An inside look at the new motion picture "For Greater Glory." This
special chronicles the history of the Cristero War with interviews from
leading historians, several cast members, and Catholic leaders.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Chief Justice's Gambit
By Sean Trende
In 1803, the chief justice of the United States had a problem. His hated cousin, Thomas Jefferson, had won the last presidential election. But the outgoing Federalists opted not go gentle into that good night. The one branch of government they controlled was the judiciary, and they meant to keep it. They had passed the Judiciary Act of 1801, which allowed for several new judicial appointments.
President Adams did a remarkable job filling the appointments and getting them hastily confirmed. The so-called “Midnight Judges” by and large received their commissions. But not all of them did. Incoming President Jefferson then instructed his secretary of state not to deliver the remaining ones.
Unsurprisingly, litigation ensued. One of those who was to receive a commission, William Marbury, filed a petition directly in the Supreme Court under a provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789. He requested a writ ordering the secretary of state to deliver his commission.
But Chief Justice John Marshall was a staunch Federalist. The republic was young, the court’s legitimacy fragile, and the ability of the nation to endure the peaceful transfer of power between parties uncertain. It was also unclear how Marshall’s ordering the newly installed Jeffersonian Republican secretary of state to do something would go over.
So the chief justice did something very clever. He found that Marbury was entitled to his commission, bestowing legitimacy on those Midnight Judges who had received theirs. But he didn't stop there -- to Marbury's detriment. He then ruled that the Constitution only gave the court so-called “original jurisdiction” over a small number of cases. The provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789 bestowing the court with original jurisdiction over writs of the type Marbury sought was therefore unconstitutional.
Jefferson had won, nominally. Madison didn’t have to deliver the commission, Marbury didn’t refile in the lower courts, and he never became a justice of the peace. But history remembers the case as a huge, perhaps decisive, blow against those Jeffersonians who viewed the Constitution as nothing more than a glorified Articles of Confederation.
In depriving the court of original jurisdiction, Marshall had installed the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter of the constitutionality of laws. Jefferson hated the idea of what has become known as judicial review. But having won, he was powerless to act against Marshall. Over the course of his term, Marshall would use that power to increase vastly the powers of the federal government, and to diminish those of the states.
In 1803, the chief justice of the United States had a problem. His hated cousin, Thomas Jefferson, had won the last presidential election. But the outgoing Federalists opted not go gentle into that good night. The one branch of government they controlled was the judiciary, and they meant to keep it. They had passed the Judiciary Act of 1801, which allowed for several new judicial appointments.
President Adams did a remarkable job filling the appointments and getting them hastily confirmed. The so-called “Midnight Judges” by and large received their commissions. But not all of them did. Incoming President Jefferson then instructed his secretary of state not to deliver the remaining ones.
Unsurprisingly, litigation ensued. One of those who was to receive a commission, William Marbury, filed a petition directly in the Supreme Court under a provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789. He requested a writ ordering the secretary of state to deliver his commission.
But Chief Justice John Marshall was a staunch Federalist. The republic was young, the court’s legitimacy fragile, and the ability of the nation to endure the peaceful transfer of power between parties uncertain. It was also unclear how Marshall’s ordering the newly installed Jeffersonian Republican secretary of state to do something would go over.
So the chief justice did something very clever. He found that Marbury was entitled to his commission, bestowing legitimacy on those Midnight Judges who had received theirs. But he didn't stop there -- to Marbury's detriment. He then ruled that the Constitution only gave the court so-called “original jurisdiction” over a small number of cases. The provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789 bestowing the court with original jurisdiction over writs of the type Marbury sought was therefore unconstitutional.
Jefferson had won, nominally. Madison didn’t have to deliver the commission, Marbury didn’t refile in the lower courts, and he never became a justice of the peace. But history remembers the case as a huge, perhaps decisive, blow against those Jeffersonians who viewed the Constitution as nothing more than a glorified Articles of Confederation.
In depriving the court of original jurisdiction, Marshall had installed the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter of the constitutionality of laws. Jefferson hated the idea of what has become known as judicial review. But having won, he was powerless to act against Marshall. Over the course of his term, Marshall would use that power to increase vastly the powers of the federal government, and to diminish those of the states.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Erick Erickson: I’m Not Down on John Roberts
From RedState
By Erick Erickson
Having gone through the opinion, I am not going to beat up on John Roberts. I am disappointed, but I want to make a few points.
First, I get the strong sense from a few anecdotal stories about Roberts over the past few months and the way he has written this opinion that he very, very much was concerned about keeping the Supreme Court above the partisan fray and damaging the reputation of the Court long term. It seems to me the left was smart to make a full frontal assault on the Court as it persuaded Roberts.
By Erick Erickson
Having gone through the opinion, I am not going to beat up on John Roberts. I am disappointed, but I want to make a few points.
First, I get the strong sense from a few anecdotal stories about Roberts over the past few months and the way he has written this opinion that he very, very much was concerned about keeping the Supreme Court above the partisan fray and damaging the reputation of the Court long term. It seems to me the left was smart to make a full frontal assault on the Court as it persuaded Roberts.
A Supremely Dark Day for America
Today's decision by the United States Supreme Court on ObamaCare reinforces the need to elect a conservative Congress that will vigorously restore our system of checks and balances and faithfully adhere to the United States Constitution. The American people still have the power to remake Congress and could even ensure that a genuine conservative challenges Obama for the presidency.
Just as the HHS mandate has aroused and united the Catholic Church against this despotic regime, we hope this tragic 5-4 ruling will rally all Americans to rid Washington of socialists and those concerned with nothing more than their own power and perquisites. We must recommit to taking back our republic. We must insist that our states nullify this law and reassert their sovereign rights. It is a time for prayer and the selfless work that is a reflex of prayer.
The following statement released by Heritage Action America CEO, Michael A. Needham, sums it up for us:
“America’s system of checks and balances ensures the Supreme Court’s misguided decision will not be the final word on President Obama’s government takeover of the healthcare system. Although the Court failed to provide a much-needed check on federal power, we have every bit of confidence the American people and their elected representatives will.
“Indeed, since the debate began in August 2009, Americans have vocally opposed President Obama’s approach to health care, which remains unaffordable and irresponsible. As such, Congress must repeal the law in its entirety.”
Archbishop Fulton Sheen Declared Venerable
In 1974, just a few years before he died, I had the opportunity to attend a Mass at which Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the great evangelist and churchman, received the Patronal Medal awarded jointly by The Catholic University of America and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. At the time, I had a vague notion that Archbishop Sheen was an important figure in the history of the Church in America and a noted public speaker, but I could never have anticipated the power of his presence, his words and his continuing influence. After years of Catholic education in which the fullness of the Catholic faith, devotions and piety had been suppressed following the Second Vatican Council, the powerful sermon on the Blessed Mother he delivered that April afternoon was like a long, gentle rain on parched fields; it changed my life. The videos, audio tapes, scores of books, particularly his Life of Christ and his autobiography, Treasure in Clay, continue to change lives and win souls for Christ.
Archbishop Sheen was the first televangelist, a brilliant scholar and a professor for a quarter of a century at my alma mater, The Catholic University of America. He brought thousands to the faith, including Bella Dodd, a lawyer for the Communist Party, the brilliant conservative writer and Congresswoman, Clare Boothe Luce, automaker Henry Ford II, Communist writer Louis F. Budenz, theatrical designer Jo Mielziner, violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler, actress Virginia Mayo and agnostic author Heywood Broun.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen has been called the most important Catholic of the twentieth century. His life, his priesthood were completely surrendered to the service of Christ and His Church. His heart will continue to speak to hearts for centuries to come.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has approved the heroic virtues of U.S. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, clearing the way for the advancement of his sainthood cause.
The announcement June 28 came just over 13 months after Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria, Ill., presented Pope Benedict XVI with two thick volumes about the life of Archbishop Sheen, whose home diocese was Peoria.
The decree from the Congregation for Saints' Causes, signed by Pope Benedict, said Archbishop Sheen heroically lived Christian virtues and was "venerable." Before he can be beatified, the Vatican must recognize that a miracle has occurred through his intercession.
Archbishop Sheen, who was born in Illinois in 1895 and died in New York in 1979, was an Emmy-winning televangelist. His program, "Life is Worth Living," aired in the United States from 1951 to 1957.
Last September, a tribunal of inquiry was sworn in to investigate the alleged miraculous healing of a newborn whose parents prayed to the intercession of Archbishop Sheen.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Supreme Knight Says HHS Mandate Has Re-Shaped Country's Political Landscape
By Benjamin Mann
 |
| Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. Credit: Knights of Columbus. |
.-
Whether the federal contraception mandate stands or falls, it has
changed U.S. politics forever, the head of the Knights of Columbus
observed during the 2012 Catholic Media Conference.
“It definitely has changed the political landscape,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson told CNA in a June 22 interview at the convention held in downtown Indianapolis.
“It definitely has changed the political landscape,” Supreme Knight Carl Anderson told CNA in a June 22 interview at the convention held in downtown Indianapolis.
Egyptian President-Elect Meets Christian Leaders
From Vatican Radio
Egypt’s President-elect Mohammed Morsi on Wednesday met with Catholic leaders and assured them that all Egyptians will be protected by the administration. The meeting came one day after the Muslim Brotherhood member met with the interim leader of Egypt’s Coptic Church, which makes up the vast majority of the roughly 8 million Christians in the country. He is trying to assuage the fears of Christians about being marginalized in Egyptian society.
“We are worried about the Islamization of Egyptian society,” said Father Rafic Greiche, the Chief press spokesman, Greek Melkite Catholic Church in Cairo.
He also told Vatican Radio Church leaders also spoke to the president-elect about social justice concerns.
“First of all, justice for all the Egyptians, and the new president, as he promised, he has to help the people who are poor, who are homeless, who are [illiterate]…so this is what, as Christians, we want.”
Listen to the full interview by Stefano Leszczynski with Father Greiche:
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