WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2016 /
Christian Newswire/ -- The Lepanto Institute and ChurchMilitant.com have launched an open letter petition to the Catholic bishops of the United States, asking them to formally condemn the
National Catholic Reporter and deny it any access to members of the clergy and official Catholic events.
"The
National Catholic Reporter has a long history of dissenting from Catholic teaching, but what it has done recently makes it an enemy of the Church," said Michael Hichborn, president of the Lepanto Institute.
The petition lists several positions taken by the
National Catholic Reporter which are in direct contradiction to Catholic teaching, including support for women's ordination, contraception and same-sex "marriage."
"Catholics are confused enough about the truths of the Faith, but for the USCCB to give the
National Catholic Reporter a modicum of respectability is nothing short of scandalous." said Michael Voris, Sr. Executive Producer of
ChurchMilitant. "Outfits led by faithful Catholics who fully support Catholic teaching are blocked, mocked and attacked by the same heirarchs maintaining an open door to flagrant promoters of heresy. This double standard is galling, self-centered and the source of great harm."
According to Canon 831 of the Code of Canon Law, "the Christian faithful are not to write anything for newspapers, magazines, or periodicals which are accustomed to attack openly the Catholic religion or good morals."
"The
National Catholic Reporter has already been officially condemned by its own bishop … twice," said Hichborn. "Because it has only ramped up its assault on the Catholic faith since then, it's time
NCR is formally condemned and banned by all bishops in every diocese."
The Lepanto Institute and ChurchMilitant are asking Catholics to sign the petition here:
www.lepantoinstitute.org/usccb-petition 
