Would we take a day off today? No, we couldn’t do that. After all, October 3 is the day Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, founder of the Brazilian TFP, rendered his soul to God in 1995. He inspired and taught us to defend and live our Catholic faith. The best homage we could give him would be another campaign. Thoughts of his outstanding virtue and leadership ruminated in our minds as we drove onto campus.
We also recalled American war hero Pat Tillman who studied at Arizona State University. Placing service above self, he gave up a promising, comfortable and lucrative football career to serve his country as a U.S. Army Ranger and made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting terrorism in Afghanistan.
Disconcerting reaction from Catholic priest
Minutes after we began distributing pro-traditional marriage fliers at Arizona State University, a Catholic priest in clerics and a tan baseball cap appeared on the sidewalk. Near the intersection stood a Catholic Church, home to the Newman Club, where he is the chaplain.
“Who is in charge of this campaign?” he asked, gripping a TFP flier firmly in his grip making it crinkle like a piece of bow-tie pasta.
After being directed to me, the priest tersely said: “I don’t want our church here to be associated with what you are doing. I can’t tell you to leave because you are on a public sidewalk, but I am lodging my protest.”
Frankly, I was a bit shocked and said: “The Catholic Church has always condemned homosexuality as intrinsically evil.” “I know,” he replied, “but this is not our style. I protest.”
Granted, there are various legitimate approaches. But the “protest” part did not make any sense. Besides, the TFP style is always polite, respectful, and courteous. Our pamphlet presents logical arguments based on natural law, divine law and Catholic teaching.
Moments later a woman emerged from the Newman Center. “If you don’t stop,” she said, “I’m calling the police.” The police did come and only affirmed that we had the right to continue campaigning for a long as we pleased.
Thank you, officer
However, the disconcerting animosity from the Newman Center continued. When a gracious lady briefly parked in the Newman Center’s parking lot to unload a packed lunch she had graciously prepared for TFP volunteers, she was startled by a man who exited the building. He wore a rainbow shirt, symbol of the homosexual movement, and said: “If you don’t move your car, it will be towed away.”
At the end of the campaign, however, we discovered what the priest might have meant by “style.” A lesbian who claimed to be a faithful Catholic told us that her parish priest from the same church on the corner informed her that “if she felt homosexuality was not a sin, then it was not a sin.”
TFP volunteers assaulted with poisonous pesticide
A pro-homosexual man sitting in the passenger seat of his car leaned out and deliberately sprayed TFP members on the sidewalk with pesticide, saying: “Have a drink!” Although most of my colleagues managed to jump clear of the chemical substance, Mr. Thomas Schneider, who was holding a sign, was sprayed on the hands which soon became irritated. The chemical liquid sprayed by the homosexual advocate made his hands sting and feel painful.
Had Mr. Schneider remained where he was standing at the time of the assault, I have no doubt that his face would have been hit by the spray.
Police officials arrived at the scene. They documented the incident and copied a sequence of photos of their car taken by TFP volunteer Mr. Kenneth Murphy, which identified their vehicle and its passengers. The police authorities gave us a case number and will conduct an investigation. They believe the incident may be an aggravated assault, which is more serious than assault. Usually, police authorities simply take the camera that contains evidence of a crime and do not return it to its owner. However, the police officer who dealt with this case was very helpful. He offered to take the time to print the photos at a copy center and return with our memory card.
“How does it hurt you?”
Every day, we hear the following line to justify homosexual vice: “Why should you care about same-sex ‘marriage.’ It doesn’t hurt you personally, does it?!” Well, after witnessing nine assaults perpetrated by homosexual advocates on the streets of California and Arizona, I can now affirm that it does indeed hurt me. But, that is not the primary reason homosexual sin should be opposed of course. Sodomy is a violation and subversion of the order created by God.
“You enjoy doing this!”
Exasperated, a pro-homosexual student born in Massachusetts said: “You (TFP) actually enjoy doing this. You are professional.” As he stood on the sidewalk holding a “Support Gay Marriage” sign, he continued. “It’s hard for me to do this, to stand out here. I’m alone. There are so many of you. And you enjoy doing this.”
He’s was right. We do enjoy defending God’s law.
After about an hour, the student with the “Support Gay Marriage” sign got tired and looked for a place to leave his sign. He finally decided to duct-tape it over the official Arizona State University sign, defacing it with abundant gray tape. Mr. Keith Douet gladly informed university officials that their sign was covered. It was removed shortly after, but five other pro-homosexual students gathered with more signs.
“You probably know that those who engage in homosexual vice have a 500% greater chance of contracting AIDS, compared to the average person,” remarked TFP member Mr. Kenneth Murphy. “It’s like playing Russian roulette.”
The pro-homosexual student listening said: “Actually, it’s higher than 500% and we know that. But to have fun we take risks. And if you want to be consistent, you need to fight against alcohol and driving.” Mr. Murphy explained how drinking in moderation and driving are never evil, while “homosexual sin is always intrinsically evil.”
Just across the street, Mr. Cesar Franco was greeted in a most unusual way by a pro-homosexual student: “Hello, I hope you get run over by a car today!”
Like Sodom and Gomorrah
Mr. Thomas Schneider stood on the sidewalk, facing cars with his sign “Honk for Traditional Marriage. 1 Man + 1 Woman Only.” Many, many cars honked in support of traditional marriage. Out of the blue, a male pro-homosexual advocate walked up to Mr. Schneider, and, with outstretched arms, attempted to kiss him. Mr. Schneider instinctively retreated and straight armed him to prevent the accosting man from carrying out his lurid intentions.
“Stop!” said Mr. Schneider. “What you have attempted to do is disgusting. Disgusting.” We all chimed in: “Yes, disgusting.” Some students walking to class were also disgusted: “That’s gross.”
“Stay here. I am calling the police,” said Mr. Schneider. The offending individual put up his hands and literally started shaking like a leaf on a windy autumn day. A pro-homosexual wearing a tie die t-shirt perceived what had happened and said, “Run! Run! Leave!” The unshaven, long-haired pro-homosexual student scampered away nervously.
It’s like Sodom and Gomorrah here, we thought.
As you can tell, we need your prayers. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Saint Joseph, pray for us!
If you want to help protect the institution of marriage, the family and future of America, please consider filling our van’s gas tank with fuel and keep us on the road for traditional marriage. So far we’ve traveled 8,142 miles for God’s marriage.
Sponsor 1 tank of gas, 330 miles, for $107.00
Sponsor 2 tanks of gas, 660 miles, for 214.00
Sponsor 3 tanks of gas, 990 miles, for $321.00
Or even 5 tanks of gas, 1650 miles, for $535.00
If you would like to make your contribution by mail, please send a check payable to TFP Student Action and mail it to:
TFP Student Action,
1358 Jefferson Rd.
Spring Grove, PA 17362.
From the inbox:
From Trujillo, Peru
I am writing from Trujillo – Peru. Here, the TFP is printing fliers about the Culture Revolution as it effects college campuses in Trujillo.
My prayers are with you, especially for the TFP members who were attacked by homosexual advocates. Congratulations to you. You are teaching us how defend moral values. Our members are inspired and willing to imitate these campaigns on campuses in Trujillo. Your heroic campaign will be imitated here with the help of Our Lady of Fatima.
Felix A.
TFP – Trujillo
“It gives me hope…”
I was so happy to see the support you received from so many passersby during your traditional marriage campaign. I got the goose bumps watching the video. It gives me hope that most people want traditional values (and from California, no less)! God bless you for what you do, and thank you!
In Mary’s Immaculate Heart,
Mrs. Cynthia B.
From Sri Lanka
Dear friends, I opened this e-mail only today and it’s October 6th in Sri Lanka. I will surely support your campaign with my prayers.
Sr. Marie Lourdes
“I want to thank you…”
Dear TFP Members,
First, I want to thank you for what you’re doing here in California. No one in California that I’m aware of is doing what you did. It is very tough especially in this heavily liberal state, but you are faith-filled and brave. I’m a member of America Needs Fatima in Southern California and have been following your day to day campaign through e-mails from TFP. I’m grateful to Mother Mary for sending you to save California. I have always included you in my daily nightly adoration for the success of your campaign. I hope you will continue your campaign. May the Immaculate Heart of Mary triumph!
God bless you all,
C.S.