By Milt Harris ——Bio and Archives--May 5, 2023
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“When we allow violence against some, we enable violence against all.” ~ DaShanne Stokes
Why are crimes against Christians, especially Catholics not pursued with the same urgency that crimes against other religions are? Also, why is the phrase “hate crime” rarely uttered when, or should I say if, the mainstream media even deems them as newsworthy?
My theory is that both Catholics and Jews are singled out because they are more visible. For that reason, it’s open season on their churches and synagogues for haters. That said, the sensibilities of all Christians have been under attack at an alarming rate since Joe Biden took office. The moral collapse of western nations is almost beyond comprehension and the United States, led by the far left using Biden as their meat puppet, is the poster child for justified filth.
Within the last several weeks alone, we have seen a man win a women’s cycle race. We’ve seen a liberal district attorney fail to add additional charges against three gang members that shot and killed a five-year-old girl, because it would lengthen their sentences. We’ve seen an illegal alien shoot and kill five of his neighbors. We’ve seen an extremely hairy man appear on the cover of a bridal magazine in a gown. We’ve seen a white sports broadcaster fired for reading a black rapper’s lyrics that contained the dreaded N-word, and the U.S. Navy is using a drag queen as a digital ambassador in an attempt to boost recruitment.
Those are just a few things that have occurred. That tiny list just scratches the surface of the corruption and debauchery that takes place on a daily basis. Notice that I didn’t even mention any of the criminal political activities that the nation has to tolerate under Biden. Listing those would take up the entire article.
As of May 3rd, of this year, there have been 316 attacks against Catholic churches since May 28th, 2020. The attacks include arson, rocks/bricks thrown threw windows, walls defaced with graffiti or satanic messages, illegal disruptions of Mass and historic statues destroyed, often with the heads removed. Arrests for these crimes have only occurred approximately 25 percent of the time.
So instead of focusing on deterring these crimes, the Biden administration has decided to go scorched earth on another sacred tradition at the Saint Francis Health System in Oklahoma.
Demonstrating clearly how uncaring, petty, and ignorant this administration can be, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has demanded that Saint Francis extinguish two candles. A small sanctuary candle that has burned since 1960 and another at a Saint Francis hospital that has burned for 15 years.
The penalty if they refuse, is the loss of their accreditation and all of their federal funding. If that occurs, healthcare for thousands of disabled, elderly, and low-income citizens will be jeopardized. The candles in question are routinely inspected and have never been identified as a safety issue.
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a well-known First Amendment litigation group is assisting them in their fight against this blatant tyranny. In a May 3rd letter Senior Council Lori Windham wrote:
“In requiring Saint Francis to extinguish its flame, you are trying to extinguish not just a candle, but the First Amendment rights of Saint Francis Health System, as well as vital healthcare for the elderly, poor, and disabled in Oklahoma.”
Windham went on to remind the administration that their actions violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) by requiring the hospital to hide its faith without a compelling government interest.
The Becket Fund also reminded the administration that the Code of Canon Law requires that wherever the Blessed Sacrament is kept, a special lamp must shine continuously. The living flame is so important to worship that the Fifth Chapter of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal expressly mandates that “a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should shine prominently to indicate the presence of Christ and honor it.”
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Saint Francis believes that the laws governing the liturgy and chapel suitability have been divinely instituted by Jesus Christ Himself and that derogating from these laws is an affront to God.
The group added, “There has not been a day in Saint Francis history where the living flame has been extinguished, and Saint Francis’s religious identity and mission are intimately united with the living flame of the sanctuary candle.”
The letter went on to point out that the candle is kept securely in the chapel and is surrounded by ample sprinklers. Also, the candle is inspected annually by the fire marshal and has always been approved. The group referenced that CMS’s own guidelines very clearly allow for flames used for religious purposes, prohibiting them only near medical equipment.
The clown show continued when after pointing out that the CMS representative mislabeled the candle, which is enclosed as an “open flame” he then changed his report stating ….. (Seriously, wait for this moronic response) that a lighter was used to light the candle and that “open flame” violates federal safety standards.
The Becket group shot down that ridiculous argument by reminding the administration that the RFRA can only violate someone’s religious beliefs if there is a “compelling government interest” and their methods are the “least restrictive means” available.
The letter pointed out that CMS permits other open flames which therefore nullifies extinguishing the sanctuary candle as the “least restrictive” way to ensure fire safety.
“There are over a dozen prudently managed flames around the hospital, from flames in the kitchen (pilot lights for stoves and ovens), to gas dryers in the laundry room, to flames in gas water heaters, to welding for electrical and construction purposes,” the letter noted. “Yet the government permits these flames, used for secular reasons, while prohibiting flames in a chapel, used for religious reasons.”
Additionally, CMS officials have refused to work with Saint Francis on coming up with other solutions. Windham wrote:
“It could ask that Saint Francis add additional shielding or inspect the flame to confirm it is nowhere near oxygen equipment. It could accept Saint Francis’s proposal to add tile on the wall and floor around the candle. The fact that the government hasn’t even entertained such alternatives shows that it has not and cannot demonstrate that it is using the least restrictive means for furthering its interest in fire safety.”
The letter closed by stating that if the administration refuses to back down, it can expect to lose a lawsuit.
This is so typical of the Biden administration. Moral depravity is everywhere and has the administration’s full support. Yet, what do they spend taxpayers time and money on, harassing a Christian church and hospital serving the less fortunate.
One of Saint Francis’s famous quotes reminded us about what life should be about.
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given.”
Sorry Joe. You, your corrupt family, and the entire disgusting administration are leaving empty handed.
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Milt spent thirty years as a sales and operations manager for an international manufacturing company. He is also a four-time published author on a variety of subjects. Now, he spends most of his time researching and writing about conservative politics and liberal folly.