Culpability, Responsibility, & Actual Ability...Yours, Mine, Ours???

Culpability, Responsibility, & Actual Ability.... When we stand back and think about how we are supposed to live our daily lives; these "-abilities" play a major role. When we chose to follow Christ we are culpable for our actions, that is pretty easy to understand and accept. We then take the responsibility of our own actions and we use our personal physical ability to carry out the tasks the fruits of these actions are our own.

But what about our neighbor's actions? Are we responsible or culpable for those? If we know that our neighbor is going to act sinfully to hurt himself or another person does any of the culpability (or blame) fall upon us? Yes, sometimes even though an action is brought about by another person's physical abilities we still carry the culpability. This occurs when we have knowledge of the sinful actions and ignore our responsibility to follow Christ's example "admonish the sinner." Admonishing the Sinner is a Spiritual Work of Mercy, different from judging a sinner, admonishing is aimed toward changing the sinner's heart and returning them to the mystical body of Christ. If I pray for my neighbor is that enough to remove my culpability? Not always, for example a Church needs to be built and we pray to God to help us build the new Church; materials are provided... someone still needs to be God's hands on earth and build the Church. The same can be said for admonishing the sinner, we can pray for God's wisdom and direction, and although sometimes unpleasant we must be God's hands on earth. Christ told us in John 18:36 "his kingdom is not of this world," and in the modern world it is the trend to allow all people the "don't ask, don't tell" privilege even in regards to their immortal soul. When we are looking to live as Christ, we must do so fearlessly and not follow the trends... His kingdom is not of this world and we want as many souls to enjoy paradise as possible.

Internet Dating: A Tool To Build Up the Church?

In 2001 the online dating entrepreneur eHarmony.com boosted of having successful relationships leading to 10,000 marriages in a single year. Online dating was the fad of 2001, eight years later the meager 3% of Americans who searched for a relationship has grown to over 30%. Worldwide the online dating trend has been catching on; people are not looking to the bars night clubs to hook up; they are making honest profile to form real relationships. China has seen the largest growth of 60% annually; with a net worth of over $81 million dollars in 2008. In the US the reports of profits for online dating in 2007 were nearly $900 million dollars. The US has experienced a growth of 16% annually revealing that 90 million people are seeking their relationships online. CNN news calls online dating a sign of the times; claiming people want less first dates and want to have a wider range of people who share similarities, not wasting money on those not worth-while. An interesting trend that has arisen from this dating phenomenon is a return of the idea of match maker with values cultural background and religion leading the list of qualities for a relationship. JDate (for Jewish Singles), Christian Mingle, and Christian Match are the top three most popular website for 2009 dating. The Catholic Church has always encouraged the faithful to date within their religion. During the twentieth century these views were revoked by most as archaic and out dated. Love at first site became the most popular trend, which spiraled into the U.S. statistics that 50% of marriages end in divorce and 97% will be unhappy. Ignoring values, faith, and addictions Americans fell prey to infatuation, 2009 is revealing that people are returning to love. Couples are learning about one another and taking time to make sure that at the base level they share the same core values. Catholic dating website have exploded over the past eight years; Anthony Buono the president of Ave Maria Singles promises “Hope” with the mission of his site “offer a service solely dedicated to helping faithful, practicing Catholics find their future spouse and help them become a better follower of Christ.” Fr. Benedict Groschel has commended Buono in his work and has endorsed the AMS website as great medium for Catholics to build up the Church through solid marriages. I firmly believe that this return to principles prior to relationships is going to help the Church, and save the family. Marriage is built on the graces of God, and the vow of two people from this love abounds. I know that sometimes every relationship goes through a rough spot, but with God and share principles we can build up the Church and have happier families tomorrow.
Ave Maria Singles

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Cabrini College: Not Really Catholic

Cabrini College, a “Catholic” university has started a new effort for diversity. “The work the Diversity Task Force will do, includes a campus-wide assessment, as well as a study of best practices among colleges and universities,” said Dr. Cynthia Halpern, professor of romance languages and co-chair of the task force. “The Office of Student Diversity Initiatives strives to empower students of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome differences in age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background and geographic origin," Melissa Waters, director of Student Diversity. This expensive new add-on will encourage increasing the number of African-Americans, Latinos, Asians and Native-Americans (ALANA), and also the amount of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students (LGBT.) This college has overlooked the teachings of the Catholic Church in regard to homosexuality and this movement is contrary to the faith. The Loquitur

Catholic Femina Speaks: First, Cabrini is not a Catholic college. Just because Catholic is in your title does not make your teachings Catholic. This action is contrary to the faith and this college is not on the Newman guide to Catholic colleges, for good reason. Secondly, I can not be classified as ALANA; but I would be angry that I was lumped with LGBT to be added for diversity. Students are free to attend what ever school they choose and their race should not be the deciding factor if they are seeking real equality. Furthermore my third point, why have an “Office of Student Diversity Initiatives?” College is expensive enough, cut out the pork… funding this ill-thought out anti-Catholic program costs the students more money and makes it harder for students to attend college. If you are looking for a Catholic University, don’t look to Cabrini.

Friendship For a better Relationship

Anthony Buono, married with seven children; is the founder and president of Ave Maria Singles and Road to Cana . He has some great insight on the importance of married couples (particularly women) having a good supply of friends of their own sex to share in different ways to better their relationship with their spouse. Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus is not to far off according to Buono. He wants to help men and women realize how their differences are not bad and couples do not have to share every waking second. He urges: "Women must not put so much pressure on a man to be a conversational friend they need. Men do need to talk more to women. Women need to have conversation. They need to know what’s going on inside. Many times a man does not even know himself enough inside to share himself. Women must be patient about that. Typically, women find this in another woman. That’s why there are so many happy marriages where each spouse has their same-sex friends. These friendships outside the couple enhance the person and make them better spouses to each other. Don't give up on a good man who defines who he is by his actions. Just because he does not talk as much as you would like does not mean he would not make a good husband and father. Make sure you have friends who make you a better person, and take that betterment and bring it faithfully into dating and marital friendship. "

To read the rest of this story: Friendship as a Man