions of dollars to our debt in the short-term and does not genuinely change Washington’s spending habit.  It appears to be a variation on the theme of the McConnell-Reid plan.

Meanwhile, a new “Super Congress” commission of 12 would deal with the issue of future deficit reduction and tax increases.  There is no question that this new commission will include Democrats who are allergic to spending cuts—which puts Americans at risk of tax hikes.

But wait.  Why do we need a “Super Congress” commission?

We already have a United States Congress—with all the legislative powers granted under Article I of the U.S. Constitution to bring about the changes that we need, right now, in order to stop government spending.

“Argument and Opportunity”

This “new deal” announced by Speaker Boehner also includes “argument and opportunity” for a Balanced Budget Amendment.  Speaker Boehner’s call for “argument and opportunity” means very little—since his new deal, as presented on July 25, does not appear to cap federal spending.  It caps appropriated discretionary spending, which is 39% of the budget.

Americans must put pressure on their representatives, so that the Senate will vote on Cut, Cap & Balance, which was approved last week by the House– and insist on a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which should be submitted to the states for ratification.

It is a logical conclusion that these temporary attempts—including the formation of a new commission with significant legislative power (as if we don’t have enough commissions already) are just ways of  “dealing” with the debt problem, instead of solving it.  This approach  will leave us with consequences that we may not be able to rectify in the future.

A debt default could come at some point—but not on August 2^nd.  If we default, it would be to the massive bureaucratic system that the Obama administration  is supporting– not  to our creditors.  President Obama may be trying to set up a “catastrophic” crisis, by using tax revenues for purposes other than debt service.  This Socialist bureaucracy with abusive spending habits will overtake our growth and destroy our economy.  There’s little hope for job creation in an economic environment like this.

In the meantime, President Obama, who is looking for a crisis that he can blame on Republicans, may also be setting the stage for a government shut-down.  If this happens, will he at least administer it in the manner least disruptive to Americans and the markets?

Senator Reid’s fictitious spending cuts

Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has another plan—which uses fuzzy math and gimmicks—like a $1 trillion disguise for fictitious spending cuts—by assuming the continuation of a ten year surge-level spending in Iraq and Afghanistan, in spite of the decrease that the President announced.  The Committee on the Budget said:  “An honest budget cannot claim to save taxpayers’ dollars by cutting spending that was not requested and will not be spent. Senate Democrats are employing a budget gimmick that will not fool the credit markets and does not address the urgent need for Washington to get its fiscal house in order.”

This latest plan presented by the Democrats  is essentially political, rather than economic.  Senator Reid’s proposal does not include plans for a Balanced Budget Amendment.  This is not a surprise—since Socialists do not believe in balancing the budget.  They believe in a big government that runs on credit.

This is why Harry Reid rushed to table a debate on Cut, Cap & Balance in the Senate—ignoring its parliamentary legitimacy, as an Act passed by the House of Representatives—which, most importantly, reflected its overwhelming support by the American people.

Cut, Cap & Balance is what credit rating agencies see as a sensible solution—because it controls spending– and is the only plan so far that could save America’s credit rating.

Otherwise, as far as S&P and Moody are concerned—they would simply be doing exactly what President Obama asked them to do in 2009—that is, to stop overestimating the stability of financial institutions.   President Obama has only himself to blame for his failed economic policies and worthless bail outs.

Social Security checks can be paid— in spite of President Obama’s embarrassing scare tactics.  Professor Michael McConnell is a leading authority on constitutional history and constitutional law.  Here is what he has to say about Social Security checks:

“The Social Security trust fund holds about $2.4 trillion in U.S. Treasury bonds, which its trustees are legally entitled to redeem whenever Social Security is running a current account deficit. Thus, if we reach the debt ceiling (which I continue to think is a remote prospect, even if less remote than it seemed a week ago), this is what will happen. The Social Security trust fund will go to Treasury and cash in some of its securities, using the proceeds to send checks to recipients. Each dollar of debt that is redeemed will lower the outstanding public debt by a dollar. That enables the Treasury to borrow another dollar, without violating the debt ceiling. The debt ceiling is not a prohibition on borrowing new money; it is a prohibition on increasing the total level of public indebtedness. If Social Security cashes in some of its bonds, the Treasury can borrow that same amount of money from someone else.”

Americans must see through all the political maneuvering that is taking place in Washington.  This is why we must insist on Cut, Cap & Balance, as the only viable solution for the current fiscal crisis.

© Marielena Montesino de Stuart

E-Mail:    ContactTRCW@aol.com

Marielena Montesino de Stuart

You may also read Marielena Montesino de Stuart’s commentaries through: RenewAmerica, USAToday, The Dallas Morning News, U.S. Politics Today (an EIN Service for Political Professionals-*) Poynter Online, Spero News, Daily Estimate, The New Liturgical Movement-Poland, The Naples Daily News, Les Femmes-The Truth, Culture War Notes,  ProLife Blogs,  The Wanderer, The Times of India, etc.

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A WORLD VIEW OF THE U.S. DEBT: If America falls—who will come to her rescue?

By Marielena Montesino de Stuart

“When the people once surrender their share in the legislature, and their right of defending the limitations upon the government, and of resisting every encroachment upon them, they can never regain it.” – John Adams

It’s dark inside the White House

President Obama’s administration is leaving Americans in the dark, as it continues to push the United States further into debt and subservience to other nations.

On the other hand, the solutions that have been offered through Cut, Cap & Balance are transparent and have been the only ones that make sense– in this battle to save America at the edge of an economic precipice.

It is shameful that a debate on Cut, Cap & Balance was tabled by the Senate.

What do Senate Democrats fear?

The will of the people?

Americans are not interested in a “deal”.

Americans want and deserve a solution to the debt, and this includes passing a crucial Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Tax increases are not the solution to the debt.

Not surprisingly, President Obama has offered nothing concrete during the current debt talks.  With his socialist aversion to leadership, President Obama has reduced the significance of this matter to mere sound bites and clichés in front of television cameras.

The Hellenic Mirror:  A reflection of our reality?  

This ‘smoke and mirrors’ game is, in effect, part of the Socialist environment that is destroying our nation—much like the Socialist environment I witnessed during my stays in Greece—as the Panhellenic Socialist Movement grew and eventually choked that beautiful country, while participating in the equally socialist euro zone profligacy.

The fall of America as the world’s economic leader would be an event of proportions and repercussions never seen before.  It would overshadow any Greek Tragedy— including the current financial one.

Much to the detriment of our national security, Americans have been pawns in an economic environment “propped up” by borrowing money from other countries—most significantly from the Communists in Beijing.  As such, China is the biggest investor in the U.S. debt— and our most dangerous economic and military enemy.

Last year, Americans experienced Communist China’s anger after Washington sold arms to Taiwan.  China’s state-run Xinhua news agency published an interview where Major General Luo Yuan (deputy secretary general of the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences) warned what the U.S. could expect in return:

“Our retaliation should not be restricted to merely military matters, and we should adopt a strategic package of counterpunches covering politics, military affairs, diplomacy and economics, to treat both the symptoms and root cause of this disease.”

Yuan added that Washington could be punished through “oblique  means and stealthy feints… such as dumping some U.S. government bonds.”

Added to the arsenal of punishments  that the Communist Chinese have in store for us, is the development of electromagnetic pulse weapons, which would be used against U.S. aircraft carriers– should the People’s Liberation Army attack Taiwan and Americans dare to intervene.

If America falls—no one can come to her rescue.  Only God can save America.

CLICK on the U.S. Department of the Treasury below to see who owns the U.S. debt:

© Marielena Montesino de Stuart

E-Mail:    ContactTRCW@aol.com

Marielena Montesino de Stuart

You may also read Marielena Montesino de Stuart’s commentaries through: RenewAmerica, USAToday, The Dallas Morning News, U.S. Politics Today (an EIN Service for Political Professionals-*) Poynter Online, Spero News, Daily Estimate, The New Liturgical Movement-Poland, The Naples Daily News, Les Femmes-The Truth, Culture War Notes,  ProLife Blogs,  The Wanderer, The Times of India, etc.

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A Tribute to the American Space Program

by Marielena Montesino de Stuart

 

The Space Shuttle Atlantis returned to Earth today.  Its final landing at 5:56AM (EDT) marked the end of a glorious era in American history.  Here is a tribute to the thousands of men and women who have dedicated their lives to the American space program.

CLICK HERE for a breathtaking view of life from above…

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:  Space Shuttle Atlantis + International Space Station + NASA + American Space Program + Human Space Exploration + Kennedy Space Center in Florida + Cape Canaveral, Florida + Florida’s Space Coast.

© Marielena Montesino de Stuart

E-Mail:    ContactTRCW@aol.com

Marielena Montesino de Stuart

You may also read Marielena Montesino de Stuart’s commentaries through: RenewAmerica, USAToday, The Dallas Morning News, U.S. Politics Today (an EIN Service for Political Professionals-*) Poynter Online, Spero News, Daily Estimate, The New Liturgical Movement-Poland, The Naples Daily News, Les Femmes-The Truth, Culture War Notes,  ProLife Blogs,  The Wanderer, The Times of India, etc.

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BEFORE YOU GO, YOU MUST KNOW THIS…

by Marielena Montesino de Stuart

A Pro-Life, Pro-America Look at Human Space Exploration

Mission STS-135

For three decades members of the 45th Space Wing have provided vital  Eastern Range support for NASA’s space shuttle program.   They stand ready to give their support, one last time, during the final landing of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, when it returns to Earth upon completion of Mission STS-135.

The shuttle launched at 11:29 a.m. (EDT) from the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A, on Friday, July 8.  One space walk is planned during the estimated 12-day mission.

This was the final space shuttle flight.  It is the end of an era in American history.

Shortly after the launch, the White House released a statement from President Obama, which included his encouragement of a Mars program– perhaps anticipating his destination in exile, after the 2012 elections:

“I have tasked the men and women of NASA with an ambitious new mission:  to break new boundaries in space exploration, ultimately sending Americans to Mars.  I know they are up to the challenge – and I plan to be around to see it.” – President Barack Obama, The White House, July 8, 2011.

These sound like nice words– but NASA cannot carry out such projects without committed programs to sustain them– and NASA has not been a priority for President Obama.  In fact, President Obama cancelled Project Constellation—which included plans to send astronauts to the Moon, to Mars and into deep space exploration.

President Obama also seems to be removing Americans as leaders of the space program, by enforcing  more and more his internacionalista ideology.   NASA Administrator, Charles Bolden, revealed President Obama’s marching orders to NASA:   “Reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim  nations.”

On June 30, 2010  al-Jazeera aired an interview with Bolden.  Here is an excerpt, where Bolden explains  President Obama’s instructions:

“One, was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science, math, and engineering.”

NASA’s assistant administrator for public affairs, Bob Jacobs, said that Bolden was speaking about priorities related to “outreach” — not about NASA’s primary missions of “science, aeronautics and space exploration.”  Not a surprising statement from a PR department, trying to do damage control.

Byron York, chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner wrote on July 5, 2010 about the al-Jazeera episode:

Michael Griffin, who headed NASA during the last four years of the Bush administration, says the space agency’s new goal to improve relations with the Islamic world and boost Muslim self-esteem is a “perversion” of NASA’s original mission to explore space.  “NASA was chartered by the 1958 Space Act to develop the arts and sciences of flight in the atmosphere and in space and to go where those technologies will allow us to go,” Griffin said in an interview Tuesday.  “That’s what NASA does for the country.  It is a perversion of NASA’s purpose to conduct activities in order to make the Muslim world feel good about its contributions to science and mathematics.”

Bolden also asserted that the United States is not going to travel beyond low-Earth orbit on its own– and that no country is going to make it to Mars without international help.

According to a Fox News report , Michael Griffin disagreed with Bolden’s comment about Mars, explaining that the U.S. can accomplish such projects without international aid. “To the extent that we wish to go to Mars, we can go to Mars,”  said Griffin.

A “devastating” blow to the American space program

In April, 2010, Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon, published an open letter together with Apollo astronauts James Lovell and Eugene Cernan, which described President Obama’s cancellation of Project Constellation  as “devastating.”

The letter also stated that, “for The United States, the leading space faring nation for nearly half a century, to be without carriage to low Earth orbit and with no human exploration capability to go beyond Earth orbit for an indeterminate time into the future, destines our nation to become one of second or even third rate stature.”

As we witnessed the Shuttle Atlantis leave our planet on July 8, it was easy to see how fragile our extraordinary American space program has become.

America, which once ruled human space exploration, will now depend on the Russians to help us reach this new frontier.  For those of us who have followed the American space program with great respect and admiration, it is as if a gentle giant has gone to sleep.

God and human space exploration

Human space exploration, with Americans as leaders, can remain a noble scientific project that values and protects human life.

This is extremely important for those of us who believe that human life is strictly God’s divine creation.  Without question, our support of a space program that defines itself as “humanist”  must always include the condition that the defense of innocent human life must never be compromised.

For the sake of clarity, it is important to note that there is secular humanism– and authentic humanism, which is divine and centered on God as the Creator.

Dr. Christopher McKay is a planetary scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California.  Dr. McKay has expressed his firm believe that, “Earth’s gift to the universe is the gift of life.”   Personally, I would change that to “God’s gift to the universe is the gift of life.”  Nevertheless, statements such as Dr. McKay’s could draw support for human space exploration, as a scientific project that respects and protects human life.

Recently I spent a full, glorious day, at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, in Washington DC.  And I say glorious– because there is no better way to describe what it felt like to examine this outstanding museum collection—which reflects the accomplishments  and sacrifices made by so many men and women, throughout the history of our space program.

There, piece by piece—from the most humble sketch to the most sophisticated mechanisms, one could witness our incredible human potential and noble spirit, in search of discovery.

I also have had the privilege of visiting the collection at the Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral.   My reaction upon leaving both museums was one of longing to return, very soon.

“Mars beckons… but Mars will not wait forever”

Such were the words of the former chairman of the National Space Society, Dr. Robert Zubrin, who is also president of  Pioneer Astronautics and of The Mars Society.

Dr. Zubrin has been clamoring for support of a Mars program involving  human exploration– where our  natural, noble human potential can be unleashed.

If  President Obama is serious about sending Americans to Mars, then he may want to get help from  Dr. Zubrin—a world-renowned expert on the Red Planet.   Dr. Zubrin should have no problem having a discussion about Mars with President Obama—which would include the most complex analysis, cost-effective means, as well as a lighthearted view of what American astronauts can expect once they reach the Red Planet.

Dr. Zubrin has been the driving force behind a program called Mars Direct, which would utilize existing technologies, and would place the Mars mission on a faster track– without the need of massive government expenses, bureaucracy or delays.  Mars Direct proposes  that missions to Mars should leave directly from Earth.

Tyranny, war and genocide

In The Case for Mars Dr. Zubrin writes:

“The essence of [a] humanist society is that it values human beings—human life and human rights are held precious beyond price.  Such notions have been for several thousand years the core philosophical values of Western civilization, dating back to the Greeks and the Judeo—Christian ideas of the divine nature of the human spirit. Yet they could never be implemented as a practical basis for the organization of society until the great explorers of the age of discovery threw open a New World in which the dormant seed of humanism contained within medieval Christendom could grow and blossom forth.”

Dr. Zubrin has expressed his rejection of population control, and passionately believes that space exploration must be humanist in nature—for it to serve a noble purpose. He stresses that human beings create new resources by finding ways of using new developed technologies.   He adds, “this is why (contrary to Malthus ) [creator of the Malthusian Theory of population control]  as the world’s population has increased, the standard of living has increased, and at an accelerating rate.”

“Malthusianism is scientifically bankrupt,” states Dr. Zubrin.  “All predictions made upon it have been wrong, because human beings are not mere consumers of resources.  Western humanist civilization, as we know and value it today, was born in expansion, grew in expansion, and can only exist in a dynamic expanding state.  If the idea is accepted that the world’s resources are fixed, then each person is ultimately the enemy of every other person, and each race or nation is the enemy of every other race or nation. The inevitable result is tyranny, war and genocide. Only in a universe of unlimited resources can all men be brothers.”

The sanctity of life

The defense of human life has been present, consciously or not, in each and every noble aspiration and human endeavor that man has ever embarked on; however, society’s increasing abandonment of the sanctity of life has been a death sentence, not just for ourselves as individuals.  The abandonment of the sanctity of life is fundamentally an attack on all of God‘s creation.

We must value our extraordinary human potential, if we are to respect God’s divine creation.

In The Case for Mars. Dr. Zubrin also states:  “Some people consider the idea of terraforming Mars heretical—humanity playing  God. Yet others would see in such an accomplishment the most profound vindication of the divine nature of the human spirit, exercised in its highest form to bring a dead world to life.”

Our greatest resource

We live in a world where population is only above replacement level in sub-Saharan Africa.  A world where life is disposable.  Where human potential is not valued as our greatest resource.

Fortunately, like the inevitable discovery of the New World—human space exploration is also inevitable.  Man is determined to return to the Moon—to reach Mars, whether through a private or government- sponsored program.

But, who will lead?  Will it be for a noble cause that supports humanity?

We are doomed if the space program is led by the Communist Chinese —the most powerful anti-humanist government on Earth.

Communist China’s  military-run space program is moving ahead, fast and furious.  China plans to launch the Tiangong 1 by the end of September—as the first module of a future space laboratory.  The Chinese will then attempt their first in-orbit docking , with the goal of having a fully established space station by 2020.

On January 11, 2010 China flexed its muscles by conducting  an exoatmospheric missile interception test, as a step towards development of a missile defense system.  This has put Washington DC on notice that Beijing’s goal is to militarize space and achieve strategic superiority in aerospace.

Rep. Frank R. Wolf, (R) from Virginia– who is a staunch critic of Communist China’s murderous activities and human rights violations, inserted a clause in NASA’s budget which restricts NASA’s ability to collaborate with the Chinese government or Chinese companies.  The restrictions  also extend to the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

Under the clause, these agencies are not allowed to “develop, design, plan, promulgate, implement, or execute a bilateral policy, program, order, or contract of any kind to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally in any way with China or any Chinese-owned company.”

NASA is also prohibited from hosting official Chinese visitors.

Rep. Wolf is Chairman of the Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee.

The clause was added to an emergency national budget bill passed in April, to keep the U.S. government running for six months.

Human space exploration: the infinite frontier

At a time when governments around the world are passing laws to reduce population growth through the incremental establishment of laws and programs that lead to the murder of innocent human beings, we must support programs that oppose these evil tendencies.

The success of human space exploration depends on the growth of a human population that will support its programs far into the future– of a new and infinite frontier.

Great innovation has resulted from great human endeavors– the building of pyramids, great cathedrals, the discovery of the New World.  At the time that these projects were undertaken they were the most complex for that age. These accomplishments have opened the door  to great human cooperation, integration, and advancements.  These accomplishments took place because of our extraordinary human potential.

Human space exploration is no different.

Americans must lead

Scientists at NASA, as well as in the private sector agree that Mars, as well as other human space exploration programs are within our reach—but it is crucial that Americans lead in these efforts.

Mars is reported to have vast quantities of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen– readily accessible to those who are willing to apply their skills, in support of discovery– and in support of developing  technologies for the benefit of humanity.

While some may argue that there are vast uninhabited lands in every continent on Earth, that could be turned into new frontiers– the fact is that this has not proven to be a strong enough motivation for expansion, or human population growth.

To the contrary.  Entire regions battle over control of natural resources.  America itself is a hostage of the oil industry—much of it controlled by countries who are hostile to us.  Human life has been devalued, and anti-human ideologies have permeated our societies and governments.

Maybe  a society that supports human space exploration as a noble cause, may begin to rediscover  the divine potential of each human life.

No nation can follow the pursuit of such a noble task better than America.

Before you go…

Human space exploration evolved  from the idea that there is a destiny full of optimism and goodness in the discovery of the celestial theater, and it needs human participation to accomplish it.

The greater the population, the faster the rate of innovation—and innovation  is what inspires  man’s dream of reaching beyond the Earth.

So, on a clear night, look up and think–that in our struggle for the defense of human life, God’s answer may very well lie amongst the stars.

♦  ♦  ♦

© Marielena Montesino de Stuart

E-Mail:    ContactTRCW@aol.com

Marielena Montesino de Stuart

You may also read Marielena Montesino de Stuart’s commentaries through: RenewAmerica, USAToday, The Dallas Morning News, U.S. Politics Today (an EIN Service for Political Professionals-*) Poynter Online, Spero News, Daily Estimate, The New Liturgical Movement-Poland, The Naples Daily News, Les Femmes-The Truth, Culture War Notes,  ProLife Blogs,  The Wanderer, The Times of India, etc.

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TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:

ABORTION,  COMMUNIST CHINA, EUGENICS, HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION, MARS, NASA, POPULATION CONTROL,  Dr. Robert Zubrin,  Mars Direct, The Case for Mars