Where to begin? I’m an eccentric, a writer, a former and failed actor-cum-waiter, a liberal traditionalist, a poet, a practicing Catholic, a philosopher of life. I’ve recently graduated from Florida State University College of Law and am admitted to the Florida Bar (pending swearing in). When I’m not poring over case law or drafting my next article or editorial, you can catch me on a campaign trail, carousing at the local comedy club or pub discussing religion, politics, and anything else which offends modern sensibilities. So enjoy my musings, and drop me a line ’bout what you think.
Confessions of a Liberal Traditionalist
Musings, Missives, and Reflections on Law and Liberty from the Purple Southeast – by Eric Giunta, Esq.
You go, future JD… thanks for the information, particularly on Joe Biden.
“Actor-CUM-waiter”. Interesting. That’s all I need to know
Dear Lex – read your excellent article on Renew America today about the Notre Dame scandal and abortion in general
I would love to interview you on my internet radio show to discuss the points raised by this article to my listeners – please email me at newmusic@paullamon.com if interested
i’ll be up front and tell you that i am an ex-Catholic, but I still empathize with the faithful Catholics who feel let down by the Catholic Church leadership, especially now after the Notre Dame scandal
God bless, Paul Lamon
Are you the Eric Giunta who wrote a review on Amazon re “Christianity: the First Two Thousand Years”? If so, what book(s) and/or DVDs would you recommend that give a TRUE history of the Church?
(By the way, thank you very much for your detailed review – if indeed this is the same Eric Giunta!)
God bless.
Hi, Debbie.
Yep, I’m the same Eric Giunta, though I must admit I haven’t written a review for Amazon in a while.
I don’t know, off the top of my head, any DVDs to recommend, but in terms of books I recommend H. W. Crocker III’s “Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church — The First Two Thousand Years”:
http://tinyurl.com/p4x7px
There are several other works I would recommend, but they all focus on specific eras, events, or persons. I found Triumph to be a good introduction, with a thorough, annotated bibliography (and footnotes!) to direct you to more information, from a wide range of primary and secondary sources.
Yes, the work is blatantly Catholic in its worldview, but none the less scholarly.
If you’re looking for something REAL thorough, I have heard nothing but praise for Warren H. Carroll’s work, particularly his “History of Christendom” series. See:
http://tinyurl.com/p9mn2c
While these works are my highest recommend for starters, there are many others I could name if you wanted something more specific.
Welcome to the blog!
I’ve also heard good things about John Vidmar’s “The Catholic Church Through the Ages: A History”:
http://tinyurl.com/plabec
I actually would recommend with starting with Vidmar’s book first, and then move on to Crocker’s. If I recall correctly Vidmar’s book also contains lists of suggested works for further reading.
Thanks for the response and for the suggestions. Glad I got the right “Eric Giunta” on google!
I have heard good things about Triumph, and I intend to check out all your suggestions.
My appreciation and God’s blessings to you, Eric…
Debbie
First time visitor and I like what I’m seeing/reading. I think one of the biggest failures right now, in the Church and throughout Christianity is our ability to defend GOD and His existence. I have a somewhat militarnt atheist for a Brother -in-Law and I need help with apologetics, if you will, for Theism! My “learning” is far too low to argue, or even understand what he throws in my face for responses…where (or to whom) can you recommend that I go?
Hey, Mark! Welcome to the blog.
There are two sources I recommend for you:
“Handbook of Catholic Apologetics: Reasoned Answers to Questions of Faith”:
http://tinyurl.com/qjrj44
“There Is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind”:
http://tinyurl.com/9elhoj
The latter is a particular fascinating work, and makes for an excellent birthday/Christmas/get-together gift!
I look forward to hearing me from you.
Thank you for the suggestions. The latter looks like it’d be more in line of what I need but we’ll see. Thank you very much! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Hie I am in Montreal Canada, I was just wondering if its possible for you to come and give us a talk at Mcgill Neuman Centre. Its a place where catholics meet to celebrate mass, we have the funniest priest. I myself come from Africa, now a resident here studying International Business and Accounting at John Molson School of Business Concordia university. I love my Catholic faith and fight for it at the University , where Catholicism is disparaged, and mispresented.I am also a knight of Columbus. Please if you could consider this invite , we will appreciate your presence among us and your witness to true catholicism, and your love for the one ,holy apostolic church. May God who began a good work in you , continue to tender it to its fruition, and may Mary and the saints intercede for you.Thank you in advance.
Your brother in Christ
Cannaan Khoza
Mr. Khoza:
I am humbled by your invitation. I would love to come speak to your Newman Centre. Are you a student officer at the Center?
Unfortunately, I live all the way in Florida, and simply do not have the financial means to make the trip. I don’t know much about the Church in Canada, but I’m sure there are other orthodox Catholics available to assist you. Are you familiar with LifeSiteNews.com?
Thanks again for your kind words!
In Christ,
Eric G.
“I don’t know whether my long-term vocation is in the judicial system, or in politics. ”
Neither. Be a priest!! No one has made any real change to the institutions thereof, and no man has remained unchanged by them and either of which will end up sullying you. You by far will be more effective as a priest than the other stuff. Without the priest, there is no Eucharist. Without the priest, there is no Confession. Without the priest, there is no Baptism. Hence, without the priest, there is no direct access to salvation to which God Himself has bound them, and what a pitiful and horrid world to live in then.
Be a priest, Eric.
Good to meet you today Eric. Let’s stay in touch.
I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you. Please call me at (941) 923-2541 or e-mail me at rswier@comcast.net.
I am most interested in your writings.
I just read your article on Renew America about the Archbishop of Miami. As I write this letter we are facing the same problem in South Africa, gay priest have taken over and the straight guys are being assaulted , denigrated , made fun of at the seminaries. Actually they are very few straight guys going to the seminary, because of the homosexual culture so rampart in seminaries and among the parish priests and misappropriation of church funds. Some priests are living like married men, openly having relationships and fathering babies with different women. The Cardinal and bishops are all mute about this yet everyone knows about it , its right there in the eyes of the public. People actually laugh at you if you say you are Catholic, they have lost faith in the church. In the diocese of Marianhill, 3/4 of the clergy are gay , having affairs with young people in church, they have even started a sodality, where they recruit these youngmen, and take them for outings. Straight seminarians are womanizing like crazy . If the straight guys complain about gay culture , they are dismissed from the seminary, even the faculty members are part of the game. What do we do with this mess and evil now engulfing the church in Africa.We are different people we love the church, we do not believe in embarrassing anyone, but enough is enough, the old ladies who are the backbone of the church are disgusted, they are silent but they are in deep pain about the situation. My brother we need help to tuckle this evil, its now embeded in the Catholic clergy. Where do we start and how do we do it. Its a patheic situation and sure a thorn in the flesh for many who love the church.
May God bless you and make you a blessing to us all.
Thanks Cannaan Khoza
Mr. Khoza:
I have no idea of the state of the Church in South Africa. I can only tell you what WE did.
You need to document any and all grievances, and respectfully submit them to the Apostolic Nuncio, who is the Holy Father’s ambassador to your country. You then must be in frequent contact with the Nuncio to find out what the status is of your case, or to see whether he gives you any suggestions. Then, it is up to you to keep sending in the relevant documentation, and if the Nuncio is not getting you anywhere, then to deal with whatever is the relevant Vatican congregation.
One thing that would be helpful is to find out whether any faithful lay or clergy in any neighboring Diocese have been successful in fighting corruption through appeal to Rome, and find out how they did it. We in Miami ended up being contacted by a priest in Orlando, who referred us to a canon lawyer in Rome who is well-connected.
Once you have your report compiled and documented, let me know and I’ll see if I can put you in touch with the canon lawyer we had represent our case.
But like I said, you need to congregate with like-minded Catholics, document your case, do so with organization and precision, before going on to the next step. Simply ranting and raving won’t get you anywhere. Documentation, whether in the form of photographs, eyewitness accounts, or other incriminating evidence, is essential.
Eric,
I am from the Diocese of Rockville Centre and would like to make contact with the Christifidelis organization in Miami.
Thanks so much.
Thanks for the info, espically about the judges. Your insight will help me when I vote today in Broward County. All the best to you!
hehe
Your article on “Why Pope John Paul II should not be canonized” relies too much on your speculation and personal opinion instead of reporting facts. In fact to me it looked like a blaming, name calling fest. This article is not journalism unless your kind of journalism to be like the “drive-by media” that can’t report plain facts but only a little bit of truth with a lot of information that is false.
This is not a credible article.
are you aware of the baptismal regeneration issue and the effects of calvinistic
reform changes the southern Baptist are going through ? baptist are looking
for structure but do not want to give up their ‘free lance” theology. would
appreciate your comments. ken [gainesville - seminole ! ]
Thank you for your latest article on Bishop Ricard. I would be interested in talking with you about Catholic Radio in the Pensacola-Tallahassee diocese. Please contact me.
Gene Church, JD
Hi Eric!
I just thought I would try asking you this question because this blog came up on my Google search… is there currently a Latin Mass in Tallahassee?
Thanks!
Mary