Saving Those Damned Catholics

by Judie Brown

Book Overview

Saving Those Damned Catholics chronicles the reasons why the current mess within the Catholic Church is not something that should surprise anyone, whether Catholic, Protestant, or just curious. After all, as the story unfolds you will learn how a bureaucracy has replaced individual commitment; and how politics has become far too appealing to the majority of Catholic bishops. It is no surprise that Americans scoff at Catholic teachings on birth control, abortion and euthanasia. The statistics tell the tale: most Catholics don't know what the Church teaches on these matters of life and death, and if they do, they choose to disagree and - ho-hum - the hierarchy moves on.

Saving Those Damned Catholics outlines the logic behind the most controversial teachings in the Church today, and exposes the arguments put forth by priests and bishops who clearly do not agree with some of these teachings themselves. Astounding as it may seem, there are reasons why federal funding has become more important than protecting innocent life; why popularity among the most liberal of politicians has trumped Pope Benedict XVI's call to be good shepherds and, indeed, to be counter-cultural. There are reasons why homosexuals are still in the seminaries; and there are reasons why the vast majority of Catholics use birth control and condone abortion.

Ever wonder why people like Bill O'Reilly, Ted Kennedy and others in public life get away with distorting Catholic teaching? Scoffing at the truth? Taking it upon themselves to "correct" the Pope on national television? This book will give you a bird's eye view into what is being said and what is not being done to set the record straight.

As Judie Brown put this book together she was able to interview several Catholic priests, including two bishops. One of the most interesting comments she heard is that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is not only a major part of the problem these days, but is an entity that should be deconstructed - abolished, as one priest put it. The bureaucracy has become synonymous with doing nothing to rock the proverbial political boat. But you'll just have to read the book to learn more.

In summary, Saving Those Damned Catholics exposes the warts on the underbelly of the Catholic leadership in America today, and it is not a pretty picture. Too many among them are caught up in a twisted vision of what it takes to effectively lead Catholics. There is too much moral relativism and too little desire to say what is right, especially when doing so will bring down the wrath of the media and maybe even a few politicians.

Regardless of your opinion about Catholics and their Church, don't miss the chance to read one woman's account of history - a history that continues to unfold before our eyes.

ENDORSEMENTS]

"Judie Brown's work fills a void screaming for attention - the persistent relentless assault on Catholic orthodoxy by dissidents attempting to reshape the church in their image. She spells it out and names the names without violating Christian charity. She deserves a wide hearing."
- Ray Kerrison, New York Post columnist

Judie Brown has never been one to sit back and let the devil have his way. Her great new work, Saving Those Damned Catholics, tells it like it is. I thank Judie for her forthright analysis of the state of the Church. She is not just telling us what is wrong - she is giving us our marching orders.
- Father Tom Euteneuer, President, Human Life International

We can always count on Judie Brown and American Life League to keep up with the shenanigans of the so-called "Catholic" leaders. Judie's call for authentic leadership from the nation's bishops and priests is key to rejuvenating the Catholic Church's role in American life.
- Joe Scheidler, Director, Pro-Life Action League

With wit, insight and fearless presentation of the

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1425723462
• ISBN13: 9781425723460
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Xlibris
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

I am one of those "damned Catholics"

The basic idea of Ms. Brown's book is; if you don't believe what the Magisterium of the Catholic Church says are our core beliefs... get out. And she's right. Nobody is forced to be Catholic so if you want to use birth control, have abortions, and pick and choose (as in cafeteria Catholics) a little of this and a lot of that and humm, none of that...trying to tailor make the Church to suit YOU well then, the Catholic Church is not for you. As Ms. Brown clearly points out (and she ain't afraid to name names I might add) the Church's core beliefs are her core beliefs: in spite of the efforts of many to invent "wiggle room" there just isn't any, no matter what the USCCB and some of it's more notorious members say and/or do to the contrary. This book is a must read for all the faithful. It's quite horrifying in places: Catholic nuns who are pro abortion, Catholic hospitals that allow abortions, Catholic Bishops and Archbishops who ought to, at the very least, hang their heads in shame and resign their offices, who instead continue to enable and even encourage behavior condemmed by the Catholic Church they have sworn to uphold and defend. Good for you Judie Brown, this book needed to be written and needs to be read by all serious Catholics.

Mrs. Brown pulls no punches

Only someone with a keen mind, and a sense of moral certitude, could put this difficult subject into a book that is, at all times, respectful of the Church and its teachings, while demanding that the Bishops and Priests, who have sworn an allegiance to God, Himself, and His Holy Catholic Church, "teach people for whom you are ordained, both by word and by example, the things you understand from divine Scripture." Mrs. Brown is well versed in her defense of the Church's teachings and presents not a personal "belief" but "the truth." As she so succinctly says in Chapter One, "There is a huge difference between what you or I "believe" and what the truth is." As she further says, and does, "Truth can be stated unapologetically while a personal belief is merely an opinion." Mrs. Brown pulls no punches in this book, nor does she argue anything but the truth of the Holy Catholic Church teachings. Allow yourself to listen to the truth through this book, and you will have gained great insight into the true teachings of the Catholic Church, and also why her title, "Saving Those Damned Catholics," was well chosen.

This book made me angry!

The book "Saving Those Damned Catholics" by Judie Brown was excellent! This is a book that is very thought provoking but, alas, very difficult to read. I had a lot of anger and frustration after reading it. There is a very real crisis in the Roman Catholic Church. Our leaders, the priests and bishops, are letting us down! The teachings of our Church are being betrayed and smoothed over by our priests and bishops in order for them to stay in their "comfort zone". The Church's teachings on birth control, abortion and euthanasia are not even being reinforced from the pulpit. Maybe that's why most Catholics are very confused on where their Church stands on these issues. Every priest and bishop should know where the Catholic Church stands (they certainly have Church teaching on this) but either because they feel uncomfortable about preaching on them or fear that there might be retaliation (collection basket) from a few in the congregation, there is silence - just silence........... I feel that our priests and Bishops are our leaders and teachers in our Church. This is their job! They are supposed to help all of us to save our souls and reach our eternal reward in Heaven. They aren't here to make life "comfortable" for us. They aren't here to turn us into "cafeteria" Catholics. They aren't here to give us "feel good" homilies day in and day out. I heartily agree with Judie Brown when she says that our priests and bishops better start growing a backbone! Our souls are at stake! Thank God for all those wonderful priests and bishops who are preaching the truth and aren't afraid to shout it from the rooftops!!

Definitely a MUST READ!

OK, now that I have your attention, this book is not an attack on the Catholic Church implying that it is a false religion. This is a book by Judie Brown, co-founder and president of the American Life League. It is a prophetic call for Catholic bishops, priests & laity in the USA to actually stand up for what the Catholic Church teaches about birth control, abortion, euthanasia, contraception, and embryonic stem cell research. There is a problem out there, too many people are confused about what the Church teaches on these issues. The reasons are many. But a big problem is that too many bishops & priests don't accurately present them. Judie Brown divides the way things are presented into 3 classes, black, white & gray. Black is for those who totally pervert or misrepresent the Church's teaching, grey is for those who muddle things up, making it cloudy while not totally denying the teachings. White is for those who accurately present the teaching. She starts each chapter with an example of each of the 3 types. Often for black or grey she uses a fictional Bishop (or Father) Grey or Black. This is not because she is making up the statements, but, I supect, mainly to protect those who told her about what was said from retaliation by the person quoted. Other times it is because so many are saying what she quotes that it is impossible to signal out just 1 person. However, Judie Brown does name names, including bishops, where she can. For white, just the opposite is true. She usually says exactly who said it. & while she is critical of the majority of Bishops, she does give examples of Bishops who do the right thing & encourages them. Unfortunately Bishops like Archbishop Chaput & Bishop Bruskewitz are few & far between. It is not just bishops & priests who don't stand up for the truth that she goes after. She goes after prominate lay Catholics, liberal & conservative. Ted Kennedy, Bill O Reilly, Sean Hannity, Nancy Pelosi & others she points out have all disented on some part of the Church's teachings on these life issues. She shows how & why they are wrong. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) also comes under the gun. She takes an honest look at the USCCB bureaucracy & the damage it has done. In her research she was told by 1 priest that the USCCB should be "abolished". & she supports his assertion with facts that show why he is right. This book could have been an angry attack on those who are failing to proclaim the truth. It isn't. Instead her deep love for the Church & desire for it to fully be what it should shines throughout. & when she names names it is not a condemnation of the person, it is a call for them to repent. Saving Those Damned Catholics is not for the fainthearted who prefer to ignore the real problem in the Catholic Church, those who disent from the Church's teachings. It is not a comfortable book to read for those who love the Church because it doesn't pretend all is well. But it is well

A Must Read

As a cradle Catholic who has seen the teachings of the Church watered-down for years, Saving Those Damned Catholics was a real eye-opener. When Humanae Vitae was issued in the 1960s, I was too busy raising a family to understand the significance of this document and how the toleration of the dissent that surrounded it would start an overall decline in authentic Catholic teaching. What I really like about Judie Brown's book is the documentation she provides to backup her major points. When she criticizes Bill O'Reilly or Chris Matthews, or any of the numerous bishops and priests mentioned in the book, she provides the documentation that shows that it is not just opinion ... it is fact. She does the same thing when she praises many bishops and other public figures. Written in an easy-flowing style, it will be a book you will sail through easily and, when you are done, feel that you know a lot more than when you opened to the first page. I recommend the book to Catholics and non-Catholics. Anyone interested in understanding the Catholic Church in America in the 21st Century should find this book worthwhile.